Thursday, September 1st, Early Morning Gypsum Hill (Red Rock Hill)- This is only a 2.5 mile r/t hike but it's rated moderate due to gaining 850 ft. of elevation in a short distance. We will hike to the top of a major hill just east of Blue Diamond. The hike goes steeply up a trail on the west facing side which will keep us out of the sun until we reach the top. From there it is not far to the very top where we will have a snack break and a 360 view. We will return on another trail to make a loop. The main assembly point will be the gravel parking lot on Hwy. 159/Arroyo which is the back entrance road to the community of Blue Diamond. Step off at 6 A.M. Directions- Turn left onto Arroyo from 159 and the parking area is immediately on your right at this intersection. RSVP/Limit of 15 hikers- Coordinator- David Hardy-
Friday, September 2nd,Upper Kyle Canyon Wash/Escarpment Loop Trail/Shuttle- Moderately strenuous, 8.2 miles, elevation loss of 1400 FT, a 750 FT gain in elevation, 8 AM- It's combination of two club standards that will make for a good day of hiking, including visiting Old Town. Distance of the wash trail is 4.47 miles, the escarpment loop route down by the visitor's center is 3.7 miles. We'll use the Traffic Circle Trailhead/Kyle Canyon Road for the initial meet-up and the required shuttle. Be there by 8 AM. The hike will begin from the Echo Trailhead of Echo Road. Coordinator- David Gray
Saturday, September 3rd, Gallium Road Spring- Easy; 3 miles; 300' gain; 7:30am - This is another spring we came upon on a more difficult hike. We begin at the Pay Phone Trailhead (Lee Canyon Road traffic circle) and drop into the Lee Canyon Wash. When we near Gallium Road (a dirt road on the opposite side of Lee Canyon Road), we will climb out of the wash and start up. Before long, we will see the seepage on the right side. Meet at the trailhead for a 7:30am start. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
Sunday, September 4th, Blue Diamond Canyon 5B- If you don’t want to drive up to the mountains, let’s meet at the Wheeler Spring parking lot just before Blue Diamond for a hike up the low end of the Goatroper Trail which will drop into Canyon #5. We will branch off into the left fork (#5B) and continue to the upper end. We will return the same way to enjoy as much shade as possible. Much of the route is moderate hiking that requires some 2.5 hours to cover the 4 miles r/t with little elevation gain. Some scrambling. It is going to get hot so meet at 6 AM. If coming from Red Rock, this parking lot is on the right just after a large brown sign to not feed the burros. If from the opposite way, it is on the left just after where the mine road goes up BD Hill. RSVP required/Limit of 15 hikers and friends- Coordinator- David Hardy
Tuesday, September 6th-Exploring Upper Regions of Fletcher Canyon Wash, Mummy Mountain- It may be a new hike, but I think, and I can't remember when, Kay's group went up into this area to explore several years ago. Difficulty is rated strenuous with an estimated distance of 5 miles or so . . . . . . Elevation gain of 2700 FT, Class II and III scrambling- Be at the Trail Canyon Trailhead by 8 AM. Coordinator- David Gray
Thursday, September 8th, Blue Diamond Ridges- This mostly moderate early morning trek on the hill across from Red Rock Canyon will cover a distance up to 7 miles starting from the Cowboy Stables TH parking lot along Highway 159. How much the group does will be determined by the temperature increases during the morning. If it stays somewhat cool the destination will be the Las Vegas Overlook. All the uphill is with no sun. This will be done differently by going up Cave Canyon, up a ladder at one point and continuing until we reach a trail and then across to the Bone Shaker and have the option of crossing over to the Bob Gnarly trail down the canyon. Participants will gather at the trailhead at 6 AM where you meet the coordinator. RSVP/Limit of 15- Coordinator- David Hardy. Email address- hardyhikers@embarqmail.com.
Friday, September 9th, Mount Charleston- Route- Trail Canyon to North Loop and descend the South Loop- Strenuous, 18 miles, 4,890 feet elevation gain, time- 5:30 AM- We will stage a car(s) at the South Loop. Stats- 9-10 hours slow to medium pace. I'm not pushing for any world records on the ascent. We can make up "time" on the descend. RSVP/10 hikers- Coordinator- John Hammel
Saturday, September 10th, Lee Canyon Narrows- Easy Moderate; 4 miles; 600' gain; 7:30am - This is an oldie but a goodie. We start at the Sawmill TH and cross Lee Canyon Road onto Champion Road. A descent in the wash below will end at the narrows where we decide whether to take the "up and around" trail to the lower end of the narrows. The return takes the trail back to a hill climb and below the Sawmill TH. A loop around the pavement of the TH may be taken. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell - For more information, go to http://aroundthebendfriends2.blogspot.com/search?q=Lee+Canyon+Narrows
Sunday, September 11th, Cockscomb Ridge/Exploring- Moderately strenuous, 5-6 plus miles,1500 FT elevation gain, possible Class II and Class III scrambling required, 8:00 AM- It's the traditional club trek with time taken to explore new areas, create new routes. We'll probably see some fall colors on the ridges across the way. Meet-up- Trail Canyon Trailhead parking lot by 8 AM. Coordinator- David Gray
Tuesday, September 13th- Above Echo Falls/The Vatican/Exploratory- Strenuous to moderately strenuous, about 5 or so miles, 1000 FT gain if we're lucky, Class II - III scrambling effort is anticipated in places. We've been looking this area over for some time now utilizing photos, the Cathedral Rock Trail, as well as, advantage points along the South Loop Trail. No doubt there are areas of interest, challenges in scrambling ahead. Meet at the Cathedral Rock TH by 8 AM- Coordinator- David Gray
Friday, September 16th, Above Mummy Springs/Exploratory/Loop Route- Strenuous/moderately strenuous, 7 Plus miles, 2200 PLUS FT of elevation gain, 7:30 AM- Now I did this a few years ago but can't locate the original write-up, so I am thinking we decided to do some exploring, "build on" the traditional loop trek (5.5-6 miles) that day. So I am headed back up there! As noted, it's basically the traditional route up through Deer Springs, but as we near the top of the ridge trail, instead of going left, we'll turn right onto the route that curves back up and around taking us into a rather large canyon/bluff area with lots of pines well above (watershed area) the spring. Here the trail ends; it's not far to the top/ridgeline. Above us there's lots of blue sky. We'll bushwhack a bit to top that ridgeline, then head out onto some overlooks situated in and around the cliffs/bluffs/ridgeline on the "south wall" exposure of Mummy Mountain. We'll have great views of MT Charleston, Kyle Canyon, and the top of Mummy's Toe. It's break time now. Heading back, we'll drop down onto the Mummy Springs Trail, head over to Raintree, then return to the cars via the North Loop Trail, Wild Horse Ridge. TH- Deer Creek TH/Picnic Area/pull-off with the vaulted toilets- We’ll step off at 7:30 AM. Coordinator- David Gray
Saturday, September 17th, Mom's Eagle's Nest Loop- Easy; 3 miles; 600' gain; 7:30am - This is a shorter version of a similar hike I did last summer except we will begin at the hotel upper level parking and drop down to Kyle Wash. Reaching a tree log to climb out and up to the road, we cross the road to climb up to the weather station apparatus. Circling around on the Eagle's Nest Trail, we will drop down to Deer Creek Road and on down to the cars. Meet at the hotel (Mt. Charleston Resort Hotel upper parking) upper level parking for a 7:30am start. Coordinator- Kay Blackwell
Sunday, September 18th, New Loop From Blue Diamond- Moderate, 5 miles, 800 FT elevation gain, 6:15 AM- We will start from the BD county park at 6:15 AM to follow a trail to the top of the Tertiary Ridge. From there a new trail heads north and west and eventually drops down to the Landmine Trail. We will return to BD using that trail for a ways, veering off to another trail that runs to Wheeler Spring and then back to the park. RSVP/Limit of 15 hikers- Coordinator- David Hardy Email address- hardyhikers@embarqmail.com
Tuesday, September 20th, South Sister Saddle Loop via Bonanza Trail- Moderately strenuous, 6 miles, 1600 FT elevation gain, 7:30 AM - This hike begins at the Lower Bristlecone Trail TH that will take us on up to the Bonanza Trail via those daunting switchbacks. After we regroup here, we'll continue out to the landmark junction where the South Sister Trail or Ridge Trail begins with a somewhat steep drop through the Picnic Area on down to the South Sister Saddle. It's an area that offers great views. From there we make our way back on the connector trail for the South Sister route off of the Lower Bristlecone Trail (Fire Road). Coordinator- David Gray
Thursday, September 22nd, Bob Gnarly Trail/Bomb Voyage Loop/Blue Diamond Hill- Moderate, 5 miles, 1200 FT gain- We will meet at 6:15 AM but check website as it could change due to weather. We will start from the Horse Stables TH following the Bob Gnarly Trail up the Skull Canyon until we reach the Bomb Voyage Trail which we will return, passing the Muffins. This will keep us in the shade most of the way up. RSVP/Limit of 15 hikers- Coordinator- David Hardy hardyhikers@embarqmail.com
Saturday, September 24th, Champion Road Loop - Easy; 3 miles; 600' gain; 7:30am - This is another oldie. We begin at the Sawmill TH and cross the road. Following the dirt road (Champion Road), we hike up and around primitive campgrounds. At Deer Creek Road, we turn to the right and find our descent to the Lee Canyon Wash. The wash will take us back to Sawmill TH. Meet at the trailhead for a 7:30am start. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell - For more information go to http://aroundthebendfriends2.blogspot.com/search?q=Champion+Loop
Sunday, September 25th, 4.25 Mile Overlook/North Loop Trail- Fall colors- Moderately strenuous, 8 miles, 2700 FT gain, 7:30 AM- It's the traditional route up through the changing aspens! We begin our trek from Trail Canyon Trailhead. Views include 180 degrees of Kyle Canyon and nearby peaks. Meet the coordinator at the TCT TH by 7:30 AM. Coordinator- David Gray
Thursday, September 29th, Blue Diamond Canyon #1- Stats- 5 miles, 1000 ft. elevation gain, 7 AM- This hike will begin in the first canyon on the south end of Blue Diamond Hill where there will be considerable scrambling. After about 1.5 miles the route will follow a ridgeline up toward the gypsum mine then follow another ridge with views above the processing plant and Las Vegas until we arrive high above Hwy 159. Then we will follow a slope with some scrambling near the bottom to return where we started. Meet the coordinator at 7 AM at the gravel parking area on the right side of Arroyo after you turn left from 159 onto Arroyo. This is one entrance into Blue Diamond. The time could change based on weather conditions. RSVP/Limit of 15- Coordinator- David Hardy hardyhikers@ embarqmail.com
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