March 2014 Hike List

The information below is important to determine where our group meets prior to each hike.  Please read the entire section thoroughly before skipping to the actual hike descriptions, as they will not include directions.

 

The March hike schedule includes mostly hikes in the Red Rock Canyon area with several hikes, especially during the first half of the month, in the Lake Mead area.  See the information directly below for directions to assembly locations for those hikes.  When scheduled hikes are not specifically within those areas, directions to the meeting sites will be included in the hike descriptions.

 

Red Rock Canyon Area.  Our main assembly point for hikes in Red Rock, Cottonwood Valley, and the escarpment west of these places is at the Red Rock Casino on Charleston Boulevard just east of 215.  To access the meeting spot, turn into the casino property at the signalized intersection directly across from Canyon Pointe, turn right directly in front of the casino, and immediately turn right into the lot.  If traveling east on Charleston from 215, you can turn right at the first entrance and then make an immediate left.  We will be parking at the north end of the lot along Charleston Boulevard.  Whenever Red Rock area hikes start from Highway 160, there will be a secondary pickup point for south side participants.  That location is at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160.  Generally, this will be a brief stop which will occur about twenty minutes after the departure from Red Rock Casino.

 

Lake Mead South.  For most hikes on the south side of the lake the general meeting spot will be at the Henderson Fiesta Casino.  At this location, we will be meeting close to the large outdoor sign in front of the property.  Henderson Fiesta is located on Lake Mead Parkway just east of the junction of I-215 and I-515.  Lake Mead Parkway is actually the eastbound extension of I-215.  There will also be an earlier assembly point for these hikes at Red Rock Casino, with directions listed above, for those wishing to carpool from the west side, and there could be local stopping points after the group leaves Henderson Fiesta.  These stopping points will be listed in the appropriate hike descriptions.

 

Lake Mead North.  For hikes on the north side of the lake the early west side collection point will be on the top level of the parking garage at Rampart Casino rather than at Red Rock Casino.  Rampart Casino is located on Rampart Boulevard just south of Summerlin Parkway.  The garage is located on the northeast side of the casino and is four levels in height.  The best route from Rampart to the general meeting location is Summerlin Parkway to Highway 95 to I-15 north to eastbound Lake Mead Boulevard.  The general assembly point will be in the parking lot behind the CVS Pharmacy located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood.  There will also be a secondary pickup point at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road inside the recreation area.

 

Valley of Fire and Gold Butte.  In March there is one Gold Butte hike on the schedule on Thursday, March 6.  For this hike the primary assembly point will be in the parking lot of Lucky Club Casino, which is located on the east side of I-15 at the Cheyenne Avenue exit and on the north side of Cheyenne.  Participants getting there from Northbound I-15 will have to cross several traffic lanes just after the exit ramp to make a left turn into the property.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE #1 - 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 referenced in the hike descriptions, others may occur that are not so noted.

 

IMPORTANT POINT #2 - When reading the descriptions, you will see references to both Lake Mead Boulevard and Lake Mead Parkway.  These are different streets.  Lake Mead Boulevard is an east-west street on the north side of Las Vegas that runs completely across the city.  Lake Mead Parkway is on the southeast side of the city and is an east-west street that starts at the junction of I-515 and I-215 and extends over to the lake.  Please do not mix these up and go to the wrong location.

 

Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin arriving as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

 

Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience MUST begin with the 8:30 AM Saturday hikes as these are the only ones that guarantee a fairly leisurely pace.  Strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to qualified experienced hikers.  Be sure to wear appropriate clothing, footwear, and hats and bring sunscreen, water, electrolyte replacement fluids as needed, and food or snacks for each outing.

 

Questions regarding general information should be directed to Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or by telephone at (702) 823-2355.  Specific questions regarding hikes should be directed to the listed coordinator.  Refer to the club roster for contact information.

 

 

Saturday, March 1 - La Madre Double Arch.  This strenuous 6-mile outing in the vicinity of Keystone Thrust will begin from the upper parking lot at Mile Marker 6 of the scenic drive that also serves White Rock Spring.  The group will proceed up the Keystone Thrust Trail until it drops into the upper wash, hike up to the fork, then turn right and ascend a steep wash to the double arch.  After a break they will return to the red sandstone above Keystone Thrust Canyon before returning to the starting point.  Meeting location is Red Rock Casino with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Saturday, March 1 - Fossil Ridge.  Here is your basic easy to moderate 3-mile Fossil Ridge hike done in a clockwise direction.  From the Cowboy Stables parking lot the group will follow the entrance road to the main building and climb the trail onto the ridge immediately behind the building.  Once on the ridge, the group will follow the regular trail to the south along the top of Echo Canyon, stopping for a snack break near an outcropping of stacked composite boulders.  The return will be along the northwestern section of the loop often referred to as the "bunny trail."  This group will assemble at Red Rock Casino for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Dennis Rohne.

 

Sunday, March 2 - Rainbow Gardens.  By special request we will be doing an exploratory hike into the southern section of Rainbow Gardens through a broad wash toward a large red sandstone pointed monument.  The hike will start from Lake Mead Parkway just west of Lake Las Vegas and head in a northern direction.  Trail conditions are unknown and the estimated distance to be covered is up to 6 miles.  Long hiking pants are probably advisable as there could be lots of brush and irregular terrain.  Rating is probably moderate or moderately strenuous.  Early west side group will depart from Red Rock Casino at 7:20 AM and the fully assembled group will leave from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Monday, March 3 - North Wind Wash Loop.  This moderate 8-mile loop hike starts in a dry wash across the road from Black Mesa in the Lake Mead area.  It continues to an area of colorful rocks with sandstone marbles and oddly shaped formations.  On the return the route loops through an adjacent colorful wash with some loose footing.  West side participants should leave from Rampart Casino at 7:20 AM with the general meeting spot at the CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and an 8:00 AM departure.  That group will meet up with the coordinators and any other south side participants at the Mile Marker 4 pullout along Northshore Road about 8:15 AM before proceeding to the trailhead.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Monday, March 3 - Siena Ridge.  We usually only do this hike in late December but we are scheduling it again to see whether or not we can get an early sighting of the Desert Tortoise we encountered a year ago.  The out-and-back hike itself is 5 miles in length with under 1,000 feet of elevation gain and is rated moderate.  The starting point is the parking lot for the golf course in the community of Siena, so if anyone going knows where that is they can drive directly there.  Otherwise, we will be assembling at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Tuesday, March 4 - West End Wash to Anniversary Narrows Loop.  Also known as the End Around hike, this strenuous trek starts at Mile Marker 13 on Northshore Road.  The route passes a nice, very large arch and climbs the side of a brilliant red dry waterfall before proceeding almost to the foothills of the Muddy Mountains.  It then goes over a saddle to an interesting canyon with dry waterfalls and other formations and descends into Lovell Wash just above Anniversary Narrows before returning to the vehicles.  Total distance is 10 to 12 miles and the pace will be fairly fast.  West side participants should carpool from Rampart Casino, leaving at 7:20 AM.  The general meeting location is the CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard with an 8:00 AM departure.  There will be a brief stop at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road to pick up the coordinators and any other south side participants about 8:15 AM before heading to the starting point.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Tuesday, March 4 - Calico Tanks.  For those wanting a shorter hike we will be offering the scenic 3-mile out-and-back hike along the Calico Tanks Trail out of Sandstone Quarry in Red Rock.  This moderate hike climbs through a colorful canyon in the Calico Hills for a break on a ledge overlooking Ash Canyon and the community of Calico Basin with views extending across the southern half of Las Vegas as far as Lake Mead and some Arizona mountains.  If this hike suits your fancy you can meet the other participants at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

 

Wednesday, March 5 - Gorman Little Grand Canyon.  Utilizing a route though the low hills west of Bishop Gorman High School, this hike has a steep climb through a slot in a low set of cliffs and winds its way to the top of the canyon for views of Blue Diamond Hill and the wallboard processing plant near the community of Blue Diamond.  On the return we will be following a trail we happened upon on our last visit.  The loop hike is about 6 miles long, is rated moderate other than the aforementioned slot climb, and will be conducted in a counter clockwise direction.  Group departure from Red Rock Casino will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Thursday, March 6 - Gold Butte Little Finland & Subway.  This strenuous 8.5-mile hike with 1,000 feet of elevation gain was rescheduled from February 2 because of a possible conflict with the Super Bowl.  The drive into Gold Butte includes 4 miles of graded dirt road followed by 4 miles of rough dirt road that requires high clearance vehicles.  The hike itself covers an area of Gold Butte highlighting the Little Finland rock formations, slot canyons filled with petroglyphs, and a boulder filled canyon with some fun climbing.  Exposed routes can be circumvented if necessary.  Plan on being gone the entire day on this outing.  West side group departure will be at 7:30 AM and full group departure from Lucky Club Casino will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinators - John & Kay Blackwell.

 

Friday, March 7 - Mystery Woman Canyon.  This moderately strenuous loop hike will cover about 6 miles and includes some scrambling in the namesake canyon.  The route starts up Skull Canyon, branches off into Mystery Woman Canyon, and stops for a break at the new Las Vegas Overlook before returning past the communications tower on Blue Diamond Hill.  The finishing part of the hike is along the steep and loose Boneshaker Trail that leads back to the cowboy stables area.  If interested, meet the group at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, March 8 - Sandstone Canyon.  Get ready for some good boulder scrambling in the canyon behind Spring Mountain Ranch that penetrates the Wilson Cliffs on the west side of Red Rock Canyon.  This moderately strenuous out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of 5 miles and provide spectacular views of colorful sandstone cliffs where climbers may be present.  Overall elevation gain will approach 1,000 feet but most of that is during the boulder scrambling in the canyon.  This group will meet in the northeast corner at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  This location is in the lot just east of the main entry to the casino rather than our regular location in the parking lot.  Coordinator - Jon Lubinski.

 

Saturday, March 8 - Sandstone Quarry Loop.  Starting from Sandstone Quarry along the scenic drive in Red Rock, this 3-mile loop hike utilizes a section of the Grand Circle Trail heading toward the White Rock Hills and cuts over a low sandstone mound before reaching the back side of the Turtlehead Trail.  From there the group will head down to the Ash Canyon Overlook but will turn back toward the starting point on the north side of Red Cap.  There is some minimal rock scrambling involved, which results in a moderate rating for this hike.  The group will meet in the normal spot at Red Rock Casino for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Sunday, March 9 - White Owl Canyon.  The long version of the hike into the canyon on the shores of Lake Mead known for a pair of white owls will begin near the old Las Vegas Marina and follow the shore line of the lake to the canyon entrance.  After exiting the canyon on the west side, the route back includes some bushwhacking but eventually reaches an abandoned section of Lakeshore Drive that is now part of the long River Mountains Trail.  There are two choices for descending back to the lake, with one including some very intense boulder scrambling in another canyon with a bypass option that is generally pretty easy.  West side departure from Red Rock Casino will be at 7:15 AM with the full group leaving Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, March 10 - Rainbow Canyon & Anniversary Narrows.  This moderate 8-mile loop in the Lake Mead area passes through colorful Rainbow Canyon and includes stops both in the narrows and at the abandoned area above Lovell Wash where the processing site used to be.  With spring approaching there is a chance of catching blooms on the local bearpaw poppies.  The route includes some uphill grades and a little scrambling.  Any participants from the west side should meet at the Rampart Casino parking garage for a carpool departure at 7:20 AM to join the main group at the CVS Pharmacy assembly point.  The entire group will leave at 8:00 AM and pick up the coordinators and other south side participants at the Mile Marker 4 pullout along Northshore Road at 8:15 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Monday, March 10 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  Back by popular demand is this extremely picturesque loop hike through Gateway Canyon on the north side of Krafft Mountain.  Starting from the Red Springs parking lot, the route follows the trail up Five Stop Hill before dropping into the canyon for some exciting scrambling.  After exiting the canyon the trail back leads past a boulder array that gets heavy use from the genre of free climbers who use only mats to cushion any falls from their sometimes upside down adventures.  Total distance is about 6 miles and the rating is moderately strenuous.  The group will assemble at Red Rock Casino and leave for the hike at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

 

Tuesday, March 11 - Hoover Dam Bridge Peak & Point.  Here is a new adventure for the intrepid group of "Tough Tuesday" hikers to challenge.  The most dramatic route is straight up the mountain from almost under the highway bridge near the start of the Gold Strike Hot Springs starting point.  To create a loop route the group will use Gold Strike Canyon to return to the vehicles.  Total distance is only about 4 miles but it is pretty intense, resulting in a very strenuous rating.  West side departure from Red Rock Casino is at 7:20 AM.  The full group will meet at the Henderson Fiesta and leave at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Laszlo Heredy.

 

Tuesday, March 11 - Echo Canyon & First Finger.  The alternative hike this Tuesday is a moderate 6-mile loop route that opens with some moderate scrambling up Echo Canyon and includes a few dry waterfalls in the six-foot height range.  Near the top of the canyon the group will turn left on a trail that leads to First Finger, then come back around at the edge of the mining area and descend along the Fossil Ridge Trail.  Enjoy the abundant views of the Wilson Cliffs from the open top of this ridge.  The assembled group will have an 8:00 AM departure from Red Rock Casino.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

 

Wednesday, March 12 - Frenchman Mountain.  This strenuous 4-mile out-and-back hike to the tall mountain on the east side of Las Vegas will involve several options.  The coordinator will lead a group up the steep gravel road accessed from Lake Mead Boulevard just over the saddle in the Sunrise Mountains.  Those wanting a different approach can use either the western route up the partial trail from the end of Bonanza Road, which includes significant scrambling and exposure, or head toward the canyon on the northwest side that includes a twenty foot crawl ledge.  West side departure from Rampart Casino will be at 7:30 AM.  The main group, including the coordinator, will be assembling at CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Thursday, March 13 - Hollow Rock Peak.  The traditional out-and-back route to the top of the southern most sandstone peak in the Wilson Cliffs covers a total distance of 6 miles and gains slightly more than 1,000 feet.  The opening portion of the hike is on a fairly steep trail starting near Mountain Springs Summit.  After a mile of hiking the route branches toward the peak and soon becomes a significant scramble over sandstone ridges and through steep canyons.  This is a strenuous hike with some exposure at the peak.  The main group will meet at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure and there will be a secondary stop at the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 about 8:20 AM to pick up south side participants.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, March 14 - First Creek.  Generally rated easy to moderate, this 4-mile out-and-back hike passes a hidden grotto below a seasonal waterfall in the creek drainage.  After a short stop at the grotto the group will head toward the entrance to the canyon, reaching the break spot above a boulder waterfall that requires some moderate scrambling to reach,  Elevation gain is in the range of 400 to 500 feet.  Meet the other participants at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, March 15 - Windy Peak.  The out-and-back hike to the top of this red-capped sandstone peak in the southern portion of the Wilson Cliffs begins from a pullout on Highway 160 near Mountain Springs Summit.  Total distance is between 5 and 6 miles with 1,200 feet of gain.  Besides a section of steep trail there is some bushwhacking and also some scrambling around boulders near the top.  There is also some rolling exposure for about 50 feet just past the transition from a limestone ridge to the sandstone mound that comprises the peak.  This hike is rated strenuous.  Departure of the group from Red Rock Casino will be at 8:00 AM with a secondary pickup at the Highway 159 and 160 gas station twenty minutes later.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Saturday, March 15 - Fossil Ridge.  The route for this leisurely hike will be quite different from the route used on the March 1 offering of the same name.  This loop version will turn right immediately through the cowboy stables entrance and turn right again before reaching the brown composite boulders overlooking Echo Canyon.  Near the halfway point the route turns left and follows a trail above Echo Canyon back down the north end of Blue Diamond Hill.  Total distance for the moderate loop hike is 3.6 miles with 800 feet of elevation gain.  Meet the group at Red Rock Casino for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lorraine Stalians.

 

Sunday, March 16 - Bowl of Fire Loop.  This strenuous 10-mile hike will actually require a short car shuttle as the start is at Mile Marker 20.5 along Northshore Road and the finish is at Mile Marker 18.  It starts by climbing a ridge and descending a steep slope that leads into a series of washes where the group will come across camel tracks in the sandstone.  At the north end of the Bowl of Fire they will encounter some fun scrambling in a colorful canyon that may feature some pools if there is any recent rain.  A half hour lunch break will occur somewhat more than halfway along the route.  West side participants should leave the Rampart Casino at 7:20 AM, join the main contingent at CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard for an 8:00 AM departure, then stop at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Road to pick up the coordinator and any other south side participants.  Coordinator - David Hardy. 

 

Monday, March 17 - Calico Hills.  The out-and-back hike on the official trail between the Red Rock fee booth and Sandstone Quarry covers a distance of 6 miles and gains a net of 700 feet, although the rolling terrain adds several hundred more.  We will be parking behind the fee both and taking the signed trail to Calico I Overlook before dropping into the fault canyon between the hills and the scenic drive.  Along the way there will be a chance to view some ancient petroglyphs on a slab of rock between Calico II and the turn around point at Sandstone Quarry.  The group will assemble at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

 

Tuesday, March 18 - McCullough Hills Trail.  Be prepared for a long day of hiking on this strenuous 16-mile out-and-back hike south of Henderson.  The goal is to follow the trail end to end to end.  There is some elevation change along the way but the trail is generally in good shape.  West side participants will have a 7:15 AM departure from Red Rock Casino and will join the main group at the Walgreens Pharmacy on the corner of Eastern and Sunridge, with a departure for the new trailhead at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Richard Hansen.

 

Wednesday, March 19 - Horse Thief Canyon.  This 6-mile outing is actually two hikes in one.  The hike is accessed by driving up a gravel wash from the parking area also serving Arizona Hot Springs on a recreational road requiring high clearance vehicles.  The hike starts by passing an unclimbable dry waterfall and scrambling up a wash with mostly minor elevation gain.  Continuing up a scenic canyon the group will reach Horse Thief Falls for a break.  After returning to the starting point, the day continues with a short trek off the highway to a remarkable slot canyon.  Overall rating is probably moderately strenuous.  West side participants should leave Red Rock Casino by 7:40 AM and head for Henderson Fiesta, from which the consolidated group will leave at 8:20 AM and a final assembly will occur at the Arizona parking lot at 9:00 AM.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

 

Thursday, March 20 - Mountain Spring Peak.  The namesake for this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike is a limestone peak sitting just above the top of the Wilson Cliffs somewhat behind Black Velvet Peak.  The most scenic spot, used for the break, is on a ledge high above the top section of Black Velvet Canyon.  These two locations are followed by a stretch of bushwhacking down a ridge to a gravel road leading back to the starting point.  The group will meet at Red Rock Casino for a departure at 7:40 AM and do a secondary stop about 8:00 AM at the 159-160 gas station to pick up any south side participants before heading to the trailhead.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Friday, March 21 - Cottonwood Valley Loop.  A moderately strenuous hike of 6 miles with around 1,500 feet of elevation gain will start from the dirt parking area we also use for Badger Pass.  It starts on a trail but eventually leaves it for a cross-country route up a steep ridge to a higher ridge with views of Las Vegas.  From there the group will head south along the ridge and connect with the Deadhorse Trail passing through Red Valley back to the vehicles.  Early assembly will be at Red Rock Casino on the west side, with the group leaving at 7:30 AM.  Final assembly point will be the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 with a departure time of 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - David Hardy.

 

Saturday, March 22 - Gray Cap Peak.  Although the approach used this Saturday is recognized as the easiest one to access the peak, it is still tough enough to garner a strenuous rating.  The out-and-back hike from Sandstone Quarry covers about 5 miles with about 1,600 feet of gross elevation gain.  After passing the north end of Red Cap, the group will head down a side canyon going east, turn left into Gateway Canyon, and start doing serious scrambling on sandstone at the top of that canyon.  The limestone cap on the peak is a reminder of the massive Pacific Plate movement eastward some sixty million years ago.  Departure from Red Rock Casino will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Saturday, March 22 - Firehouse Loop.  The easy to moderate option for the day will be a hike that starts off Moenkopi Road in the vicinity of the BLM fire station.  The easy to moderate loop will cover a distance just over 3 miles and will include an elevation gain of around 400 feet getting to the top of a hill for a partial view back toward Las Vegas.  Pace will be leisurely to accommodate all participants.  Meet the other cast members at Red Rock Casino for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Sunday, March 23 - Mystery Woman Canyon.  When we first did this hike a year ago we had no idea what to expect in this canyon that tops out near the communications tower on Blue Diamond Hill, so the title of the hike had to have the word "mystery" in it.  This outing will basically follow the route used on March 7 to access the top of the canyon and reach the Las Vegas Overlook, but will return to the starting point entering the top section of Skull Canyon, making this a moderately strenuous partial loop hike of about 6 miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain.  The group will assemble at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, March 24 - Escarpment Base Trail.  Rarely does our club schedule a point-to-point hike that involves car shuttling, but this moderate 5.4-mile hike is so interesting we usually put it on the agenda several times a year.  Some vehicles will be left at the Lost Creek trailhead, where the group will finish, and the others will be driven to the starting point at the gravel Oak Creek parking area along the Red Rock scenic drive.  In between is the Arnight, Pine Creek, Dale's, and SMYC trails which will lead in a northerly direction along the Wilson Cliffs, also known as the escarpment.  Departure from Red Rock Casino will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

 

Tuesday, March 25 - Cave Canyon.  There is some pretty good scrambling in this canyon after negotiating a 15-foot dry waterfall, but it soon gives way to more gentler terrain as it reaches the top of the canyon.  In case the coordinator wants to enter one of the two large caves near the waterfall you should probably pack a flashlight of some kind.  For the outing today the group will complete the loop hike by making a final descent through Skull Canyon.  Estimated distance is about 5 or 6 miles, depending on the connection with Skull Canyon, and the rating is moderately strenuous.  Join the group at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

 

Wednesday, March 26 - Waterfall Canyon.  This spectacular point-to-point hike is only 4 miles in total distance but it usually has some amount of water flowing even during fairly dry seasons.  Most of the hike is conducted on Rocky Gap Road getting to the entrance to the canyon, but that one mile in the canyon is where the intensity picks up.  Most people can negotiate the moderately strenuous scrambling required to reach the base of a 30-foot waterfall and the more daring can climb to the top and follow the creek upstream for another short distance.  We will assemble at Red Rock Casino in the usual spot for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Thursday, March 27 - Above Lost Creek Waterfall.  Most of this 4 to 5-mile hike is along relatively easy trail but the climb through the cliffs near the Lost Creek waterfall and the subsequent scrambling over and around boulders above the cliffs elevate the overall rating to strenuous.  The partial loop hike will start at the Ice Box parking lot and follow the SMYC Trail to Lost Creek, continuing north on the Willow Springs Loop Trail accessing the approach to our destination.  On the return we will incorporate the rest of the Willow Springs Loop getting back to Lost Creek Trail and a return along SMYC.  Join the group at Red Rock Casino for a 7:45 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey. 

 

Friday, March 28 - Ice Box Canyon.  Part of the route used for this hike will duplicate the one used the previous day, as it will start at the Lost Creek trailhead and follow the SMYC Trail to the approach into Ice Box Canyon.  After the trail ends by dropping into the drainage, the group will encounter a stretch of moderate boulder scrambling for about a half mile in either direction reaching a 30-foot seasonal waterfall deep in the canyon.  Total distance will be about 4 miles for this moderately strenuous out-and-back effort.  Red Rock Casino will be the meeting point for this hike and the assembled group will leave at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, March 29 - White Rock Hills Loop & Potluck Picnic.  The rating is moderate for this 6.4-mile loop around the two White Rock Peaks at the north end of Red Rock Canyon with an elevation gain of 900 feet, all on trail.  One of the more interesting factors about this hike is the striking difference between the desert vegetation on the south side of the mountains and the tree and shrub growth on the north side, where twice as much annual rainfall occurs.  Participants who are interested in a pot luck picnic after the hike should bring food items that do not require cooking to share with the group.  Departure from Red Rock Casino will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

 

Saturday, March 29 - Ash Meadows.  Starting from Red Springs Picnic Area the group will follow a series of trails along the east side of the Calico Hills that will reach the base of Ash Canyon for a break.  Elevation gain is generally minimal but the trail rolls slightly in spots.  Ash Meadows itself has a healthy stand of ash trees fed by a spring and creek that flow from near the location of the break.  Pace will be leisurely, distance is a little over 3 miles, and the rating is easy to moderate.  This group will leave at 8:30 AM from Red Rock Casino.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Sunday, March 30 - Blue Diamond Hill.  Our club does several hikes on the northern section of Blue Diamond Hill, but this outing will be quite different since it is a point-to-point hike requiring car shuttling.  The hike starts at the cowboy stables parking lot and heads toward the communications tower below the Las Vegas Overlook before passing the gypsum mine area and winding up at the community of Blue Diamond.  To make sure we have enough vehicles to carry all the participants from the finish back to the starting point, the group that assembles at Red Rock Casino will depart at 7:10 AM and drive to Blue Diamond, getting there by 7:30 AM.  South side participants can drive north on Highway 159 from Highway 160 to join the group.  Drivers should turn off Highway 159 onto the main entrance to the community, cross the bridge, and look for the dirt parking area on the right just before the first houses.  Coordinator - David Hardy.

 

Monday, March 31 - Oak Creek/Knoll/Arnight Loop.  Rather than drive the scenic loop in Red Rock to access the trailhead, the gravel parking lot at the exit of the scenic drive onto the highway will be used as the start and finish of this moderate 6-mile loop hike.  Most of the approach to the Oak Creek trailhead follows horse trails but there could be some bushwhacking involved getting across the desert.  The middle portion of the hike is the normal set of trails that loop back to the gravel parking lot with the Oak Creek and Arnight trailheads.  Meet the group at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.          

February 2014 Hike List

The information below is important to determine where our group meets prior to each hike.  Please read the entire section thoroughly before skipping to the actual hike descriptions.

 

The February hike schedule basically includes hikes in the Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead areas, but there are a scattering of scheduled events in other parts of southern Nevada.  These other hikes will have additional information regarding assembly locations in the body of each hike description.

 

Red Rock Canyon Area.  Due to the postings restricting parking at the Albertsons location, we have moved our main assembly point to the Red Rock Casino on Charleston Boulevard just east of 215.  To access the meeting spot, turn into the casino property at the signalized intersection directly across from Canyon Pointe, turn right directly in front of the casino, and immediately turn right into the lot.  If traveling east on Charleston, you can turn right at the first entrance and then make an immediate left.  We will be parking at the north end of the lot along Charleston Boulevard.  Whenever Red Rock area hikes start from Highway 160, there will be a secondary pickup point for south side participants.  That location is at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160.  Generally, this will be a brief stop which will occur about twenty minutes after the departure from Red Rock Casino.

 

Lake Mead South.  For all hikes on the south side of the lake the general meeting spot will be at the Henderson Fiesta Casino.  At this location, we will be meeting close to the large outdoor sign in front of the property.  Henderson Fiesta is located on Lake Mead Parkway just east of the junction of I-215 and I-515.  Lake Mead Parkway is actually the eastbound extension of I-215.  There will also be an earlier assembly point for these hikes at Red Rock Casino, with directions listed above, and there could be local stopping points after the group leaves Henderson Fiesta.  These stopping points will be listed in the appropriate hike descriptions.

 

Lake Mead North.  For hikes on the north side of the lake the early west side collection point will be on the top level of the parking garage at Rampart Casino rather than at Red Rock Casino.  Rampart Casino is located on Rampart Boulevard just south of Summerlin Parkway.  The garage is located on the northeast side of the casino and is four stories in height.  The best route from Rampart to the general meeting location is Summerlin Parkway to Highway 95 to I-15 north to eastbound Lake Mead Boulevard.  The general assembly point will be in the parking lot behind the CVS Pharmacy located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood.  There will also be a secondary pickup point at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road inside the recreation area.

 

Valley of Fire and Gold Butte.  As is the case with Lake Mead North hikes, the early west side assembly point will be on the top floor of the parking garage at Rampart Casino as indicated above.  The primary assembly point will be in the parking lot of Lucky Club Casino, which is located on the east side of I-15 at the Cheyenne Avenue exit and on the north side of Cheyenne.  Participants getting there from Northbound I-15 will have to cross several traffic lanes just after the exit ramp to make a left turn into the property.  For extreme north side participants, there will be an additional pickup point about thirty minutes after the departure time at the Indian Smoke Shop located at the exit for Valley of Fire on Valley of Fire hikes only.  Individuals at that location must wait outside their vehicles so they can be spotted by the coordinator.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE #1 - 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 some of these situations are noted in the hike descriptions, others may occur that are not so noted.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE #2 - When reading the descriptions, you will see references to both Lake Mead Boulevard and Lake Mead Parkway.  These are different streets.  Lake Mead Boulevard is an east-west street on the north side of Las Vegas that runs completely across the city.  Lake Mead Parkway is on the south side of the city and is an east-west street that starts at the junction of I-515 and I-215 and extends over to the lake.  Please do not mix these up.

 

Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin arriving as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

 

Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience MUST begin with the 8:30 AM Saturday hikes as these are the only ones that guarantee a fairly leisurely pace.  Strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to qualified experienced hikers.  Be sure to wear appropriate clothing, footwear, and hats and bring sunscreen, water, electrolyte replacement fluids as needed, and food or snacks for each outing.

 

Questions regarding general information about any of the hikes should be directed to Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or by telephone at (702) 823-2355.  Specific questions regarding hikes should be directed to the listed coordinator.  Refer to the club roster for contact information.

 

 

Saturday, February 1 - Hamblin Mountain.  One of the most dynamic hikes in the Lake Mead area is this moderately strenuous trek to the top of a mountain offering exciting views of both Boulder and Virgin Basins of the lake.  Total distance is 7 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain and there is a slight variation on the return route through a colorful canyon and down a dry waterfall.  The starting point for the hike is Mile Marker 18 along Northshore Road.  West side participants can meet at the Rampart Casino for a departure at 7:20 AM.  The main assembly location is at the CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard, from which the combined group will leave at 8:00 AM.  There will be a final quick stop at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road to pick up the coordinators and any other south side participants at 8:15 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Saturday, February 1 - McCullough Hills Trail.  The later hike for this Saturday will explore a newly constructed trail on the south side of Henderson that goes into the Sloan Canyon Recreation Area.  This effort will be an easy to moderate out-and-back hike that will cover a total distance of 4 miles along a well-graded walking path with minimal elevation gain.  The trailhead used for this hike is at the end of Mission Road.  Early west side participants meeting at Red Rock Casino should leave at 7:50 AM to join the main group at Henderson Fiesta, from which everyone involved will depart at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Nienaber.

 

Sunday, February 2 - River Mountains Trail - Part 2.  Continuing where the group left off the previous Sunday means the starting point for this strenuous 12-mile segment of the paved trail around the River Mountains is at Railroad Pass Casino.  At the end of the trek is a parking area along Lake Mead Parkway very close to the entrance station into Lake Mead Recreation Area.  In between is a lot of vacant ground at the edge of Henderson covering a fair amount of rolling terrain.  A good athletic or walking shoe will probably work better than hiking boots and sticks are not necessary.  There will be a snack break along the way.  The early west side group will leave Red Rock Casino at 7:00 AM and Henderson Fiesta will be the main assembly point for a 7:45 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, February 3 - White Owl Canyon Shoreline Loop.  This moderate hike is approximately 5 miles and begins at the Las Vegas Bay boat ramp near Mile Marker 10 on Lakeshore Road.  It is a short version of the longer loop through White Owl Canyon.  The route proceeds along the shoreline to Hole 33, passes through the canyon, and returns to the starting point mainly along a section of the paved River Mountain Trail.  Early west side assembly will be at Red Rock Casino for a 7:20 AM departure.  The full group will gather at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:00 AM departure, and will meet the coordinators and other Boulder City participants at the parking area on the right side of Lake Mead Parkway just before the fee booth about 8:10 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Tuesday, February 4 - Cleopatra Wash.  This strenuous 7-mile hike in the Lake Mead area mostly involves scrambling through a beautiful canyon to the shore of the lake.  There are several dry waterfalls to negotiate along the way, but the 30-foot waterfall near the end of the canyon is impassable.  At that point the group will climb a steep ridge by loose trail and scramble down the other side to the shore.  Boathouse Cove Road is used to get to the starting point and it definitely requires high clearance vehicles.  The west side group will assemble at Rampart Casino and leave at 7:00 AM for the CVS Pharmacy at Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood.  The combined group will leave there at 7:35 AM and do a final stop at the Mile Marker 4 pullout along Northshore Road about 7:50 AM on the way to the hike.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Wednesday, February 5 - Black Mountain (Henderson).  The trail  to the top of this peak on the south side of Las Vegas climbs 2,100 feet and seems to get steeper the closer one gets to the top.  The view is phenomenal and takes in not only all of Las Vegas but stretches south past Searchlight and into Arizona.  Total distance is right at 6 miles for the out-and-back hike and the rating is strenuous.  Early west side participants should meet at Red Rock Casino for a 7:30 AM departure.  The main group will assemble at the Walgreens located at the intersection of Anthem Parkway and Hampton Road and leave for the trailhead at 8:15 AM.  Parking at the trailhead is limited so carpooling is essential.  Coordinator - Helmut De Candia.

 

Thursday, February 6 - Cholla Forest Loop.  The south flank of the River Mountains provides the setting for this moderately strenuous loop hike of 6 or 7 miles.  The route involves a series of dry waterfalls in a canyon before reaching a sensational concentration of Teddy Bear Cholla where the break will occur.  Be prepared for scrambling over much of the route.  The early west side group will leave from Red Rock Casino at 7:20 AM and join the main group at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:00 AM departure.  They will meet the coordinator and other Boulder City participants at the lower parking lot at Alan Bible Visitor Center around 8:25 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Friday, February 7 - Calico Hills Figure 8.  This very strenuous 5-mile adventure will start from the Red Springs Picnic Area.  The group will ascend Grand Staircase, go down the back side, navigate an inner route between Calico I and Calico II, ascend past the carving to the saddle at Guardian Angel Pass, and descend toward Calico Basin.  The fun is not finished as the group will then climb past Heart Rock and a tunnel to Slab Rift, cross the earlier path, traverse the ridge above Grand Staircase, and descend to the boardwalk.  The route consists of 10% trail and 90% scrambling, has minimal exposure, and should take four to five hours to complete.  Departure from the assembly point at Red Rock Casino will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

 

Saturday, February 8 - Fracture Ridge.  Located in the McCullough Range south of Henderson and right next to Black Mountain, the trek to the peak at the end of Fracture Ridge provides another opportunity to see up close the remains of volcanic activity in our area from eons ago.  The strenuous out-and-back hike is 6 or 7 miles in length and gains roughly 1,800 feet.  Most of the route is on trail but there is some moderate scrambling getting to the peak.  The early west side group will meet at Red Rock Casino and depart at 7:15 AM.  The main group will assemble at the Walgreens at the intersection of Anthem Parkway and Hampton Road for an 8:00 AM departure to the trailhead, which is just five minutes away.  Limited space at the trailhead requires maximum carpooling.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Saturday, February 8 - Hoover Dam & Bridge.  Eliminating the hike through the tunnels reduces the total distance of this easy to moderate partial loop hike to about 4 miles.  Instead of Alan Bible Visitor Center, it will begin from the Lake Mead Observation Point sitting directly on top of tunnel #5.  From that lot, participants will drop onto the regular trail and follow the newly opened section of trail that passes the Boneyard on the way to the dam.  On the return, the group will cross the new bridge overlooking the dam before returning to the starting point.  West side participants will depart from Red Rock Casino at 7:50 AM and the entire group will leave from Henderson Fiesta at 8:30 AM, arriving at the starting point of the hike about 8:55 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Sunday, February 9 - River Mountains Trail - Part 3.  The most scenic, but longest, section of the paved trail around the River Mountains is set for the finale of this three Sunday effort.  Starting from the lot along Lake Mead Parkway near the Lake Mead fee both, participants will head around the east side of the mountains, passing several features including the water intake station before reaching the end at the lower parking lot of Alan Bible Visitor Center.  This segment is about 13 miles in length and also follows the old road bed for Northshore Road that has been converted to bike and walking trails.  Because of the length this outing is rated as strenuous.  West side group will leave from Red Rock Casino at 7:00 AM to join the main group at Henderson Fiesta for a 7:45 AM departure.  It will be necessary to spot vehicles at the end for the return.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, February 10 - Rubber Ducky Yucca.  Here is one more opportunity to visit the Joshua tree near Cottonwood Valley that mountain bikers have decided to adorn with a host of rubber ducks.  On our last visit to the tree near Thanksgiving, one of our members added a rubber turkey to the collection.  Overall, this moderate partial loop hike will cover a distance of 6 miles.  The route includes a trail that takes participants to the top of a long ridge that provides great views of the area.  The assembly point for the hike is at Red Rock Casino with a departure at 8:00 AM.  There will be an additional stop at the gas station located at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM to pick up south side participants.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Tuesday, February 11 - Rufus Cove.  This strenuous hike of about 9 miles starts at the pullout one-half mile beyond Mile Marker 16 on Northshore Road in the Lake Mead area.  The hike goes down a very colorful canyon to the shore of Lake Mead and there is some boulder scrambling and a few dry waterfalls to negotiate.  Any participants from the west side can meet at the Rampart Casino for a carpool departure at 7:20 AM.  The main group will assemble at the CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood, leaving there at 8:00 AM to join the coordinator and any other south side participants at the Mile Marker 4 pullout along Northshore Road at 8:15 AM before heading to the starting point of the hike.  Coordinator - Chuck Hawkins.

 

Wednesday, February 12 - McCullough Hills Trail.  Unlike the hike of February 1 with the same name, this will not be a short hike.  The objective for this effort is to do the entire 8-mile trail from end to end.  To accomplish this, the group will be split at the final meeting spot and there will be a key exchange prior to the hike and again in the middle of the hike.  There is some elevation change but the trail is in pretty good shape, so the hike carries a moderate rating.  The early west side group will gather at Red Rock Casino for a 7:20 AM departure.  The general meeting point is different from normal.  It will be in the parking lot of a Walgreens Drug Store at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Sunridge Heights Parkway.  The address of the store is 11001 Eastern Avenue.  Meeting time at that location will start around 7:45 AM and the group will leave there at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Richard Hansen. 

 

Thursday, February 13 - River Mountain Peak.  The highest point in the River Mountains is the objective for this strenuous 8-mile out-and-back hike starting from the trailhead parking lot next to St. Jude Children's Ranch.  The route will follow the city trail to the saddle between Red and Black Mountains, then drop off the back side using a series of mountain biking trails.  Farther on is a utility gravel road that leads to the saddle below the peak and the final assault is a fairly tough bushwhack to the top.  Departure from the west side collection point at Red Rock Casino will be at 7:20 AM and the full group will leave from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM, arriving at the River Mountains trailhead parking lot by 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Friday, February 14 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  Celebrate Valentines Day with a moderate 5-mile romp through the lower section of Gateway Canyon while making a circle around the magenta colored mountain on the north side of Calico Basin.  Starting from Red Springs Picnic Area, the familiar route heads north along the Calico Hills and climbs the trail to the saddle atop Five Stop Hill.  From there the trail descends into Gateway Canyon for some exciting scrambling amid the very colorful sandstone formations.  After exiting the canyon, participants will pass a renowned boulder area and follow Ash Creek back to the starting point.  The group will gather at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Helmut De Candia.

 

Saturday, February 15 - Jean's Canyon & Redstone Petroglyphs.  Rated strenuous, this 7 mile hike starting at Mile Marker 25 of Northshore Road heads up an interesting inner canyon that climbs over Pinto Ridge and into Pinto Valley.  At this point the route turns left towards the Redstone rocks for an exploration of the many formations and petroglyphs.  There is some rock scrambling and elevation changes along the way.  West side participants should leave from Rampart Casino at 7:20 AM to join the main group assembling at the CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure.  There will be a quick stop at Mile Marker 4 along Northshore Road to collect the coordinators and any other south side participants around 8:15 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Saturday, February 15 - River Mountains Trail Segment & Lunch.  An easy to moderate jaunt along a 4-mile section of the River Mountains Trail is the order of the day for the later hike.  This will be a point-to-point hike that will require vehicles to be left at the Railroad Pass Casino, where it will finish, with other vehicles taking participants to the starting point by St. Jude Children's Ranch.  There is more downhill than uphill involved and the entire trail is paved, so hiking shoes can be replaced with other athletic shoes.  After the hike join the group for lunch at the Railroad Pass café.  The west side group with the coordinator will leave Red Rock Casino at 7:50 AM, join the main group at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:30 AM departure, and get to Railroad Pass Casino at 8:45 AM, parking in the lower lot.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Sunday, February 16 - Roos & More Zoo.  This sanctioned club outing will visit an educational zoo located in Moapa that allows visitors constant hands-on interaction with the animals.  This outing required pre-registration and advance payment of the individual cost and is currently filled.  Details have been sent to all the participants as to assembly location and time.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

 

Monday, February 17 - Blue Point Spring Redstone Formations.  This generally moderate 5 to 6-mile hike starts at Blue Point Spring near Mile Marker 40 on Northshore Road.  There are numerous red Aztec sandstone formations that will be explored, including an arch in which the waters of Lake Mead can be framed for photographs along with several other arches.  It has some of the nicest formations in the Lake Mead area, which definitely compensates for the long drive.  The Rampart Casino will be the early west side staging point with a 7:20 AM departure.  The primary meeting spot is at CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure.  The coordinators and any other south side participants should be at the Northshore Road Mile Marker 4 pullout by 8:15 AM to join the rest of the group.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Monday, February 17 - Gunsight Notch Peak.  This very strenuous 7-mile out-and-back hike will rival any of the tough Tuesday hikes for intensity.  Starting from the Pine Creek parking area the group will hike across the desert, enter the south fork of Pine Creek, and continue up the canyon on the same route that leads to Terrace Canyon.  At the final canyon junction, the route turns left in Gunsight Notch Canyon and climbs to the peak for a breathtaking view.  Elevation gain is in the order of 2,100 feet.  There is no exposure but the hike can still be intimidating due to the steepness.  If using trekking poles, be sure to bring rubber tips as the regular tungsten is virtually useless and even dangerous on the loose shale.  Departure from Red Rock Casino will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

 

Tuesday, February 18 - Quarry Loop.  Join other members of the club for an exploration of an old quarry area at the southeast corner of the River Mountains.  Starting from a large parking area just beyond Mile Marker 3 of Lakeshore Road, the group will head toward the quarry and climb up a steep canyon on its left side.  At the top of the canyon are a series of mesas and upper canyons seldom visited by hikers.  The descent will be along the opposite side of the quarry returning to the vehicles.  This is a strenuous hike of 6 miles that involves serious scrambling and climbing.  The early west side group should leave Red Rock Casino at 7:20 AM and join the main group at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:00 AM departure.  They will then meet the coordinator and other Boulder City participants at the Railroad Tunnels parking lot below Alan Bible Visitor Center about 8:25 AM before heading to the starting point of the hike.  Coordinator - Chuck Hawkins.

 

Wednesday, February 19 - Grand Circle.  The big loop hike in Red Rock Canyon will start from the parking lot behind the fee booth and proceed in a clockwise direction, heading first toward the Willow Springs gap.  At 12 miles and 900 feet of gain, this hike provides great views of the sandstone and limestone peaks on all sides of Red Rock Canyon.  Because of the distance it is rated as strenuous.  The most rolling terrain is in the last three miles coming home from Sandstone Quarry.  The group will assemble at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Thursday, February 20 - Lava Butte.  It's been a few years since this peak has been on the agenda, so it's time for another go-around.  The hike will start from the pullout on Northshore Road close to Mile Marker 3 where Lava Butte Wash flows under the road.  This is about one mile from the junction with Lake Mead Boulevard.  The group will follow the wash and angle toward the mountain and climb the steep ridge that climbs on the east face.  Total distance is about 6 miles and there is 1,800 feet of vertical gain.  These factors, along with the amount of scrambling involved, result in the hike carrying a strenuous rating.  The Rampart Casino group will leave at 7:20 AM and the complete group will leave the CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood at 8:00 AM.  Anyone driving from the south side can drive straight to the pullout where the hike starts.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, February 21 - Lone Grapevine Spring.  The only time this season that this hike was scheduled was in December and it got washed out, so it's time to try again.  The moderate partial loop hike starts from the Late Night trailhead parking lot and proceeds through Cottonwood Valley, visiting a couple of natural springs near the southern base of the escarpment.  In the vicinity of the second springs is a collection of both ancient and more recent petroglyphs carved on boulders lying on the ground.  Elevation gain is about 300 feet and occurs on the return.  The group will assemble at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure and there will be a stop at the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM to meet south side participants.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, February 22 - White Rock Springs Peak.  This moderately strenuous out-and-back hike will start at the White Rock Springs parking lot at the end of the gravel road that starts at Mile Marker 6 of the Red Rock scenic drive.  It is about 3 miles in total distance and scrambling is the primary aspect of the hike as virtually the entire time will be spent climbing over boulders on the ridge getting to the top.  Elevation gain is 1,200 feet.  Most of the scrambling is Class 2 but there are sections of Class 3 terrain that will require use of hands and there are areas of exposure.  The group will depart from Red Rock Casino at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

 

Saturday, February 22 - Calico I-Moenkopi Loop.  The leisurely hike for the first Saturday back in Red Rock Canyon will find the group on an easy to moderate 3-mile loop with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain.  Starting from the Red Rock Visitor Center, participants will head around to the back side of the building and take the trail heading east that crosses the scenic drive.  Turning gradually north, they will stop briefly at Calico I Overlook, then cross the drive again and head for the Moenkopi Trail and a gradual ridge with a very good panoramic view of the canyon before returning to the starting point.  This group will depart from Red Rock Casino at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Sunday, February 23 - Camel Tracks Loop.  As we start to close down the hiking season near Lake Mead we have yet another new option for serious hikers.  Starting at Mile Marker 20.5 on Northshore Road, the trail heads toward the Callville Road junction and turns right to find some ancient camel tracks near a wash.  The route then climbs to a saddle for a break at an overlook of the North and South Bowls of Fire.  The moderately strenuous 6-mile partial loop hike finishes through a colorful area back to the original trail and the starting point.  Total elevation gain is around 1,500 feet.  West side group will depart from Rampart Casino at 7:20 AM and join the main contingent at CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood, leaving at 8:00 AM and picking up any south side participants at Mile Marker 4 around 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Monday, February 24 - Red Springs Loop.  Prepare to boulder scramble on this moderately strenuous 4-mile hike starting at Red Springs Picnic Area in Calico Basin.  From the parking lot a trail follows the east flank of the Calico Hills to the base of a notch known as Angel Pass.  The fun begins as the ascent is scrambling over and around a variety of obstacles getting to the saddle.  On the descent into Red Rock Canyon the group will pass the somewhat famous angel carving before finding a ledge near the bottom for a snack break.  The hike stays in a canyon alongside the Calico Hills until it reaches a trail around the south end that returns to the original parking lot.  Meet at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

 

Tuesday, February 25 - Calico Hills Peaks.  Canceled last time it was scheduled due to weather it's time to try it again.  From Red Springs Picnic Area, the group will traverse over to Ash Canyon and continue west to the north chute approach to Red Cap.  After a short stop to admire the view, they will follow the ridge southeast and climb Calico Peak.  There is a 30-foot descent on a cliff wall in this section that has significant exposure.  After the second peak the group will descend to the valley floor in Red Rock and ascend to Guardian Angel Pass for a return to Red Springs.  This is a strenuous 5-mile hike with lots of scrambling and some Class 3 terrain.  Meet at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, February 26 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  This moderately strenuous 5-mile out-and-back hike stages out of Willow Springs Picnic Area and first heads up a half mile section of Rocky Gap Road.  Turning right onto a trail atop an old abandoned road, it passes the cutoff for White Rock Hills Loop followed by a couple of old summer home foundations and arrives at the wildlife pond at the base of a creek.  From there the route turns into a single track trail as it follows the drainage upstream and turns fairly steep as it approaches the old shelter on a ledge looking across the valley toward White Rock Hills Peak.  Assembly will be at Red Rock Casino with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Thursday, February 27 - Fern Canyon.  One of the few places in southern Nevada where it is moist enough for naturally occurring ferns is the North Fork of Pine Creek Canyon, which contributes to the alternate local name.  Starting from the Pine Creek parking lot the regular trail passes the old Wilson homestead and follows the canyon drainage on the north bank.  Gaining a bit of elevation and bending around the corner at the entrance to the canyon, that trail eventually drops into the drainage.  At that point it becomes a boulder scrambling effort with some of the terrain requiring use of hands.  Overall, this out-and-back hike is 4 miles in length and rated moderately strenuous.  Group departure will be at 8:00 AM from Red Rock Casino.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Friday, February 28 - Red Cap from Calico Basin.  A shorter but no less strenuous version of the Tuesday hike is this 3 to 4-mile trek to the top of the red mantle at the north end of the Calico Hills. Starting from the gravel parking lot at the northwest corner of Calico Basin, the group will climb through Ash Canyon, connect with the Rattlesnake Trail, and climb Red Cap from the west side.  They will make the descent on the north side and reconnect with Rattlesnake Trail, heading back down Ash Canyon to the starting point.  The hike is 50% trail and 50% Class 3 scrambling.  Participants will depart from Red Rock Casino at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

January 2014 Hike List

The information directly below is important to determine where our group meets prior to each hike.  Please read the entire section thoroughly before skipping to the actual hike descriptions.

The January schedule basically includes hikes in the Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead areas, but there are a scattering of scheduled events in other parts of the city and southern Nevada.  Of note are three hikes in Valley of Fire State Park about 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas and one hike in Gold Butte which is even farther.  Here are the major assembly points for all locations.

Red Rock Canyon Area.  Due to the postings restricting parking at the Albertsons location, we have moved our main assembly point to the Red Rock Casino on Charleston Boulevard just east of 215.  To access the meeting spot, turn into the casino property at the signalized intersection directly across from Canyon Pointe, turn right at the t-intersection, and immediately turn right into the lot.  We will be parking at the north end of the lot along Charleston Boulevard.  Whenever Red Rock area hikes start from Highway 160, there will be a secondary pickup point for south side participants.  That location is at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160.  Generally, this will be a brief stop which will occur about twenty-five minutes after the departure from Red Rock Casino.

Lake Mead South.  For all hikes on the south side of the lake the general meeting spot will be at the Henderson Fiesta Casino.  At this location, we will be meeting close to the large outdoor sign in front of the property.  Henderson Fiesta is located on Lake Mead Parkway just east of the junction of I-215 and I-515.  Lake Mead Parkway is actually the east bound extension of I-215.  There will also be an earlier assembly point for these hikes at Red Rock Casino, with directions listed above, and there could be local stopping points after the group leaves Henderson Fiesta.  These stopping points will be listed in the appropriate hike descriptions.

Lake Mead North.  For hikes on the north side of the lake, along with those going to Valley of Fire and Gold Butte, the early west side collection point will be on the top level of the parking garage at Rampart Casino rather than at Red Rock Casino.  Rampart Casino is located on Rampart Boulevard just south of Summerlin Parkway.  The garage is located on the northeast side of the casino and is four stories in height.  The best route from Rampart to the general meeting location is Summerlin Parkway to Highway 95 to I-15 north to eastbound Lake Mead Boulevard.  The general assembly point for hikes on the north side of the lake will be in the parking lot behind the CVS Pharmacy located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood.  There will also be a secondary pickup point at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road inside the recreation area for Lake Mead hikes.

Valley of Fire and Gold Butte.  For hikes northeast of Las Vegas, the primary assembly point will be in the parking lot of Lucky Club Casino.  This casino is located on the east side of I-15 at the Cheyenne Avenue exit and on the north side of Cheyenne.  Participants getting there from northbound I-15 will have to cross several traffic lanes just after the exit ramp to make a left turn into the property.  As mentioned above, Rampart Casino will be the early west side assembly points for these hikes.

IMPORTANT NOTE #1 - 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 some of these situations are noted in the hike descriptions, others may occur that are not so noted.

IMPORTANT POINT #2 - When reading the descriptions, you will see references to both Lake Mead Boulevard and Lake Mead Parkway.  These are different streets.  Lake Mead Boulevard is an east-west street on the north side of Las Vegas that runs completely across the city.  Lake Mead Parkway is on the south side of the city and is an east-west street that starts at the junction of I-515 and I-215 and extends over to the lake.  Please do not mix these up.

Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin arriving as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience MUST begin with the 8:30 AM Saturday hikes as these are the only ones that guarantee a fairly leisurely pace.  Strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to qualified experienced hikers.  Be sure to wear appropriate clothing, footwear, and hats and bring sunscreen, water, electrolyte replacement fluids as needed, and food or snacks for each outing.

Questions regarding general information about any of the hikes should be directed to Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or by telephone at (702) 823-2355.  Specific questions regarding hikes should be directed to the listed coordinator.  Refer to the club roster for contact information. 

Wednesday, January 1 - Krafft Mountain.  Begin the new year with a hike in the Calico Basin area.  The route will head along the east side of the Calico Hills and climb to the saddle at the top of Five Stop Hill.  Some of the group may decide to turn around at this point and head back to the vehicles, making the distance of the out-and-back option about 3 miles with a moderate rating.  The rest of the group will scramble over the top of the peak and descend by a different route on the west side that involves minimal exposure and Class 3 terrain.  This option will cover 4 miles with 1,100 feet of elevation gain and a strenuous rating.  Departure will be from Red Rock Casino at 10:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Thursday, January 2 - Virlis Fisher & Bridge Spring Arches.  The starting point for this strenuous 5-mile loop hike is along State Highway 165 on the way to the small community of Nelson south of Boulder City.  Less than one mile of the route is on trail and there is quite a bit of rough terrain to negotiate.  The climb to Virlis Fisher Arch, located on a limestone ridge, is steep and has some exposure.  The difficulty doesn't ease much until the last stretch leaving the sandstone Bridge Spring Arch, a site certainly worth a photograph.  The early west side group will leave from Red Rock Casino at 7:20 AM, with the complete group departing from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, January 3 - Anniversary Narrows.  Visit the site of a fairly large colmanite mine on this moderate 5 or 6-mile partial loop hike on the north side of Lake Mead.  Starting from the gravel pullout at Mile Marker 16 on Northshore Road, the group will follow a gravel road past Ore Car Mine before visiting the processing site for the Anniversary Mine on a ledge above Lovell Wash.  After exploring the general mine area, the group will trek through the slot canyon in the drainage above the mine to the snack break spot, return through the narrows, and follow Lovell Wash back to the starting point.  Early west side group will leave from the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage at 7:20 AM.  The main assembly point is the CVS parking lot on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood with an 8:00 AM departure.  There will also be a pass through at the Mile Marker 4 pullout along Northshore Road to pick up south side participants about 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Judy Warner.

Saturday, January 4 - Black Mountain Overlook.  A well maintained city trail constitutes the route to the top of Black Mountain Overlook Peak on this moderate 6-mile out-and-back hike with 1,100 feet of elevation gain.  From the peak participants will not only get a great view of Boulder Basin in Lake Mead, but the entire city of Las Vegas is laid out to the northwest with the Spring Mountains and snow-covered Mount Charleston providing a great backdrop.  The early west side assembly point is at Red Rock Casino.  That subgroup will leave at 7:20 AM to join the main group at Henderson Fiesta with an 8:00 AM departure for the combined group.  Boulder City residents can head straight to the trailhead parking lot next to St. Jude Children's Ranch, where the hike will start around 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, January 4 - Valley of Fire White Domes & Fire Wave.  A leisurely hike covering 3.5 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain will begin at the end of the scenic road in Valley of Fire State Park.  The route passes the old set location used in the movie "The Professionals" before turning into a wash containing several colorful and beautiful slot canyons.  On the return, the hike follows another wash through the imposing White Domes and loops back to the starting point.  Overall, the rating should be easy to moderate.  An early west side group can assemble on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage, leaving at 8:00 AM.  The main group, including the coordinator, will be in the parking lot of Lucky Club Casino, located on the northeast corner of the junction of I-15 and Cheyenne.  That group departure will be at 8:30 AM and there will be a stop at the Indian Smoke Shop at the I-15 exit about 9:00 AM before heading toward the park.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Sunday, January 5 - Black Velvet Canyon.  The focal destination for this strenuous 9-mile loop hike is one of those deep canyons penetrating the Wilson Cliffs on the west side of Red Rock Canyon and Cottonwood Valley.  Like its northern neighbors, this canyon includes lots of serious boulder scrambling over a relatively short distance.  The trail getting to the canyon is quite level with no appreciable difficulty, but the return trail has a bit more in terms of rolling terrain.  The primary assembling point will be at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  There will be a secondary stop at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 about 8:25 AM to pick up south side participants.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Monday, January 6 - Mountain Spring Peak.  This strenuous 7-mile loop hike begins near the pass on Highway 160 at Mountain Spring Summit and follows a gravel service road to a single track trail that leads to the limestone ridge behind the southern end of the Wilson Cliffs.  Elevation gain on the way to the peak is 1,300 feet, and there will be exceptional views of Las Vegas and the entire area from the top.  The return portion of the hike bushwhacks a ridge back to Rainbow Springs Road, then passes a couple of springs on the way back to the vehicles.  The primary group will leave Red Rock Casino at 8:00 AM and pick up any south side participants at the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 about 8:25 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, January 7 - Frenchman's Mountain.  The imposing double peak on the east side on the valley is the target for the very strenuous Tuesday option this week, which gains nearly 2,000 feet over an out-and-back route that is only 4 miles in total length.  The route for this summit attack is a steep canyon up the northwest side of the mountain that includes quite a bit of Class 3 terrain and some exposure.  One section even uses a steel cable atop a ramped ledge to assist with the climb and the descent.  The narrow ridge at the top provides sensational views of Las Vegas and Lake Mead.  West side departure from Rampart Casino parking garage is at 7:20 AM for the main assembly point at the CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood and an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Tuesday, January 7 - Dale's Trail.  One of the most scenic through trails in Red Rock is this segment of the Escarpment Base Trail connecting Pine Creek and Ice Box Canyon trails.  The southern part of Dale's rolls through a series of ridges and drainages, passing Skull Rock just north of Pine Creek Trail.  The moderate out-and-back hike will originate at the Ice Box trailhead parking area and cover a distance between 5 and 6 miles.  After the Pine Creek Trail is reached, the group will turn toward the canyon and take a snack break near the old Wilson homestead foundation before returning to the vehicles.  Meeting location will be Red Rock Casino with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Wednesday, January 8 - Gorman Little Grand Canyon.  I changed the name of this destination from Siena Little Grand Canyon because it is much closer to the campus of Bishop Gorman High School than the community of Siena.  Like our previous exploration of this canyon, we will hike as far as we can into the canyon, stopping below an impressive seasonal waterfall in a hidden alcove.  Unlike the previous exploration, we will then back track and climb through a notch above the lower section of cliffs and explore the area beyond the waterfall.  Distance will probably be about 5 miles with potentially a moderately strenuous rating.  The assembled group will leave from Red Rock Casino at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, January 9 - CCC & Painted Pinnacles Loop in Valley of Fire.  This newly designed loop hike starts at the Conservation Corps Cabins at Valley of Fire and climbs onto a plateau that leads all the way to the Painted Pinnacles.  From that location the group will take a new route southeast, eventually joining up with the north fork of the sandy Valley of Fire Wash and then heading back toward the starting point.  The hike will cover a total distance of close to 5 miles with an elevation gain of a few hundred feet, but there will be the usual VOF scrambling over and around boulders.  Rating should probably be moderately strenuous.  The early west side group will leave Rampart Casino at 7:15 AM and join the main group at Lucky Club Casino and a 7:45 AM departure.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Friday, January 10 - Moenkopi/Angel Canyon Loop.  This moderate loop hike will start from the fee booth parking lot in Red Rock Canyon, pass the Visitor Center, and continue on to the Moenkopi Trail in a clockwise direction.  After leaving the overlook bench on top of Moenkopi Ridge, the route will head across to Calico I Overlook, take the lower trail past Calico II, and do some minor scrambling up to the carving in Angel Canyon.  The final return will be along the Calico Hills Trail, which should make the total distance close to 5 miles.  Departure from Red Rock Casino will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Friday, January 10 - Black Mountain (Henderson).  The more strenuous option for this Friday will find a group heading up the volcanic rock trail to one of the peaks in the McCullough Range.  With 2,100 feet of elevation gain, this 6-mile out-and-back hike will provide a great workout for those who attempt the climb.  At the top the expansive view stretches all the way to Searchlight to the south and Mount Charleston to the north.  A west side group will also depart from Red Rock Casino at 8:00 AM to join the main group at the Walgreens located at the intersection of Anthem Parkway and Hampton Road for an 8:45 AM start.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Saturday, January 11 - Railroad Pass Mountain Loop.  A moderate hike of 5 miles with 900 feet of elevation gain, this trek begins at Railroad Pass Casino, climbs for a short distance on the mountain behind the hotel, then begins a loop around the mountain.  The trail rambles past the top of Cascata Golf Course and its waterfall and provides lots of scenic views of the Boulder City area.  The early west side group will leave Red Rock Casino at 7:20 AM and join the main group at Henderson Fiesta.  The combined group will then depart at 8:00 AM.  Boulder City residents should plan on being at the Railroad Pass Casino by 8:10 AM to take part.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Saturday, January 11 - Bluff Trail.  An easy to moderate ramble is the best description for this relatively short 2-mile out-and-back hike on the west side of Lake Mead.  Starting from the campground accessed from Lakeshore Road, the trail follows the Las Vegas Wash upstream from its entrance into the lake, staying on a ridge above the stream on the south bank.  Even though the terrain is not particularly high there are great views, including one of Las Vegas itself.  Limited parking at the trailhead makes maximum carpooling essential.  Anyone gathering at Red Rock Casino should leave for Fiesta Henderson by 7:50 AM.  The group assembled at Fiesta Henderson will leave there at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Nienaber.

Sunday, January 12 - Gold Butte Petroglyph Hike.  Join our coordinators for a moderately strenuous ramble of 7.5 miles with less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain that passes a significant aggregation of petroglyphs.  The drive to Gold Butte is around ninety minutes each way and includes about two miles of high clearance road.  After passing several sets of sandstone hills containing small groupings of petroglyphs, the route turns past Khota Circus, which is the largest petroglyph panel in Clark County.  On the return there is some scrambling in a fun slot crack.  Early west side participants can meet at Rampart Casino.  They should leave there at 7:30 AM and head for Lucky Club Casino, where the main group will gather.  Departure time there will be 8:00 AM.  Bring high clearance vehicles if you have them.  Coordinators - John & Kay Blackwell.

Monday, January 13 - Boneshaker & Skull Canyon.  This moderate 6-mile loop hike starts with a fairly steep climb up the tough ridge trail known as Boneshaker in the first mile of the hike.  From the top of the first ridge onward there are expansive views of Red Rock Canyon and Cottonwood Valley, with the new Las Vegas Overlook waiting at the highest point, some 1,500 feet above the start.  Descent will be through dramatic Skull Canyon.  Departure time from Red Rock Casino will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, January 14 - Anniversary Narrows, Peak & Bowl of Fire Loop.  After the usual walk through the narrows, the group will continue up the wash, turning right on a side ridge that climbs to the narrow ridge that Anniversary Peak sits atop.  There is a little exposure in the peak area but most people will handle it without any problem.  On the descent the group will head east into Bowl of Fire, then follow Calville Wash back to the vehicles.  Total distance is 9 miles with 2,300 feet of elevation gain and a strenuous rating.  The early west side group will leave from Rampart Casino at 7:20 AM, the combined group will leave from CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard & Hollywood at 8:00 AM, and there will be a quick stop at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Road at 8:15 AM to pick up any south side participants.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Tuesday, January 14 - Potato Knoll.  The alternate hike this Tuesday is a moderate 5-mile partial loop hike that is generally level but includes a short and steep climb up to the top of the 500-foot hill sitting in the shadow of Wilson Peak.  The snack break will occur on the sandstone outcroppings at the south end of the top, which will afford nice views of the Red Rock Canyon and Cottonwood Valley areas.  Also, the system of trails used crosses Oak Creek on four occasions, but we might need some good precipitation if there is any chance to see flowing water.  Departure time from Red Rock Casino will be 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Thursday, January 16 - Bootleg Ridge.  Beginning at the zip line north of Boulder City, the route follows the Mother Loop Trail to the apex of a saddle, then turns sharply right to gain the ridge above.  The ridge trail will take the group over several small peaks before turning left for the descent, and finishes on sections of West Leg Trail and Girl Scout Trail returning to the vehicles.  Rating for this hike is strenuous as it covers a total distance of 7 miles and gains 1,800 feet of elevation.  Departure times are 7:20 AM from Red Rock Casino for the west side group, followed by 8:00 AM from the general meeting location at Henderson Fiesta.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Friday, January 17 - Juniper Peak.  This very strenuous hike will start from the Oak Creek trailhead inside the Red Rock scenic drive accessed by the gravel road near Mile Marker 12.  There is desert trail, bushwhacking, bouldering, Class 3 scrambling with a rabbit hole and some exposure, and a breathtaking view from the peak.  Total distance is about 8 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain and the outing should take seven to eight hours.  Departure from Red Rock Casino will be early at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Friday, January 17 - Oak Creek/Knoll/Arnight Loop.  The more laid back hike for this Friday will begin at the gravel parking lot where the Red Rock scenic drive exits back onto Highway 159.  The first of the official trails incorporated into the route will be the Oak Creek Trail from the gravel lot off the scenic drive at Mile Marker 12.  Before getting to Oak Creek Canyon, the group will turn right on Knoll Trail, then turn right again on the Arnight Trail back to the gravel lot.  Total distance will be between 5 and 6 miles.  Although the terrain rolls somewhat, there is probably only a couple hundred feet of elevation gain, so the rating is moderate.  The group will assemble at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, January 18 - Liberty Bell Arch.  One of the most popular moderate hikes in the Lake Mead area is this 5 or 6-mile hike that follows an out-and-back route from the new parking area along Highway 93.  The group will begin by following a wash into the top portion of White Rock Canyon and turn right through a series of interconnected washes on a recently established trail that intersects the old trail going past the arch.  The remains of a manganese mine provide a historical reference to the area and the arch itself is a geologic wonder.  The snack break will occur at the turn around point on a broad ledge 700 feet above the Colorado River.  The west side group will leave Red Rock Casino at 7:20 AM for the main assembly point at Henderson Fiesta, from which the entire group will depart at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Saturday, January 18 - Lakeshore Trail.  The leisurely hike this Saturday will be an easy to moderate outing of about 3 miles round trip that will follow a trail at the Las Vegas Marina boat ramp and head along the shore of Lake Mead to the Hole 33 parking area and back.  This section of the lake sees a lot of fishing action, both by boat and from the shore, and it is also frequented by a variety of waterfowl.  The west side group can carpool from Red Rock Casino at 7:50 AM.  The main gathering point will be at Henderson Fiesta where the coordinator will be stationed prior to the hike.  The full group will leave for the hike at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Nienaber.

Sunday, January 19 - Terrace Canyon.  Perhaps the most spectacular hike in all of Red Rock is this very strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike that gains close to 1,600 feet of elevation.  Other than the opening part of the hike across the desert along the Pine Creek Trail, the rest of the hike consists of nearly five miles of boulder scrambling in the canyons of the south fork of Pine Creek to reach the dramatic terraces at the top end.  The boulders that must be climbed over are sometimes in the 15-foot range and participants should definitely be in shape.  The group will depart at 8:00 AM from the assembly point at Red Rock Casino.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, January 20 - White Rock/Sandstone Loop.  The Martin Luther Holiday will actually provide members with a couple of options.  The first one is a trail hike, except for some moderate downhill scrambling in a narrow wash, that starts from Sandstone Quarry, gaining 1,700 feet in the process.  Rated moderately strenuous, the loop route covers a total distance of 7 miles and climbs beyond the Keystone Thrust area, getting fairly close to La Madre Mountain.  The downhill portion of the hike provides exceptional views of Turtlehead and the Calico Hills.  Red Rock Casino will be the gathering point with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Monday, January 20 - Fern Canyon.  The second option this Monday is considered more of a scrambling hike even though the majority of the route is covered on trail.  A moderately strenuous out-and-back hike of 5 miles will take the participants into the North Fork of Pine Creek, one of the few places in the Las Vegas area where ferns grow naturally.  Although probably less than one mile of the distance, there will be bushwhacking and boulder scrambling, with the boulders generally in the size range from four to ten feet.  The snack break will occur near a trickling waterfall above a pond.  This group will also meet at Red Rock Casino with a departure time of 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Tuesday, January 21 - Gold Strike Hot Springs.  The out-and-back hike to what is often referred to as the Nevada Hot Springs is located in the vicinity of the former Hacienda Casino and Hotel along Highway 93.  It is rated moderately strenuous and has an elevation change of 1,000 feet on the descent down to the river, which must be climbed on the way back.  Much of the route is classified as scrambling with most of that on the canyon floor.  There are several areas that drop over boulders with fixed ropes in place to make the descent and the climb out.  The west side group should leave from Red Rock Casino at 7:20 AM and meet the coordinator along with other participants at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - John Blackwell.

Wednesday, January 22 - Lone Grapevine Spring.  This moderate partial loop hike of 5 miles is mostly on multi-use trails in Cottonwood Valley that were originally developed by mountain bikers.  The elevation gain of a few hundred feet occurs on the return leg of the hike.  The drainage below the springs is a historic site involving scores of petroglyphs found on boulders lying on the ground that probably span at least 1,000 years.  This will be a joint outing with Lone Mountain Hiking Club, which will assemble at Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin for an 8:00 AM departure.  The ABF coordinator will be at that site.  Around the Bend Friends participants should leave Red Rock Casino at 8:05 AM and meet the LMHC contingent at the gravel parking lot where the Red Rock scenic drive exits back onto the highway.  There will be an additional stop at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 to pick up any south side participants at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, January 23 - Fortification Hill.  A dark black mound on the southern shore of Lake Mead near the dam, Fortification Hill shows evidence of having a volcanic crater as well as being a drift pile from eruptions to its south.  In any event, the top of the mountain is the goal for this strenuous 4-mile out-and-back hike that gains about 1,200 feet.  Hands are required in a few places when the route climbs through the cliffs surrounding the top plateau and there is some very steep trail climbing to that point for which hiking sticks are quite helpful.  High clearance vehicles are essential for the gravel road in from the highway.  Hikers leaving from Red Rock Casino should do so by 7:20 AM and the full group will leave from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, January 24 - Hoover Dam & Bridge.  Eliminating the hike through the tunnels reduces the total distance of this easy to moderate partial loop hike to about 4 miles.  Instead of Alan Bible Visitor Center, it will begin from the Lake Mead Observation Point sitting directly on top Tunnel #5.  From that lot, participants will drop onto the regular trail and follow the newly opened section of trail that passes the Boneyard on the way to the dam.  On the return, the group will cross the new bridge overlooking the dam before returning to the starting point.  West side participants will depart from Red Rock Casino at 7:20 AM and the entire group will leave from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM, arriving at the starting point of the hike about 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Judy Warner.

Saturday, January 25 - Signature Rock Loop.  This moderate to strenuous hike is about 9 miles in length over generally moderate terrain with a few steep areas.  Starting from Mile Marker 18 on Northshore Road, it proceeds into Pinto Valley, visits Signature Rock, and returns through an interesting wash near the Chocolate Hills.  West side participants should meet at Rampart Casino for a 7:20 AM departure and join the main group at CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood.  That combined group will leave at 8:00 AM and join the coordinators and any other south side participants at the Mile Marker 4 pullout along Northshore Road about 8:15 AM before heading to the starting point of the hike.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Saturday, January 25 - Anniversary Mine.  For the leisurely hike this Saturday the group will be doing the short version of the hike past the recently reopened Anniversary Mine in the foothills of the Muddy Mountains.  To get to the starting point, vehicles will have to travel about a mile along a gravel road and park near Ore Car Mine, an agate mining area on a plateau south of the Muddy Mountains.  High clearance vehicles are not required for this road.  The hike itself will be a moderate 4-mile out-and-back effort that enters the wash and proceeds into the slot canyon known as Anniversary Narrows.  West side group should leave from Rampart Casino at 7:50 AM, join the main group at CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for an 8:30 AM departure, and pick up any remaining south side participants at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road about 8:45 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Nienaber.

Sunday, January 26 - River Mountains Trail - Part 1.  It's back by popular demand!  Well, at least two people have expressed an interest in slogging the 34 miles around the River Mountains over three successive Sundays.  In Part 1 the group will be doing the uphill portion starting at the lower parking lot at the Alan Bible Visitor Center, passing features such as St. Jude Children's Home, the base of the Boulder City zip line, and the back side of the Veterans Home on the way to the finish at Railroad Pass Casino.  This point-to-point paved stretch is about 10 miles long, gains something over 1,000 feet, and is rated moderately strenuous (only because of the distance).  For this segment, the early west side group will meet at Red Rock Casino for a 7:00 AM departure and drive to Railroad Pass Casino on Highway 93, where the main group will gather and take some of the vehicles down to the starting point at 7:45 AM.  This eliminates Henderson Fiesta as an additional assembly point.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Sunday, January 26 - Strip Tourist Walk - Part 2.  The outing this Sunday will be different from the one scheduled on December 29, but you can still pretend that you are a visitor to our fair city on this 4 hour walk from Flamingo to Desert Inn and back.  This outing will start in daylight and finish under the neon lights.  Highlights will be viewing the new Project Linq mall and the observation wheel currently under construction.  It will be easy Class 1 terrain consisting of sidewalks, stairs, and escalators, with the only exposure coming from adult advertising.  More details will be provided by separate e-mail after the Part 1 outing.  Departure from Rampart Casino will be at 3:00 PM with the meeting location on the strip yet to be determined.  The tentative time for the start of the walk is at 3:30 PM.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Monday, January 27 - Cottonwood Spring Loop.  This generally moderate hike is 4 to 5 miles in length but includes some uphill grades and a little scrambling.  The route heads up to Cottonwood Spring from the starting point at Mile Marker 18 along Northshore Road and turns right into the wash toward Hamblin Mountain.  Instead of continuing toward Hamblin, it turns left into the colorful wash going back to Cottonwood Spring that includes portions of the old Arrowhead Highway route.  West side participants should leave Rampart Casino at 7:20 AM, meet the main group at CVS Pharmacy on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure, then join the coordinators and any other south side participants at the Mile Marker 4 pullout along Northshore Road about 8:15 AM before heading to the starting point of the hike.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Tuesday, January 28 - Turtlehead Peak.  For a change the pace will slow from the usual hectic Tuesday efforts to accommodate more participants.  The strenuous 5-mile out-and-back hike begins at Sandstone Quarry, passes through some colorful sandstone formations near a broad drainage, then continues up a steep trail to the saddle behind the peak.  Once at the saddle, a trail on the back side of the mountain leads to the top.  Overall, the elevation gain is at 1,900 feet.  Hiking sticks are recommended due to the steep and loose conditions of the trail and long pants provide some protection against the brush.  The assembled group will depart from Red Rock Casino at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Wednesday, January 29 - Extended Mouse's Tank Loop in Valley of Fire.  It's been a couple of seasons since the club has done this loop hike, so it's time to resurrect it.  The hike can either be done as a 4-mile or a 5.5-mile loop and has gross elevation gain of 500 feet in either case, so the rating should probably be categorized as moderate.  Starting at the Mouse's Tank parking lot the group will head north to start, turn east over some red sandstone, and enter Fire Canyon Wash.  At 1.5 miles into the hike the group will have to decide which of the above distances to cover.  The return leg of the hike comes back past Mouse's Tank.  This will be a joint outing with Lone Mountain Hiking Club, so that contingent should leave Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin at 7:10 AM, west side Around the Bend Friends participants should leave Rampart Casino at 7:15 AM, and both groups will head for the general meeting location at Lucky Club Casino.  Departure of the combined groups will be at 7:45 AM.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Thursday, January 30 - Arizona Hot Springs.  This will be a moderately strenuous loop hike from the new parking lot along Highway 93 to the edge of the Colorado River and back up through the hot pools at the springs.  The descent will be through gravel filled White Rock Canyon, which leads directly to the river.  The group will then follow the river downstream for a short distance and use the next canyon for the climb out.  After a break next to the river, the group will follow that canyon upstream, climb a 20-foot ladder bolted to the rock wall, and wade through the hot pools.  Hiking shoes will need to be removed and you can either wear water shoes or pass through the pools barefooted.  In either case, bring a towel to dry off.  The early west side group will leave Red Rock Casino at 7:20 AM.  Departure from the general assembly point at Henderson Fiesta will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - John Blackwell.

Friday, January 31 - Calico Tanks Extended.  Finishing off the month of January is a moderately strenuous hike from Sandstone Quarry that heads toward the Ash Canyon Overlook.  After getting through the sandstone area the group will turn left in the direction of Turtlehead, then turn left again and follow a slot canyon back toward the Calico Tanks area.  There is one 5 or 6-foot dry waterfall to negotiate in the slot, which leads back to Calico Tanks Trail and a return to the vehicles.  Total distance is probably in the range of 4 to 5 miles.  Meet the other participants at Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.