Sunday, September 29, 2013

October 2013 Hike List


Just a few residual outings in the higher elevations and we are back to Red Rock for the bulk of our October hiking endeavors.  It has been a wild summer for trying to hike in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains this summer as the July fire that burned 43 square miles forced cancellation of half of that month's schedule and the August weather was definitely the most threatening of any year in recent memory.  While there are no Lake Mead area hikes on the schedule for October, you will probably start seeing some on the list starting around the middle of November.
 
Below are directions to the meeting locations for the three remaining Mount Charleston area hikes and all of the hikes in the Red Rock Canyon area.  In addition to these, we have a few urban walks in Las Vegas parks and a trip to Henderson for Black Mountain October 30 on the schedule.  Driving directions for those few outings will be included in the hike descriptions.
 
Higher Elevations of the Spring Mountains - We will continue to meet at 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 directly from Rancho if driving in a southbound direction.  If you are driving northbound on Rancho, turn in at the main entrance to the property and turn left again to access the garage.  Do not use the larger garage on the north end of the casino building.  When heading up the ramp on the inside of the parking garage, turn left at the third level and the group will be assembling at that point.
 
Red Rock Canyon Area - The new assembly point for Red Rock hikes is in the parking lot of the shopping center that contains an Albertsons Grocery Store and a Dunkin Donuts operation.  This shopping center is located at the intersection of Charleston Boulevard (Highway 159) and Desert Foothills Drive, about one-half mile west of CR215.  If you are driving west on Charleston you can turn into the shopping center before you get to the stop light at Desert Foothills.  Generally, we will be parking between the two commercial establishments but somewhat closer to Dunkin Donuts.
 
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 8:30 AM hikes or the occasional urban walks as these are the only ones that guarantee a fairly leisurely pace.  Strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to qualified experienced members.  Be sure to bring appropriate clothing and footwear, hats, sunscreen, water and electrolyte replacement fluids, and food or snacks for each outing.
 
Questions regarding any of the hikes should be directed to Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or by telephone at (702) 823-2355.
 
  
 
Tuesday, October 1 - Bonanza Trail.  Traversing the spine of the Spring Mountains from the southern trailhead along the Bristlecone Trail to the northern trailhead a couple of miles outside Cold Creek, the Bonanza Trail has two climb sections, with one at the start and one in the middle.  Overall, the point-to-point distance is 15 miles and the rating is very strenuous.  For this hike, the group will split at Santa Fe Station with half of the participants heading to each trailhead and doing a key swap when the groups meet on the trail for a lunch break.  The more experienced hikers will start from the Cold Creek trailhead because the gain on the route to the south is about 800 feet more than the 3,700 foot gain going north.  The two groups will depart from Santa Fe Station at 6:30 AM.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.
 
Wednesday, October 2 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  The moderately strenuous out-and-back trek to the stone shelter above the wildlife pond at La Madre Springs covers at total distance of 5 miles while gaining 1,500 feet of elevation.  Along the way to the springs the group will pass a couple of old house foundations that also harbored an archery club about fifty years ago.  The trail steepens significantly approaching the shelter where the rest break will occur.  This will be a joint outing with Lone Mountain Hiking Club, which will meet at Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin for an 8:00 AM departure to the overall assembly point at Albertsons, with the combined group departing from there at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Doug Chang.
 
Thursday, October 3 - Dragon Canyon.  This moderately strenuous loop hike is about 5 miles in length starting from Red Springs Picnic Area and heading up a steep canyon on the south face of Gateway Peak that contains most of the elevation gain of 1,400 feet.  This canyon is off-trail and is followed by a side hill traverse along a trail to the top of Ash Canyon.  A descent into Gateway Canyon and a climb out to a saddle for a final descent down Five Stop Hill completes the loop.  The group will leave from Albertsons at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jon Lubinski.
 
Friday, October 4 - The Muffins & Skull Canyon.  Starting from the horse stables parking lot off Highway 159, the group will head up the trail on Blue Diamond Hill to the distinctive composite boulders on the north end of the ridge overlooking the Red Rock Visitor Center.  The moderate 6-mile loop with 1,200 feet of elevation gain continues by heading along the ridge in a southerly direction toward the Old Las Vegas Overlook, then descends through Skull Canyon to the starting point.  Departure from Albertsons will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.
 
Saturday, October 5 - Mount Charleston.  Here is one last chance for the hardy to reach the top of southern Nevada.  The very strenuous out-and-back hike utilizing Trail Canyon and the western section of North Rim Trail will cover a total distance of 18 miles and gain over 4,100 feet in the process.  This gain is net since the trail rolls considerably on the ridge between Mummy and Charleston.  Expect a nine or ten hour duration for the trek.  Get up early to leave Santa Fe with the group at 5:00 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.
 
Saturday, October 5 - Calico Tanks.  One of the signature hikes for Red Rock Canyon is this somewhat short but spectacular 3-mile out-and-back effort in a canyon in the northern section of the Calico Hills.  Climbing about 700 feet with a moderate rating, scenery along the trail includes colorful rock formations in reds and creams offset by the deep greens of manzanita and other prolific shrubs and trees.  The upper end of the hike includes views of the southern half of Las Vegas, a part of Lake Mead, and some Arizona Mountains.  Just a note - our coordinator loves to scramble.  This Saturday group will leave from Albertsons at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.
 
Saturday, October 5 - Pine Creek & Skull Rock.  The leisurely hike for the first Saturday of October will be a short jaunt to the Wilson Homestead foundation, close to where the old western "The Stalking Moon" was filmed, followed by a short side excursion to Skull Rock on Dale's Trail and possibly along the Fire Ecology Trail that heads over to the bank of Pine Creek.  Total distance will be between 2 and 3 miles for this easy to moderate hike that has minimal elevation gain.  There is some large imbedded rock along the trail so watch your footing.  The group will assemble at Albertsons for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Marg Biesiada.
 
Sunday, October 6 - Krafft Mountain Traverse.  Although this is a somewhat shorter version of the hike scheduled for October 22, this loop hike of 3 miles starting from the end of Calico Basin Road is still rated as strenuous because of the intensity of the scrambling route passing over the top of the peak.  It will feature the east-west traverse which will have its final descent off the mountain to the saddle above Five Stop Hill.  Total elevation gain is something under 1,500 feet.  Meet the rest of the group at Albertsons for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.
 
Monday, October 7 - Keystone Thrust Loop.  The geologic anomaly that is so apparent in Keystone Thrust Canyon will be on display just after the descent starts on this moderate loop hike that covers a little less than 4 miles.  That anomaly is that the limestone which forms the crown of Cactus Hill, the western boundary of the canyon, is sitting directly on top of sandstone that is some 400 million years younger.  All of the hiking within the confines of the canyon will require scrambling, and long pants are recommended because of the presence of Cats Claw Acacia and other brush.  The last section of the hike is along the scenic drive back to the starting point.  Departure from Albertsons will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.  
 
Tuesday, October 8 - Gray Cap via Gray Fox Canyon.  Class 3 climbing and exposure are significant elements of this very strenuous out-and-back 5-mile hike from Calico Basin that follows the trail over Five Stop Hill to Gateway Canyon, then approaches the distinctive limestone-capped peak east of Turtlehead on a steep route through Gray Fox Canyon.  Elevation gain is close to 2,000 feet and hands will be required in lots of places.  Departure time from Albertsons will be at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.
 
Tuesday, October 8 - Telephone Canyon Loop.  Here is a milder alternative for the usually wild Tuesdays and a last chance to visit the upper elevations of the Spring Mountains on a scheduled hike this year.  This moderate 7-mile loop hike is filling in for the hike on August 28 that was canceled because of weather.  It will also be done in the reverse direction from the September 11 hike, which was changed to a counter-clockwise direction.  This group will leave from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
 
Tuesday, October 8 - Pueblo Park.  Continuing the series of early evening strolls that started last month we will be heading to Pueblo Park for an easy 3-mile out-and-back walk on a paved sidewalk through an arroyo that still serves as part of the watershed for rainstorms that occur west of the city.  The group will meet in the parking lot of the park for a 6:00 PM start.  The park is located on Lake Mead Boulevard just west of Buffalo in the northwest part of Las Vegas.  To access the park, you must be traveling eastbound on Lake Mead Boulevard.  If you are traveling westbound, you must execute a U-turn past the park to get back to the entrance.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
 
Wednesday, October 9 - Sandstone/White Rock Loop.  One of the real sleeper hikes in Red Rock Canyon that very few groups seem to do is this moderate 7-mile loop starting from Sandstone Quarry that has an elevation gain of nearly 1,600 feet.  The loop route starts off on a section of the Grand Circle Trail, continues upward on the Keystone Thrust Trail, and completes the climb portion on a little used trail approaching the base of La Madre Peak.  The descent includes minor scrambling in a narrow drainage cut followed by a broad wash heading back toward Sandstone Quarry.  Departure time from Albertsons will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.
 
Thursday, October 10 - Windy Peak.  The back side of the escarpment provides the setting for a spectacular 5-mile out-and-back hike to the red-tipped peak on the southern end of the Wilson Cliffs.  The initial climb seems a bit tedious as it starts along a gravel road used to service a communications relay station, but by the time it reaches the first saddle wonderful views start to unfold and get really spectacular at the top of the sandstone peak.  Overall this hike gains about 1,500 feet, is rated strenuous, and includes some scrambling and about fifty feet of fairly serious rolling exposure.  We will depart from Albertsons at 7:30 AM for this hike.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
 
Friday, October 11 - Ash Canyon Overlook.  Enjoy a pleasant trek through scenic back country that includes dramatic views from the top of Ash Canyon and also goes by a petroglyph site in the sandstone mounds north of Sandstone Quarry.  Rated easy to moderate, this 3-mile partial loop hike has minimal net elevation gain but does pass through rolling terrain.  While most of the route is on trail, there is a bit of scrambling over the sandstone ledges and crevasses on the north side of Red Cap.  Join the other participants at Albertsons for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.
 
Saturday, October 12 - Red Cap.  We will be using the old traditional route to the top of the mountain on this strenuous 3-mile scrambling outing to the highest point in the Calico Hills.  Starting from Sandstone Quarry, the route heads along the west flank of the rocky peak, using a series of boulder and slab climbs as well as a few notches.  Overall there is about 1,000 feet of gain.  On the descent, the group will visit a number of tinajas before making the fairly steep drop along Mass Production Wall back onto the Calico Tanks Trail.  Departure from Albertsons will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
 
Saturday, October 12 - Peak 3488 Ridges Loop.  This 3-mile hike in the Red Rock area begins along Calico Basin Road shortly before the housing area and follows a series of interconnected horse trails that criss-cross the desert.  The route turns toward Krafft Mountain and then veers first east and then south to reach the summit of a small peak named for its top elevation.  Rating is moderate and there is 400 feet of elevation gain.  The assembled group will be departing from Albertsons at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Jan Meigs.
 
Sunday, October 13 - Calico Peak Back Door Loop.  This very strenuous 4-mile rock scramble begins at the Red Springs Picnic Area and follows the low trails to the notch often referred to as Angel Pass.  From there, the group will climb the wash on the north side of the pass to a small red peak, then traverse across to the main tank and Calico Peak.  The hike gets close to technical at this point with a descent through a steep wash to Ash Canyon and a return down that canyon to the start.  Hands will be used a lot on the descent and the buddy system will often be necessary.  Meet at Albertsons for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.
 
Monday, October 14 - The Muffins.  Although the first part of this hike is a repeat of the one on October 4, this particular outing will be a 4-mile out-and-back hike that involves descending on the same trail along the cliff face of the ridge on the western section of Blue Diamond Hill.  Elevation gain for this trek is about 900 feet and the hike carries a moderate rating.  Views of Las Vegas from the composite boulders at the top are quite expansive.  The group will meet at Albertsons for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Gail Surgent.
 
Monday, October 14 - Cottonwood Canyon.  Another evening stroll will occur this evening in a neighborhood park one block north of Charleston Boulevard.  This double out-and-back walk is rated easy as the surface is all paved trails, total distance is right at 3 miles, and there is hardly any elevation change along the way.  To reach the park, turn west on Park Run Boulevard from Town Center Drive one block north of Charleston.  The park is located just west of the set of buildings on the corner and on the north side of the street.  The walk will start promptly at 6:00 PM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey. 
 
Tuesday, October 15 - Windy Peak via Cottonwood Valley.  This very strenuous 4-mile out-and-back hike climbs through a very steep side canyon from the floor of Cottonwood Valley near Grapevine Canyon.  There are lots of boulders to negotiate that require the use of hands and a few areas of significant exposure - one near the midpoint of the ascent and one on the cliff face directly below the summit.  High clearance vehicles are appropriate for the drive to the starting point on minimally maintained recreational gravel roads.  Meet at Albertsons for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.
 
Tuesday, October 15 - Oak Creek.  For the second Tuesday in a row, there is a moderate alternative to the regular madcap Tuesday hike.  This offering is a 6-mile partial loop hike that has minimal elevation gain but passes some beautiful countryside below the Wilson Cliffs.  The hike will start from the South Oak Creek trailhead along Highway 159, pass along the back side of Potato Knoll, then utilize the North Oak Creek and Valley Trails to complete the loop.  Departure time from Albertsons will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.
 
Wednesday, October 16 - Boneshaker & Skull Canyon.  Another variant to the routes that reach one or both of the Las Vegas Overlooks on Blue Diamond Hill, this moderate 6-mile loop hike starts with a fairly steep climb by trail up the tough ridge trail known as Boneshaker in the first mile of the hike.  From the top of the first ridge onward there are expansive views of Red Rock and Cottonwood Valley, with the new Las Vegas Overlook waiting at the highest point, some 1,500 feet above the start.  Descent will be through dramatic Skull Canyon.  This hike is a joint outing with Lone Mountain Hiking Club, who will meet at Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin and leave for Albertsons at 8:00 AM, where the ABF contingent will assemble for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.
 
Thursday, October 17 - Mountain Spring Peak.  This strenuous 7-mile loop hike starts from the back side of the Wilson Cliffs near Mountain Spring Summit on Highway 160 and follows the same gravel road used for the start of Windy and Hollow Rock Peaks.  Once on the limestone ridge behind the escarpment, the trail turns to the south and gains the top of the peak with great views of the Las Vegas area.  The snack break will occur a bit beyond the peak on a sensational outcropping directly above Black Velvet Canyon.  The return section will be off-trail until it reaches Rainbow Road, which will take us back to the area of the start, passing a couple of springs and a small rock cave on the way.  Departure from Albertsons will be at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
 
Friday, October 18 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  This moderate 5-mile loop hike begins at Red Springs Picnic Area and climbs Five Stop Hill before descending into Gateway Canyon for the trip around Krafft Mountain.  This canyon contains some of the best sandstone terrain on the west side of Las Vegas, so bring your cameras if you want great shots of the picturesque surroundings.  The canyon portion is also off-trail, and there are a few spots where the scrambling requires use of hands.  The return leg passes a boulder field often used by free climbers.  Meet the group at Albertsons for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.
 
Saturday, October 19 - Blue Diamond Canyons #2 & 3.  Scrambling through limestone canyons is the primary activity involved on this short 3-mile loop hike rated moderately strenuous.  That's because of the level of scrambling, which requires substantial use of hands on short Class 3 climbs as well as a couple of spots where webbing will be helpful.  Overall, there is about 800 feet of elevation gain on this trek which will cover some ground that exhibits ancient seabed fossils.  Departure from Albertsons will occur at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.
 
Saturday, October 19 - SMYC Trail via Willow Springs.  It's unusual that the leisurely Saturday hike gets to be longer than the earlier hike, but that is probably the case today as the route should cover about 4 miles.  The moderate hike with minimal elevation gain will start at Willow Springs Picnic Area, follow the trails to the Lost Creek Waterfall, then pick up the SMYC Trail southward to Ice Box Trail.  A short loop will occur at the south end of the hike followed by a return along SMYC and a final jaunt back to the cars on the trail east of the spur road.  Departure time from Albertsons will be 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
 
Sunday, October 20 - Pueblo Park Full Moon Hike.  The only hike on the schedule this Sunday is an easy 3-mile level walk along a paved walkway through the park, which has a runoff channel for rainwater or irrigation on the golf course on higher ground to the west.  This leisurely trek will feature the rising of the full moon at 7:13 PM, so it's important to be in the right spot on the way back at the appropriate time.  Accordingly, we will start walking from the parking area promptly at 6:15 PM and have a short break at the western end of the trail.  Bring Flashlights!  See the October 8 hike to Pueblo Park for driving directions.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
 
Monday, October 21 - White Rock Hills Loop.  One of the hikes most often accomplished by organized groups in Red Rock Canyon is this 6.4-mile loop around two cream-colored sandstone peaks at the north end of the canyon.  For this effort, our coordinator likes to proceed clockwise, doing the climb through the wooded section in the valley below the La Madre Mountains and returning through the desert side closest to the scenic drive.  Meet the other participants at Albertsons for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.
 
Tuesday, October 22 - Ash Canyon/Krafft Mountain Traverse.  This very strenuous 5-mile loop hike has a double climb that will probably put gross elevation gain at close to 2,000 feet.  It also involves some pretty intense scrambling, both through the boulders of Ash Canyon and reaching and crossing the sandstone slabs and other formations on the top of the rose colored peak.  For this outing, the west-east route will be used for the traverse.  There is exposure on this hike so anyone squeamish should probably not participate.  Meet the others in the group at Albertsons for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.
 
Wednesday, October 23 - Potato Knoll.  The relatively level terrain associated with this moderate 5-mile partial loop hike is interrupted by a short but steep climb up the 500-foot hill in the shadow of Wilson Peak.  The snack break will occur on the sandstone outcroppings found on the southern end of the hill.  Another feature of the hike is that Oak Creek is crossed on four occasions, and flowing water is usually present at two of those.  Again, this is a joint effort with Lone Mountain Hiking Club, who will leave Desert Vista Community Center at 8:00 AM to hook up with the ABF contingent and a full group departure from the Albertsons parking lot at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
 
Thursday, October 24 - Brownstone Canyon from Sandstone Quarry.  The classic 9-mile loop hike to Pictograph Wall is back.  Starting from Sandstone Quarry, the group will use upper Gateway Canyon to pass behind Turtlehead, then make a Class 3 descent through the sandstone into Brownstone Canyon near the base of the magnificent ancient artifact.  A short out-and-back trek down the canyon allows participants to view some equally amazing petroglyphs before continuing up canyon to a saddle between Turtlehead and La Madre Peak for a return down a narrow canyon and finally the broad drainage heading back to the starting point.  Meet the other participants at Albertsons for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jon Lubinski.
 
Friday, October 25 - Echo Canyon.  Here's a chance to do some moderate scrambling in one of the narrow canyons on the north end of Blue Diamond Hill.  The loop hike is rated moderate overall and will cover a distance of 4 or 5 miles, depending on where the coordinator heads after exiting the canyon for the trails back along Fossil Ridge.  Total elevation gain is probably not more than 700 feet for the hike.  The group will assemble at Albertsons and will depart at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Doug Chang.
 
Saturday, October 26 - Lone Mountain & Fall Picnic.  Join your fellow club members for a variety of hiking options at Lone Mountain Regional Park, located between Lone Mountain Road at Alexander with the north-south street being Jensen.  Hikes will include going to the top of the mountain using a couple of different routes or just walking around its base.  All of these options will start promptly at 9:00 AM from the extreme southern end of the park.  The picnic itself is slated to begin at 12:00 Noon.  See other announcements for more details on the picnic.  Hike Coordinators - Chris Dempsey & Others TBD.
 
Sunday, October 27 - Calico Triple Peak.  Here is another weekend jaunt with significant scrambling involved.  The route used for this hike will be a new version that will start at the Red Spring Picnic Area and ascend what is called the Grand Staircase.  The route will continue on the upper portion of the ridge, drop to Guardian Angel Pass, then climb up to Calico II Overlook Peak and Calico Peak before a return down the Calico Basin side from Guardian Angel Pass.  This very strenuous hike with lots of climbing, scrambling, and exposure should come in at 5 miles in length.  Albertsons will be used as the early staging spot with a 7:30 AM departure time.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.
 
Monday, October 28 - Calico Hills.  This moderate 6-mile out-and-back hike bridges the distance between the parking lot behind the fee booth at the entrance to Red Rock Canyon and Sandstone Quarry near the north end of the Calico Hills.  There is about 800 feet of net elevation gain along the rolling trail, with undulating terrain north of the Calico I Overlook, where the trail drops into the canyon just east of the scenic drive.  Assembly point is at Albertsons for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.
 
Tuesday, October 29 - Mescalito Peak.  Only the toughest members of our club should attempt this very strenuous trek to the top of the very steep mountain that separates South and North Forks of Pine Creek.  There is about 2,000 feet of climb along the steep torturous route that travels from the back of Mescalito Canyon along an exposed ridge to the peak.  Total distance is probably about 5 miles and the estimated duration is about seven hours.  The entire group MUST be kept together on this one.  Departure from Albertsons will occur at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Richard Natale.
 
Tuesday, October 29 - Echo Canyon to First Finger.  A longer version of the hike the previous Friday will include the trail that extends out toward the point of First Finger Ridge before returning to the plowed under mining road used as a connector to Fossil Ridge, which will be used for the return portion of the hike.  Expect the total distance to be around 6 miles on this moderate loop route that will gain under 1,000 feet and serve as an alternative to the usual terrifying Tuesday adventure.  Meet the group at Albertsons for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.
 
Wednesday, October 30 - Black Mountain (Henderson).  Comparable to Turtlehead for distance (6 miles) and elevation gain (2,100 feet), this strenuous out-and-back hike has better trail conditions than Turtlehead.  The trail gets steeper the closer it gets to the summit, with the upper sections climbing over or next to volcanic rock.  The north and west side group will meet at Albertsons on Charleston for a 7:50 AM departure and head over to the main assembly point at Walgreens located at the intersection of Anthem Parkway and Hampton Road, from which the entire group will leave for the small trailhead parking lot at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Carl Weller.
 
Thursday, October 31 - North Peak (Sandstone).  Could we possibly have a Halloween without heading to the sandstone peak at the north end of the escarpment that has been a tradition for seven years now?  I don't think so.  This strenuous out-and-back hike is between 7 and 8 miles and includes some of the steepest trail in Red Rock climbing to the beginnings of the sandstone formations behind the escarpment.  Elevation gain is 2,600 feet and the route may go up the canyon south of Rocky Gap Road on the way up.  Departure time from Albertsons will be 7:30 AM.  This hike has two coordinators to facilitate differently paced groups.  Coordinators - Michael O'Connor & Ed Matulis.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

September 2013 Hike List


September begins our transition from the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains to the area around Red Rock Canyon.  Besides those two locations, there will be a number of evening walks scheduled in a neighborhood park in the northwest part of the city.  As a result, there are three potential major meeting locations for participants in club hikes.  Here are the locations.



Higher Elevations of the Spring Mountains - We will continue to meet at 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 directly from Rancho if driving in a southbound direction.  If you are driving northbound on Rancho, turn in at the main entrance to the property and turn left again to access the garage.  Do not use the larger garage on the north end of the casino building.  When heading up the ramp on the inside of the parking garage, turn left at the third level and the group will be assembling at that point.

Red Rock Canyon Area - We will no longer be allowed to leave vehicles in the lot in front of Best Buy, so we are moving the assembly point to the lot servicing the Albertsons Grocery and Dunkin' Donuts, where several other hiking groups also meet.  This shopping area and lot is located at the intersection of Charleston Boulevard (Highway 159) and Desert Foothills Drive about one-half mile west of CR 215.  If you are driving west on Charleston you can turn into the shopping center before you get to the stop light at Desert Foothills.  Generally, we will be parking and waiting about halfway between the previously mentioned commercial establishments.

Pueblo Park - The neighborhood park is in a working arroyo that is actually used to bring rainwater runoff down to the lower holding ponds in the valley.  The entrance to the park is located on eastbound Lake Mead Boulevard just west of Buffalo.  The next major cross street to the west is Rampart Boulevard about one mile away.  If you are traveling westbound on Lake Mead Boulevard, you must execute a U-turn to get back to the park entrance.  There are about two dozen parking spots in the park.

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.  Strenuous Tuesday hikes are only for qualifying experienced members.

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

Sunday, September 1 - Avalanche Canyon.  So named because of a massive avalanche down the center of the canyon in 2005, this hike involves scrambling over lots of downed trees, other debris, and scree in addition to a few boulders.  The partial loop version winds up beneath the cave near Mary Jane Falls and returns down the regular switchback trail to the parking area.  Total distance is about 5 miles, gross elevation gain is around 1,200 feet, and a strenuous rating applies.  Departure from Santa Fe will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinators - Helmut DeCandia & Edwina Labrecque.

Monday, September 2 - Sawmill Trails.  A pleasant trail hike in lower Lee Canyon that climbs a couple hundred feet to a ridge with great views toward Creech Air Force Base back country and the Nevada Testing Site.  Total distance for the loop hike is about 3 or 4 miles, depending on any side trips, and is rated as easy to moderate.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, September 3 - Ski Lee Slopes Part II.  Starting from the Upper Bristlecone trailhead the group will hike to the top of the chair lift and continue on to the North Loop Trail using a series of steep drainage ravines.  The climb rate gets much steeper toward the top of the ridge with significant scree with a bit of Class 3 climbing and some exposure near the top.  It will probably be a short hike in the 4-mile range with 1,800 feet of elevation gain and a very strenuous rating.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Tuesday, September 3 - Pueblo Park.  This pleasant out-and-back evening walk will cover a distance of 3 miles while gaining less than 100 feet of elevation.  Rated easy, this outing will begin from the vicinity of the parking area promptly at 7:00 PM.  Flashlights will be helpful.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

With so many members of the club participating in the Zion outing this week, we will not have any organized club hikes until Saturday, September 7, when the regular schedule resumes.

Saturday, September 7 - Cathedral Rock.  At the time this schedule was completed the tail to Cathedral Rock was still closed as a result of the Carpenter 1 Fire, but we are hoping it will open in time for this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike gaining 950 feet of elevation to a rock outcropping with a magnificent view of the entire length of Kyle Canyon.  If the trail is not open, there will be a substitute hike.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Sunday, September 8 - Stanley B/Cockscomb Ridge Exploratory.  Carrying a very strenuous rating because of elevation gain and difficult terrain, this 5 to 6-mile hike will take the left fork of Stanley B from the Leroy Mine junction and follow the drainage up to a ridge.  Turning left, the group will attempt to climb up the east face of Cockscomb Peak, take a break, and retrace steps to the vehicles.  There is some significant exposure on the rock formations at the top of the peak.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez. 

Monday, September 9 - Fletcher Canyon.  One of the signature hikes in the upper elevations of the Spring Mountains is this 4-mile out-and-back hike that includes a beautiful slot canyon at the northern end of the hike where the snack break will occur below Obstacle Rock and the small rabbit hole that allows access to the upper canyon.  Elevation gain is around 500 feet for this moderate hike that includes a bit of minor boulder scrambling.  The group will depart at 8:00 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, September 10 - Pahrump Overlook Peak.  A variety of terrain and a great view of Pahrump highlights this strenuous 7-mile out-and-back hike that starts along the Upper Bristlecone Trail connecting with No Name Trail.  About 4 miles of the distance is along an undulating ridge with little trail and an occasional ground obstacle.  Net elevation gain is not reflective of the overall difficulty at about 1,200 feet.  Meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, September 10 - Pueblo Park.  An easy fairly level 3-mile out-and-back evening walk along a paved trail starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Bring flashlights if you have them.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

Wednesday, September 11 - Telephone Canyon Loop.  Also on the previous month schedule for August 28, this moderate 6-mile loop hike will be done in the opposite direction from the earlier outing, following a clockwise direction toward the top of the canyon approaching the Robbers' Roost parking area.  Elevation gain is close to 1,000 feet with some loose trail conditions.  Departure from Santa Fe Station is at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, September 12 - Mormon Girls Camp.  Now that Labor Day has come and the camp has been vacated for the summer, we have an opportunity to schedule the moderately strenuous 5-mile loop hike through the camp.  The climb portion of the hike is along the private gravel road servicing the homes above Deer Creek Picnic Area.  The highlight of the camp is the chance to cross a fairly low drainage on the rope bridge connecting the two sides.  Meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
Thursday, September 12 - Pueblo Park.  An easy fairly level 3-mile out-and-back evening walk along a paved trail starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Bring flashlights if you have them..  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

Friday, September 13 - Mary Jane Falls.  The elevation gain is 920 feet on this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike following the standard trail that incorporates more than a dozen sweeping switchbacks and a challenging set of stone steps on the upper reaches of the trail approaching the multi-tiered seasonal waterfall.  Join the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, September 14 - Upper Bristlecone Trail.  Aspen, pine, and open views alternate on this leisurely out-and-back hike with a moderate rating covering a total distance of 4.8 miles while gaining 700 feet of elevation.  The snack break will occur at the halfway point where the Bonanza Trail has its southern beginnings and heads toward the quaint community of Cold Creek.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Patti Beckstead.


Sunday, September 15 - Pine Cone Canyon.  A strenuous outing on the north side of Lee Canyon, this 5 to 6-mile hike will climb through a seldom-used side canyon to the Bonanza Trail, then cross over a rolling ridge to the saddle used as part of the southern approach to South Sister.  The group will be leaving Santa Fe Station at 7:00 AM for the drive to the trailhead.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.


Monday, September 16 - Trail Canyon.  From the new trailhead parking area along Echo Road this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike covers a total distance of just under 5 miles while gaining over 1,500 feet of elevation to the northern terminus of the trail at North Loop Trail.  A rocky ledge a couple of hundred feet above to the southeast provides a dramatic view of Fletcher Canyon and a great snack spot.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, September 17 - Mummy's Tummy.  Now that North Loop Trail is finally open above Trail Canyon Trail, we can schedule this strenuous 9-mile out-and-back hike to the top of the second highest peak in the Spring Mountains.  Overall elevation gain of 3,900 feet is pretty daunting, but the toughest part by far is the side slope scree field used above North Loop Trail, where the phrase "two feet forward, one foot back" is close to the truth.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Tuesday, September 17 - Cottonwood Canyon.  The series of weekly evening walks continues, but the location for this Tuesday will shift to Cottonwood Canyon Park, located on Park Run Drive (one block north of Charleston Boulevard) on the west side of Town Center Drive.  Entrance to the park is just west of the nursing home complex.  The easy, level walk will take in a total distance of 3 miles with the eastern leg going as far as Hualapi and the western leg ending near CR 215.  Starting time of the walk will be 7:00 PM.  Flashlights may be helpful.  Coordinator - Joan Sahagun.

Wednesday, September 18 - No Name/Bristlecone Loop.  One of our club's most anticipated hikes is this moderate 6-mile partial loop trek that utilizes a trail abandoned by the forest service that connects Bristlecone Trail with the Bonanza Trail several switchbacks up from the southern end of that trail.  There is only about 1,200 feet of gain, but over half of this is along a one-half mile stretch following a narrow drainage to a saddle west of the regular Bristlecone Trail.  Meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Thursday, September 19 - Fletcher Peak.  The standard out-and-back route up North Loop Trail will be used to reach this 10,000-foot plus peak that forms the western boundary of Upper Kyle Canyon.  The hike is rated as strenuous and gains 1,800 feet over the course of the hike, which covers about 7.5 miles.  Departure from Santa Fe Station is at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, September 19 - Pueblo Park.  An easy fairly level 3-mile out-and-back evening walk along a paved trail starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Bring flashlights if you have them.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

Friday, September 20 - Bristlecone Loop.  If there are colors on the mountain from the aspen leaves turning it will probably be through the wooded section above the ski runs and on the slopes of the higher mountains.  Come along with the rest of the group on a moderate 6-mile loop hike that has a 900 vertical change from the lower trailhead to the highest point of the trail.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, September 21 - Fletcher Canyon.  The last full day of summer will once again find us in the narrow slot canyon on the north side of Kyle Canyon Road that is one of the most beautiful fairly accessible spots in the Spring Mountains.  The moderate out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of 4 miles while gaining 500 feet of elevation.  The group will leave from Santa Fe Station at 8:30 AM for this fairly leisurely hike.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Sunday, September 22 - South Calico Hills Scramble.  A return to lower elevations marks this strenuous 4-mile scrambling effort that will start climbing from Red Springs Picnic Area, cross over the sandstone hills, and descend in the vicinity of Calico II.  Instead of just following the trail around the south end of the Calico Hills, another scrambling route will cross back over to the starting point from Calico I.  Distance of 4 miles, 1,800 feet of elevation gain, a strenuous rating, and some exposure are elements of the hike.  Departure from the Albertsons parking lot will be at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Monday, September 23 - Lee Canyon Narrows.  Starting from the Sawmill Picnic Area along Lee Canyon Road, the group will cross the highway and follow the drainage downward in Lower Lee Canyon following the recreational Champion Road.  One major obstacle on the way down is a boulder waterfall that is easily bypassed by trail.  Although technically an out-and-back hike, there are options to be explored on the uphill return.  Moderate rating, distance of 5 miles, and 700 feet elevation change are the applicable details, with the departure from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Gail Surgent.

Tuesday, September 24 - McFarland Peak.  One of the most intimidating peaks in the Spring Mountains is this mountain north of Lee Canyon with cliffs almost the entire distance around the top.  This very strenuous out-and-back hike will approach from the Cold Creek side of the mountain, gaining 4,250 feet along the torturous 8-mile out-and-back route.  Abundant Class 3 scrambling will slow the pace down with an expected duration of eight hours for the hike.  High clearance vehicles are necessary to get to the trailhead.  An early departure time of 6:30 AM from Santa Fe Station will be necessary to provide an adequate margin.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Tuesday, September 24 - Bristlecone Trail.  If you didn't get a chance to check out fall colors along this trail the previous Friday, here is one more opportunity.  For this version of the hike the group will start at the lower trailhead and hike to the upper trailhead, a distance of slightly more than 5 miles.  Expect an easier pace than usually occurs on Tuesday on this rare moderate hike offered as an alternative to the usual Tuesday mayhem.  The group will depart at 8:00 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, September 24 - Pueblo Park.  An easy fairly level 3-mile out-and-back evening walk along a paved trail starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Bring flashlights if you have them.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.  

Wednesday, September 25 - Big Falls.  A 3-mile out-and-back trek to the base of the most impressive waterfall in the Spring Mountains during snow melt season provides a real contrast to Mary Jane Falls across the way at the top of Kyle Canyon.  Although quite short, this hike is rated as moderately strenuous because of the amount of scrambling over and around large boulders and the accumulation of tree trunks and other debris deposited by a large avalanche some eight years ago.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Carl Weller.

Thursday, September 26 - Hollow Rock Peak.  The out-and-back trek to the first mountain north of the Cottonwood Fault Line is unusual in that the highest elevation attained is on a ridge bump more than a mile from the actual peak.  Sitting on a rock slab at the peak with a half mile drop to the base tends to make people forget that fact.  Significant scrambling is involved on the sandstone approaching the peak.  Meet the rest of the group at the Albertsons on Charleston Boulevard for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Tim Borem.

Thursday, September 26 - Pueblo Park.  Here is one last chance for the month to enjoy an evening stroll along a paved trail following the drainage in a working arroyo.  Drive directly to the park on Lake Mead Boulevard for this easy 3-mile out-and-back walk starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

Friday, September 27 - Fletcher Canyon.  Enjoy the spectacular surroundings of the slot canyon negotiated in the upper reaches of this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike.  Although some scrambling is required, it will offer no difficulty for the average hiker.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Patti Beckstead.

Saturday, September 28 - Stanley B/Fletcher Canyons.  Rated as moderately strenuous, this 6-mile loop hike will stage at the Fletcher Canyon parking area and follow the Kyle Canyon drainage upstream about a mile before heading uphill past the Leroy Mine in Stanley B Springs Canyon to a saddle.  The descent into Fletcher Canyon is steep and the rabbit hole at Obstacle Rock must be dropped through on the way back to level group.  There will be a 7:00 AM departure from Santa Fe Station for this hike.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Saturday, September 28 - Cathedral Rock.  The leisurely general membership hike on the last weekend of September will have the impressive rock outcropping at the north end of the Echo Cliffs as the destination.  There is a moderate rating assigned to the 3-mile out-and-back hike with 950 feet of elevation.  This trail is still closed at the time this schedule was compiled, but is expected to be open before long.  If it isn't, an equivalent hike such as Mary Jane Falls will take its place.  Plan on an 8:30 AM departure from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Gail Surgent.

Sunday, September 29 - South Sister Loop.  Hopefully the aspen will be colorful for this strenuous 5 to 6-mile hike, which will be attempted in the reverse direction from the hike two Sundays previously.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will again be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, September 30 - Mary Jane Falls.  Finishing of the month will be an old standby - the moderate out-and-back hike along the well maintained trail climbing 920 feet from the newly redesigned parking area to the seasonal waterfall at the base of the ridge between Mount Charleston and Mummy Mountain.  Total distance is 3 miles.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

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.