November 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should at least review the newsletter when it is sent out each month so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

 

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for November 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  The more strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to existing club members.  In addition, Tuesday participants should have completed at least two of the Thursday hikes, which are generally rated moderately strenuous or strenuous.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier Saturday hike will generally be rated either moderate or moderately strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike that day is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week may vary significantly depending on who has volunteered to serve as coordinator.  Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience MUST begin with the later Saturday hikes or a weekday hike rated no more than moderate before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of a hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo! Groups informing of any changes or cancellations.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or at (702) 823-2355.

 

Most of the hikes during November will occur in the area around Red Rock Canyon with just a few hikes located elsewhere near Las Vegas.  For all Red Rock area hikes, the primary group will meet in the parking lot somewhat in front of the Best Buy store on the north side of Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino.  The store backs up to Highway 215, and the entrance to the parking lot is off Canyon Pointe.  For hikes on the back side of the escarpment, there is a secondary pickup point at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 to accommodate south side participants.  Directions to the staging points for any hikes at different locations will be contained in the appropriate hike descriptions.  Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin assembling as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

 

 

Thursday, November 1 - Big Dune Loop.  Starting from the White Domes parking area this is a brand new hike in the Valley of Fire based on last season's explorations.  It will be about 5 miles long and have 2,000 feet of gross elevation gain.  The route will start by heading west, then turn north and climb through two passes before dropping down the largest sand dune in the park, followed by circling back along part of the route used on the Big Wall hike last season.  This is a strenuous hike involving climbing up two narrow slots and would be similar to some Tuesday level hikes.  An initial west side group will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage, located just south of Summerlin Parkway on Rampart Boulevard, for a 7:00 AM departure to the primary meeting location at Lucky Club Casino, which is located on the north side of Cheyenne just east of I-15.  Departure from the parking lot in front of the casino will be around 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

 

Thursday, November 1 - White Rock/Sandstone Loop.  More in keeping with our traditional Thursday hikes is this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain originating from Sandstone Quarry in Red Rock Canyon.  The first two-thirds of the route crosses the desert and begins climbing toward the White Rock Springs access to the trail around the White Rock Hills, past Cactus Hill, and finally to a high point somewhat south of the La Madre Mountains.  The last third of the hike is downhill in a series of washes.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Friday, November 2 - The Muffins & Skull Canyon.  One of our more popular hikes is this moderate 5-mile loop that climbs fairly steeply along a trail to the distinctive conglomerate boulders on the north end of Blue Diamond Hill.  The route continues at a lesser rate of ascent to the old Las Vegas Overlook for a rest stop, then descends through picturesque Skull Canyon on the return.  Overall elevation gain is about 1,100 feet.  The trail through Skull Canyon contains a few steep and loose sections.  The group will meet at Best Buy and depart for the hike at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, November 3 - Potato Knoll.  The moderate 5-mile partial loop version of this hike to a 500-foot hill at the base of Wilson Peak offers a few interesting wrinkles.  Participants will cross the Oak Creek drainage once on the way to the back side of the hill for the climb to the top and three times on the way around the base of the hill on the other side.  There still may be enough flowage from recent rainfalls to get your feet wet at a couple of the crossings.  Scenery is pretty good too with great views of the escarpment around Oak Creek Canyon.  The group will depart from the customary meeting spot at Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Saturday, November 3 - Pine Creek.  The leisurely Saturday hike leading off the month will involve another partial loop route, but it will be somewhat shorter at 3 miles.  After passing the Wilson homestead foundation, the trail crosses the creek just after the start of the Arnight Trail, then branches off heading upstream along the creek toward the base of Mescalito Peak.  One more crossing of the creek to the north bank involves some very minor scrambling.  Overall, the hike is rated easy to moderate and gains between 100 and 200 feet of elevation.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Rick Dutton.

 

Sunday, November 4 - Tank Discovery Scramble.  The north end of the Calico Hills near Red Cap provides the setting for a strenuous 5-mile adventure that includes lots of scrambling on the sandstone.  The hike will pass several tanks in the higher parts of the sandstone hills that might have water remaining from recent rains.  Other points of interest include an arch, a cave, and some petroglyphs.  There are sections of the route that involve exposure, but there are alternate routes for most of these places.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Monday, November 5 - Keystone Thrust Loop.  The canyon containing Red Rock's famous thrust fault is on display with this moderate 4-mile loop hike.  The significance of the geologic anomaly is readily apparent looking at the side view of Cactus Hill and seeing that the much older limestone formation is sitting directly on top of the younger sandstone formation.  The snack break will occur in an area of sensational sandstone formations and will be followed by a moderate scramble over rock and through brush back to the scenic loop drive.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Tuesday, November 6 - Peak ee Toe.  The name you see is not a misprint, although it is of localized origin.  This hike in Red Rock starts in the Lovell Canyon area on limestone hills and turns into an exciting scramble on the way to a sandstone peak.  There are two areas that will require some rope assistance but there is minimal exposure.  Estimated distance is 6 miles and should take about seven hours of work to accomplish.  Rating is very strenuous because of the demanding terrain that must be negotiated.  Meeting location is Best Buy with a 7:00 AM departure and a secondary pickup at the gas station at 159 and 160 at 7:20 AM.  Coordinators - Richard Natale and Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, November 7 - Potato Knoll.  If you missed this hike when it was offered the previous Saturday then you have one more chance to climb to the top of this 500-foot hill for a great view of the Red Rock Canyon area.  It's a partial loop hike that covers a total distance of 5 miles and crosses Oak Creek four times.  The origin of Potato Knoll, locally known as Wilson's Pimple, was a massive landslide off the face of Wilson Peak directly to the west.  I wonder if it made any noise as the rock was coming down.  Anyway, the group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure on this hike.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, November 8 - Turtlehead Peak.  The only peak in Red Rock Canyon that has a trail recognized by the BLM as official, Turtlehead provides a stunning view not only of the canyon but back across Las Vegas to Lake Mead and the mountains in Arizona.  At a total distance of 5 miles, this out-and-back hike up the official trail on the west side of the mountain gains 1,900 feet of elevation.  It is rated as strenuous and includes some very steep trail climbing to the saddle behind the peak that can get rather loose, so sticks are highly recommended.  The group will stage out of Best Buy with a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, November 9 - Arnight/Pine Creek Loop.  We often try to find new combinations of existing trails that can create a whole new experience in hiking, and this hike accomplishes the task.  Starting from the gravel parking lot at the exit of the scenic loop, the group will hike to the Oak Creek trail head along the scenic drive, take the Arnight Trail to the banks of Pine Creek, then do the short loop toward the base of Mescalito Peak before backtracking to the vehicles.  Overall this hike will cover about 6 miles over fairly level terrain and is rated as moderate.  Departure time from Best Buy will be 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, November 10 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  When this popular hike was scheduled in mid-October, it followed on the heels of a real gully washer of a rain event that filled Gateway Canyon with flowing water and pools in all of the low spots.  Perhaps some of this water will still be in place as moderate temperatures have reduced evaporation rates.  Although rated moderate, this 4-mile loop hike provides some interesting challenges for the participants.  Locally named Five-Stop Hill is a fairly steep climb to the saddle between Calico Basin and Gateway Canyon and a couple of the scrambling descents in the canyon require some extra care.  This first Saturday group will leave Best Buy at 8:00 AM for the starting point at the northwest corner of Calico Basin.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

 

Saturday, November 10 - Calico Tanks.  One of Red Rock's most beautiful trails is the Calico Tanks Trail from Sandstone Quarry, which climbs through a lush canyon in the Calico Hills on the east side of Red Rock.  The moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike provides an introduction to some fairly easy scrambling as it gains around 700 feet.  Participants' efforts will be rewarded as they pass a large depression in the rock at the end of the official trail that can hold a pretty good amount of water after a rain storm.  Just beyond is a ledge that provides a great view of the southern half of Las Vegas including the Strip.  There are many man-made stairways along the way but the pace with be kept leisurely to accommodate everyone.  Meet the group at the normal spot in front of Best Buy for a departure at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Sunday, November 11 - River Mountain Bicycle Ride.  There's no ABF hike scheduled for today, but if you are into distance bike riding come and join your club friends for a weekend diversion - a scenic bicycle ride around the River Mountains near Boulder City and Henderson.  This is not the proverbial spin through the park as the ride will cover a distance of 34 miles and have 2,200 feet of overall elevation gain on a hilly, serpentine paved trail that will challenge even adventurous cyclists.  To participate, you must be riding a decent multi-speed bicycle and bring spare tubes, tire levers, and a frame pump.  Wear a helmet and bring snacks and lots of fluids as there is no water available along the route.  Meet the rest of the group at the upper lot at the Railroad Pass Casino for an 8:30 AM start to the ride, which means you need to be there at least fifteen minutes in advance to get ready.  Sorry, but no credit for mileage in the hiking statistics on this ride.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Monday, November 12 - Red Springs Loop.  It's somewhat surprising we haven't had this hike scheduled previously this season, but here it is.  The moderately strenuous loop route is only 4 miles in length and probably gains less than 1,000 feet, but it's all about the terrain.  Starting from Red Springs Picnic Area, participants will follow an established trail along the east side of the Calico Hills and scramble to a saddle in the sandstone for a short break.  The descent passes a carving of an angel on the way toward Calico II Overlook and continues with scrambling in the canyon between the hills and the scenic drive on the way back to the starting point.  Departure time from Best Buy will be 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Tuesday, November 13 - Calico Triple Peak.  If you are looking for some serious adventure then this very strenuous 5-mile loop hike in the Calico Hills will foot the bill.  There will be lots of significant scrambling and several areas of exposure along the route that will feature climbs to the top of Red Cap, Calico Peak, and Calico II Overlook Peak before a steep descent down the ledges below the end of the Calico Tanks Trail.  This hike can either be started from Calico II Overlook or Sandstone Quarry, depending on how the coordinator feels that day.  Meet the other participants at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, November 14 - Grapevine Springs.  This is a moderate 5-mile partial loop hike in Cottonwood Valley that visits an area of ground level petroglyphs somewhat close to the base of the escarpment near Windy Peak.  Elevation gain is only about 200 feet but it occurs on the return to the parking area along Highway 160.  A very short portion of the hike near the petroglyphs is off-trail but is easily negotiated.  This hike will be done jointly with the Sun City Anthem Hiking Club and the typical assembly points will be reversed.  Anyone interested in meeting at Best Buy should assemble their own carpools and leave there at 8:30 AM to join the coordinator and the rest of the group at the gas station located at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160.  Anyone else can meet the combined group at that location for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

 

Thursday, November 15 - Windy Peak.  First scheduled in October on the day of the massive rainfall, this hike to a prominent peak on the south side of the escarpment will hopefully find dry weather with calm breezes.  The strenuous out-and-back trek covers a total distance of 6 miles and gains 1200 feet of elevation but also includes some pretty good scrambling and about 100 feet of rolling exposure.  The views from the top are some of the best in the Red Rock area.  The main group will depart at 7:30 AM from Best Buy and will stop at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 to pick up south side participants at 7:50 AM en route to the trail head.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Friday, November 16 - Oak Creek.  This 5-mile out-and-back hike is barely into the moderate range.  Gaining only a couple of hundred feet, our trail will start from the gravel parking lot at the scenic loop exit and follow the start of our normal route to Potato Knoll.  A few jogs to the north will put us on track to enter the main drainage of the creek a bit into the canyon.  Besides an opportunity to do a little scrambling past the snack break location, the entire route is on trail.  You can meet the other participants at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, November 17 - Conglomerate Gardens.  Here is the first offering as a club hike of an exploratory trek that was featured on the blog site a month ago.  The moderate 6-mile loop hike starts innocuously along Fossil Ridge, following a combination of trails all the way to the abandoned mining gravel road a couple miles in.  From there, a circuitous trail drops into the canyon to the west of the ridge and winds through a number of conglomerate boulder areas and one spectacular section with lots of ancient sea bed fossils.  Elevation gain is probably in the range of 800 feet.  Join the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Saturday, November 17 - Keystone Thrust.  The more leisurely hike of the day is an easy to moderate out-and-back hike around Cactus Hill to the renowned thrust fault that spectacularly shows the geologic anomaly of older rock on top of younger rock.  The turning point of the hike will be on the sandstone a little ways down the canyon, where the snack break will occur.  Total distance is right at 3 miles with perhaps 600 feet of elevation gain and a small amount of scrambling.  The starting point is at the end of a half mile gravel road.  Meet everyone else at Best Buy for a departure time of 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Sunday, November 18 - Red Springs/Calico Tanks Loop.  This strenuous 5-mile loop hike will begin at Red Springs Picnic Area and climb up to the saddle above Angel Canyon.  At the saddle, a turn to the right will take the group on an adventurously steep scramble up to an adjacent peak.  Dropping down the other side, the route continues on to the end of the Calico Tanks Trail, where the group will turn hard left and drop down to the Calico II Overlook.  Some lesser scrambling and a few trails complete the loop around the south end of the Calico Hills.  There is exposure on this hike.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Monday, November 19 - Historic Railroad Tunnels.  Our first hike of the season in the Lake Mead area is this easy to moderate 7-mile out-and-back hike between the lower parking lot at the Alan Bible Visitor Center and the building at the edge of the dam on the Nevada side of the Colorado River that houses the parking garage.  The trail drops about 300 feet on the outward leg which must be gained on the return, but the rate is quite gradual.  The view of the new bridge across the river is pretty spectacular.  West side participants can meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure to the Henderson Fiesta, where the full group will meet near the large outdoor sign in front of the property.  Departure from Henderson Fiesta, located on Lake Mead Parkway just east of I-515, will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, November 20 - Ash Canyon.  Some pretty significant scrambling occurs in this canyon that runs along the eastern edge of the Calico Hills approaching Red Cap.  A few places along the route of this strenuous 6-mile loop do require use of hands but no equipment is needed.  At the high point, which is probably 1,400 feet above the starting elevation, the route turns right and heads down into Gateway Canyon, passing the back side of Krafft Mountain and finishing up through a boulder area that is well known for its free climbing opportunities.  The group will meet at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, November 21 - Ash Meadows.  The last hike before the Thanksgiving break will follow the easier portion of the previous day's hike along Ash Creek in the community of Calico Basin.  With minimal elevation gain involved, this 3-mile loop hike is rated easy.  The snack break will occur on red sandstone slabs at the base of Ash Canyon, providing great views of the eastern portion of the Calico Hills.  Expect to be back in time for lunch as commute and hike time combined should be less than three hours.  Meet the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Saturday, November 24 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  After stuffing ourselves with turkey and other trimmings over the last two days, it's time to get a little exercise to control our weight.  The answer today is a moderately strenuous 5-mile out-and-back hike that gains 1,600 feet reaching a stone shelter near the top of a side canyon north of the White Rock Hills.  The first part of the trail is on an abandoned gravel road passing a couple of old foundations and reaching a wildlife dam and pond.  The upper portion is single track trail that crosses a creek several times.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, November 24 - Moenkopi/Calico I Loop.  If you would rather ease back into the hiking mode by trying something a little more leisurely, then consider this easy 3-mile loop.  The route for today leaves from the Visitor Center heading toward the fee booth, then turns left on the outside trail to the Calico I Overlook for a close up view of the Calico Hills.  Crossing the road, the trail climbs gradually onto a ridge north of the Visitor Center with great views of both sides of the canyon.  After a break at the top of the ridge, the route will follow the western section of the Moenkopi Trail back to the Visitor Center.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Sunday, November 25 - Grand Circle.  We haven't previously scheduled the big hike through the heart of Red Rock Canyon, so here is one chance during the month of November.  We will be starting this time from the fee booth parking lot, which will increase the total distance to 12 miles for the strenuous loop hike.  Since we are going clockwise, we will be able to see the delightful views of the escarpment on the opening portion of the hike rather than the dismal views of Blue Diamond Hill for the last 4 miles.  If you are interested in a fairly fast-paced trek that gains 1,000 feet while hiking around the canyon, then meet the group at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Monday, November 26 - Black Mountain (Boulder City).  Only one of the two peaks accessed from the River Mountains parking lot next to St. Jude Children's Ranch will be attempted today, making this moderately strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike a relative breeze.  Elevation gain is right at 1,200 feet to the observation point near the actual summit that provides great views of both Las Vegas with the Spring Mountains in the background and Lake Mead with the Arizona Mountains.  The initial west side group will meet at Best Buy and leave at 8:00 AM for the Henderson Fiesta, where they will join the rest of the group for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, November 27 - Black Mountain (Henderson).  The elevation gain is listed as 2,100 feet for this strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike, but the steepness definitely increases the closer one gets to the summit.  With a considerable amount of volcanic rock strewn along the trail, this is almost a unique hike for the Las Vegas area.  The summit is rather small in size as mountain peaks go, but there is a rock dugout at the top that provides some shelter.  On the back side, views stretch as far as Searchlight.  An initial west side group will assemble at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure, and will pick up any south side residents at the Walgreen Drug on Hampton Road and Anthem Parkway by 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Wednesday, November 28 - Hollow Rock Peak.  Three consecutive days, three consecutive peaks.  This one is located on the south end of the escarpment with Highway 160 dividing it from the more prominent Mount Potosi to the south.  Don't be fooled by the fact that elevation gain is only around 1,100 feet; there is some pretty good scrambling required to reach the summit on this strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike.  The snack break will take place at the large hollow rock at the end of a long ridge.  The initial group will depart from Best Buy at 7:30 AM and pick up any south side residents at the gas station on Highway 159 and 160 at 7:50 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Thursday, November 29 - Sandstone Quarry/Keystone Thrust Loop.  This is perhaps the first time our club has offered this hike to its membership, in reality the fifth new hike this month.  The 7-mile partial loop route will start at Sandstone Quarry and follow the Grand Circle Trail up to the White Rock Springs parking lot.  Going around the north end of Cactus Hill, the route will turn downward into Keystone Canyon and follow the drainage back to its intersection with the Grand Circle Trail, turning left and returning to the starting point.  Elevation gain is around 1,100 feet and rating is moderately strenuous.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Friday, November 30 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  The month of November will finish with one of our club's favorite hikes - the route through lower Gateway Canyon around the back side of Krafft Mountain.  With the start at the Red Springs Picnic Area, the loop will cover a total distance of 5 miles.  The hike is rated as moderate, but it does include a few short sections of scrambling in the canyon on the descent.  Around the front of Krafft Mountain is a boulder field that is quite well known in the southwest United States on which free climbers can often be seen.  The group will assemble at Best Buy and depart for the hike at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

 

Our club is one of many in the Las Vegas area that provide hiking opportunities to the public.  In addition to clubs, Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association and the National Park Service at Lake Mead National Recreation Area offer hikes available to the general public.  In November, RRCIA is offering a total of ten interpretive hikes on various days of the week that are generally around 3 miles in length and deal with geology, plants, and animals in the Red Rock area.  To look at their calendar, access their web site at www.redrockcanyonlv.org or call them at 515-5367.  Lake Mead hikes tend to be a bit more serious in terms of actual hiking.  Their hikes are currently always held on Saturdays, and their current schedule lists both Liberty Bell Arch and Bowl of Fire on November 3, Anniversary Narrows on November 10, Railroad Tunnels and Fortification Hill on November 17, and a 2-mile nature walk on November 24.  The phone number for reservations for Lake Mead hikes is 293-8990.

October 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should at least review the newsletter when it is sent out each month so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

 

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for October 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  The more strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to existing club members.  In addition, Tuesday participants should have completed at least two of the Thursday hikes, which are generally rated moderately strenuous or strenuous.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier Saturday hike will generally be rated either moderate or moderately strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike that day is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week may vary significantly depending on who has volunteered to serve as coordinator.  Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience MUST begin with the later Saturday hike or a weekday hike rated no more than moderate before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of a hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo! Groups informing of any changes or cancellations.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or at (702) 823-2355.

 

October marks the transition between the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains and the lower elevations of Red Rock Canyon.  Hikes through October 7 will occur in the higher elevations.  The assembly point for these hikes is along the south wall on the third floor of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station Casino.  As there are two garages at Santa Fe, the correct one is the one closest to the intersection of Rancho and Lone Mountain Road.  If you are meeting the group at this location for the first time, the easiest directions are to exit on Rancho from either northbound or southbound Highway 95, pass the front of the casino on Rancho, and enter the garage on your right between the two signalized intersections.  Starting October 8, club hikes will occur in the Red Rock area.  For all Red Rock area hikes, the group will meet in the parking lot somewhat in front of the Best Buy store on the north side of Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino.  The store backs up to Highway 215, and the entrance to the parking lot is off Canyon Pointe.  For hikes on the back side of the escarpment, there is a secondary pickup point at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 to accommodate south side participants.  Directions to the staging points for any hikes at different locations will be contained in the appropriate hike descriptions.  Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin assembling as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

 

 

Monday, October 1 - Mormon Girls' Camp.  Here is one more chance to experience the thrill (or watch someone else do it) of crossing the rope bridge over the ravine in the heart of the campgrounds.  Other than that, the moderate 5-mile loop hike will have a few thrills of its own as the route makes a steep descent past a rock waterfall with the aid of a rope.  The climb section passes the historic structures associated with a resort and a sawmill.  The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Monday, October 1 - Cottonwood Canyon.  Weather for our recent outings to see the full moon rise over Las Vegas haven't been very successful, but maybe our luck will change in October.  The easy 3-mile walk over a paved surface will give us the opportunity to see the light of day fade behind the La Madre Mountains with a sunset at 6:23 and we will be in position to observe the moon rise at 7:08 from the grassy lawn somewhat behind Costco.  Cottonwood Canyon is located on Park Run Drive one block north of Charleston Boulevard and 200 feet west of Town Center Drive.  The walk will start promptly at 6:00 PM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Tuesday, October 2 - Mummy's Tummy.  The Tuesday pattern of tough hikes continues with a very strenuous out-and-back to the second highest mountain in southern Nevada that will cover a total distance of 10 miles.  Trail Canyon forms the first and last leg of this trek that gains 3,900 feet of elevation.  The scree field rising above North Loop Trail is at roughly a 45% angle and the final notch through the cliffs is definitely Class 3 scrambling.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, October 3 - 6000 Foot Road.  This might as well be labeled as a mystery hike because I have no idea what we are likely to encounter.  All I can tell you is that Ed Matulis and I noticed a gravel road climbing over a shallow ridge on the north side of Lee Canyon Road this summer and thought it might be a good idea to find out where it goes without driving it.  The road starts just a few feet from the 6,000 foot elevation sign on Lee Canyon Road.  We will probably try to limit the distance to 5 or 6 miles total.  The group will get together at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Thursday, October 4 - Gass Peak.  Deviating from the Spring Mountains just a bit our intrepid hikers will head to the Las Vegas Range almost directly north of downtown Las Vegas for a strenuous 7 or 8-mile out-and-back hike with 2,500 feet of elevation gain.  The road to the trail head is very rough and requires high clearance vehicles.  The trail to the top also involves climbing through sections of gravel, and is fairly steep in several places.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a departure at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, October 5 - Mount Charleston.  Let's finish the Spring Mountain portion of the 2012 hike calendar in style with a trip to the highest point in southern Nevada.  At 17 miles in total distance and 4,300 net feet of elevation gain, this very strenuous hike ranks right up with the toughest on our yearly schedule.  The route for the day will be up South Loop Trail and down North Loop to Trail Canyon.  To give us the best chance of getting off the mountain in daylight, we will be meeting at Santa Fe Station for a 5:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, October 6 - Cathedral Rock.  The last Saturday hike in the Mount Charleston area will feature one of the signature hikes in the Spring Mountains.  The moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike climbs 950 feet through Mazie Canyon, the site of a major avalanche back in 2005.  While the aspen trees have rebounded from the slide, there is still some remaining debris and a bunch of snapped pine trees close to the center of the canyon.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Sunday, October 7 - Griffith Saddle.  The very last club hike in the Spring Mountains for 2012 will be a strenuous 9-mile out-and-back hike along South Loop Trail to the saddle a bit north of Griffith Peak at the junction with the Harris Springs Trail.  The saddle is at 10,700 feet above sea level, meaning the hikers will have climbed just over 3,000 feet when they stretch their legs for the mid-hike snack break.  Departure time for the group from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, October 8 - Escarpment Base Trail.  It's finally time to come back to Red Rock for the fall portion of our hiking calendar.  We will be opening up with a moderate point-to-point hike on the trails near the base of the escarpment, including all of Arnight, Dale's, and SMYC Trails along with a bit of the Pine Creek Trail.  Total distance is 5.4 miles over rolling terrain that crosses quite a number of creeks and drainages exiting from the sandstone cliffs to the west.  Departure time for the group from Best Buy will be 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Tuesday, October 9 - Wilson Peak.  We aren't wasting any time when it comes to offering tough hikes in Red Rock, as this very strenuous outing to one of the most prominent peaks on the escarpment will tax even the strongest club members.  The route used will come in from Lovell Canyon past First Creek Overlook Peak and connect with the ridge leading to Wilson near the top of First Creek Canyon.  Lots of scrambling and occasional exposure is included, with a total distance around 6 miles.  The group will leave from Best Buy at 6:30 AM, an early time but necessary because of the drive and the hike difficulty.  Departure from the gas station at 159 and 160 will be at 6:50 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, October 10 - Ice Box Canyon.  There is also some boulder scrambling involved on this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike into the sheltered canyon near the north end of the escarpment using the regular trail head, but it won't involve climbing any extremely large rocks or waterfalls.  There is a bit of exposure on the final climb to the ledge which affords the snack break below a 40-foot seasonal waterfall at the end of the canyon.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, October 11 - Windy Peak.  Another one of the prominent peaks toward the southern end of the escarpment, Windy Peak gets a strenuous rating over the out-and-back route of 6 total miles.  The hike will start near Mountain Spring Summit with the steepest part of the hike along a gravel road past a communications tower.  After the transition from limestone to sandstone, there is about 100 feet of rolling exposure getting onto the top formation.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 7:30 AM and pick up south side participants at the Highway 159 and 160 gas station at 7:50 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Friday, October 12 - Calico Tanks.  One of the signature shorter hikes in the Red Rock area is this moderate 3-mile out-and-back trek through a canyon in the heart of the Calico Hills.  Elevation gain is around 700 feet and there are over a dozen sections of rock steps along the trail that has amazing colorful sandstone formations on either side.  Just past the major tank which seasonally holds water is a rock outcropping that provides a great view of the southern half of Las Vegas and across Lake Mead to Arizona.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 8:15 AM for this hike.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, October 13 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  The early outing for the first Saturday back in Red Rock will be through one of the most scenic accessible areas west of Las Vegas.  This moderate 5-mile loop hike starts near Calico Basin on the east side of the Calico Hills and tromps through Lower Gateway Canyon on the back side of Krafft Mountain.  The different colors and patterns of the sandstone are awesome.  Scrambling is included with one major waterfall to negotiate on the way down.  This group will leave from the Best Buy parking lot at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Saturday, October 13 - Oak Creek.  The more leisurely outing for the first Saturday back in Red Rock will be an easy to moderate out-and-back hike that will follow the Oak Creek Trail off the scenic loop road and have the turn around point at the base of Potato Knoll.  Total distance is around 3 miles and there is very little elevation gain involved.  Participants will be treated to some good views of the high cliff walls on either side of the opening to Oak Creek Canyon.  Departure time from Best Buy will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Sunday, October 14 - Grapevine Springs Exploratory Hike. Six to Seven moderate miles in the desert off of Kyle Canyon Road. Meet at the Santa Fe for a 7:30am departure time. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
 

Monday, October 15 - White Rock Loop.  Another classic Red Rock hike is this moderate 6.4-mile trail that circles two cream-colored sandstone peaks at the north end of the canyon.  The hike offers two distinctly different ecosystems with creosote desert on the front side of the mountains and lush vegetation on the back side, which receives double the amount of precipitation during the year as the front side.  Starting point should be at Willow Springs.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, October 16 - Gray Cap Peak.  Be prepared for significant scrambling and lots of exposure if you plan on taking part in this very strenuous hike to the limestone topped peak just west of Brownstone Canyon that is known for its fabulous sandstone formations.  The 4 to 5-mile out-and-back route will start near Calico Basin, cross Five Stop Hill to Gateway Canyon, and then start climbing through the sandstone just a short distance up the canyon.  The group will be leaving promptly from Best Buy at 7:00 AM for this hike.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, October 17 - Skull Canyon & The Muffins.  Counter clockwise will be the direction for the first hike of the season on Blue Diamond Hill across from the entrance to Red Rock Canyon.  From the horse stable entrance on Highway 159, the group will head up Skull Canyon and visit the original Las Vegas Overlook on the long hill that is well known for its gypsum mine.  After a snack break, the group will head over to the distinctive caliche boulders known as The Muffins before descending back to the starting point.  Distance is around 5 miles with 1,100 feet of elevation gain and a moderate rating.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Laszlo Heredy.

 

Thursday, October 18 - Mountain Spring Peak.  The west side of the escarpment will be the backdrop for this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike that explores the area above the community of Mountain Springs.  The hike begins along the steep gravel road that is also used for Windy and Hollow Rock Peaks but heads south to the limestone peak somewhat behind Black Velvet.  Rather than stopping at the top, the group will continue down the other side and reach a sensational ledge above Black Velvet Canyon for a snack break.  The return includes some minor scrambling in a drainage and passes a small cave and two springs.  Departure from Best Buy will be at 8:00 AM with a secondary pickup at the Highway 160 gas station at 8:20 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Friday, October 19 - Moenkopi/Angel Canyon Loop.  Starting from the Red Rock fee booth parking lot, this moderate 5-mile clockwise loop hike will take the Moenkopi Trail to the bench on the ridge north of the Visitor Center, then follow the trails to Calico I and Calico II Overlooks before heading into the canyon with the rock angel carving.  After a snack break near the rock, the hike will continue back past the Calico I Overlook and take the trail on the east side of the road back to the entrance station.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, October 20 - Lone Mountain (followed by fall picnic).  If you would like some exercise before imbibing in all the good food offered at our club's annual fall picnic, then join the group for a short hike either to the summit or around the base of the 750-foot mountain on the northwest side of Las Vegas.  It's about 3 miles for the moderately strenuous climb to the summit while only 2 miles for the easy level loop around it.  The staging point will be the south parking lot at the Lone Mountain Regional Park, generally located near the intersection of Craig Road and Jensen.  The hike will start from there at 8:00 AM, which should give you plenty of time to make the picnic at Children's Discovery Park late that morning.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Sunday, October 21 - The Muffins & Skull Canyon.  The description is reverse from the same basic hike offered the previous Wednesday because the route taken will be in reverse.  From the horse stables parking lot, the group will first head up to the caliche boulders on the north end of Blue Diamond Hill, then take the somewhat obscure trail back to the old Las Vegas Overlook.  The last half of the moderate 5-mile loop hike descends through Skull Canyon, so named because of the full skeleton of a mule once found there.  You can join the group at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Monday, October 22 - Potato Knoll.  The normal route our club uses for this moderate 5-mile partial loop hike starts from the parking lot where the scenic loop drive exits onto Highway 159 and follows a trail originally laid down by horseback riders and then an old recreational jeep track toward the descent to Oak Creek.  The loop portion of the hike begins near the base of the hill, also known as Wilson's Pimple, and includes a fairly steep jaunt to the top for a great view of the Red Rock area.  There are four crossings of Oak Creek along the way and there should be some flowing water at a couple of them.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, October 23 - Two North Peaks.  Traditionally attempted on Halloween Day, this strenuous 11-mile hike with 2,800 feet of elevation gain will occur a week earlier this year.  The early and late stages of the partial loop hike will be along Potato Road, also known as Rocky Gap Road.  From the Red Rock Summit the group will follow the trail to the limestone North Peak, then descend through the cliff on the east side of the peak and take a ridge back to the sandstone portion of the escarpment that contains the sandstone North Peak.  Scrambling is involved and the descending trail back to the road is steep and loose in spots.  Meet the group at Best Buy for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Wednesday, October 24 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  This moderately strenuous 5-mile out-and-back hike includes 1,600 feet of elevation gain in reaching the stone shelter on a ledge below a couple of lead mine shafts.  The route passes La Madre Springs using the official trail laid out on an abandoned gravel road past a couple of old foundations, then follows a narrow path into a canyon along a stream that gets steeper the nearer it gets to the shelter.  From the rest stop at the shelter participants will get a great view of the back side of the White Rock Hills.  Departure time from Best Buy will be at 9:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, October 25 - Fern Canyon.  Although this out-and-back hike is rather short for a Thursday at 4 to 5 miles total, the boulder scrambling is pretty intense the farther back one goes into the canyon.  Officially referred to as North Fork Pine Creek, the local name comes from the abundance of ferns located in several sections of the canyon, largely due to confined spaces and the presence of flowing water during much of the year.  The trail section passes the old Wilson homestead foundation, and there is one remaining apple tree from the orchard that used to occupy the nearby field.  The overall rating for the hike is strenuous.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Friday, October 26 - First Creek.  The first mile of the trail getting to a hidden waterfall in the creek drainage is nearly level with mainly a dirt surface.  The second mile approaching the entrance to First Creek Canyon has more elevation gain, with the farthest point of the hike some large boulders that form a twelve foot seasonal waterfall.  Overall, the 4-mile out-and-back hike is rated easy to moderate.  Several areas along the trail are often visited by a herd of bighorn sheep that inhabit the canyon area.  Meet the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Saturday, October 27 - White Rock Loop.  Kick off the last weekend of October with a moderate 6.4 mile loop around White Rock Hills Peak and White Rock Springs Peak at the north end of Red Rock Canyon.  Our coordinator has opted to conduct the hike in a counter clockwise direction from Willow Springs, meaning the hotter desert portion of the hike will occur in the first half and the somewhat cooler and higher section behind the mountain, exhibiting taller trees and bushes, will highlight the second half.  This is the early club hike for the day and the group will depart from Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Saturday, October 27 - Ice Box Canyon.  The later outing for this Saturday is a repeat of a short hike conducted on a weekday earlier in the month.  At 3 miles, this moderate out-and-back hike follows the track from the trail head across Red Rock Wash and gains the somewhat higher ridge north of Ice Box Creek for a little over a mile.  Roughly 0.4 miles of the route is in the creek drainage and involves mostly minor scrambling over and around small boulders.  To get to the snack spot at the turn around point, participants will have to do a short Class 3 scramble past a tree and onto a ledge.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Sunday, October 28 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  The standard route for this great 5-mile hike around the back side of Krafft Mountain is to climb over Five Stop Hill and descend into lower Gateway Canyon, exiting at the bottom of the canyon on the east side of the mountain.  Our coordinator for this hike usually likes to add a few wrinkles to her outings, so don't be surprised if the hike goes counter clockwise or she adds a bit of exploration to the otherwise moderate trek.  The assembly point for the group will be at Best Buy with a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, October 29 - South Cottonwood Valley.  The Deadhorse Trail in the valley south of Highway 160 will be the scene for this easy to moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike.  Originally established by mountain biking enthusiasts, the trail follows a gradual dirt track along a seasonal drainage to a signboard in the heart of South Cottonwood.  Halfway along the route is a connecting trail that leads to Badger Pass, a hike you can expect to see scheduled in the near future.  If the group is willing, there is a potential moderate add-on of about a mile up a gravel road that leads to a spot where Las Vegas is visible.  Departure time from Best Buy will be 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, October 30 - Brownstone Canyon.  This strenuous loop hike will cover a total distance of 6 miles and gain 2,000 feet in the process.  The route used for this hike will climb on the normal trail to the saddle on the ridge below Turtlehead Peak and descend from there into Brownstone Canyon.  The snack break will occur near pictograph wall and also close to a number of petroglyphs from early natives in the area.  The return portion of the hike will descend through Gateway Canyon and pass the base of Red Cap on the return to Sandstone Quarry.  Meet the rest of the group at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

 

Wednesday, October 31 - Waterfall Canyon.  Celebrate Halloween day will a moderate 4-mile out-and-back trek into a side canyon about a mile and a half up Rocky Gap Road.  The canyon almost always has water flowing with at least a dozen waterfalls or slides providing one of the most beautiful settings in this part of the Spring Mountains.  There is a half mile of scrambling in each direction in the canyon and sections of slick rock, so make sure you have good tread on your hiking shoes.  Assembly will be at Best Buy with a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

 

Wednesday, October 31 - Sunset Park.  Spend Halloween evening with your ABF friends on a full moonrise hike in a park on the south side of Las Vegas on an easy walking trail 3.5 miles in length.  With sunset at 5:45 PM and moonrise at 7:02 PM, the skies should be perfect to catch the first light of the moon over Frenchman's Mountain.  Halloween costumes are encouraged and treats can be brought to share with each other (and maybe some kids).  Don't forget some water and possibly a flashlight.  Sunset Park is at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Sunset Road.  From the north, general directions are to take 215 west of I-15 to the airport exit and go east on Sunset before reaching the tunnel.  Once you get to Eastern, turn right and then left on the second driveway into the park.  The walk will start at 6:15 PM, so try and be ten to fifteen minutes early.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin. 

September 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should at least review the newsletter when it is sent out each month so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

 

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for September 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  The more strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to existing club members.  In addition, Tuesday participants should have completed at least two of the Thursday hikes, which are generally rated moderately strenuous or strenuous.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier Saturday hike will generally be rated either moderate or moderately strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike that day is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week may vary significantly depending on who has volunteered to serve as coordinator.  Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience MUST begin with the later Saturday hike or a weekday hike rated no more than moderate before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of a hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo Groups informing of any changes or cancellations.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or at (702) 823-2355.

 

With the exception of possible evening walks or hikes in the valley, all club hikes during the summer months will be conducted in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains near Mount Charleston.  The assembly point for these hikes is along the south wall on the third floor of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station Casino.  As there are two garages at Santa Fe, the correct one is the one closest to the intersection of Rancho and Lone Mountain Road.  If you are meeting the group at this location for the first time, the easiest directions are to exit on Rancho from either northbound or southbound Highway 95, pass the front of the casino on Rancho, and enter the garage on your right between the two signalized intersections.  Details for other assembly areas will be included in the appropriate hike description.  Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin assembling as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

 

 

Saturday, September 1 - Fletcher Canyon.  One of our club's favorite routes in the Spring Mountains is this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike into a side canyon accessed from Kyle Canyon Road.  One of the reasons is that there is only 600 feet of elevation gain over the entire route and the lack of steepness makes for a great leisurely hike.  Another is the fabulous scenery in the narrow slot canyon approaching the customary snack spot at the turn-around point.  Whatever your reason, come out and mingle with your fellow club members and enjoy the beginning of September in the higher elevations.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Monday, September 3 - Mary Jane Falls.  It's Labor Day, but what the heck.  If you are looking for a little exercise to start the day off before heading to a family barbeque, then consider this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike that gains 920 feet of elevation getting to a seasonal waterfall draining a significant portion of the ridge between Mount Charleston and Mummy Mountain.  The speedier hikers will have time to explore a small cave just beyond the waterfall and still get in a snack break at the top.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:45 AM departure.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, September 4 - Mummy's Head, Chin & Nose.  Each of the high points on the north end of Mummy's anatomy involves some pretty significant scrambling over loose scree on steep slopes to get to the top.  In addition, there is some exposure to drop offs on the approach ridges.  As a result, anyone interested in this very strenuous outing must clear their participation in advance with the hike coordinator at (702) 341-9723.  Total distance to be covered is about 5 or 6 miles and the overall elevation gain must be something over 4,000 feet.  Plan on this hike taking at least six or seven hours because of the terrain.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station and depart from there at 6:30 AM.  Don't forget to RSVP if you are interested.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, September 5 - Lee Canyon Narrows.  This moderate 5-mile hike is a bit different in that the elevation gain of 700 feet occurs during the second half of the trek.  The route will begin at the junction of Lee Canyon Road (Highway 156) and Deer Creek Road (Highway 158) and head down the drainage to the east, passing a number of camp sites and bullet riddled vintage automobiles.  It then loops through a small, picturesque slot canyon before returning to the parking area.  The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

 

Thursday, September 6 - Fletcher Peak.  What is normally a full out-and-back hike will have a slight wrinkle as the group will be doing the early uphill portion to the mid-level meadows utilizing the trail in Wild Horse Canyon.  After a trek to the top of the most accessible peak surrounding Kyle Canyon, the last part of the return will follow the North Loop Trail back to the parking area.  Overall, this strenuous hike will cover about 7.5 miles while having a net elevation gain around 1,800 feet.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, September 7 - Fletcher Canyon.  It will be twice in one week for the moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike into the scenic slot canyon on the western base of Fletcher Peak.  This will probably be the last time this summer season that this particular destination is scheduled, so if you missed last Saturday's outing and can't go today you might have to wait until next year.  As with all Friday hikes, there will be an early assembly point at the Siena Community Center with a departure from there at 7:45 AM.  The entire group will get together at Santa Fe Station and a final departure at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, September 8 - South Fletcher Base.  A new area to explore will provide the venue for another leisurely Saturday hike in the Kyle Canyon area near Mount Charleston.  This particular out-and-back hike will start up the Fletcher Canyon Trail and turn right on an old abandoned gravel road that winds through the slopes at the southern base of Fletcher Peak above Highway 158.  Participants should be rewarded with excellent views of the canyon stretching toward the resort hotel.  Total distance will be around 3 miles, elevation gain should be less than 500 feet, and the rating is moderate.  Assembly will be at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Sunday, September 9 - Wallace Canyon Plane Crash.  This is the first of two outings this month for members of Around the Bend Friends to visit the site of a light plane crash near the top of Wallace Canyon, just on the other side of the ridge separating it from Lee Canyon.  For this Sunday version of the hike, the group will be taking a circuitous route involving both Bonanza Trail and Upper Bristlecone Trail, with a surprise route over the ridge down into Upper Bristlecone.  The coordinator rates this hike as moderately strenuous, and the distance should be around 6 or 7 miles.  Meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, September 10 - Bristlecone to Old Mill.  Another variation of the Bristlecone Trail will occur today as the group will be doing a point-to-point hike of 5 or 6 miles that will have more downhill than uphill.  Starting from the Upper Bristlecone trail head, the route will follow the trail through the upper wooded section and pass the Bonanza junction on the fire service road heading toward the lower trail head.  At a sharp bend of the road, the route will turn on a maintained trail that leads to Old Mill Picnic Area, where a few cars will be positioned for the driver shuttle.  Departure from the meeting location at Santa Fe Station is 7:45 AM.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Tuesday, September 11 - Cockscomb Ridge.  With so many of the hard core Tuesday regulars at Flagstaff this week, it's time for something a little more laid back.  Thus the chosen option is a moderate out-and-back hike primarily along Trail Canyon and then connecting with a rocky platform at the very beginning of Cockscomb Ridge that offers great views down into Fletcher Canyon as well as most of the major peaks surrounding Kyle Canyon.  Total distance is right at 5 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Susan Haase. 

 

Wednesday, September 12 - Cathedral Rock.  One of the busiest routes in the Spring Mountains is this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike to the top of a rock outcropping near the base of the ridge between Griffith Peak and Mount Charleston.  The trail winds through Mazie Canyon where a major avalanche occurred in 2005 and some of the remnants of that slide can still be observed.  There is an elevation gain of 950 feet getting to the ledge which provides stunning views of the entire length of Kyle Canyon back toward Highway 95.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, September 13 - Raintree via Trail Canyon.  From the new parking area along Echo Road that was constructed to service Trail Canyon, the total distance for this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike is a shade more than 7.5 miles.  The elevation gain along Trail Canyon is close to 1,500 feet, with another 700 occurring on the stretch of North Loop Trail that winds along the top of Fletcher Canyon near the base of Mummy's Toe.  Once on the North Loop section, participants will be treated to great views of all the peaks surrounding Kyle Canyon.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Friday, September 14 - Raintree via North Loop.  The only thing this hike has in common with the one on the previous day is the snack break destination at the 3,000 year old bristlecone pine in the shadow of Mummy's Toe.  The route for this hike begins at the North Loop trail head off Deer Road and proceeds west on the trail past a mid-level meadows and a dozen of the toughest switchbacks in the Spring Mountains.  The moderately strenuous out-and-back route covers a total distance of 6 miles and gains 1,500 feet along the way.  An early group will meet at the Siena Community Center for a 7:45 AM departure with the entire group leaving Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, September 15 - Telephone Canyon.  This moderate version of the 4-mile downhill point-to-point hike that connects Robbers' Roost with the lower parking area near the police substation will be quite a bit different from the route that was used earlier in the year.  Actually, very little of the hike will occur in the canyon as the higher trail that parallels Highway 158 will be used for the descent.  This will take the group on the opposite side of a ridge above Telephone Canyon and closer to the substation.  Bring plenty of water as there is very little shade on the last half of the hike.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for the traditional 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Sunday, September 16 - No Name/Bristlecone Loop.  The moderately strenuous 6 to 7-mile loop will be taken in a counter clockwise direction for this hike that will start at the Lower Bristlecone trail head.  That means the switchbacks of the lowest section of the Bonanza Trail will be taken uphill and the descent portion will include No Name Trail.  Overall, this route has a net elevation gain of 1,100 feet.  Because No Name has several sections of steep trail with looser surface conditions, it is advised that participants bring hiking sticks for the descent.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, September 17 - Cathedral Rock.  The route for today's hike to the top of the distinctive rock outcropping along the ridge between Griffith and Charleston is identical to that used on the hike for the previous Wednesday.  That means the 3-mile out-and-back hike will follow the trail as it winds through Mazie Canyon and past Echo Falls.  Once at the top of the outcropping, the sensational view looks straight down Kyle Canyon and takes in Gass Peak on the other side of the valley containing Highway 95.  The group will get together at Santa Fe Station for a 7:45 AM departure.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, September 18 - Bonanza Trail.  The long trek across the northern end of the Spring Mountains is a point-to-point hike that covers a total distance of 15 or 16 miles, depending on whether No Name Trail is used instead of the lower Bonanza switchbacks.  The group will be split at the beginning, with half starting at the northern trail head near Cold Creek and the others starting at the ski resort near the top of Lee Canyon.  A key exchange will be made when the two groups meet for lunch.  Besides the distance, this trail has two significant climbs from either end totaling over 3,500 feet, resulting in a rating of very strenuous.  Santa Fe Station is the assembly point with a departure time of 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, September 19 - Mormon Girls' Camp.  We have to wait until the camp is vacated for the summer after Labor Day before attempting this moderate 5-mile loop hike that involves following the dirt road along Deer Creek in the early stages.  Instead of taking a break at the high point of the hike, the group will continue to the end of the gravel road and descend into the camp using a faint trail along a minor drainage.  After the snack break, participants interested in challenging the fabled rope bridge will get the chance.  Another rope aids the descent on a steep slope next to a dry waterfall.  The group meets at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Thursday, September 20 - Wallace Canyon Plane Crash.  The easier of the two outings this month that have the light plane crash site in Wallace Canyon as the destination will essentially be a moderate out-and-back hike that is about 4 miles in length.  The hike starts at the top of Lee Canyon Road and follows the Bristlecone Trail through the forest for about a mile before turning onto No Name Trail.  The cutoff to the crash site occurs before the steepest sections of No Name and leads to the ridge separating Wallace from Lee Canyon.  The assembly point at Santa Fe Station will serve for an 8:00 AM getaway.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Friday, September 21 - South Loop 2nd Overlook.  This moderately strenuous 7-mile out-and-back hike will climb 2,000 feet along the South Loop Trail to a rocky ledge at 9,600 feet of elevation that overlooks to the top section of Kyle Canyon, including Cathedral Rock.  One of the better maintained trails in the Spring Mountains, South Loop Trail features a great section of switchbacks overlooking Echo Canyon that passes a good sized limestone slab with lots of ancient sea bed fossils observable.  Some participants might consider this a warm up for a leisurely outing to Mount Charleston in two weeks.  The group will depart from the assembly point at Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Susan Haase.

 

Friday, September 21 - Mary Jane Falls.  A second option for the last calendar day of summer will be the moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike to the base of the seasonal waterfall below the north ridge.  With 920 feet of elevation gain and lots of switchbacks on the second half of the climb, the route is perfect for a casual and leisurely walk to a spot that has a great view of the Echo Cliffs and the south ridge between Griffith and Charleston Peaks.  With the early group from Siena leaving their community center at 7:45 AM and the full group leaving Santa Fe at 8:15 AM, the return to Santa Fe should still be by early afternoon.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Saturday, September 22 - Champion Canyon.  A pleasant walk through the woods categorizes this easy to moderate hike in the wide drainage below Lee Canyon and its elevated peaks.  This partial loop hike will cover a total distance between 3 and 4 miles with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain.  It will start at Sawmill Picnic Area on the way up Lee Canyon Road, but cross the highway on a recreational gravel road and enter the drainage on the south side of the highway.  The group will be assembling at Santa Fe Station for its customary 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Sunday, September 23 - Mummy's Toe.  This strenuous hike is only 6 or 7 miles long, but it is loaded with steep and irregular terrain approaching the distinctive peak on the south end of the Mummy formation.  The exact route will be selected at a later date, but the two options include a partial loop that has the early climbing past Deer Creek or the full out-and-back hike along North Loop Trail to the Mummy Springs cutoff and on to the peak.  In either event, total elevation gain is around 2,500 feet.  The group will be assembling early at Santa Fe Station with a departure time of 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, September 24 - Cave Springs.  This is a pretty aggressive effort for a Monday hike, but I'm sure the coordinator will keep that in mind as she establishes the pace for the group.  The moderately strenuous out-and-back hike will head up Trail Canyon to the junction with North Loop Trail and turn left on that trail toward the scree field at the base of Mummy Mountain.  Before getting that far, however, the group will reach its destination at the horse trough right along the trail at the base of the springs area for a well deserved snack break.  Total distance is 6 to 7 miles with close to 2,000 feet of elevation gain.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:45 AM.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, September 25 - McFarland Peak.  Arguably the toughest hike our club ever schedules in the Spring Mountains, the out-and-back trek to the top of McFarland combines distance at 14 miles, elevation gain at a gross 2,800 feet, steep terrain, and exposure.  For those who make it to the top, the sensational view is a pretty good reward.  This hike is rated very strenuous.  On the descent from the peak, participants will have to watch closely for the side trail that leads to the jumping off point or face an additional significant elevation gain just getting back to that point.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 6:00 AM departure due to the estimated seven or eight hours of hiking.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, September 26 - Sawmill Trail.  Switching to the other spectrum of opportunities in the Spring Mountains, the hike selected for today will be an easy to moderate 3-mile outing that will begin and end at the Sawmill Picnic Area along Lee Canyon Road.  The loop route will start with a rambling trail through a forest of cliff rose bushes that slowly gains elevation as it approaches an open ridge to the north of the picnic area that provides views stretching to Creech AFB and the Nevada Test Site.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, September 27 - Cockscomb Ridge.  Following the same route onto the ridge as the September 11 hike but continuing along the ridge to the base of the rock thrust that constitutes the comb will increase the overall distance for the out-and-back hike to 6 miles and bump the rating to moderately strenuous.  The snack break will occur on a narrow rocky section of the ridge that looks directly down into Fletcher Canyon and a view of the saddle at the top of Stanley B Springs Canyon.  Meet the rest of the group participants at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Friday, September 28 - Griffith Peak.  If you think you are ready for a more leisurely late season trek to Mount Charleston (scheduled for October 5) then you will want to participate on this warm up hike to the top of the third highest official peak in southern Nevada.  The out-and-back route along South Loop Trail will be used for this strenuous 10-mile outing gaining 3,400 feet.  Pace will be fairly leisurely to accommodate slower hikers with the stamina to reach the peak, and participants should expect the entire hike to take as much as seven hours.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:30 AM.  Coordinators - Susan Haase & Chris Dempsey.

 

Friday, September 28 - Harris Slot Canyon.  In keeping with our normal standard for Friday hikes, the club will be offering a second hiking option this day that will involve an easy to moderate out-and-back trek through the narrow slot canyon near Harris Springs Road.  The estimated total distance will be 4 miles, meaning the group will not be close to the auto graveyard farther up the canyon, and total elevation gain should be around 300 feet.  The trail past the narrows follows a gravel filled drainage with quite a bit of hard pack.  The early group will depart from Siena at 7:45 AM and the full group will leave Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Saturday, September 29 - Upper Bristlecone Trail.  The best part of the Bristlecone Trail is acknowledged to be the wooded upper section that gains about 700 feet and passes several interesting rock outcroppings on the way to the trail junction with Bonanza Trail.  The moderate out-and-back hike that utilizes this setting has a total distance of nearly 5 miles and can be accomplished by most of the members of our club.  For those wanting a little less distance, there is a great overlook near a downed tree trunk that holds the total distance to 3.5 miles.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station and form appropriate travel arrangements for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Sunday, September 30 - Stanley B/Fletcher Canyons.  It's hard to believe that we waited nearly the entire summer season before scheduling this strenuous 6-mile loop hike, but that was the case.  To provide the loop route, the group will start at the Fletcher Trail parking area and follow the Kyle Canyon drainage west for about a mile before starting the rigorous ascent of Stanley B Springs Canyon.  While there is no real exposure, there is a lot of rough terrain between the mine shafts in Stanley B and the drop through the rabbit hole at Obstacle Rock in Fletcher Canyon.  Long pants are recommended because of the brush.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinators - Lettie Gutierrez & Chris Dempsey.

 

 

That should provide an array of options for club members to experience the beauty in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains before we start our return to the Red Rock Canyon area in October.  There will probably still be a few hikes in October in the Mount Charleston area to view any residual fall colors, but the bulk of the scheduled outings will be in the lower elevations.  

September 11 through 14 - hikes in either Flagstaff or Sedona