Frenchman Mountain (Mountaineers' Route) - 12/10/24

Bonanza Road from Frenchman Mountain

Starting up the Mountaineers Route

Cheryl, Theresa, and Brian

Climbing the Frenchman with Las Vegas and the Spring Mountains Behind

Following a few Arrows

Seven hikers met at the east end of Bonanza on a cold and windy Tuesday. We parked across the street from the east Mormon Temple of which our route was named. Unfortunately, there are two routes up the west side of Frenchman Mountain which start here so there was a little confusion of which route we were going to take. One route follows a trail up a ridge line. But the hike we were going on follows a road to a steep gully with lots of scrambling including several spots of class 3 scrambling. We started up a trail and then a road. The road led into our gully. There is a branch in the gully a short distance from the end of the road. We turned left and followed a trail for a short distance. The trail peters out and we started scrambling up the limestone gully. Most of the scrambling was on solid limestone slabs that have been polished smooth by many years of water flowing down. About two thirds of the way up we reached our first obstacle which was a short almost vertical chute of about ten feet. There were plenty of handholds and foot holds and we got all the hikers up without any issues. Right at the top of the chute we transitioned to a V shaped slot that is very steep but not vertical. It looks intimidating but there are plenty of holds and natural protection. At the top of the V slot we continued up to another obstacle. This one was a little easier and it was just a steep spot in the limestone slab gully.

Narrowing Down

Shimmy, Shimmy, Shimmy

Up

Interesting

Nearing the Top

After this we arrived at the ledge which we had to traverse to emerge from the gully.  The ledge is very wide at about 4 feet most of the way.  There is a spot where it narrows but it’s not that scary or difficult.  We emerged from the gully and hiked up the slope to the access road.  We followed the road to the summit but stopped short of the actual summit since there was tons of communication gear at the top and our group was reluctant to step in front of some high powered microwave transceivers.  We had our snack break, took a group shot and proceeded back the way we came.  There was no issues at the two obstacles and we got back to the cars in just under five hours.  One of our hikers commented on the uncanny accuracy of the time estimates made by the coordinators. ~J&C

Stats: 3.5 miles, 2300 ft, 4 hours 50 minutes.

Summit Photo

Down

Down that interesting Part

And, down some more!

Cottonwood Overlook - 12/12/24

View from Carabiner Route of SR 160 and the Spring Mountains

Meditation Point from Cottonwood Overlook

Landmark Sign 

Straight up from the Get-Go

There were seven of us on the Cottonwood Overlook Trail that begins from the junction of SR 160 and Potosi Mountain Road. Three of us had done the hike before a few times but the remaining four were newbies. We headed over to the hill to the east and started up on a trail that rock climbers use to gain access to some of the cliff walls that faced the west on the north end of the small Potosi Mountain range. Potosi Mountain is famous for being on the receiving end of a TWA airplane crash that Carole Lombard and a load of service men were on. I have one blog about this crash site from years ago and it is the most popular entry on this site. People, I guess, are still looking for her diamond ring!

Trail zigzags through cliff Bands

Climbing the Carabiner Trail

A climbers' Shortcut

View out of the Shadows

The climbers' trail presented tight zigzags all the way up the very steep hill with several small scrambles that sometimes included large steps. There are many times that the trail came to a fork. It is necessary to decide which fork looked like a trail to a climbing wall and which trail went through to the top. Luckily, I have a GPS track and between the three of us that had done the trail before, we made no mistakes. (But, we DID have to consult each other and the track several times!) There is one section, in particular, that is not well worn. The more worn choice is a climbing wall trail. The less worn trail climbs through debris to the left to find a trail that soon leads to the landmark sign as seen in the third photo. If you get there the way we do, you will come in behind this sign that is placed on a switchback point of the Highline Trail. Highline is a good trail that the Boy Scouts used that began from their camp located on up the canyon. We took our required group photo with the sign, sans me, and continued up by following the switchback trail that led up the hill. A little further up the trail, we came to another switchback with a sign that read Fortress Trail. This is the Cottonwood Overlook Trail spur.

Old Juniper next to the Trail

A changing Sky

Second of three Signs

Rock-lined path on top of Cottonwood Overlook

I am assuming that the "Fortress" is what the Boy Scouts called the plateau where we were headed. It was obviously a gathering area where there was an old fire ring (now dismantled), views out the wazoo, and plenty of places to wander. As in the olden days, it would be a good fortress to fend off enemies that you would be able to see for miles around, if attacked! As soon as we reached the plateau, the predicted wind hit us hard. We didn't stay long and turned around to find a place out of the wind where we could sit and still enjoy the view. After a break, we returned down to that first landmark sign and turned left, downhill, on the proceeding switchback. On the good Boy Scout Trail, we moved along quickly while enjoying the landscape. Most of the time, we were out of the wind on the way down but knowing the weather was dissipating, we chose not to waste the precious good weather in between. From the time we began the hike to the time we ended it, the sky changed from clear to windy to cloudy to uh-oh! (See the photo at the end of the entry!) The descent ridge that runs from our contour to the graded dirt road below, can be seen from a distance. 

Last climb up to Plateau

Windy Peak (L), Hollow Rock Peak (R) and Las Vegas Strip

View back to Potosi Mountain Road from Summit

Dropping down off Summit

When we reached the top of the ridge, it wasn't obvious that this is where we turn right. But, due to previous hikes, I knew the trees weren't going to open up and invite us in until just past the top of the ridge. Turning anywhere you find a pathway is acceptable. If you go too far, your view of the pond, below left, will become too close for comfort! Regardless of how you get there, in this mess of trees, you will find a clear cut powerline road with a powerline right over your head. Follow the wide road/trail/powerline down the ridge all the way until you can step over a damaged barbed wire fence and onto the Potosi Mountain Road. The end of the hike is a simple walk down the road and back to the cars. This road can become dusty if a car comes by so have your buffs ready!

Trail returning to large Sign

Trail heading up the canyon in the cliff Bands

Spring Mountains with a still changing Sky

Nearing the descent Ridge

As you walk down the road, you will notice No Trespassing signs on the sides. The road runs through private property that is on the west side of the road and these signs must be obeyed. Mind your manners and stay where you belong! No off-roading with ATVs. And, do not hike up through the old Boy Scout Camp where the trail ends up. Keep this hike viable by responsible hikers. Really fun day just before the snow came in!

Stats: 5 miles; 1250' gain; 3.25 hours

Pond next to the descent Ridge

Descent ridge with powerline Road

Well-graded Potosi Mountain Road

I was coming home from the hike and saw this. I had to take a picture!

Cave Canyon / Echo Canyon - 12/9/24

Cave Canyon Entrance

Echo Canyon

Waiting above the 3rd Class Pour-over

Sun rises through Cave Canyon on the Approach

Climb up to the wash Trail

There were thirteen strong hikers on this 5.5 mile trip up and down the North Blue Diamond Hill. It was the coldest morning of the year so far and we got out of our cars at the Cowboy Trails Trailhead at the last minute to sign the sheet and get moving. (Our blood is generally not very thick here in Las Vegas!) But, that just means that when we started our hike, we were all moving quickly to warm up. The horses had a day off so there were none standing around to be saddled up. We hiked up past the upper hitching post and dropped into the mouth of the Cave and Echo Canyons just beyond. The trail up to the beginning of Cave Canyon warmed us up. No one had a problem keeping up!

Climb up to the Cave Canyon Trail

Dealing with the pour-over sans ladder like Pros

Mike shows newbies the large Cave

Zigzagging through the Cave Canyon Trail

So the ladder is gone! We had to resort to the 3rd class climb as we had done it many times before with only our strength, spotters and several instructions by onlookers. Most of us didn't need too much help but it certainly was nice to have it! The next point of interest was a short visit to the main cave entrance. There were only three takers to this side trip as everyone else was already familiar with the cave. From there, it was scramble after scramble in the form of class 2. Again, no problems. At the fork near the top of the canyon, we decided to veer to the left just adding a little more interest making the hike 0.75 mile longer than the right fork would have been. We climbed up the last 3rd class pour-over and finished the trail up the canyon.

The trail continues.

Navigating the brush in the Left Fork

Deborah above the last Pour-over.

High Point on Detour

When the canyon trail was about to intersect the SARS Trail, we started a bushwhack up the side of the hill on the right. There is a vague trail on top of this ridge and a nice gradual slope on the other side to descend down to the Cave Canyon right fork / SARS Trail junction. Connecting with the SARS Trail, we continued over to the top of Echo Canyon passing Second Finger and First Finger before reaching the Echo Canyon Trail junction. There is a picnic area built out of rock at this junction where we took our short break. Next, our route started down the Echo Canyon / Fossil Ridge Trail. Reaching the junction of the wash, we left the trail and started down the wash. Here, it helps to know a little about the Echo Canyon Trail ascent.

Sloping down to the SARS Trail and Right Fork Junction

The SARS Trail

Zigging down into Echo Canyon

Scrambling in Echo Canyon

The descent scramble in Echo Canyon is not always obvious but if you know the scrambles from the other direction, you have an idea how to get down in our direction. One thing about scrambling and leading hikes, you are constantly thinking about your next move ... be it the next step or the next route. (That's what keeps me, and a lot of other hikers, coming back! ... Brain activity!) So, we made it down Echo Canyon with its finale being the large Shell Fossil Drop and its following steep slides. The trail led us past the bouldered completion of the canyon. Passing the hitching post again, there were still no horses milling about. Ours was a workout, to be sure. Could have done without the left fork detour but we all survived to hike another day maybe a little bit stronger! Great group of hikers!

Stats: 5.6 miles; 1200' gain; 4 hours

More Scrambling

Big drop near bottom of Echo Canyon

Connecting with the Echo Canyon approach Trail

Exiting Echo Canyon

Green line shows alternate detour of this hike adding 0.75 miles