August 2013 Hike List

With the Carpenter 1 fire now 95% contained, one of the dangers in the Spring Mountains has apparently been resolved.  Now we have to deal with a new one.  About 43 square miles of terrain in the mountain range had virtually all of the ground cover except for some fire resistant trees wiped out, so there is now a continuing problem with potential landslides or mudslides.  A lot a stabilization work will have to be done in the coming months to make some of our favorite trails safe for hiking again.  Accordingly, we have no plans at the current time to schedule any hikes along South Loop or Harris Springs Trails or into Rainbow Canyon.  Cathedral Rock seems to have come through the fire relatively untouched, but problems in Mazie Canyon above the trail have caused any hiking there to be at least temporarily suspended.  We may possibly be able to add Cathedral Rock to our schedule for September.  Also, you will note that two hikes have been added to this schedule for July 31.

In the meantime, here is our schedule of hikes for the coming month.  Almost all of the club hikes will be in the Spring Mountains, although some members enjoyed the early morning outings in Red Rock Canyon in July so much that there will probably be some offerings for such hikes in August as well.  These will be sent out by separate e-mail through the Yahoo! site.  Please be aware that our usual meeting location in front of Best Buy has been declared off limits, so our groups will now be using the parking lot at the Albertsons Grocery farther west on Charleston for all Red Rock hikes.  This change in staging location is in effect starting immediately.  For Spring Mountain hikes, we will continue to use the 3rd level of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station Casino for our assembly point.  This garage can be accessed either from Lone Mountain Road on the south side of the property or from Rancho if driving in a southbound direction.  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.

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 Saturday hikes as these are the only ones that guarantee a fairly leisurely pace.

Questions regarding any of the hikes should be directed to Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or by telephone at (702) 823-2355.

Wednesday, July 31 - Fletcher Peak via Trail Canyon.   A hike added to the Mount Charleston training schedule being offered jointly with Lone Mountain Hiking Club, this strenuous out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of about 10 miles while gaining 2,600 feet of elevation.  LMHC participants will leave Desert Vista Community Center at 7:00 AM with the ABF group departing from Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Wednesday, July 31 - Lower Bristlecone via Old Mill Picnic Area.  This alternate hike is probably going to cover a distance of 5 or 6 miles and have a moderate or moderately strenuous rating.  A seldom used trail from Old Mill will deposit us on Bristlecone Trail for about 100 feet, then another faint trail will take us over to the lowest section of the Bonanza Trail.  The Bristlecone Trail will then be used for the return past the lower trailhead with a walk along the highway returning to the vehicles.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, August 1 - Raintree via North Loop.  The standard out-and-back route from the trailhead along Deer Creek Road will find the group covering a distance of 6 miles while gaining 1,600 feet of elevation.  The group will have an 8:00 AM departure time from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, August 2 - Fletcher Canyon.  This 4-mile out-and-back hike is probably rated moderate due to the minor scrambling that occurs in the narrow slot canyon for roughly 4/10ths of a mile in each direction immediately below our turn-around point at Obstacle Rock.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, August 3 - Horse Trough at Telephone Canyon.  A horse trough along a side ridge of the canyon is the destination for a moderate hike of something less than 4 miles.  Although net elevation gain is only around 300 feet, rolling terrain could bring the gross gain to over 1,000 feet.  A short trek to Robbers' Roost itself is an option at the end of the hike.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Sunday, August 4 - Wallace Canyon Plane Crash.  The route for this moderately strenuous outing will follow the regular route from No Name Trail over to the plane crash site.  It will then follow the high ridge to the north going back to the No Name Saddle, then continue along a ridge toward Bonanza Trail rather than taking the upper half of No Name Trail.  Distance will be around 6 or 7 miles.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, August 5 - Trail Canyon.  It's a straightforward route up the well traveled trail to the junction with North Loop Trail, covering a total distance of under 5 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain.  Rest break will occur either on the logs at the junction or on the rock outcropping just beyond that looks down on Fletcher Canyon.  Meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Pat Stutts.

Tuesday, August 6 - Mummy's Toe.  The part of Mummy's anatomy farthest to the south will be the destination for a strenuous 8-mile hike involving 2,500 feet of elevation gain and utilizing very steep trail.  Early approach will probably utilize the route along Deer Creek while the return will probably pass Raintree and may involve one of the routes associated with Wild Horse.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Tuesday, August 6 - Trails Community Urban Stroll.  Join the group for an easy evening stroll through the park and housing areas of the Trails community.  These are level asphalt walking paths and the distance covered should top out at about 3 miles.  Join the group at the Village Center Shopping Center at the northeast part of the parking lot between Vons and the US Bank office for a walking departure at 7:30 PM.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Wednesday, August 7 - Lee Peak.  The final joint training hike in the Mount Charleston preparatory series will take the group on a very strenuous out-and-back hike to the top of a peak on the ridge east of Mount Charleston.  Trail Canyon Trail and North Loop Trail will be used for the 13-mile hike with 3,600 feet of elevation gain.  As of the issuance of this schedule the section of North Loop Trail that is part of this hike is closed, but it is anticipated that it will reopen prior to the hike, as there is no fire damage in the area.  If the hike goes as scheduled, departure times will be 7:00 AM from Desert Vista Community Center for the LMHC group and 7:15 AM from Santa Fe Station for the ABF contingent.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinsky & Larry Shahan.

Thursday, August 8 - Fletcher Peak via Mummy Springs.  Although fairly difficult for a Thursday hike, this strenuous 9-mile loop hike will utilize the route along Deer Creek up to Mummy Springs, pass Raintree on the way to the side trail leading to the destination peak, then return along North Loop Trail to the vehicles.  Gross elevation gain will probably be in the 3,000 foot range.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Friday, August 9 - Sawmill Trails.  One would have to assign a difficulty rating of easy to moderate on this 3 or 4-mile loop hike from the Sawmill Picnic Area on Lee Canyon Road.  The trail that will be utilized winds through a section of cliff roses and gains a ridge with a great view to the east.  Net elevation gain is probably only about 300 feet.  The group will leave Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, August 10 - Champion Canyon.  The starting point for this easy to moderate 3-mile loop hike is the same as that used on the previous day's hike, but the route is across the highway in Lower Lee Canyon following Champion Road, a decent recreational gravel road used occasionally by off-road enthusiasts.  Again, elevation gain will be around 300 feet.  Our departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Sunday, August 11 - Avalanche Canyon.  Located in the upper reaches of Kyle Canyon between the Big Falls and Mary Jane Falls routes is a seldom hiked canyon that was given its current name back in 2005 when a massive landslide deposited a 30-foot mound of snow and debris that stretched for nearly a half mile right down the center of the canyon.  This strenuous out-and-back hike into that canyon will likely cover about 5 miles and gain 1,500 feet in the process.  Most of this hike is off-trail and includes very rough terrain with lots of debris piles from the avalanche.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Monday, August 12 - Wild Horse Ridge.  We will be using the recently established starting point at the Deer Creek Picnic Area parking lot and walking up Deer Creek Road to the North Loop Trail to begin this moderate 4-mile loop hike with 900 feet of elevation.  Hiking sticks are advised as there is a steep descent along a ridge with only sporadic trail in the middle of the hike.  The ridge itself provides fantastic open views of the area.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, August 13 - Fletcher Peak via Hummingbird Gulch.  Probably involving some of the toughest negotiable terrain in the Spring Mountains, this route to Fletcher Peak is steep and uneven and has lots of brush.  Overall, the strenuous 7-mile loop hike gains 2,500 feet.  The return portion will probably be down North Loop Trail to a faint route down a steep slope at the top of Telephone Canyon that heads back to the starting point.  Departure will be 7:00 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Wednesday, August 14 - Mount Charleston.  Assuming the North Loop Trail opens in time, this very strenuous 18-mile out-and-back hike will be the culmination of an over two month long training program designed to condition hikers for making a first time assault on the highest peak in southern Nevada.  While net elevation gain is listed a 4,270 feet, there is significant rolling terrain on top of the ridge that adds to the total.  Departure of the LMHC group will be 5:00 AM from Desert Vista Community Center while the ABF contingent leaves Santa Fe Station at 5:00 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Thursday, August 15 - Trail Canyon/Fletcher Canyon.  Car shuttling will be involved for this strenuous 5-mile point-to-point hike that will fortunately utilize trail from the parking lot on Echo Road for the climb portion of the route before tackling the bushwhacking and scrambling required in following Fletcher Canyon down and through the rabbit hole at Obstacle Rock.  A departure time of 7:30 AM will be used to get the participants back to Las Vegas by early afternoon.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Friday, August 16 - Telephone Canyon.  For the second straight day we have a point-to-point hike on the schedule, but this one is all downhill as it starts from the Robbers' Roost parking area and drops about 1,100 feet in elevation getting to the end of the hike near the police substation in Lower Kyle Canyon.  Because there is no elevation gain, the 4-mile hike is rated easy to moderate.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, August 17 - Bristlecone Loop.  The lower parking lot will be used as the starting point for this moderate 6-mile loop hike gaining about 800 feet in elevation, meaning the climb portion will occur in the first part of the hike.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for the normal Saturday departure time of 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - John Stewart.

Monday, August 19 - Upper Kyle Canyon Drainage.  Here is another 4-mile point-to-point hike that is essentially all downhill, as it starts at the Echo trailhead and follows the drainage and a series of unofficial trails through Old Town, past the current Mount Charleston Visitor Center, and along a trail area currently being constructed for the new visitor center to the ending point at the Resort at Mount Charleston.  Distance is about 4 miles and the rating is moderate because there is some minor scrambling.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station is at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, August 20 - Cockscomb Peak.  Much of the terrain getting to this jagged peak in the center of Cockscomb Ridge is jagged with sections of steep scree and exposure.  Accordingly, while only in the vicinity of 5 miles, this hike is rated very strenuous and only the strongest hikers in the club should consider taking it in.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Tim Borem.

Wednesday, August 21 - Big Falls/Mary Jane Falls.  This fairly short 5-mile hike is also rated strenuous, but there is no exposure along the route.  Care must be taken to pick the way over boulders and debris getting to the first waterfall and the route to the second waterfall follows the old trail that was decommissioned over fifteen years ago.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, August 22 - Cave Springs.  It's a moderately strenuous out-and-back route along Trail Canyon Trail and North Loop Trail that will take the participants up to the turn-around point at the horse trough directly below the springs, affording a great view of the upper part of Kyle Canyon.  Distance is around 6 miles with elevation gain approaching 1,800 feet.  Join the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Friday, August 23 - Upper Bristlecone Trail.  The morning hike of the day will be a moderate out-and-back hike along the wooded section of the Bristlecone Trail from the vicinity of the ski resort.  Elevation gain for this stretch is around 700 feet and the rest break will occur at the junction of the Bristlecone and Bonanza Trails.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will occur at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Friday, August 23 - Sunset Park Evening Stroll.  The second scheduled event of the day will be an easy evening stroll of 2 or 3 miles along level paved trails in the park and surrounding area.  The hike will start from the main parking lot on Eastern just south of Sunset.  Participants should arrive at the park in sufficient time to allow for a 7:30 PM start for the walk.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Saturday, August 24 - Fletcher Canyon.  Saturday hikers will get a chance to experience the sensational views afforded in a true slot canyon on this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike with something under a mile of minor scrambling.  Bring a camera to capture the breathtaking views.  Departure from Santa Fe Station is at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Monday, August 26 - Wild Horse Canyon.  Unlike the neighboring hike from August 12, we will begin this trek at the North Loop Trailhead located on Deer Creek Road and follow the loop route in a clockwise direction, finishing in the named canyon by passing through Split Rock before walking back to the vehicles along the highway.  Total distance is 3.3 miles with 900 feet of elevation gain and a moderate rating.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station is 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, August 27 - Window in the Rock.  Here is a hike that is somewhat unique to our club in that we set up this hard to reach arch as a destination and also brought up the first sign-in book for the location.  Overall, this is a strenuous 9-mile out-and-back hike that includes some pretty significant scrambling on the ridge after reaching a saddle on the Bonanza Trail.  If you are a strong hiker and have not previously visited the arch, you are in for a treat.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, August 28 - Telephone Canyon Loop.  Originally scheduled for July 11, this will be the inaugural journey for our club on the moderate 6-mile loop route with 900 feet of elevation gain that starts from a forest service road off Highway 157 fairly close to the police substation in Lower Kyle Canyon and circles a rocky ridge that forms the western boundary of the canyon.  Some scrambling is involved.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, August 29 - Ski Lee Slopes Part 1.  Beginning at the Lower Bristlecone parking area, the group will trudge to the top of the primary chairlift at 9,400 feet and follow a slightly different route on the downhill return section.  This trek involves steep terrain but the is no exposure.  Figure on somewhere between 4 and 6 miles with just 1,000 feet of elevation gain and a moderately strenuous rating.  Meet the other participants at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, August 30 - No Name/Bristlecone Loop.  The standard set of trails will be used to accomplish this moderately strenuous 5 to 6-mile partial loop hike that includes the upper section of the Bristlecone Trail along with the southernmost section of the Bonanza Trail.  there is about 1,100 feet of elevation gain involved.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, August 31 - Mary Jane Falls.  Finish off the month with a leisurely trek to the base of one of the two major waterfalls in the upper part of Kyle Canyon.  The moderate out-and-back hike is 3 miles in length and gains 920 feet along one of the premier trails in the Spring Mountains.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

July 2013 Hike List

Almost all of the hikes listed in this schedule in the Las Vegas area will occur in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains.  For each of those hikes, the group will be assembling on the south side of the 3rd level of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station Casino.  This garage can be accessed either from Lone Mountain Road on the south side of the property or from Rancho if driving in a southbound direction.  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.

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 Saturday hikes in the Spring Mountain area (also referred to as Mount Charleston area), as these are the only ones that guarantee a fairly leisurely pace.

Questions regarding any of the hikes should be directed to Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or (702) 823-2355. 

Monday, July 1 - Pueblo Park.  An early morning out-and-back stroll along a paved path with negligible elevation gain.  Total distance is close to 4 miles with an easy rating.  Meet the other participants at the southeast corner of the Smith's Grocery parking lot located at the intersection of Rampart and W. Lake Mead Boulevard.  The walk will begin from that location at 6:00 AM sharp.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Monday, July 1 - Mary Jane Falls.  This out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of 3 miles with an elevation gain of 920 feet and is rated moderate.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Susan Haase.

Tuesday, July 2 - South Sister & North Sister.  This double peak hike should be attempted only by the most experienced hikers in our club.  The hike will begin at the end of Mack's Canyon Road, a gravel road that can be driven by most regular vehicles.  The very strenuous loop hike should cover a distance of 4 or 5 miles and have a gross elevation gain of 2,500 feet.  There will be Class 3 scrambling over steep terrain and serious exposure.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be early at 6:30 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, July 3 - McFarland Approach.  A joint outing with Lone Mountain Hiking Club in the Mount Charleston preparation series, this strenuous out-and-back hike covers around 12 miles with an elevation gain around 1,500 feet.  The first staging point at Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin will have a departure time of 7:00 AM with those assembling at Santa Fe Station leaving at 7:15 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Thursday, July 4 - No Name/Bristlecone Loop.  A moderately strenuous loop hike involving two trails at the top of Lee Canyon, this trek will cover about 5 miles and have 1,300 feet of elevation gain.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.


Saturday, July 6 - Griffith Peak via Rainbow. This is a 10 mile loop that
begins up Rainbow Canyon above Rainbow. (very steep) Then it travels up to and
around Griffith Peak. (beautiful) Then it summits the peak. (awesome) Then it
descends down the South Loop and the Rainbow Loop Trail. The elevation gain is
above 4000 feet and the pace will be moderately strenuous. Meet at the Santa Fe
at 7am. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell

Saturday, July 6 - Cathedral Rock Picnic Area.  An exploratory hike involving the new walking trails through the redesigned Cathedral Rock Picnic Area that should cover about 3 miles and gain 500 feet of elevation, visiting the South Loop Trail in the process.  Rating should probably be easy to moderate. Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Monday, July 8 - Big Falls to Mary Jane Falls.  A strenuous combination hike that visits both of the major waterfalls at the top of Kyle Canyon.  Total distance is around 5 miles with 1,500 feet of gross elevation gain.  Assembly will be at Santa Fe Station with a 9:00 AM departure.  This hike is part of the overnight outing at The Resort at Mount Charleston, but participants can also return home overnight.  Coordinators - Keith & Beth Lane.

Tuesday, July 9 - Raintree Point-to-Point.  Car shuttling will be required for this moderately strenuous hike that will start at the North Loop trailhead off Highway 158 and finish at the Trail Canyon parking lot.  Total distance is 6.5 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain.  The group will assemble for the hike at 9:00 AM in the lobby of The Resort at Mount Charleston for this hike.  Day hikers can assemble informally at Santa Fe Station but need to leave there by 8:25 AM to reach the resort on time.  Coordinators - Keith & Beth Lane.

Wednesday, July 10 - Griffith Peak.  The last joint training hike prior to the assault on Mount Charleston is a 10-mile out-and-back hike with 3,600 feet of elevation gain along South Loop Trail that carries a strenuous rating.  Lone Mountain Hiking Club participants will leave Desert Vista Community Center at 7:00 AM with ABF members departing from Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Wednesday, July 10 - South Loop to Rainbow Break.  This easy to moderate 3-mile hike will cover much of the same terrain as the previous Saturday hike but there should be a few different wrinkles.  The hike will be conducted at a leisurely pace to accommodate all participants.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM.  Coordinator - Marg Biesiada.

Thursday, July 11 - Telephone Canyon Loop.  This moderate 6-mile loop hike will start from the gravel pullout at the bottom of the canyon and proceed in a clockwise direction, dropping into the bottom of the canyon at its midpoint.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, July 12 -  Cathedral Rock via Echo Trail.  The alternate starting point from the gravel parking lot near the start of Echo Road will be used for this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike that gains around 1,000 feet of elevation.  The group will depart at 8:00 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, July 12 - Angel Park Trail Sunset Stroll.  Bruce Trent Park, located at the corner of Rampart Boulevard and Vegas Drive, will be used as the staging point for an easy 4-mile urban hike along a level paved trail.  Those driving to Bruce Trent should use the farthest parking lot to the north, which is closest to Vegas Drive.  The hike will begin promptly at 7:30 PM.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Saturday, July 13 - Fletcher Canyon.  This easy to moderate out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of 4 miles with an elevation gain of 600 feet.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.


Sunday, July 14 - Trail Canyon / Fletcher Canyon. This is a 5 mile
point-to-point hike that gains 2000 feet in elevation. From Trail Canyon and a
little bit of North Loop Trail, the hike drops down into the upper reaches of
Fletcher Canyon then finishes at the Fletcher Canyon trailhead. Moderate to
strenuous pace. Meet at the Santa Fe at 7am. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell

Tuesday, July 16 - Cockscomb Ridge Peak.  Involving a very strenuous out-and-back route starting from the Trail Canyon parking lot, the hike will climb to the junction with North Loop Trail and turn onto Cockscomb Ridge, approaching the peak access on the east side of the peak.  Distance is 6 miles, elevation gain is 2,000 feet, and steep scrambling with exposure is involved.  Experienced club hikers only.  The group will depart at 7:00 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Tim Borem.

Wednesday, July 17 - Mount Charleston.  The highest peak in Southern Nevada is the target of this very strenuous 17-mile point-to-point trek with 4,300 feet of net elevation gain that will start up Trail Canyon, access the peak using North Loop Trail, and make the descent along South Loop Trail.  The Lone Mountain Hiking Club contingent on this joint outing will leave Desert Vista Community Center at 5:00 AM with the ABF group departing from Santa Fe Station at 5:15 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Thursday, July 18 - Raintree via North Loop.  The standard route up North Loop Trail will be utilized for the approach to the 3,000 year old bristlecone pine, but the return will include a descent along Wild Horse Ridge on this moderately strenuous 6 to 7-mile trek with 1,700 feet of elevation gain.  The assembled group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, July 19 - Mary Jane Falls.  Total distance will be 3 miles on this moderate out-and-back hike that gains 920 feet of elevation.  Departure of the group from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, July 20 - Wallace Canyon & Beyond.  Rated moderately strenuous, this early Saturday hike will visit the plane crash site in Wallace Canyon, then head along a combination of ridges to the junction of No Name and Bonanza Trails, then loop back to the start via Bristlecone Trail.  Total distance should be around 6 or 7 miles.  Departure from Santa Fe Station is at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Saturday, July 20 - Wild Horse Canyon.  The eastern end of North Loop Trail up to the mid-ridge meadows will be used for the ascent on this moderate 3-mile hike, with an early steep descent along a dirt trail into a shaded canyon.  This leisurely Saturday offering will depart from Santa Fe Station at the normal time of 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Sunday, July 21 - Big Falls & Beyond.  Boulder hopping is involved in the trek through the canyon to the waterfall, followed by a hand over hand scramble up the cliff to the meadow above the top of the falls.  Total distance should be a bit less than 4 miles for this strenuous hike that is not short on exposure around the waterfall.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 - Club Outing to Ruby Mountains.  Few hikes are currently scheduled in Las Vegas during this five day period as a group of about sixty members heads north to Elko for four days of hiking in Lamoille Canyon and at Angel Lake.


Thursday, July 25 - South Sister. This hike to a prominent mountain peak out
of Lee Canyon is 5 miles with over 2000 feet of elevation gain. We will go at a
moderate to strenuous pace. Meet at the Santa Fe at 7am. Coordinator - Kay
Blackwell 

Saturday, July 27 - Fletcher Canyon & Beyond.  Climbing through the rabbit hole at Obstacle Rock will lead to the upper section of the canyon and a snack stop at a waterfall before a return to the vehicles on this moderately strenuous 5 to 6-mile out-and-back hike.  Meet the other participants at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Saturday, July 27 - Modified Lower Bristlecone.  The leisurely Saturday group will get a chance to explore some new territory off the gravel road section of the trail on a moderate out-and-back hike that should cover a total distance of 4 miles.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Sunday, July 28 - North Lee Canyon Exploratory.  Although this hike starts along the same route as the previous day's hike, after the turnoff from lower Bristlecone it will follow a faint path to Bonanza Trail, turn right and intersect to South Sister saddle before returning to the vehicles.  Total distance should be around 6 miles for this strenuous outing.  Departure of the group from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, July 29 - Upper Bristlecone Trail.  For the third straight day our club will be hiking in the upper reaches of Lee Canyon with this moderate 5-mile out-and-back trek from the trailhead at the top of Highway 156 to the junction of Bristlecone and Bonanza Trails.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Lone Mountain Park Sunrise Stroll.  The participants for this early morning stroll will make a loop around the base of Lone Mountain, starting from the regional park at the junction of Craig and Jensen.  Distance is about 2.5 miles with little elevation change and an easy to moderate rating.  The hike will begin from the parking lot closest to the intersection of the two streets promptly at 6:00 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Tuesday, July 30 - Mack's Peak.  The strenuous out-and-back route used getting to the summit of this jagged peak is rather short at 4 miles but is generally quite steep in both directions and has some pretty serious scrambling and exposure getting up a series of ledges to the summit.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

June 2013 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 comes out each month so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

Here is a list of the scheduled club hikes for June 2013.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  The very 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 hikes will generally be rated either moderate or moderately strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike on Saterday is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  During the summer season in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains, only one hike is scheduled on Saturdays and it is intended for the general membership.  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 a later Saturday hike or an equivalent weekday hike 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.

All hikes in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains (commonly referred to as the Mount Charleston area) use a pre-hike assembly point on the south side of the 3rd level of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station.  This garage can be accessed either from Lone Mountain Road on the south side of the property or from Rancho if driving in a southbound direction.  DO NOT expect to find the group in the parking garage on the north side of the casino.  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.

On Wednesdays through the month of June and into July we are glad to once again offer a series of hikes that will train people to make their initial summit on Mount Charleston, at 11,918 feet the highest peak in southern Nevada.  This series is primarily sponsored by Lone Mountain Hiking Club from Sun City Summerlin, but is also being offered to members of Around the Bend Friends as joint hikes.  The series actually starts this month with Cathedral Rock scheduled for May 15, a May 22 hike up Trail Canyon to Cave Springs and a May 29 hike along the Bristlecone Loop.  Participation in any or all of these hikes will count toward club mileage.  If you would like to participate in any of these outings, contact Chris Dempsey for details.  Otherwise, the June and July portion of the series will be listed in the Around the Bend Friends schedule.  The 17-mile trek to the top of Mount Charleston is currently scheduled for July 17.

Saturday, June 1 - Deer Creek & Robbers' Roost.  Explore the early days on the slopes of the Spring Mountains on this moderate two-part hike starting from Highway 158, also known as Deer Creek Road.  The first part of this outing is a moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike with 800 feet of elevation gain that follows the creek toward its origin below Mummy Mountain and passes a number of historic structures and sites.  After returning to the vehicles, there will be an optional stop on the way back to Las Vegas at the Robbers' Roost parking area for a short out-and-back climb of less than one mile to an old west hide-out for horse rustlers.  Departure time for the group from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Sunday, June 2 - Mummy Springs Loop.  Starting from near the eastern end of the North Loop Trail, the group today will be focusing on a strenuous 6-mile loop hike that follows Deer Creek farther upstream that the previous day's hike and climbs a fairly steep ridge to the trail past Mummy Springs before heading on toward Raintree.  The highest elevation on the hike occurs on the return section just before a series of twelve switchbacks that lead to North Loop Meadows, where the group will take a side trail down Wild Horse Canyon to the starting point.  Net elevation gain is around 1,600 feet.  Meet the other participants at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, June 3 - Trail Canyon.  By the end of the summer many of us will be wishing we don't have to deal with this particular trail again for the year, but in June it's fresh and new.  The moderately strenuous out-and-back trek from the recently constructed trailhead near the community of Echo gains 1,400 feet of elevation over a total distance of 5 miles, with lots of steep uphill on the trail in the canyon through the woods.  The snack break will be taken on a ledge above the top section of Fletcher Canyon that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lower Kyle Canyon.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, June 4 - Mummy's Tummy via Trail Canyon.  The new trailhead off Echo Road will be the starting point for club hikes two days in a row, but the destination for this outing is much more impressive than that of the previous day.  It's also much more difficult as the total gain on this very strenuous 10-mile out-and-back hike is 3,900 feet to the top of the mountain at 11,532 feet above sea level.  After hiking up Trail Canyon and heading west on North Loop Trail, the real work begins with a scramble up an extremely steep scree field to a ridge west of the peak.  Although the rest of the route to the top is mostly on trail, it also crosses rock ledges and climbs through a Class 3 notch to the summit.  Meet the coordinator and the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for a departure at 7:15 AM.  Coordinator - Laszlo Heredy.

Wednesday, June 5 - Raintree via North Loop Trail.  Part of the Mount Charleston training program, this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike to a 3,000 year old bristlecone pine covers a distance of 6 miles and gains 1,500 feet in the process.  The toughest part of this route involves the dozen switchbacks that come right after getting to the open meadows area halfway to the tree.  Once on the final ridge, however, there are some great open views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.  Participants can either meet at Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin for a 7:00 AM departure or at Santa Fe station for a 7:15 AM departure.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Wednesday, June 5 - Cathedral Rock.  If you would like to do something a bit shorter and more laid back, consider this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike to the top of a rock outcropping partially up the eastern slopes of the ridge between Griffith Peak and Mount Charleston.  Elevation gain is 950 feet and the open views of the entire area surrounding Kyle Canyon are stunning.  Along the way you will be able to see the remaining evidence of a massive avalanche that occurred late in the winter of 2005.  We are also anxious to see how the new construction of parking and picnic facilities has turned out at the top of the canyon.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM for this hike.  Coordinator - Susan Haase.

Thursday, June 6 - South Loop 1st Overlook.  We get another opportunity to view the results of a two year closing of the Upper Kyle Canyon Picnic Area when we tackle this moderate 5-mile out-and-back route to the first overlook ledge along the South Loop Trail.  Elevation gain is close to 1,400 feet with some steep straight sections of the trail leading to a crossing of the canyon that spawned the 2005 avalanche, followed by a series of fourteen switchbacks to the turn-around spot where the snack break will occur.  As usual when getting to higher elevations, the views are pretty impressive.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a departure at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, June 7 - Kyle Canyon Wash to Harris Slot Canyon.  Options abound for this moderate two-part point-to-point hike in Kyle Canyon.  The entire hike will cover a distance of 10 miles between the starting point at the top of the canyon and the slot canyon that comes back out to Highway 157 near Harris Springs Road.  The first part of the trek will cover 4 miles down to the Resort at Mount Charleston, where the group will be stopping for lunch.  After the optional meal, the group will continue down to the vehicles below the slot canyon, with this segment covering a distance of 6 miles.  Initial departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 9:00 AM.  Vehicles can be spotted at the Resort for those who only want to hike the opening section and possibly eat lunch with the group.  If driving to the Resort for lunch, plan on 11:30 AM.  The hike will resume around 1:00 PM, so anyone interested in the afternoon segment should show up ten or fifteen minutes prior to that.  If doing only the afternoon segment, please e-mail the coordinator at keithandbeth67@yahoo.com so he can expect you and possibly wait for you.  Return to Santa Fe Station should be around 4:00 PM.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

Saturday, June 8 - Mary Jane Falls.  There currently isn't any water coming over the the 100-foot multilevel waterfall draining a significant section of the ridge east of Mount Charleston, but the hike is still a good challenge for those trying to acclimate to the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains and provides some really good views of upper Kyle Canyon.  The moderate out-and-back hike covers a total distance of 3 miles and gains 920 feet of elevation in the process.  Just beyond the base of the waterfall is a short trail of about 200 feet that leads to a shallow cave that shows plenty of evidence of previous campfires.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lorraine Stalians.

Sunday, June 9 - Fletcher Peak via Wild Horse Canyon.  The distance is close to 8 miles for this partial loop hike that will start climbing on the trail through Wild Horse Canyon, head up the dozen switchbacks above North Loop Meadows, and finish with the partial trail, partial scramble route to the 10,200-foot peak on the eastern edge of upper Kyle Canyon.  Total elevation gain is 1,800 feet and the hike carries a strenuous rating.  The group will follow North Loop Trail all the way to the eastern trailhead on the return section of the hike.  If you miss this hike but want to experience this little known route, it will be repeated on June 26 as part of the Mount Charleston training series.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station for this hike at 7:15 AM.  Coordinator - Jon Lubinsky.

Monday, June 10 - Hike coordinated by Richard Hansen. Leave Santa Fe @ 8am.

Tuesday, June 11 - Griffith Peak.  This strenuous 10-mile loop version of the hike to the top of the third highest official peak in the Spring Mountains starts from the gravel parking lot at the top of the small community of Rainbow.  The route will follow the steep trail up Rainbow Canyon to the saddle just west of Harris Peak, then join the Harris Springs Trail for an approach to the summit, which involves just a bit of steep scrambling through scree to reach the top.  The downward portion will be along South Loop Trail to the cut across trail to Rainbow.  Elevation gain is still around 3,400 feet but this route is somewhat more difficult than the standard South Loop approach.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Wednesday, June 12 - South Loop 2nd Overlook.  This trek is an extension of the ABF hike scheduled for June 6.  For this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike, the group will continue up the South Loop Trail past the 1st Overlook and proceed to a ledge sitting at just under 9,700 feet of elevation with even more spectacular views of the Kyle Canyon area than the lower overlook.  Total distance will be around 7 miles with 2,000 feet of vertical gain, but the trail on the extended section is not quite as steep as that early in the hike.  Since this is a Mount Charleston training hike involving two clubs there will be two departure points, with the earlier group leaving Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin at 7:00 AM and the ABF contingent taking off from Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Thursday, June 13 - Cave Springs.  Trail Canyon Trail is an important part of this moderately strenuous 7-mile out-and-back hike to the horse trough fed by hoses from the springs situated in the caves just above this garden spot on the North Loop Trail.  Elevation gain is around 2,000 feet to the shaded spot near the springs, where participants will get a sensational view of the ridge extending from Griffith Peak north to Mount Charleston.  Escape the heat of Las Vegas and join your friends at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, June 14 - Raintree via North Loop.  One of the standard club hikes that seems to be repeated on a monthly basis during the summer is this moderate 6-mile out-and-back hike to the 3,000 year old bristlecone pine in the shadow of Mummy's Toe.  That's because it provides just the right combination of distance, vertical gain, and scenery to create an enjoyable yet challenging outing for hikers of all different abilities.  Elevation gain is in the magnitude of 1,600 feet with the most difficult section being the dozen switchbacks that come just after leaving the open meadows area at the halfway point of the climb.  Meet the other participants at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, June 15 - Fletcher Canyon.  Perhaps the most requested of the easier hikes in the Spring Mountains is this moderate 4-mile out-and-back route that follows a seasonal creek bed just over a mile and a half to a gorgeous slot canyon penetrating the first plateau at the base of Fletcher Peak.  A little scrambling up the canyon, which narrows to just six feet across in one section, will deposit hikers directly below Obstacle Rock for a shaded snack break.  Elevation gain is only around 500 feet with the four steeper sections of trail not over 100 feet each.  Departure of the group from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Irv Crain.

Sunday, June 16 - Stanley B/Fletcher Canyons.  This strenuous 6-mile loop hike begins from the parking area close to the Fletcher Canyon trailhead and follows the main Kyle Canyon Wash a little more than a mile upstream to the entrance to Stanley B Springs Canyon.  The early going in that canyon is fairly easy trail, but as the route reaches the mine shafts in the eastern drainage it becomes steep and loose with lots of obstacles.  A saddle at the top of the canyon provides the setting for recharging your energy before the route plummets steeply over irregular terrain, getting into Fletcher Canyon about 3/4 mile above Obstacle Rock, where participants must squeeze down through the rabbit hole.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station is at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, June 17 

Tuesday, June 18 - Mount Charleston.  The stronger hikers in our club will be taking their first crack of 2013 at the highest mountain in Southern Nevada on this very strenuous 16 to 17-mile outing that gains over 4,200 feet of elevation.  This version of the trek will use Trail Canyon Trail and North Loop Trail both on the way up and on the downward leg, eliminating the need for any car shuttling.  The pace should be fairly strong with an estimated completion time of nine hours.  Participants should bring plenty of water, lots of food to re-energize in the dugout on the peak, and be prepared for changing weather conditions during the day.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 6:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Tuesday, June 18 - Wallace Canyon Plane Crash.  Any club members wanting to experience the great outdoors this Tuesday without committing to an all-day hike should consider this strenuous 4-mile hike to the site of a 1978 small plane crash.  The route follows the Bristlecone Trail for about one mile before veering left on a faint trail that climbs a very steep ridge to a saddle separating Lee and Wallace Canyons.  Another faint trail leads to the site of the well-preserved fuselage, with some side slope scrambling involved.  After a break and a stop for pictures the group will retrace their steps to the trailhead.  Plan on meeting at Santa Fe Station for a departure at 9:00 AM.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

Wednesday, June 19 - No Name/Bristlecone Loop.  The last of the shorter hikes in the joint Mount Charleston training program is this moderately strenuous 6-mile loop hike that combines the well-known Bristlecone Trail at the top of Lee Canyon with a section of unnamed trail that likely was part of the Bonanza Trail in earlier days.  The climb on No Name Trail is rather steep with most of the elevation gain of 1,100 feet contained in a stretch only about one-half mile long.  The upper portion of No Name is fairly level as it approaches a switchback section of Bonanza Trail for the start of the descent.  Scenery along the way includes open views of the Lee Canyon surrounding peaks.  One group will depart from Desert Vista Community Center at 7:00 AM with the second group leaving Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinsky & Larry Shahan.

Wednesday, June 19 - South Loop 2nd Overlook.  A repeat of the hike scheduled the previous Wednesday, this outing will be conducted just for Around the Bend Friends and will be conducted at a somewhat more leisurely pace.  Other than that, participants will still cover a total of 7 miles and gain about 2,000 feet while getting to the ledge over halfway up the side of the ridge between Griffith and Charleston with fantastic views of the entire area.  This out-and-back hike is rated moderately strenuous because of the combination of distance and gain.  If interested in experiencing a great hike in the Spring Mountains, meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Thursday, June 20 - Harris Peak.  It's short but possibly not very sweet, except for the view from the summit, on this strenuous out-and-back hike with a total distance between 4 and 5 miles and nearly 2,300 feet of gain.  That's because the trail leading up through Rainbow Canyon is very steep with a few segments where participants virtually have to pull themselves up to get to the saddle between Harris and Griffith Peak to the west.  Once the route leaves the saddle there is still steep and irregular terrain and not much trail to work with passing through dense stands of vegetation.  From the summit much of Las Vegas is in view along with part of Lake Mead and the Arizona mountains in the background.  The group will depart at 7:30 AM from the assembly point at Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, June 21 - Wild Horse Ridge.  It really doesn't seem like we will be climbing that high on this moderate 3.3-mile loop hike starting on the eastern section of North Loop Trail, but the open views from Wild Horse Ridge on the descent take in many of the mountains surrounding the nuclear test site near Mercury and may go as far as fabled Area 51.  While the climb to the meadows used as the jumping off point for the ridge is reasonably steep, probably the most difficult part of the hike is the descent along a connecting side ridge with only sporadic trail available.  Meet the other participants on this hike at Santa Fe Station and an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, June 22 - Cathedral Rock.  The Saturday group will finally get its chance at this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike climbing 950 feet to the top of an impressive rock outcropping partially up the ridge connecting Griffith Peak and Mount Charleston.  Closed early in the season due to construction on the site, this hike is usually one of the first weekend treks scheduled because it is such a favorite.  The trail climbs fairly steeply through Mazie Canyon, which was significantly affected by an avalanche back in 2005 that destroyed many of the trees near the bottom of the canyon.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a scheduled departure at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Sunday, June 23 - Griffith Peak.  Unlike the hike to this same destination on June 11, this trek will follow the normal out-and-back route using South Loop Trail from its inception near the recently reconstructed picnic area at the top of Kyle Canyon.  With 3,400 feet of elevation gain, this strenuous 10-mile route still provides ample challenge for most hikers, who must display a marked degree of stamina over the roughly 6 hours involved in the hike.  One interesting note about the summit is that it is the hatching ground for thousands of ladybugs in the spring, and these could certainly be in evidence at the top.  Assembly point for the hike will be at Santa Fe Station with a departure time of 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, June 24 - Lower Lee Canyon - Starting at Sawmill parking lot, the coordinator plans to hike into lower Lee Canyon which will include the Lee Canyon Narrows. The hike will take you below the narrows into the wide washes and ridges below. Meet at 7:30am at the Santa Fe Casino. Coordinator - Jon Lubinski.

Tuesday, June 25 - Mummy's Nose.  By far the toughest short hike of the month is this very strenuous 5-mile out-and-back to one of the prominent facial features of the Mummy's head near Lee Canyon.  Elevation gain is 2,800 feet with very steep off-trail scrambling sections that contain lots of scree.  Going will be quite slow, with the anticipated time necessary to complete the hike at 5 hours.  For those with the stamina required to get to the top, the resulting views are sensational.  The group will leave from the Santa Fe parking garage promptly at 7:30 AM for the trailhead.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Wednesday, June 26 - Fletcher Peak via Wild Horse Canyon.  The last Mount Charleston training hike for the month is a strenuous 8-mile partial loop hike that is a repeat of the June 9 club hike.  Overall elevation gain is about 1,800 feet with three steeper sections of trail spread over the course of the hike.  A few springs toward the top of Wild Horse Canyon usually feed a pleasant little stream and, combined with an abundance of shade, this water promotes growth of aquatic plants in a few areas.  The return to the vehicles will follow North Loop Trail out to its trailhead at Deer Creek Road.  The first departure time from Desert Vista Community Center is 7:00 AM with those assembling at Santa Fe Station leaving at 7:15 AM and the two groups getting together at the trailhead.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Thursday, June 27 - Bonanza Peak.  Accessed from the north end of the Bonanza Trail near Cold Creek, this strenuous 10-mile out-and-back hike to one of the northernmost major peaks in the Spring Mountains also gains about 2,600 feet of elevation.  For the most part, gain rates along the trail are fairly consistent, with very few really steep sections and just a little off-trail scrambling getting to the peak itself.  Since the summit essentially sits directly on the spine of the mountain range, views west toward Pahrump and the mountains surrounding Death Valley are as impressive as those in the other direction looking toward the Lake Mead area with Arizona mountains in the distance.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure because of the longer than normal drive.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, June 28 - Deer Creek & Robbers' Roost.  If you missed out on this hike to open the month of July you have one more chance to get a glimpse of history unfolding on the eastern slopes of Mummy Mountain.  The first part of a two part hike takes a look at a resort planned for the Spring Mountains prior to 1930 and a previously existing sawmill operation.  The second part takes a look at a secluded and defendable cave that was utilized by some horse thieves in the days of the wild west.  Total distance for the two segments is 4 miles with just under 1,000 feet of elevation gain.  Although having a few short and steep sections, the combination of these two short hikes justifies only a moderate rating.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, June 29 - Bristlecone Loop.  Rounding out the first half of 2013 is a moderate 6-mile loop hike on the trail at the top of Lee Canyon that will be conducted in a counter-clockwise direction from the lower trailhead.  Even though the elevation gain is close to 900 feet, the gain rate along the maintained forest service fire road is quite gradual.  The snack break will occur at the junction with the south end of the Bonanza Trail before the group continues along the upper, wooded section of the trail that also permits mountain bikers.  In anyone wants something a bit shorter, they can reverse direction after the break and return directly to the vehicles, resulting in a total distance of 5 miles.  Join the others in the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.