The June schedule includes hikes in the Red Rock Canyon
National Conservation Area and the Spring Mountains. Meeting locations for
hikes in any other areas will be specified in the hike description. You can
locate detailed information on these locations at the ATBF blog and in a file
at the Yahoo group website. Also, the exposure information is now located on the blog.
IMPORTANT NOTE - Hike coordinators may not always be at
either the early or primary assembly points. Participants will need to monitor
the time and set up carpooling to the next meeting location or pickup point
when that occurs. Although most of these situations are noted in the hike descriptions, others may
occur that are not so noted.
Times indicated for each hike
are departure times and are strictly observed.
Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each
hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.
Participants can find additional descriptions about hikes on the blog by
clicking on the Updated Hike Descriptions link and/or Jim Boone’s Bird and Hike
link. Members should also contact the coordinator if they have any concerns or
questions about the hike. As two of our
prime considerations on any hike are safety and enjoyment, it is important that each participant have the capability of completing
any advertised hike at the pace published by the coordinator.
It is the responsibility of new members to prove their
hiking ability, therefore, hikers new to our club must begin with one of the
easy or easy to moderate hikes offered on the monthly schedule. After they have
gained sufficient experience, have been able to assess their abilities relative to the group, and have
had a chance to interact with our coordinators, they will be free to start
moving up to more difficult hikes. New hikers who are guests of existing
members may initially participate in other than leisurely hikes, but must be
accompanied by the existing member who will take responsibility for their
safety if the situation demands.
Hike coordinators will have the right to reject any hiker,
whether new to the club or an existing member, if they believe that such
person’s participation would infringe on the ability of the group to conduct
the hike as advertised or if overall safety becomes an issue.
Questions regarding general information should be directed
to Lettie Gutierrez at chico04@msn.com or by telephone at (702)498-3050. Specific questions regarding hikes should be directed to the listed
coordinator. Refer to the club roster for contact information.
Difficulty Levels
Easy- Hikes of 3 miles or less
with not more than 300 feet of gain, generally with only gradual elevation
gains on even surface trails.
Easy to Moderate- Hikes ranging up to 5 miles and 500 to
700 feet of elevation gain with the potential for some minor trail
irregularities.
Moderate- Hikes that generally have a maximum distance of 7 miles with 800 to 1000 feet of elevation
gain. Somewhat longer mileage with less elevation gain or shorter mileage with
more elevation gain may also fit in this category.
Moderately Strenuous- Distances of up to 12 miles and/or
2000 to 2400 feet of elevation gain involving less than 25 % of off-trail
hiking such as boulder scrambling or bushwhacking.
Strenuous- Longer distances with elevation gain of 2500 to
3000 feet or shorter distances that encompass significant off-trail sections
not requiring additional safety equipment.
Saturday, July 1st,
Mary Jane Falls – This
easy to moderate hike starts off
with an easy climb as it heads to the northwest. After 3/4 mile, the trail
turns sharply to the right and climbs more steeply on a series of switchbacks.
Near the falls, there are several sections of rock steps. This out-and-back hike is 3 miles long with a vertical
gain of 920 feet. Hikers can continue around the cliff wall at the falls on a
trail that leads to a large cave with a nice view of Kyle Canyon. Depart the Santa Fe at 8:30 AM.
Coordinator – Dennis Rohne
Saturday, July
1st, Trail Canyon / Fletcher Canyon - At 5.5
miles, this half trail/half canyon wash hike begins with the 2.15 mile/1500'
climb up Trail Canyon. It
will be a point to point hike that will require placement of cars at the
Fletcher Canyon TH before we start. Add another 100' feet of elevation gain and
the slippery drop through the rabbit hole at Fletcher Canyon's Obstacle Rock
and we will call this hike moderately
strenuous. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for
a 7:30am departure. (In an effort to avoid a monsoon,
start times in July will be earlier.) Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
Sunday, July 2nd, Big Falls / Mary Jane Falls -
This strenuous 5 mile hike first scrambles to the base of Big
Falls. On the return, we will connect with the steep old
road/trail to reach Mary Jane Falls and visit the cave. From here, we return to
the cars via the newer switchback trail. The two part ascent will total 1500
feet in elevation gain. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for
a 7:30am departure. (In an effort to avoid a
monsoon, start times in July will be earlier.) Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
Monday,
July 3rd, Stanley B Mine & Beyond
- A moderate strenuous/strenuous
trek up to, then beyond the mines to the Overlook Ridge. Distance- 5 miles-
Elevation gain- 2,400 FT. We’ll be off trail at times. TH- Pull-off on right
after green “Rainbow” sign on Kyle Cyn Rd. Meet at the Santa Fe to depart by 8:00 AM. Coordinator David Gray
Tuesday,
July 4th, South Loop 3rd Overlook - This moderately strenuous out and back hike starts at the south loop
trailhead and wanders up the trail with steps and switchbacks to get to the 1st
overlook after almost 2.5 miles. Leaving the 1st overlook we encounter more
switchbacks as we pass by the 2nd overlook to get to the 3rd overlook where we
will take our break. We return to the cars on the same trail. Distance: 6.5
miles. Elevation Gain: 2100 ft. Pace: Slower side of Moderate to Moderate.
Depart the Santa Fe at 8:00am. Coordinator
- Dennis Rohne
Wednesday, July 5th, Deer Creek Canyon Proper- An out/back exploratory dropping down through the pines of this high
walled terrain starting at the paved pull-off on 158 for the picnic area. Rated
moderately strenuous/strenuous given
the uneven ground, 7-8 mile distance, and elevation loss/gain estimated at some
1,500 FT as the terrain reaches the desert scrub. Depart the Santa Fe at 8:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray
Thursday July 6th , Early morning hike in
the Red Rock, Summerlin area - The actual hike
will be determined by the interest of the assembled group, but be in the ‘easy to moderate’ to ‘moderately
strenuous’ range, 4 to 5 miles, with some scrambling possible. We will
depart from the Red Rock Casino Parking lot at 6:00AM. Coordinator
- Tony Fountain
Thursday, July
6th, Lee Peak -
This pseudo-peak is found on the North Loop Trail about 6 miles up from the
Trail Canyon TH. The very
strenuous hike is 12 miles
with a whopping 3900 feet of elevation gain. After leaving the North Loop
Trail, the Lee Peak Trail is arduous, at best! Fun & rewarding! Views are
unique and beautiful. Moderate pace. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for
a 7:00am departure. (In an effort to avoid a monsoon,
start times in July will be earlier.) Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
Saturday, July 8th, Mud/Mack Loop CW & Don Caldwell
Memorial - There's nothing difficult about the Mud/Mack Loop
unless 7 miles and 1200' of elevation gain is out of your wheelhouse. We will
call it a moderate to moderately strenuous hike that is half
dirt road and half trail. A decent moderate pace will be upheld in order to get
back to the Sawmill Trailhead by 11am. A memorial get-together will be held
then for one of Las Vegas' most enduring hikers, Don Caldwell, a former longtime
member of our club and the Buffet Boys. Desserts will be accepted and served to
honor Don's sweet tooth! Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for
a 7:00am departure. (In an effort to avoid a
monsoon, start times in July will be earlier.) Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
Sunday, July 9th, Fletcher Peak via Deer Creek -
This strenuous climb will add on to last month's Mummy Springs
Loop with a turnaround point on top of Fletcher Peak. Using the Wild Horse
Canyon to descend will change it up a little more. Totals will be 7 miles with
2300' of elevation gain. Be advised that the Deer Creek Trail ascent is a
challenge, and then add the challenging last climb up to the peak. Moderate
pace. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for a 7:00am departure. (In
an effort to avoid a monsoon, start times in July will be earlier.) Coordinator
- Kay Blackwell
Monday, July 10th,
Eagle’s Nest/Fletcher Canyon - This is a moderate
hike of 6 miles with 1100 feet of elevation. The trailhead is the new Fletcher
Canyon parking lot. We will do the Eagle’s Nest loop first then hike up
Fletcher Canyon to Obstacle Rock. This trail passes through a wide area of
assorted forest before climbing a series of short ramps. The last 1/3 mile
passes through a slot canyon that is a mere 5 feet wide at its narrowest. The
hike reaches its farthest point below a waterfall formation called Obstacle
Rock. The canyon scenery is spectacular. After our break, it’s back to the
cars. We depart the Santa Fe at 7:00AM.
Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez
Tuesday, July 11th,
Griffith Peak - A long strenuous hike of 10 miles with around 3500 feet of elevation gain.
This is an out and back hike on the South Loop Trail to the third highest peak
at 11,062'.
Depart the Santa Fe at 7:00 AM.
Coordinator – Tim Borem
Wednesday, July 12th,
No Name/Bonanza Loop – The No Name Trail is a non-maintained section of the old Bonanza Trail.
After hiking on the Upper Bristlecone for one mile, No Name goes off to the
left and climbs through a steep wash to an overlook above Lee Canyon. From the
overlook, we hike a ridge to the north and take our break at the large shelter.
After our break, we descend the Bonanza Trail and turn right on Upper
Bristlecone. We then use a horse trail to reconnect with the trail back to the
cars. Rate it moderately strenuous
with a distance of 6 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain. We depart the Santa
Fe at 7:00AM. Coordinator – Lettie
Gutierrez
Thursday, July
13th, Charleston Peak -
To hike this very strenuous 17 mile / 5000' gain loop over the
highest peak in southern Nevada, you are required to be in very good condition. The coordinator must know you from
previous hikes. The route
will be from the South Loop to the North Loop and down Trail Canyon for this 10
hour adventure. (A North Loop O&B is planned for September during high fall
color season.) We will take a moderate steady pace making a few stops for
regathering. It will be hiked
as a group. This hike may be
rescheduled quickly if the weather on this date is not
acceptable. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for a 5:00am departure. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
Thursday,
July 13th, Blue Diamond Canyon 4B - Avoiding the
heat of the day will be one of the main objectives for this short hike into a
first canyon on the south end of Blue Diamond Hill. It's not a long hike at
around 3 - 4 miles but it does involve a considerable amount of scrambling in
the upper section, resulting in an overall rating of moderate. There is a good chance of seeing owls in the canyon. The
return will be back the same way. The main assembly point will be the gravel
parking lot on the right side of the entrance road to the community of Blue
Diamond just past the bridge. Starting time for the hike will be at 5:45 AM so participants carpooling from
Red Rock Casino will have to leave there about twenty minutes before that.
Sunrise 5:34. Coordinator - David Hardy
Friday,
July 14th, Red Springs - Most of the
route for this moderate 4-mile
out-and-back hike will be in the shade as the group will start from Red Springs
and go around the south end of the Calico Hills as far as Calico II Overlook
utilizing the canyon between the sandstone hills and the scenic drive as much
as possible. The coordinator will be at Red Springs Picnic Area for a 5:45 AM
start of the hike. If anyone plans to carpool from Red Rock Casino they should
leave that assembly point at 5:30 AM.
If the gate of the picnic area is not open that early, there is plenty of
parking outside along the road. Sunrise 5:34. Coordinator - David Hardy
Saturday,
July 15th, Stanley B – The easy to
moderate hike has less than 900 feet of elevation gain.
Generally done as a partial loop, this
3-mile hike starts from a gravel parking area about 2.8 miles past the Spring
Mountains Gateway Visitor Center on Highway 157. The hike begins as a route
through drainage, but soon meets a well-defined trail that winds through the
canyon and ends up at a junction below a large tree with a sign indicating the
Leroy Mining Claim. This is where we take our break then turn around.
Depart the Santa Fe at 8:30 AM.
Coordinator – Kathy Kazi
Saturday,
July 15th, Raintree/Deer Creek Ridge Loop –This
is a moderately strenuous hike of 6
miles with 1500 feet of elevation. The hike uses North Loop to Raintree then
passes Mummy Springs and then descends Deer Creek Ridge. This is a steep
descent with some areas of scree. Pacing will accommodate moderate and above.
Depart the Santa Fe at 7:00AM.
Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez
Sunday,
July 16th through Saturday, July 22nd –Lake Tahoe Club
Trip
Sunday July 16th, Big Falls Overlook – Strenuous 9 mile out and back starting
from Trail Canyon to North Loop. The turnaround point is where you can view the
switchbacks on Charleston Peak and interesting geology across Kyle Canyon to
Big Falls. 2800 feet of elevation gain. Moderate pace with stops along the way.
Coordinator – Tony Fountain
Monday, July 17th, South
Loop Excursion Up To The Meadow- Photo shoot- A traditional trek up to a beautiful area just off from
Southern Nevada’s third highest peak. Rated strenuous with a moderate pace. Distance is 11 miles with elevation
gain of 3,200 feet. Great 360 views. Depart
the Santa Fe by 7:00 AM. Coordinator-
David Gray
Tuesday, July 18th, Devil's Thumb -This strenuous
out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of 13 miles and
gain 3,200 feet of elevation in the process. The route incorporates Trail
Canyon Trail to the junction at the saddle, and then turns left on North Loop
Trail to the base of the cleft ledge on the north ridge just past Lee
Peak. Along the way are lots of great views of the significant peaks in
the Spring Mountains and several of the interesting canyons. Depart the Santa Fe at 7:00AM.
Coordinator – Tim Borem
Wednesday, July 19th, Pahrump Overlook Peak via No Name
Trail- This is a strenuous 8- mile out-and-back hike that starts at the upper
Bristlecone Trail, then on to No Name, and finally the Overlook. Elevation
gain is 2,200 feet. Great views of the Wallace Canyon area. Meet at the
Santa Fe for an 8:00 AM. Coordinator-
David Gray
Thursday,
July 20th, Trail Canyon/Raintree/ Fletcher
Peak - This hike from the Trail Canyon car
park to Raintree and from
Raintree to the top of Fletcher
Peak is a strenuous 9-mile out-and-back hike with just under 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Depart at 7:30 AM from Santa Fe Station. Coordinator- Stephen Newell
Friday,
July 21st, Blue Diamond Ridges - This moderate early morning hike on the hill
across from Red Rock Canyon will cover a distance up to 7 miles starting from
the Cowboy Stables parking lot along Highway 159. How much the group does will
be determined by the temperature increases during the morning. If it stays somewhat cool the destination will be the Las
Vegas Overlook. Rating should be moderate or a bit more. Participants will
gather at Red Rock Casino and leave for the stables at 5:30 AM. The coordinator will meet them at the stables for a 5:45
AM start to the hike. Sunrise 5:39. Coordinator - David Hardy
Friday, July 21st,
Rainbow Loop- Initially it was reported that
this trail above the Rainbow Community, which includes part of the South Loop,
was closed due to the Carpenter I Fire. But having checked it out on
several occasions for use and the fact that the area was opened up last year to
Griffith Peak, there shouldn’t be an issue. Great views of upper Kyle
Canyon. Rated moderately strenuous-
Distance- 6 miles- Elev- 1,400 FT- TH- Fletcher Canyon Parking lot. Meet
at the Santa Fe and depart by 8:00AM.
Coordinator- David Gray
Saturday- July 22nd,
Escarpment/Visitor Center via Old Town/Shuttle- This
will be a combo trek accommodating both easy/moderate hikers.
TH- Old Town School- Trails- Kyle Wash Trail-Acastus Trail- Escarpment
Loop easy trek is about 4.0 miles to the Spring Mountains
Gateway Visitor Center. Elevation- Drop of 750 FT- Moderate trek-
Distance including the escarpment loop- Just at 7.0 miles- Elev gain- 450
FT- Shuttle parking required for the drivers- Parking lot across from
the Visitor Center- Meet at the Santa Fe and depart by 8:30 AM. Coordinator- David Gray
Monday, July 24th,
Devil’s Thumb – This very strenuous training hike will take us up to a corner
saddle area on the North Loop ridge where you can view Kyle and Lee Canyons. It
will be 13 miles with 3200 feet of elevation gain. Moderate pace. Leave the Santa Fe by 8:00 AM- Coordinator- David Gray
Tuesday, July 25th,
Griffith Peak/Charleston Peak - Yes, I think we
are ready. Both Peaks. We will start with Griffith Peak leaving
from the South Loop Trail Head then off to Charleston Peak. After a short
break we will return down the North Loop and then down Trail Canyon. This
will require a short car shuttle from South Loop and base of Trail Canyon. The very strenuous hike will be 18 miles. Depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:00AM. Coordinator – Tim Borem
Wednesday,
July 26th, Raintree/Wild Horse Canyon –
A 6 mile hike with 1700 feet of elevation that is rated moderately strenuous. Pacing will accommodate moderate and above.
We will park at the Cougar Ridge paved parking area on Deer Creek HWY and hike
a spur trail to the North Loop. We will regroup at the meadow and then climb
the 12 switchbacks before descending to Raintree. After our break, we hike back
to the meadow and then down Wild Horse Canyon. Depart the Santa Fe at 7:00AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez
Thursday, July
27th, Cathedral Rock, Etc. - This moderately
strenuous adventure on
and around Cathedral Rock begins at the Echo TH. Six miles will visit Little Falls, Echo Falls, Cathedral
Rock and the Manhole Cover. Elevation gain will be around 1500 feet. Moderate
pace. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for
a 7:00am departure. (In an effort to avoid a monsoon,
start times in July will be earlier.) Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
Saturday,
July 29th, No Name/Wallace Canyon/No Name Ridge – This moderately
strenuous hike is about 5-6 miles with about 1400 feet of elevation. We
begin on Upper Bristlecone to No Name then up the Wallace Canyon. After our
break, we hike along a game trail and come out at the No Name saddle. Then we
hike down the No Name Ridge, a rarely used ridge that has a steep descent down
to Upper Bristlecone. Depart the Santa De at 7:00 AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez
Sunday,
July 30th, Early Morning Circle Gypsum Hill - We
will use a new trail (completed 2 years ago) just below Blue Diamond which
includes beginning with a dense stand of cottonwoods, emerging into the open
and around the hill and back to Blue Diamond. Easy to Moderate, 4 miles. The main assembly point will be the
gravel parking lot on the right side of the entrance road to the community of
Blue Diamond just past the bridge where you will meet the coordinator. Starting
time for the hike will be at 6 AM so participants carpooling from Red Rock Casino
will depart at 5:40AM. Sunrise 5:46.
Coordinator - David Hardy
Sunday, July 30th, Avalanche
Canyon & Cave Exploratory – This is a strenuous partial scramble through the
canyon & scree with unique views of Charlie above and caves at the base of
Kyle Canyon’s rock walls. 5 miles with 1800’ gain. Wear pants and plan for
difficult terrain! Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for a 7:00am departure. (In an effort to avoid a monsoon, start times in July
will be earlier.) Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
Monday, July 31st, Lower Bristlecone/Bonanza/Pine
Cone Ridge – A moderately strenuous hike of 6 miles with 1500 feet of elevation.
The hike begins at Lower Bristlecone and connects to the Bonanza Trail. We take
our break at the junction of No Name and Bonanza. Then we hike along the scenic
Bonanza Trail to the Pine Cone Ridge. This is a steep descent with some areas
of scree. Depart the Santa Fe at 7:00AM.
Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez
