March 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should review the e-mail and attachments sent out each month by the newsletter editor and print whatever pages they feel are pertinent so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

Here is the list of scheduled club hikes for the month of March 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the various skill levels of club members.  Most Tuesday and Thursday hikes are intended for the more advanced hikers in the club.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier hike will generally be rated somewhere between moderate and strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate for difficulty level, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week will tend to be moderate, although more difficult hikes may be scheduled.  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 are encouraged to join the later Saturday hikes or equivalent 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 the hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo Groups informing of any cancellations.  If you have any questions or need directions for any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at (702) 823-2355 or e-mail him at dempseylv@aol.com.

Hikes scheduled during March will be in a variety of locations with different assembly points.  The hikes near Red Rock and some other locations will have a primary meeting location at the parking lot in front of the Best Buy store on Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino.  Lake Mead hikes on the south side of the lake will generally meet under the outdoor sign at the Henderson Fiesta on Lake Mead Parkway near the intersection of I-215 and I-515.  Hikes north of Lake Mead will generally meet at the Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood on the northeast side of Las Vegas.  The Gold Butte hike on March 1 and the Valley of Fire hike on March 3 will meet at the Lucky Club Casino near the intersection of I-15 and Cheyenne.  Secondary meeting locations may also be established on some hikes.  Be at the selected designated location at least five to ten minutes prior to the departure time listed to allow for carpooling arrangements and driving directions.

Thursday, March 1 - Little Finland & The Subway.  Attention photographers!!  One of the most scenic areas in southern Nevada awaits you at Little Finland in Gold Butte country, where the red sandstone rocks really get creative.  Following the trip through this wonderland of formations the group will pass Bluff Spring on the way to a petroglyph site at The Subway.  There is some scrambling, some avoidable exposure, and lots of exploration on this moderately strenuous 7-mile hike.  The group will be meeting at the Lucky Club Casino for a 7:30 AM departure.  It is about 100 miles of driving each way between the meeting point and the hike, with one-way driving time taking about two hours.  Further driving directions will be provided at Lucky Club Casino the morning of the hike.  Coordinators - Kay & John Blackwell.

Friday, March 2 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  Get ready for some exciting scrambling action closer to home as the group heads over to Calico Basin for a trip through Gateway Canyon on the back side of Krafft Mountain.  To spice things up a bit, our coordinator has planned a counter clockwise route, meaning the scrambling will be upwards in Gateway Canyon, and will also do the early climb out to Gateway Saddle, which involves scaling a 10-foot waterfall that is rated Class 3.  Overall, the distance for the loop hike will be around 5 miles and will carry a moderately strenuous difficulty rating.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure to Red Springs Picnic Area.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, March 3 - Valley of Fire.  Here is one last chance before temperatures start to rise significantly to experience the fantastic rock formations in the state park northeast of Las Vegas.  This Valley of Fire hike will be coordinated by our club's resident expert on the scrambling routes through the myriad of sandstone formations found in this park.  It will be a moderate loop hike through the rocky canyons and sandy washes with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain.  Total distance should be close to 5 miles and will involve uneven terrain and some scrambling, as there is nothing really flat in the area.  An early west side group will leave from the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage (located on Rampart just south of Summerlin Parkway) at 7:25 AM with the main assembly point at Lucky Club Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Tuesday, March 6 - Juniper Peak.  Attention to detail is required for most of this very strenuous out-and-back trek to a sandstone peak sitting above Pine Creek Canyon in Red Rock.  The route will start from the Pine Creek parking lot and cross the desert and the creek to the mouth of Juniper Canyon, where the real scrambling starts.  While mostly on trail, the route up through the canyon is steep and loose in spots.  Toward the top of Juniper Canyon, the route crosses a boulder field, then starts to climb on a sandstone slab to the main ridge leading to the peak.  There is rolling exposure of several hundred feet on this slab and more exposure on a ridge getting to the peak.  Those interested should RSVP with the coordinator at 396-2125 before joining the group.  The meeting point is Best Buy with an 8:00 AM departure time.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, March 7 - South Bowl of Fire.  The general area is the same as our club did a month or two ago when we visited this area of spectacular red sandstone formations, but the route will be different.  Today the group will do a bit more scrambling over the sandstone formations and then return through a wash on the east side of the area back to the vehicles.  Approximate distance for the loop hike is 4 miles with a generally moderate rating.  West side residents can meet on top of the Rampart Casino parking garage, departing at 7:25 AM to join the larger group at Albertsons and an 8:10 AM departure.  The final meeting location will be at the parking area at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road, where the coordinators and any other south side residents will join the group, with an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinators - Keith & Beth Lane.

Thursday, March 8 - Windy Peak.  The standard route to one of the southern sandstone peaks along the escarpment, which will be utilized for this hike, starts near the pass on Highway 160 by the Mountain Spring community.  The moderately strenuous 5 to 6-mile out-and-back hike climbs around 1,500 feet getting to the peak.  The initial section is along a fairly steep gravel road and trail that leads to a connecting ridge behind the escarpment.  While much of the route is on trail, it is faint in spots and somewhat difficult to follow.  The transition from limestone to sandstone at the base of the peak involves about 100 feet of rolling exposure.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure with a stop at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, March 9 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  One of the official trails in Red Rock Canyon will lead today's group up an abandoned gravel road past a couple of foundations of structures built over seventy years ago and on to the wildlife dam and pond located at the base of the La Madre Springs.  The route will then follow a single track trail upstream along the creek and finally onto a steeper ridge that leads to a stone shelter thought to have been constructed by the miner who dug several shafts farther up the ridge.  Overall, this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike will cover 5 miles and gain roughly 1,600 feet in the process.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, March 10 - Potato Knoll.  One of the highlights of this moderate 5-mile partial loop hike is the number of crossings of Oak Creek and the chance to see flowing water in the desert.  Another is the great view from the top of the 500-foot hill that lies in the shadow of Wilson Peak and the base of the escarpment.  Starting from the parking lot at the exit of the scenic drive back onto Highway 159, the route includes a few miles of trail established by the equestrian riders, so there is always a chance of seeing horseback riders along the way.  The group will meet at the Best Buy parking lot for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Saturday, March 10 - Calico Basin. The hike will be a partial loop of 3.5 miles r/t with minimal elevation. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure .  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Sunday, March 11 - Dry Falls Loop.  Located at the southeast corner of the River Mountains, this strenuous 7-mile loop hike explores a canyon facing the lake that involves climbing a series of seven dry waterfalls.  The route continues out of the canyon onto a crossover ridge, then makes a steep descent down a rocky area and back to the vehicles.  West side group should meet early at Best Buy, leaving there at 7:20 AM for the primary meeting location at Henderson Fiesta.  The combined group will leave there at 8:00 AM for the lower parking area at Alan Bible Visitor Center, where they will meet the coordinators and any other Boulder City residents at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Monday, March 12 - South Cottonwood Valley Trail.  The hike is 4-5 miles with about 650 ft of elevation.  We will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 a. m. departure and a stop at the gas station on Hwy. 160 to pick up hikers there at 8:30. We will travel about 6 miles west toward Pahrump, turning left on to a gravel road heading south. There is a restroom building at the first parking lot.  We will continue to the second parking area and hike from there.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.    

Tuesday, March 13 - Terrace Canyon.  Spring is nearly here and it's time to see how much water is flowing from rain and late winter snow melt in the south fork of Pine Creek Canyon.  This out-and-back hike covers a total distance of 6 miles following a series of connecting canyons that penetrate the escarpment on the west side of Red Rock Canyon.  More than half of the route involves significant scrambling over large boulders and other obstacles.  Rated as very strenuous, you can expect to devote at least five to six hours getting to and back from one of the most beautiful spots in the Red Rock area.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, March 14 - Gateway Saddle and Canyon.  Join our guest coordinator from Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association for a moderate out-and-back hike that will cover a total distance of 3 to 4 miles.  Starting from the gravel parking area at the northwest corner of the community of Calico Basin, the route will follow the trail up Seven Stop Hill to the saddle perched between Krafft and Gateway Peaks.  It will then continue down the other side of the saddle and into Gateway Canyon for a short amount of minor scrambling in the drainage, then turn around and head back to the starting point.  Meet the other participants at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, March 15 - Hollow Rock Peak.  Situated across Highway 160 from Mount Potosi, Hollow Rock Peak is the southernmost of the sandstone peaks in the Wilson Cliffs that stretch along the western side of Red Rock Canyon.  The hike is a strenuous 6-mile out-and-back trek with 1,200 feet of elevation gain involving a limestone ridge in the direction of the actual peak and quite a bit of scrambling over sandstone in the last one-third mile to the destination.  An alternative on the return involves dropping onto a recreational gravel road that descends a ridge with great views of the valley below and another gravel road paralleling Highway 160.  The meeting location is Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure, with a short stop at the gas station on Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, March 16 - Sandstone Quarry to Gateway Saddle.  A variant of a couple of hikes sometimes done by our club, today's outing will be an out-and-back hike that starts at Sandstone Quarry and follows the drainage around the north end of the Calico Hills toward the top of Ash Canyon.  The group will then descend into Gateway Canyon, continue a short distance down the canyon to the cutoff trail for Gateway Saddle, and take that trail up to the saddle for a snack break above the community of Calico Basin.  Total distance should be about 6 miles for this moderately strenuous hike that has more uphill on the return segment.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.  

Saturday, March 17 - Krafft Mountain Loop Scramble.  A slightly shorter version of the traditional hike through Gateway Canyon around the back side of Krafft Mountain will begin at the gravel parking area at the northwest corner of Calico Basin.  Rather than take the trail to the top of Gateway Saddle, the group will scramble up the inward route at the immediate base of Krafft Mountain, which includes some Class 3 climbing but no exposure.  The rest of the hike will follow the normal clockwise route out through Gateway Canyon and around the front side of Krafft Mountain through the boulder field.  Total distance is about 4 miles with a moderately strenuous rating.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Saturday, March 17 - Oak Creek Canyon.  Starting from the gravel parking lot at the exit of the scenic drive onto Highway 159, this moderate 5-mile out-and-back hike will follow a series of relatively flat trails along Oak Creek drainage, crossing the creek three times in each direction.  Heading toward the mouth of the canyon, there is a short climb onto a ridge on the south side of the drainage.  The trail continues to wind around a number of large boulders before dropping into the drainage in a picturesque spot for a snack break.  Although the distance is slightly longer than our usual later Saturday hikes, the pace should be accommodating.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Monday, March 19 - Rainbow Canyon Loop.  This moderate 7-mile loop hike will include a stop at Anniversary Narrows and the old processing center located on the ridge above Lovell Wash below the narrows.  With spring approaching, there may be a few spring flowers in bloom, including the elusive Bearpaw Poppy.  Early west side group should meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage on Rampart near Summerlin Parkway, departing from there at 7:20 AM.  The main group will meet at Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and the combined group will depart at 8:00 AM.  On their way to Mile Marker 16 on Northshore Road, they will stop to pick up the coordinators and any other south side participants at Mile Marker 4 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins. 

Tuesday, March 20 - Bridge Mountain. We will leave the Best Buy parking lot at 7:00 AM and drive to Red Rock and the Willow Springs Picnic Area and then head up Rocky Gap Road ( High Clearance Vehicles Req.) to the area where the Pink Jeep Tours stop. Starting at that location will make this a 10 mile out and back hike (7 plus Hrs.). The hike is rated very strenuous with several areas of EXPOSURE!! Because of the vehicles required and the hike's difficulty please RSVP with Steve Anderson at 702-341-9723.

Wednesday, March 21 - Bird Spring Range.  The small mountain range south of Highway 160 and east of Mount Potosi provides the setting for this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike that gains about 1,500 feet.  Starting point for this trek is the gravel parking lot just off the gravel road that connects Highway 160 with the community of Goodsprings.  The trail will head toward Badger Pass and continue off-trail along the main ridge of the range with great views of Las Vegas from the southwest.  A section of this ridge exhibits a number of seabed fossils just before dropping onto a saddle above Wilson Tank.  One more climb to a high point follows, with a final return along Deadhorse Trail through Red Valley.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure, with a stop at the gas station on Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, March 22 - Cave Canyon & Beyond.  Climb up a couple of interesting dry waterfalls on this 7 to 8-mile loop hike located on Blue Diamond Hill at the cowboy stables.  In between the waterfalls the group will engage in moderate scrambling for more than a mile up the canyon before picking up a trail for the rest of the hike.  An added wrinkle is an extra jaunt past a seldom-visited canyon below the gypsum mine tailings pile at the top of the hill.  The final section of the return will be along Fossil Ridge.  The overall distance and amount of canyon terrain cause this hike to be rated as moderately strenuous.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, March 23 - First Creek.  The traditional 4-mile out-and-back hike along the creek will start at the regular parking area and follow the level trail about a mile to the seasonal waterfall that has dredged out a deep pool in a hidden grotto of the stream bed.  After a short stop, the group will continue along the creek toward the canyon mouth, picking up a slight bit of intensity in terrain along the way.  The group will take a snack break on some large rocks just above a 10-foot seasonal boulder waterfall.  Overall, this hike is rated as moderate.  The meeting point for the entire group is at the Best Buy parking lot on Charleston with an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, March 24 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  Although this is the second time this hike is scheduled during the month, chances are it will be a different group of people who made the moderately strenuous trek to the stone shelter located on a ridge overlooking the back side of the White Rock Hills.  The overall distance for the out-and-back hike is 5 miles with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.  Along the way the trail passes a couple of mid-twentieth century home foundations and a wildlife dam and pond at the base of La Madre Springs.  The group will be assembling a Best Buy and will depart from there at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, March 24 - Potato Knoll Loop.  The second group this Saturday will be on the other end of Red Rock Canyon, starting from the gravel parking area at the exit of the scenic loop back onto Highway 159.  The 4.5-mile partial loop hike will encircle the 500-foot hill known as Potato Knoll but will not climb to the top.  The intended route has one crossing of Oak Creek in the first half of the hike and three crossings in the second half.  With very little elevation gain, the hike is rated as moderate.  The group will be gathering at Best Buy with a scheduled departure time of 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Monday, March 26 - Pinto Valley Loop.  The last Lake Mead area outing of the season will be a strenuous 9-mile loop hike that starts at Mile Marker 18 of Northshore Road and heads toward Signature Rock and some other minor petroglyph sites.  The return leg of the hike will pass through the Chocolate Hills with only one steep rocky area to negotiate.  An early west side group can meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino, leaving there at 7:20 AM to join the main group at Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood.  The combined group will depart from there at 8:00 AM and meet the coordinators and other south side participants at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins. 

Tuesday, March 27 - Red Cap, Calico Peak, Calico II Overlook Peak.  Back by popular demand is the triple peak scramble hike in the Calico Hills that we successfully attempted last fall.  The very strenuous 5-mile loop hike will start at Sandstone Quarry and ascend to the top of the red mantle on the north end of the sandstone hills.  With peak number one accomplished, the group will continue north along the ridge to the second peak.  This section of the route contains a descent down a 25-foot wall with some fairly serious exposure.  For peak number 3, the group must descend and cross the Calico Tanks Trail, climbing up through a steep notch to reach the top of another ridge.  The final descent will be off the south end of the Calico Tanks Trail toward Calico II Overlook.  This hike is for the most experienced hikers in the club who can handle intense scrambling and exposure.  If this fits you, meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, March 28 - The Cave, Echo Canyon & Fossil Ridge.  The first destination on this moderately strenuous 4 to 5-mile loop hike will be the lower cave in Cave Canyon that is accessed part way up the ridge below the 15-foot seasonal waterfall.  After a bit of exploration, the group will return back to the junction with Echo Canyon and turn left up that canyon on a route that is part scrambling and part trail.  At the point where the Fossil Ridge Trail crosses the upper portion of Echo Canyon, the group will then turn right and follow that trail back to the starting location.  The group will be assembling at Best Buy with a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, March 29 - Tank Discovery Trail.  This strenuous 4.5-mile hike is almost pure scrambling but generally follows the Calico Tanks Trail through the Calico Hills in Red Rock Canyon.  Starting from Sandstone Quarry, the route climbs and descends three times with an average ascent of 450 feet each climb.  There is some serious exposure which can be bypassed using an alternate route.  With recent precipitation, each of the five main tanks along the route may contain water.  The group will be meeting at Best Buy with a departure time of 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Friday, March 30 - Pine Creek & Fire Ecology Trail.  Starting along the trail from the Pine Creek parking area, the group will turn left on the Fire Ecology Trail, going as far as the picnic table, then continue along the creek to the Wilson foundation.  At that point, they will cross back to the trail along the south side of the creek, and take a snack break toward the upper end of the combined creek bed below Mescalito Peak.  Depending on the composition of the group, the coordinator may take them into Fern Canyon for a bit of scrambling or take the main trail back past the Wilson foundation and on to the starting point.  The base hike should be around 3 miles with an easy to moderate rating, assuming no scrambling.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

See hikes for Death Valley below.

Saturday, March 31 - Red Springs Loop.  Here is one of those old standby hikes that you never get tired of doing.  Relatively short at just under 4 miles but with a strenuous rating, this hike provides a variety of terrain that includes several sections of scrambling.  The high point is reached after about one mile and occurs at the saddle in the Calico Hills above the angel carving on the west side of the sandstone hills.  Once into Red Rock territory, the route follows some connecting canyons that lead back around the south end of the Calico Hills to the starting point at Red Springs Picnic Area.  Join the group for this adventure at the Best Buy parking lot with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

See hikes for Death Valley below.

Saturday, March 31 - Calico Tanks.  One of the signature hikes in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike climbs 700 feet in the northern canyon penetrating the Calico Hills.  Although not really scrambling, there are several stone stairways that assist with the climb over a variety of surfaces including sandstone and sand.  The group will bypass the major tank at the end of the official trail and climb out to an overlook ledge perched above Ash Canyon with views stretching back to Lake Mead and Arizona.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

See hikes for Death Valley below.

March also marks the first real out of town outing for the club in 2012.  Guy Galante has put together a hiking extravaganza in the lowest place in the United States that will cover three days of hiking.  Most of the group will be driving to Longstreet Hotel & Casino in the afternoon of Thursday, March 29 for a three night stay.  Hikes will occur in the Death Valley area on Friday, March 30, Saturday, March 31, and Sunday, April 1 before a return to Las Vegas that afternoon.  If you are interested in being part of this great trip, see the announcement in the February (and probably March) newletters for details on how to reserve a room. 

March 29– April 1, 2012
Death Valley
Coordinator: Guy Galante
Guy has reserved 10 rooms at the Longstreet Casino for the nights of 29, 30 and 31 March, if anyone is interested. Room rate $64.15 for rooms away from the highway. Rooms on the high- way are $59.95, but not available until Friday night. Those of you who want to stay at Death Valley can try to get accommodations at Stovepipe Wells or Furnace Creek.
The number for the Longstreet casino is 775-372-1777. Mention Around The Bends Friends code 73705 for the best rates. Contact Guy directly at his e-mail address (guygalante@hotmail.com) or phone number (702-629-2670). Give Guy your driver informa- tion and the roommate information. If drivers might need or want to drive additional persons besides themselves and their roommate advise Guy and he can probably suggest another person who needs a ride. Guy has ask me to publish the hikes for death valley as follows:
Friday, March 30th Desolation Canyon
5.2 miles rated moderate. Meet at Visitors Center for 10 AM departure.
Saturday, March 31st Mosaic Canyon
3.6 miles rated easy to moderate. Meet at the Visitors Center for 9 AM departure.
Sunday, April 1st Golden Canyon
6 miles rated moderate. Meet at Visitors Center for 9 AM departure.

February 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities, along with a contact list for members of the group. All club members should review the e-mail and attachment sent out each month by the newsletter editor and print whatever pages they feel are pertinent so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for the month of February 2012. Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the various skill levels of club members. Most Tuesday and Thursday hikes are intended for the more advanced hikers in the club. Some of the Sunday hikes may also be very strenuous and can be exploratory by nature. When indicated, these hikes may require advance clearance by the hike coordinator. Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and the Lake Mead area. The earlier hike will be conducted at a moderate pace while the later hike is intended for the general membership and is conducted at a more leisurely pace. Hikes on other days of the week will tend to be moderate, although occasionally a more difficult hike may be scheduled. While somewhat equivalent to the Saturday hikes, they may have a faster pace or some difficult terrain. 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 are encouraged to join the later Saturday hikes or equivalent 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 the hike. If you have any questions or need directions for any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at (702) 823-2355 or e-mail him at dempseylv@aol.com.

Hikes scheduled during February will be in a variety of locations with different assembly points. The hikes near Red Rock and some other locations will have a primary meeting location at the parking lot in front of the Best Buy store on Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino. Lake Mead hikes on the south side of the lake will generally meet under the outdoor sign at the Henderson Fiesta on Lake Mead Parkway near the intersection of I-215 and I-515. Hikes north of Lake Mead will generally meet at the Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood on the northeast side of Las Vegas. The Gold Butte hike on February 2 will meet at the Lucky Club Casino near the intersection of I-15 and Cheyenne. Secondary meeting locations will include the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage on Rampart Boulevard just south of Summerlin Parkway or at one of the Mile Markers along Northshore or Lakeshore Drives at Lake Mead. Be at the selected designated location at least five to ten minutes prior to the departure time listed to allow for carpooling arrangements and driving directions.

SPECIAL NOTE - On several of the Lake Mead hikes, the coordinators will NOT be at the early west side meeting locations or even at some of the primary assembly points. The hike descriptions that follow will indicate this when applicable. Participants will have to take it upon themselves to form carpools and to leave at the times indicated in order to meet the coordinators at the indicated locations. DO NOT expect the group to wait as timing is critical to maintaining the schedule.


Wednesday, February 1 - Oak Creek Canyon. Around the Bend Friends will start the month off with a combined hike that will also include Lone Mountain Hiking Club. The goal for this moderate 6-mile out-and-back hike is to reach a seasonal trough waterfall in the lower section of the canyon and enjoy a short section of fairly significant boulder scrambling (optional) farther into the canyon. The route goes by the north side of Potato Knoll and gains about 400 feet. Lone Mountain members will meet at Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin and depart at 8:00 AM for Best Buy, where they will combine with ABF members for an 8:15 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, February 2 - Grand Gold Butte Petroglyph Hike. This moderate partial loop hike through beautiful sandstone and desert is 8 miles in length on mostly level terrain and takes you to some of the best petroglyphs in Clark County. Located near the ghost town of Gold Butte, it features formations known as Falling Man, Newspaper Rock, and the Kohta Circus, the largest panel of petroglyphs found in southern Nevada at 75 feet in length and 4 foot high. The site is reached by trail with a moderate amount of scrambling over sandstone. The group will assemble at the Lucky Club Casino at the Cheyenne exit from I-15 at 7:30 AM. The drive each way is somewhat less than two hours and high clearance vehicles will be necessary. Coordinators - John & Kay Blackwell.

Friday, February 3 - Ash Canyon Overlook Loop. This moderate 3-mile loop hike will start from Sandstone Quarry and head around the north end of Red Cap to a colorful sandstone ledge perched above the upper section of Ash Canyon, where the group will take a snack break. The route then heads north and passes a few smaller sandstone ridges past the Calico Hills before cutting back to the trail used to access Turtlehead Peak. Within the ridges is a petroglyph panel that most hikers pass by without even realizing their location. The group will be meeting at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM start to the trail head. Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, February 4 - Anniversary Narrows. The Narrows might be open and it might not. Apparently closed earlier this year because the mine claimant was required to remove some boulders that threatened to fall into the wash from the vicinity of the mine tunnels, it's time for our club to make the seasonal attempt before weather turns to hot. Basically a 5 to 6-mile out-and-back route, the hike begins at the gravel pull off at Mile Marker 16 on Northshore Drive and heads through the agate fields of Ore Car Mine to the distinctive slot canyon at the base of the Muddy Mountains. This hike is rated as moderate. West side group will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage at 7:20 AM with the full group meeting at Albertsons on Lake Mead and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure. South side residents can be picked up at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Drive at 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Lorraine Stalians.

Saturday, February 4 - Historic Railroad Tunnels. The second hike this Saturday will take the group through the five tunnels created when the rail line was laid to haul construction materials to the Hoover Dam site during its construction. The basic out-and-back hike is 4 miles over level terrain and ends near the highway maintenance yards just beyond the last of the tunnels. This hike is rated as easy to moderate. If the group is up for more, the hike will continue to the new bridge spanning the Colorado River below the dam and cross to the Arizona side, a total distance of 7 miles. Any west side participants can meet at Best Buy for carpooling, but there will not be a coordinator at the site and they must leave no later than 8:00 AM. The main group will meet at the Henderson Fiesta and depart there at 8:30 AM. The hike will start from the lower lot by the temporarily closed Alan Bible Visitor Center. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Monday, February 6 - Goldstrike Canyon. Here is one more opportunity to experience the beauty of the slot canyon that starts near the Hacienda Casino and descends past the Nevada Hot Springs to the Colorado River a short distance below the dam. The total distance for this out-and-back hike is about 5 miles with a strenuous rating due to the nature of the terrain. The route contains several areas that involve scrambling with a few of those utilizing ropes for descending and ascending past large boulders. Those who actually reach the river will be treated to a great view of the upper portion of Lake Mohave. West side meeting location is Best Buy with a 7:20 AM departure. The main group will meet and leave from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Tuesday, February 7 - Pumpkin Parfait Canyon. Originally scheduled for December, this moderately strenuous 7-mile hike was canceled due to inclement weather. The hike explores a couple of interesting canyons with ancient seabed fossils and arrives at Pumpkin Parfait Canyon which is replete with colorful rock formations. The hike starts near Mile Marker 40 on Northshore Drive, which is quite a distance from Las Vegas, so the meeting times will be somewhat earlier than normal. North and west side participants should meet at the Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for a 7:30 AM departure. There will be a stop around 7:50 AM at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Drive to meet the coordinator and any other participants. Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Wednesday, February 8 - Ice Box Canyon. Join our favorite RRCIA employee for a moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike into the slot canyon in the northern section of the escarpment that is so named because the lack of penetrating sunshine keeps temperatures down relative to much of Red Rock. The hike will start from the regular parking area and follow the trail for a little more than a mile where it drops into the canyon for some moderate scrambling among the boulders. The rest stop will be on a rocky ledge below a seasonal waterfall. The group will assemble at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, February 9 - Red & Black Mountains. Our group will be heading to Boulder City for a strenuous 6-mile hike that will utilize the mountain biking trails into the top section of Bootleg Canyon and an assault on Red Mountain. Parts of this trail are steep and loose and hiking sticks and gloves are definitely recommended. Participants could become spectators if the zip line is in operation. The group will then cross the saddle and climb to the park bench on Black Mountain Overlook before returning along the regular city trail. Gross elevation gain is about 1,500 feet. West side group will meet at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure with the full group meeting at Henderson Fiesta and leaving there at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, February 10 - Arnight to Pine Creek. This hike will use some of the Red Rock Trails that we are quite familiar with but will combine them in a unique way that will make it seem like a new hike. Most of the moderate 6-mile hike follows an out-and-back route, starting from the parking lot at the exit of the scenic loop and following a horse trail and the gravel road to the Oak Creek trail head along the Scenic Drive. The group will then take the Arnight Trail over to Pine Creek and follow the short loop route in the canyon between the Wilson Foundation and Mescalito Peak. Return to the vehicles will be on the route used to get over to Pine Creek. The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure. Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, February 11 - Bootleg to Black Mountain Saddle. Also located in the River Mountains, this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike will start from the parking area at the base of the zip line. The road in from Boulder City is gravel but does not require high clearance vehicles. The hike will start on the gravel service road through Bootleg Canyon, transitioning to trail behind Red Mountain to the saddle between Red and Black. After descending on the regular city trail, the group will follow a series of mountain biking trails over rolling terrain back to the starting point. West side group will meet at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure to the main assembly point at the Henderson Fiesta. The entire group will leave from there at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Saturday, February 11 - White Owl Canyon. The second option for the day will be the short version of the trek through the slot canyon near Lake Mead that starts at the Hole 33 parking lot. This moderate out-and-back hike is between 2 and 3 miles, going through the canyon in both directions with a snack break on the west end. There is a steep hill to descend from the parking lot at the start of the hike which must be climbed at the end. The early group will leave from Best Buy at 7:50 AM with the full group departing from the main meeting location at Henderson Fiesta at 8:30 AM. Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Sunday, February 12 - Gray Cap Peak. The first trip this month to the top of this limestone capped peak will use the alternate route starting at Calico Basin. With an estimated distance of 5 to 6 miles, the route will ascend Five Stop Hill and drop into Gateway Canyon before picking up a seldom used side canyon that will take the group to the summit. Much of this climb involves Class 3 terrain with a considerable amount of scrambling and some exposure. As it is rated very strenuous, you will need to receive clearance from the coordinator, who can be reached at 396-2125. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Monday, February 13 - Raven's Balcony (North Bowl of Fire). Get ready for some serious scrambling on this strenuous 6-mile point-to-point hike starting at Mile Marker 20 on Northshore Drive. The route will cross the desert to the Rabbit Hole near the main canyon, then come around the back side of the ridge for a climb to a narrow slot that leads to the distinctive ledge known as Raven's Balcony. After the snack break, the group will head around the west end of North Bowl and follow a drainage back to Mile Marker 18 where some of the vehicles will have been left earlier. West side group will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage for a 7:20 AM departure for the main meeting point at Albertsons on Lake Mead and Hollywood. The entire group will leave there at 8:00 AM and pick up any southeast participants at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Drive around 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Don Caldwell.

Tuesday, February 14 - Bootleg Canyon & Beyond. There's no question that there will be some serious scrambling involved on this 7-mile loop hike in the River Mountains that starts from the parking area at the base of the zip line. The route will follow some of the mountain biking trails to the northwest and possibly climb one or two of the prominent outcroppings in the area east of Railroad Pass. The return leg will pass the top end of Cascata Golf Course before returning to the starting point on a scenic trail across a number of remote canyons. If you live on the west side meet the early group at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure. Otherwise, meet the main group at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, February 15 - In Search of Big Horn. This moderate 5 to 6-mile hike will explore the open area between Eagle Peak and Bighorn Peak on the northwest side of Las Vegas. The hike will start at the equestrian park at the end of Cheyenne just west of 215. The outbound route will head over a rocky hill about 200 feet high and continue on to an upper trail near the Box Mine. After a snack break, the group will follow the power line road and ATV trail back to the starting point. Quite a bit of the route is on gravel road. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure, but those participants farther north can drive directly to the equestrian lot for an 8:30 AM start. Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

Thursday, February 16 - Lone Palm. It's been over two years since our club last did this moderately strenuous 5-mile hike in Arizona, as the starting point was inaccessible because of highway construction. Now it is open and we can take advantage to explore the remote canyons just south of Hoover Dam which lead to the edge of the Colorado River where a solitary palm tree once took root. On the return, a trail is used that will take us over to one of the construction setup sites used during the dam construction and we will follow the old oiled road that accessed the site on our return to the vehicles. An early group from the west side can meet at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure to join the main group leaving from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, February 17 - White Rock Hills Loop. The 6.4-mile loop around the two cream colored sandstone peaks at the north end of Red Rock Canyon offers the chance to see a variety of desert vegetation. The moderate hike with 900 feet of elevation gain will be conducted clockwise from Willow Springs Picnic Area and will first head past the northern side of the peaks where a lot more precipitation falls than the south side. The snack spot will be at the northeast corner of White Rock Springs Peak just below the highest point on the hike. Join the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Saturday, February 18 - China Ranch Date Farm. Join the group for our annual outing to the famous date ranch over in California. Two hikes will be offered to participants, with Ann Cronin coordinating the moderate 6-mile point-to-point hike that leaves from the Tecopa Post Office and heads downstream along the Amargosa River to the date farm. Chris Dempsey will coordinate a shorter hike of 3 to 4 miles that will originate at the date farm and take in a slot canyon in the valley across the river from the date farm and possibly some of the other shorter trails in the area. Carpooling and shuttling arrangements will be determined the morning of the hike. Participants should meet at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure. South side residents will be picked up at the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 about 7:50 AM, but may have to form their own carpooling arrangements from that site. Plan on returning to Las Vegas around mid afternoon after lunch and date shakes. Coordinators - Ann Cronin & Chris Dempsey.

Monday, February 20 - Grand Staircase in Calico Basin. The outing today will be a repeat of a successful venture earlier this winter. Starting from Red Springs Picnic Area, this strenuous boulder scramble will only cover about 2 miles but will include fantastic views on the climb up the sandstone face of the southern end of the Calico Hills. Elevation gain will be around 850 feet and will traverse across the top of the southern section of the sandstone formations before descending to the saddle above the boardwalk at the picnic area. Some of the sections are rated Class 3, meaning use of hands is required, and there is some exposure. The group will meet at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Tuesday, February 21 - Northshore Peak. Very little trail exists for this strenuous 5-mile loop hike to a spectacular peak sitting just above Northshore Drive near Mile Marker 20. The hike starts by crossing a few drainages and climbing up a ridge that leads to the top where the sign-in book is located. The descent is on the back side and follows a confined canyon to the open plain south of the peak. More climb follows getting to a saddle on another ridge before following a second canyon down with a few seasonal waterfalls to be bypassed. An early west side group will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino, leaving there at 7:20 AM. The primary meeting location is the Albertsons on Lake Mead and Hollywood with an 8:00 AM departure and a final pickup of south side residents at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Drive at 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, February 22 - La Madre Springs & Miner's Cabin. The final destination on this moderately strenuous 5-mile out-and-back hike will be the old cabin on a ledge partway up the La Madre mountain chain which looks across a valley toward the White Rock Hills. Believed to be a shelter for the operator of a mine on the slope above, the cabin is built with stone walls and uncut timber boughs for the roof. Elevation gain is 1,400 feet, with much of it coming on the single track trail above the wildlife pond created by a small dam along the creek which flows through the narrow canyon. There are several places where the narrow path crosses the creek on the way up to the cabin. The group will assemble at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure to Red Rock. Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, February 23 - Ash Canyon. Join the group for a strenuous 6-mile loop hike through two of the most dramatic canyons in the Red Rock area. Starting from Red Springs Picnic Area, the route will follow along the eastern base of the Calico Hills and climb through Ash Canyon toward the base of Red Cap. Most of the route through the canyon involves scrambling. At the high point, the group will turn east and head down to Gateway Canyon for a trip around Krafft Mountain before returning to the starting point. The group will be assembling at Best Buy for a departure at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, February 24 - Redstone Discovery & Potluck Picnic. Today will be our club's first opportunity to conduct a joint outing with the Sun City Anthem Hiking Club and it will be a combination of a moderate 4-mile hike through the desert near red sandstone formations followed by a pot luck picnic at the Redstone Discovery Picnic Area, which is near Mile Marker 27 on Northshore Road. The hike itself has some light exposure and some scrambling, but most our members should have no problem with the terrain. Those wanting to go more for the picnic can take a short walk of about a mile through the area or bring a book to pass the time while waiting for the hiking group to return. Bring sandwiches and an item to share with the group. ABF members should RSVP with Chris Dempsey at 823-2355 or dempseylv@aol.com regarding food selections. Members from both clubs will assemble at the Henderson Fiesta for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinators - Keith & Beth Lane.

Saturday, February 25 - Gray Cap Peak. We don't often schedule strenuous hikes on Saturdays, but this hike will give several of our working members a chance to experience some exciting back country scrambling in the Red Rock area. This 6-mile out-and-back version of the hike is completely different from the February 12 outing, as it starts from Sandstone Quarry and utilizes the top section of Gateway Canyon. At the junction of limestone and sandstone is a tough climb that requires some use of hands with a few more such stretches to follow. The view from the top of the mountain is exceptional. Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, February 25 - Oliver Ranch Loop. Hiking enthusiasts looking for something more laid back this Saturday will find it in this 3-mile loop hike in the area off Highway 159 between Oliver Ranch and the community of Blue Diamond. The coordinator has rated this hike as easy to moderate with emphasis on the easy. The route meanders through washes and along multi-use trails inhabited by mountain bikers as it heads toward the north end of the ridge behind Blue Diamond. Elevation gain is less than 100 feet, but there should be views of both Bonnie Springs and Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. The group will be assembling at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Monday, February 27 - Badger Pass. Located in Cottonwood Valley south of Highway 160, the trails leading to Badger Pass touch the small Bird Spring Range that dominates the desert floor east of Mount Potosi. The route for this easy to moderate 3-mile loop will start up Deadhorse Trail through Red Valley, turning onto the switchback trail that climbs to the top of the ridge to the pass. A couple of options are available for the return section. Either the group will continue down to the next canyon to the west and come around the tip of the ridge or it will turn left and climb another 80 feet, following the crest of the ridge back to the descent trail. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure, and pick up any south side residents at the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 by 8:50 AM on the way to the trail head. A gravel road which does not require high clearance vehicles must be taken for 3/4 mile in each direction. Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

Tuesday, February 28 - Hamblin Mountain. The end of the season near Lake Mead will offer a fantastic 7-mile out-and-back hike to one of the finest views of any peak near Las Vegas. Several areas of the lake are visible along with Boulder Narrows directly to the south which contains the Colorado River channel. Rated strenuous, there is about 1,500 feet of climb to the top, which has a bit of exposure getting to the actual peak where the sign-in box is located. A slight diversion of a little more than a mile will occur on the way down as the group explores a colorful canyon draining Pinto Valley. An early west side group will leave the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage at 7:20 AM for the primary meeting location at the Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood. The group will leave there at 8:00 AM and pick up any other participants at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Drive at 8:15 AM on the way to the trail head. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, February 29 - Lone Mountain/Eagle Peak. The object of today's strenuous outing is to get to the top of two minor but difficult peaks on the northwest side of Las Vegas. Lone Mountain has an elevation gain of 750 feet but the route the group will use for the climb is up the east face, which requires significant scrambling with use of hands. Eagle Peak has an elevation gain of 1,000 feet but there is virtually no trail for the route to the top. The two peaks are a short driving distance from each other. Each route will cover about 2 miles for a combined distance of 4 miles. The group will assemble at the parking area on the south end of Lone Mountain Regional Park, located on Jensen north of Alexander, for an 8:30 AM start on the trail. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

January 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities, along with a contact list for members of the group. All club members should view the attachment sent out by the newsletter editor each month and print whatever pages they feel are pertinent so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for the month of January 2012. Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the various skill levels of club members. Most Tuesday and Thursday hikes are intended for the more advanced hikers in the club. Some of the Sunday hikes may be very strenuous and are exploratory by nature. When indicated, these hikes may require advance clearance by the hike coordinator. Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the hiking seasons at Red Rock Canyon and the Lake Mead area. The earlier hike is a general hike that will be conducted at a moderate pace while the later hike is intended for the general membership and is conducted at a more leisurely pace. Hikes on other days of the week will tend to be moderate, although occasionally a more difficult hike may be scheduled. While sometimes equivalent to the more leisurely Saturday hikes, they may have a faster pace or some difficult terrain. 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 are encouraged to join the 8:30 AM Saturday hikes or equivalent 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 the hike. If you have any questions or need directions for any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at (702) 823-2355 or e-mail him at dempseylv@aol.com.

Hikes scheduled during January will be in a variety of locations with different assembly points. The hikes near Red Rock and some other locations will have a primary meeting location at the parking lot in front of the Best Buy store on Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino. Lake Mead hikes will generally meet under the outdoor sign at the Henderson Fiesta on Lake Mead Parkway near the intersection of I-215 and I-515, especially if the hike is on the south side of the lake. Hikes north of Lake Mead will generally meet at the Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood on the east side of Las Vegas. Valley of Fire hikes will assemble at the Lucky Club Casino near the intersection of I-15 and Cheyenne. Secondary meeting locations will include the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage on Rampart Boulevard just south of Summerlin Parkway or at one of the Mile Markers along Northshore or Lakeshore Drives at Lake Mead. Be at the selected designated location at least five to ten minutes prior to the departure time listed to allow for carpooling arrangements and driving directions.

SPECIAL NOTE - On several of the Lake Mead hikes, the coordinators will NOT be at the early west side meeting locations or even at some of the primary assembly points. The hike descriptions that follow will indicate this when applicable. Participants will have to take it upon themselves to form carpools and to leave at the times indicated in order to meet the coordinators at the indicated locations. DO NOT expect the group to wait as timing is critical to maintaining the schedule.

The schedule below includes three hikes that will encircle the River Mountains on the 34-mile paved multi-purpose trail. These Sunday hikes are currently scheduled for January 1, January 8, and January 15. In case of inclement weather on any of those dates, January 29 is being held in reserve as the rain-out day. If it is necessary to complete the series on that date, further notification will be sent out through normal Around the Bend Friends channels.


Sunday, January 1 - River Mountains Trail (Part 1). Kick off the new year with the first of a three-part series of hikes held on successive Sundays that will cover the entire 34-mile trail circling the River Mountains between Boulder City and Lake Las Vegas. The opening point-to-point segment will cover 10 miles from the parking area near Alan Bible Visitor Center and culminate at the Railroad Pass Casino. While the entire trail is hard surface, this section will gain over 1,000 feet of elevation. Because of the distance and elevation change, the hike will be rated strenuous. An early west side group will meet at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure, with the primary meeting location at the Henderson Fiesta and a departure around 8:00 AM. Extra vehicles will be required for the car shuttle. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Monday, January 2 - Black Mountain (Boulder City). Join the group for a moderate 6-mile out-and-back hike to the observation point on Black Mountain above the St. Jude Children's Ranch in Boulder City. The well-maintained city trail climbs up a canyon to a saddle between Red and Black Mountains and then on to the observation point on Black Mountain, gaining 1,100 feet in the process. From the top there is an excellent view of Boulder Basin, the southernmost section of Lake Mead. The initial west side group will leave from Best Buy at 8:00 AM and will head over to the Henderson Fiesta, the primary meeting spot. Departure from there will be around 8:40 AM. Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Tuesday, January 3 - River Mountain. For the second straight day the club hike will start from the River Mountains trail head next to St. Jude Children's Ranch, but this version will penetrate the caldera north of the saddle between Red and Black Mountains and continue over to the highest point in the mountain range north of Boulder City. With a total distance of 8 miles and an elevation gain around 1,600 feet, this strenuous outing also includes a section of steep climb on obscure trail getting to the peak itself. The small top affords great views of the lake and the Las Vegas valley. The west side group will leave from Best Buy at 7:15 AM and head for a meeting with the main group at Henderson Fiesta. The larger group will leave there at 8:00 AM and join the hike coordinators and any other Boulder City residents at the trail head for an 8:20 AM start up the trail. Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Wednesday, January 4 - Boy Scout Canyon. The hike today will include two segments of the canyon using the parking location as the starting point for each one. The group will start by exploring the upper portion of the wash first and then backtrack to the vehicles for a snack break. After everyone has replenished their energy it will be time for a somewhat shorter jaunt into the lower section of the wash. Total distance for the day will probably be around 6 miles with some scrambling and a moderate rating. High clearance vehicles are recommended for the gravel road leading to the canyon. The west side group can meet at Best Buy for a 7:50 AM departure to join the main group at Henderson Fiesta and an 8:30 AM takeoff. Coordinator - Keith Lane.

Thursday, January 5 - Hamblin Mountain. One of the grandest views in the Lake Mead area awaits those who reach the top ridge of this remote peak north of Boulder Narrows connecting Virgin Basin with Boulder Basin. The largely out-and-back hike is rated strenuous, covers a distance of 7 miles, and climbs 1,400 feet. An alternate route on the return follows the Arrowhead Highway through Pinto Valley Wash back to Cottonwood Spring. The west side group will leave from the top of the Rampart Casino parking garage at 7:15 AM. The primary meeting location is the Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure. The final pick up point will be Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Road. This stop will be extremely quick, so anyone joining the group at that location must be there by 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, January 6 - Waterfall Canyon. Occasionally we schedule Red Rock hikes in the dead of winter and here is an excellent one. The moderately strenuous 4-mile out-and-back hike visits a side canyon off Rocky Gap Road in which a stream flows year round over a series of cascading waterfalls of various heights. Good footwear is required as the trail crosses several areas of slick rock and has a few short, steep climbs and descents over loose surface conditions. Those who reach the 30-foot waterfall deep in the canyon will be amazed by the surrounding beauty. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Saturday, January 7 - White Owl Canyon. Don't confuse this hike with the short version that starts at the Hole 33 parking area along Lakeshore Drive. This moderately strenuous loop hike will cover a distance of 7 or 8 miles as it enters White Owl Canyon from the top rather than at lake level and continues through on a loop route. The hike will start at the old Las Vegas Bay boat ramp near the ranger station off Lakeshore Drive. The west side group can assemble at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure for the primary meeting location at the Henderson Fiesta, where the entire group will leave at 8:00 AM, meeting the coordinators at the trail head around 8:15 AM. Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Saturday, January 7 - Lake Mead Route 89. Club members will be treated to another new hike on the second offering for this Saturday. The 4-mile loop route starts with a gentle cross-country trek down a dry wash to the edge of the lake for a potential sighting of migratory birds. After a short snack break near the water, the group will return to the vehicles along a gravel road. There is little elevation change an the hike is rated easy to moderate, making it ideal for recreational hikers. The group will meet under the large outdoor sign at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:30 AM getaway. Coordinator - Chris Nienaber.

Sunday, January 8 - River Mountains Trail (Part 2). The second installment of the trek around the River Mountains involves a section of trail that was just completed this last summer, so those who participated in this marathon last year will get to see something new. The section to be chewed off today will start from the Railroad Pass Casino, where the group left off the previous Sunday, and head north and east through part of Henderson to the parking lot near the Lake Mead Fee Station by Lake Las Vegas. This point-to-point section is about 11 miles in length and has some sharply rolling terrain. Even though it is entirely paved, the rating is strenuous. West side participants should meet at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure, with the primary meeting location at Henderson Fiesta and an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Monday, January 9 - Historic Railroad Tunnels. Although rated moderate because the distance is 7 miles, this out-and-back hike has less than 400 feet of elevation gain and most of that is on the start of the return leg. The route follows the railroad bed that carried construction trains to the Hoover Dam site, passing through five tunnels in the first couple miles. The turn around point and snack break will occur at the parking garage by the dam. Those who want to take the short walk onto the dam and cross into Arizona should have the chance if they don't plan on eating much. The west side group will leave from Best Buy at 8:00 AM and head for the primary meeting location at Henderson Fiesta, from which the entire group will depart about 8:40 AM. Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Tuesday, January 10 - Cleopatra's Wash. This strenuous 7-mile out-and-back hike is through an amazing canyon that leads down to the very edge of Lake Mead. To get there participants will have to scramble over and past boulders and other obstacles, bypassing a 40-foot vertical waterfall very close turn the turn around point. Scenic cliff walls abound along the route. Getting to the hike involves a lengthy drive and the final section is on unmaintained gravel road requiring high clearance vehicles. Drivers need to be careful of boulders in the road near the parking spot. West side participants should meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage for a 7:15 AM departure. The main meeting spot is Albertsons on Lake Mead and Hollywood with an 8:00 AM departure. Final stop is Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Drive. Those meeting at that location need to be there by 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, January 11 - Potato Knoll. In the shadow of Wilson Peak is a 500-foot hill that is actually a slump pile from an avalanche that occurred eons ago on the front cliffs of the mountain. The objective for this hike will be to reach the top and take in the expansive view of Red Rock Canyon to the north and Cottonwood Valley to the south. At a total distance of 5 miles, this partial loop hike carries a moderate rating with very little elevation gain other than the short climb from the main trail behind the hill. There are also four crossings of Oak Creek along the way with a fairly good chance to see running water. The group will be meeting at Best Buy and departing for the hike at 9:00 AM. Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Wednesday, January 11 - Las Vegas Adventure. Looking for something different than the run of the mill hike? Here is a day of adventure that should stand out from the rest. Join members of the Lone Mountain Hiking Club for a trip downtown. The group will be leaving Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin at 10:00 AM and driving to the Stratosphere Casino for a 2.5-mile walk to downtown. Participants will then ride the zip line on Fremont Street and have the buffet lunch at the Main Street Station before walking back to the Stratosphere. Estimated cost including transportation, zip line ride, and buffet is $35. Those interested should contact Lorraine Stalians at 927-0312. Reservations are necessary and must be made by January 5.

Thursday, January 12 - South Bowl of Fire. Today's outing explores a colorful area of sandstone outcroppings near the base of the Muddy Mountains and east of the now inaccessible Anniversary Narrows. Rated moderately strenuous, the hike includes sections of scrambling through the rock formations and covers a distance of about 5 miles. The hike will start from the parking area used for Hamblin Mountain but will head in the opposite direction. An early west side group will leave from the top of the Rampart Casino parking garage at 7:15 AM, meeting the main group at Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure to join the coordinators at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Road about 8:20 AM. Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Friday, January 13 - Fossil Ridge & First Finger. Here is a hike we have thought about doing anytime we have followed the upper part of the Fossil Ridge Trail but usually forgot about when it was time to put together the schedule. The moderate route will follow the first trail to the right from the cowboy stables entrance, hook up with the Fossil Ridge Trail to the upper part of Echo Canyon, then proceed along the relatively level trail onto the ridge that separates Echo from Cave Canyon. A partial loop route, participants will find the distance to be somewhere around 6 miles. The return leg of the hike will follow along the western edge of Fossil Ridge past the horse stables and down the point of the ridge to the parking lot. Meeting location is Best Buy with an 8:15 AM departure. Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Saturday, January 14 - Rainbow Gardens. The earlier Saturday hike this weekend will visit a colorful canyon on the eastern slopes of Lava Butte that drains into Lake Las Vegas. Besides enjoying some scrambling action down the main canyon that exhibits traces of copper, the group will visit a couple of hidden grottos and turn around near a narrow inlet for Lake Las Vegas itself. Total distance for the moderate out-and-back hike is 5 miles and some scrambling is involved. A short diversion on the return passes a couple old mining claims and their junk remains. West side group will leave from the top of the Rampart parking garage at 7:20 AM and meet the main group at Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure. The hike will start near Mile Marker 3 on Northshore Road about 8:20 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, January 14 - Bluff Trail. Starting from the old campground along the northern section of Lakeshore Drive, this easy to moderate out-and-back hike will cover a distance of 2 or 3 miles, depending on whether the group stops on the top of a knoll where the main trail ends or continues along the fainter trail that heads to a somewhat higher knob to the north. This seldom hiked trail is unique because it holds the high ground above the lowest section of the Las Vegas Wash, which carries all of the runoff from the city and is usually full of water. The primary meeting location is Henderson Fiesta with an 8:30 AM departure. West side participants may wish to carpool from Best Buy but would probably have to leave there about 40 minutes before that. Coordinator - Guy Galante.

Sunday, January 15 - River Mountains Trail (Part 3). The circling of the River Mountains will conclude today with a 13-mile point-to-point segment starting from the Lake Mead Parkway entrance to the recreation area and finishing at the Alan Bible Visitor Center lower parking lot. This stretch includes several magnificent views of the lake with part of the trail overlaid on an abandoned section of Lakeshore Drive prior to its rerouting. Rating is strenuous because of distance even though the entire route is blacktopped or paved. Extra vehicles and time will be needed for carpooling. West side group will meet at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure. Primary meeting location is Henderson Fiesta and an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Monday, January 16 - Ash Canyon Overlook Loop. The distance for this moderate loop hike is only about 3 miles, but it passes through some great back country terrain on the north side of the Calico Hills and includes some relatively minor scrambling in several sections of the route. After a snack break on a ledge above scenic Ash Canyon, the group will head through the sandstone formations that continue toward Turtlehead Peak, climbing up and over one sandstone formation to view an area of petroglyphs. The group will assemble in the Best Buy lot on Charleston and leave for Sandstone Quarry at 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Tuesday, January 17 - Fortification Hill. The hike up the black lava ridge that sits almost directly north of Hoover Dam on the Arizona side of the Colorado River drainage is relatively short but is sure daunting. You will only cover a total distance of 4 miles getting to and back from the sign-in box at the top, but the terrain in between is quite steep and there is some significant exposure when climbing through the cliff face to reach the top level even though no gear is required. This hike is classified as strenuous. Also, the gravel road accessing the trail head is not maintained on a regular basis and requires high clearance vehicles. Meet the west side group at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure or the entire group at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Wednesday, January 18 - The Muffins, Overlook & Tailings Piles. The basic opening of this moderately strenuous 8 or 9-mile loop hike is the standard approach to the caliche boulders on the north end of Blue Diamond Hill and the trek across to the highest overlook above the city. From this point the route will follow some seldom used trails and abandoned roads that wind past the tailings piles from the gypsum mining operations on the central part of the high ridge. A trail descends into a remote canyon below a couple of massive tailings piles before returning to the standard routes and a descent along Fossil Ridge. The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, January 19 - Valley of Fire North-South Traverse. The north-south traverse is a classic point-to-point hike (requiring a car shuttle) from the parking area at White Domes to the Visitor Center along the ridges and mesas and through the canyons between the two points. This strenuous 6-mile hike with 2,000 feet of gross elevation gain is over very rough terrain with minimal exposure and will probably take around five hours to accomplish. Participants will need good balance to handle the terrain. The west side group will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage for a 7:00 AM departure. The entire group will leave from the Lucky Club Casino parking lot on Cheyenne at the I-15 exit at 7:30 AM. Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Friday, January 20 - Krafft Mountain Loop. Red Springs Picnic Area at Calico Basin will be the starting point for one of the most scenic canyon hikes in the Red Rock area. The moderate partial loop hike is about 5 miles in length and does include nearly one mile of scrambling in the colorful canyon behind magenta colored Krafft Mountain. A couple of the scramble sections require good concentration, even if they are not really that difficult. The return section passes through a boulder field used quite often by free climbers who like to demonstrate their talents. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure. Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, January 21 - Red Mountain. The starting point for this moderately strenuous 6-mile loop hike with 1,200 feet of elevation gain is the River Mountains trail head near St. Jude Children's Ranch and the initial route is still the traditional city trail heading toward the saddle between Red and Black Mountains, Our coordinator plans on taking the steep trails up the steep trails on the south side of the mountain that lead into the top section of Bootleg Canyon. The top of the mountain offers great views of the Boulder City area before a return down the regular city trail from the saddle between Red and Black Mountains. The west side meeting location for carpooling is Best Buy, leaving from there at 7:20 AM. The primary meeting spot will be at Henderson Fiesta with an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Guy Galante.

Saturday, January 21 - Pinto Valley Wash. At 6 miles, this outing will be slightly longer than the normal later Saturday hike but the elevation gain is very gradual. Although essentially in the wash, much of the route is on packed trail up the drainage toward a remote valley that was home to several small mining operations in the earlier parts of the last century. A portion of the old Arrowhead Highway, the first route for motorized vehicles between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, runs through the wash and portions of the road bed are still in existence and somewhat maintained by off-road enthusiasts. West side residents can carpool from the top of the Rampart Casino parking garage, but must leave there by 7:50 AM. The general meeting location is Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood with an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinators - Kay & John Blackwell.

Monday, January 23 - Lava Butte. After a one year absence, the 1,000-foot lava ridge just east of Frenchmen's Mountain is back on the schedule. This strenuous short hike combines trekking along gravel roads and boulder scrambling up a narrow ridge to the summit. Almost the entire hike is off-trail and a there is a fair amount of brush and scree to contend with. The plan for this outing is to park some distance away from the mountain and do a little exploration on the side slopes either on the way up or the way down. Total distance will probably be between 4 and 6 miles. The west side group should meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage, leaving there by 7:20 AM. The primary meeting location is Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood with an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Tuesday, January 24 - Colorful Canyon. The hike will start at Mile Marker 20 on Northshore Road and go to the camel tracks near North Bowl of Fire before heading through a couple of canyons, the second which exhibits a variety of colorful formations. The hike is about 7 miles long and the coordinator feels that the rating should be labeled as strenuous. The west side group should meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage and leave there by 7:15 AM to join the main group at Albertsons Grocery on Lake mead Boulevard and Hollywood, departing from there by 8:00 AM. The final assembly point, where the group will meet the hike coordinators, is at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Drive at 8:20 AM. Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Wednesday, January 25 - White Rock Hills Loop. The standard loop around the two cream colored sandstone peaks on the north end of Red Rock Canyon begins at Willow Springs Picnic Area, and this hike will be no exception. What remains to be seen is whether the coordinator will choose to follow the route clockwise, hiking through the valley between the White Rock Hills and the La Madre Mountains first, or whether she will reverse the route and start with the front desert section. In any event, total distance for the moderate loop is 6.4 miles and elevation gain is about 900 feet. The snack break will probably occur near the high point on the trail northeast of White Rock Springs Peak. If interested, meet the group at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, January 26 - Valley of Fire Pinnacles. This new version of the pinnacles hike involves climbing up the mesa next to the geologic formations not once but twice. The distance is about 4.5 miles with 2,000 feet of gross elevation gain and a strenuous rating. Besides scrambling on sandstone, the route for this hike involves a sandy wash and lots of sharp loose rocks. The start will occur near the newly named Valley of Fire "Wave." West side participants will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage and carpool to the primary location at 7:00 AM. The main group will assemble at the Lucky Club Casino parking lot for a 7:30 AM departure. The hike should take about 4 hours to accomplish. Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Friday, January 27 - Dale's Trail. Join the group for a leisurely out-and-back trek along the trail that forms the middle section of the larger Escarpment Base Trail. Total distance covered will be between 4 and 5 miles on the undulating trail that connects Ice Box Canyon with Pine Creek Canyon. Overall rating is moderate. There is no scrambling involved on this trail hike that gets away from the scenic drive and leaves participants with a feeling of isolation from the humdrum of the core at Red Rock. The group will be assembling at Best Buy on Charleston for a departure at 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, January 28 - Ejection Seat Ridge. The early hike this Saturday is a moderately strenuous 5-mile loop that explores a ridge just to the east of Black Butte on the north side of Boulder Basin where a Nellis Air Force fighter plane crashed about fifty years ago and the pilot was forced to eject. The route also includes some exploration of the canyons on the south side of the ridge where the participants will be able to test their scrambling abilities. West side residents can meet on the top of the Rampart Casino parking garage, departing at 7:15 AM for the main location at Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for the customary 8:00 AM departure. The coordinators will meet the group at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Drive around 8:20 AM. Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Saturday, January 28 - Las Vegas Wetlands/Duck Creek. Level terrain is the rule of the day for this 3 to 4-mile easy walk near the Las Vegas wash where it flows out of the city toward Lake Las Vegas. The opening leg will follow the concrete sidewalks and a few of the dirt paths through the established wetlands replete with small ponds and flowing water. One section includes crossing a bridge above the wash where the current is fairly strong. After the return toward the entrance to the park, the group will head over to the larger ponds by Duck Creek that are populated by a host of migrating waterfowl. The early west side group will meet at Best Buy for a 7:55 AM departure. The main assembly point will be Henderson Fiesta with an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Monday, January 30 - Blue Diamond Cactus Garden. The group will be hiking on the ridge behind the community of Blue Diamond but on the north end of the ridge toward Bonnie Springs on this moderate 5 to 6-mile trek. Starting from just off Highway 159 near Oliver Ranch, the route will climb onto the ridge in search of a dense area of cactus hidden in the recesses of a drainage with western exposure. Part of the hike is on trail and part is bushwhacking, but even that terrain is not formidable. Along the way is the remains of a turquoise mine where shards can still be found. Met the group at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure. Coordinator - Helmut De Candia.

Tuesday, January 31 - Virlis Fisher & Bridge Spring Arches. It has been a couple of years since our club scheduled this strenuous 5-mile partial loop hike near the community of Nelson, but hopefully we won't get lost as we wander around in the wilderness just northeast of Highway 165. The two arches visited today will be strikingly different. Virlis Fisher is a limestone arch partially up the side of a ridge that involves some fancy work getting up an exposed area through a crevice. Bridge Spring is a colorful sandstone arch than spans the two sides of a narrow canyon looking down toward Lake Mohave below Hoover Dam. The initial meeting point will be at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure. The main meeting location will be Henderson Fiesta and an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.


Around the middle of February we will start shifting more of our hiking opportunities back to the Red Rock Canyon area. If you have any favorite hikes that you would like to see scheduled, now is the time to provide your input. You don't need to coordinate a hike to make requests, but any volunteers who step up and offer to coordinate are greatly appreciated. Comments or offerings should be addressed to Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com, or you can call him at 823-2355. We need involvement from as many members as possible to keep our club vibrant and exciting.