May 2021 Hike Schedule

Saturday, May 1st, Sawmill Loop - Easy; 4 miles; 500' gain; 8:30am - This route is suitable for new hikers. We will begin at the Sawmill Trailhead and make a loop up onto a small ridge and back down. We will meet in the parking lot at the bottom of Lee Canyon Road just after you turn left from SR-95 at 8:30am. Here, you may arrange carpools if desired then follow me up the mountain to the trailhead that is located approximately 12 miles up. No need to RSVP. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell




Sunday, May 2- Oak Creek/Knoll/Arnight Trails (Desert Triangle)- Moderate to Moderately Strenuous- 6 miles plus- 600 FT elevation gain-Three trails come together to provide a good route to view this year's bloom starting from the Scenic Loop Drive Exit Parking Lot. We start off taking a connector route over to Oak Creek Trailhead, then up Oak Creek for a bit, to where we'll pick-up the Knoll Trail that will take us along the base of Red Rock's Sandstone Escarpment. Our goal is to make our way over into Pine Creek Canyon where we'll take our break at the Wilson Homestead. Returning, we come back out the way we came in, but well return to the cars via the Arnight Trail. Expect some rocky conditions at times, the desert in bloom, and great views of the Wilson Cliffs. We step off at 8 AM- No limit/No RSVP- Coordinator- David Gray




Monday, May 3-




Tuesday, May 4- Mummy Spring Loop via Deer Creek- Moderately Strenuous- Distance of some 6 miles with an elevation gain of 1800 FT. We’ll ascend the heavily wooded, rather steep Deer Creek Trail to gain Mummy Spring. We’ll return via the North Loop Trail taking our break at Raintree. Heading on down, our route will include the Wild Horse Trail and Wild Horse Ridge. Our pace will be moderate. There will be a couple of areas of loose rock, rocky terrain. We’ll start our day from the Deer Creek Trailhead, Deer Creek Road. Our initial meet-up will be at Traffic Circle Trailhead across from the Spring Mountains Visitor Center, Kyle Canyon Road. Directions at the Traffic Circle- (Go/Yield right, then make an immediate right onto the service road up to the vaulted toilets.) Be there by 8 AM- Google your drive time using the Visitor Center location. No limit/No RSVP- Coordinator- David Gray




Wednesday, May 5th, Fletcher Canyon/Eagle’s Nest Loop - Moderate, 6 miles, 800 feet, 8:30 AM - A club favorite that hikes through several mountain zones, chaparral, creek and pine. Pacing will be leisurely. Carpoolers can gather at the Santa Fe and depart at 8:00. Meet at Fletcher Canyon parking lot on Kyle Canyon for an 8:30 AM departure. 12 participants, please RSVP. Coordinator- Lettie Gutierrez




Thursday, May 6-




Friday, May 7th, Camp Stimson/Mormon Girl’s Camp - Moderate, 4-5 miles, 800 feet, 8:30 AM. We begin at the Deer Creek Picnic parking lot. We ascend the embankment and hike along a trail until we turn left to begin our ascent up to the dirt road. This climb is significant so slow and steady is the pace. Then it’s mostly downhill to the camp. There are have many improvements and new carvings at the camp. After a break, we return to the cars. Carpoolers should depart the Santa Fe at 7:45 AM. 12 participants, RSVP required. Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez




Saturday, May 8th, Orange Trail Arch - Easy; 3 miles; 600' gain; 8:30am - This is an easy trail suitable for new hikers, however, the 600' of gain is accomplished on the return. The arch is in a low lying conglomerate outcropping with views around of Mummy's Nose and Deer Creek Canyon. We will meet in the parking lot at the bottom of Kyle Canyon Road on the right just after passing under SR-95 bridge at 8:30am. Here, you may arrange carpools if desired then follow me up the mountain to the trailhead that is located on Deer Creek Road. No need to RSVP. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell




Sunday, May 9, Hummingbird Gulch to Raintree/Shuttle: Moderately Strenuous to Strenuous, 5.0 miles, 1600 FT gain, Class III scrambling at times, 8:00 AM. These are two of our favorite spots in our archives of hikes. Our initial meet-up will be at Traffic Circle Trailhead across from the Spring Mountains Visitor Center, Kyle Canyon Road. Directions at the Traffic Circle- (Go/Yield right, then make an immediate right onto the service road up to the vaulted toilets.) Be there by 8 AM- No limit/No RSVP required. Coordinator- David Gray




Monday,May 10-




Tuesday, May 11, Big Falls Overlook O&B- Strenuous, 9 miles, 2900 FT gain - It's training to get us up to MT Charleston Peak this summer plus great views of spring time in the mountains and interesting geology. TH- Trail Canyon Trail/Kyle Canyon. Google your drive time using the time/distance to the MT Charleston Lodge. Key point- You turn off of Kyle Canyon Road onto Echo Road just before the sharp curve across the wash bridge leading up to the lodge. Follow the curve of Echo Road to the entrance of the parking lot by the vaulted toilets. We step off at 8 AM- No limit-/No RSVP- Coordinator- David Gray




Wednesday, May 12, Wild Horse Canyon and Ridge Loop - Moderate, 4 miles, 800 feet, 8:30 AM - Beginning at Deer Creek picnic parking, we hike over to Wild Horse Canyon. This beautiful canyon does steadily climb up to Cactus Jack spur trail. We turn right and ascend to Wild Horse Ridge. We take our break and enjoy the views. Then we walk along the ridge to the end where we climb down a rocky section. We make our way down to Cougar Ridge Road and turn left. We use the picnic road to get back to the cars. Carpoolers need to depart the Santa Fe at 7:45 AM. 12 participants, RSVP required. Coordinator- Lettie Gutierrez




Thursday, May 13-




Friday through Sunday, May 14-16, Hackberry Creek Backpack Excursion- Moderate, 5.5 miles, mostly flat. We will be constantly hiking in and out of water so shoes you don’t mind getting wet are essential. Shoes must be enclosed, that is, no openings so you don’t have gravel getting in all the time. Have a dry pair for camp and dry hiking. The first 2 miles will be a narrows. Then the canyon opens up and then begins to close in at 4 miles. At 5.5 miles is a very nice campsite. When you commit, you will get a trip sheet of the outing. This area is east of Kanab, UT. Limit- 12 hikers- RSVP required- Coordinator- David Hardy




Friday, May 14th, Cathedral Rock OB - Moderate, 5 miles, 600 feet, 8:30 AM - Starting from Echo parking lot just off of Kyle Canyon, we hike over to the Cathedral Rock trail. Pacing will be slow and steady as we make our way through the Aspen and avalanche area. Our break is at the top of Cathedral then we retrace back to our cars. Carpoolers depart the Santa Fe at 8:00 AM. 12 participants, RSVP please. Coordinator- Lettie Gutierrez




Saturday, May 15th, Upper Showgirl Loop - Easy Moderate; 5 miles; 600' gain; 8:30am - Among the trees, we will hike at a slow pace taking twists and turns on the bike trails across from Angel Peak. There are beautiful views of Mummy's Nose as well. We will meet in the parking lot at the bottom of Kyle Canyon Road on the right just after passing under SR-95 bridge at 8:30am. Here, you may arrange carpools if desired then follow me up the mountain to the trailhead that is located off of Deer Creek Road. No need to RSVP. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell




Sunday, May 16-




Monday, May 17-




Tuesday, May 18, Fletcher Peak (10,319) via The Backdoor- Strenuous- 6.5 miles with an elevation gain of 2300 FT with some Class II here and there. This has been called the backdoor approach as we start from the Deer Creek area, make the sharp climb up Deer Creek Trail to Mummy Spring. Then we traverse over to Raintree for a brief break, then "go for the gold" at the pinnacle. We'll take our main break here, enjoy the day. We'll bring it home via the North Loop Trail and Wild Horse Ridge. Our initial meet-up will be at Traffic Circle Trailhead across from the Spring Mountains Visitor Center, Kyle Canyon Road. Directions at the Traffic Circle- (Go/Yield right, then make an immediate right onto the service road up to the vaulted toilets.) Be there by 8 AM- Google your drive time using the Visitor Center location. No limit/No RSVP- Coordinator- David Gray




Wednesday, May 19th, Raintree - Moderately strenuous, 6 miles, 1400 feet, 8:30 AM - We begin at North Loop and use a slow and steady pace up to the meadow, up the 12 switchbacks to the high point and then down to Raintree. The trail passes many Bristlecone Pine trees that are old and photogenic. Carpoolers should depart the Santa Fe at 7:45 and drive to the North Loop trailhead to rendezvous with the other hikers at 8:30AM. 12 participants, please RSVP. Coordinator- Lettie Gutierrez




Thursday, May 20, Red Springs- Most of the route for this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike will be in the shade as the group will start from Red Springs and go around the south end of the Calico Hills as far as Calico II Overlook utilizing the canyon between the sandstone hills and the scenic drive as much as possible. The coordinator will be at Red Springs Picnic Area for a 5:30 AM start of the hike. If anyone plans to carpool from Red Rock Casino they should leave that assembly point at 5:15 AM. If the gate of the picnic area is not open that early there is plenty of parking just outside along the road. When we return we will be looking for the big juicy lizards sunning in the hot sun as the temperature rapidly rises. Limit of 12 hikers/RSVP- Coordinator- David Hardy




Friday, May 21- McFarland Approach Loop/Campsite Shelter- Strenuous, 10 miles, 3300 FT elevation gain, Time- 8 AM. It’s been said that this hike has it all when you’re talking about training for Mt. Charleston. We’ll do the traditional route starting from the Upper Bristlecone Trail. From there we take two other landmark trails, the No Name and then the Bonanza, to the large shelter near the Yellow Flower Saddle. Our break time there will offer great views. Return via the Bonanza switchbacks and the Upper Bristlecone Trail. Meet-up/TH- Upper Bristlecone TH/Lee Canyon. Use the ski lodge facility to Google your driving time. We step off at 8 AM- No limit/No RSVP- Coordinator- David Gray




Saturday, May 22nd, Pioneer Rock Loop - Easy Moderate, 4 miles; 800' gain; 8:30am - There are two main hills to climb on this hike. The first hill is immediate. We will take the hike at a slow pace as it saunters along an old road on a ridge then quietly strolls through a girls' camp. Next, the hike takes on its second hill up to a saddle behind a very large rock outcropping. The descent is the best part through a beautiful wooded area with views. We will meet in the parking lot at the bottom of Lee Canyon Road on the right just after turning left from SR-95 at 8:30am. Here, you may arrange carpools if desired then follow me up the mountain to the trailhead that is located at the traffic circle on Lee Canyon Road. No need to RSVP. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell




Sunday, May 23-




Monday, May 24-




Tuesday, May 25- Coyote Canyon/ North Fork of the Main Fork of Pine Creek- Moderately Strenuous with a total distance of 6-7 miles O&B, 800 FT gain. It’s known by many of our tenured Red Rock hikers. Kay explored this in October of 2016, naming it Coyote Canyon based on the overwhelming evidence of a pack living up in there. Given the terrain, the pace will be moderate. Meet at the Pine Creek Canyon TH by 8 AM- Goggle your drive time, allowing for 40+ minutes on the Scenic Loop Drive. No limit/No RSVP- Coordinator- David Gray




Wednesday, May 26-




Thursday, May 27 thru Tuesday, June 1, Halls Creek Narrows is in the SE corner of Capitol Reef NP. It is a long drive to get there, probably 7 or 8 hours from Las Vegas as there is no direct way. This is a 25 mile backpack but not all those miles with the pack. In late May the temperature is around 90 degrees during the day and 50’s at night. It is a 9 mile hike to the Narrows and nice campsite with water. There is a perennial stream in the Narrows which is a day hike of 8 miles round trip. Moderately Strenuous, not much elevation change. Coordinator- David Hardy RSVP- hardyhikers@embarqmail.com




Friday, May 28, Twilight Trail Loop- Moderately Strenuous; 8.79 miles; 1653 elevation gain; 8AM. This was Kay’s exploratory back in 2015 that established a third route for the Twilight repertoire in the northern desert acreage of Red Rock Canyon NCA, just nine miles up the Kyle Canyon Road from the 95. The Twilight TH is not signed but the landmark is a very large gravel parking lot on your right. The hiking takes us across to, then through Grapevine Canyon and the spring/cistern area. And finally it’s up and over the Twilight Ridge to make our way back to the cars. Looking west, we’ll have great views of the still snow-covered Spring Mountains. Meet at the Park & Ride Parking Lot at the start of Kyle Canyon Road by 8 AM. It's the large well used lot on your right a bit after going down, then back up the ramp, past the signal lights at the interchange with Hwy 95. You'll see me standing by my white Accent. No limit/No RSVP- Coordinator- David Gray




Saturday, May 29th, Lee Canyon Narrows / Champion Road Loop - Easy Moderate; 5 miles; 850' gain; 8:30am - This hike is also among the trees in the upper parts of Lee Canyon. It winds around a primitive camping area then drops into the canyon wash. From there, we will continue down to the narrows and take a look over the rock drop. We will return via the trail through some old junk cars. If anyone on the hike wants to return to the trailhead after 3 miles, I will show you where to leave the hike and climb the road to return. We will meet in the parking lot at the bottom of Lee Canyon Road on the right just after turning left from SR-95 at 8:30am. Here, you may arrange carpools if desired then follow me up the mountain to the trailhead that is located at the Sawmill Trailhead. No need to RSVP. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell




Sunday, May 30, Big Falls on Snow/Ice O&B- Moderately Strenuous, about 4 miles, 1700FT gain, 8 AM. Remember the last time we did this traditional trek? We were on a hard icy snow pack that was so deep that obstacle rock was NOT an obstacle! In approaching the final turn in the canyon below MT Charleston, you could hear water running under the snow pack in places, as well as, the thunder of the falls. Given this year’s snows, I have a feeling it will be . . . . . . . . Meet at the Mary Jane Falls TH by 8 AM. Google your drive time. No RSVP/No limit- Coordinator- David Gray-




Monday, May 31-