Rise over Run Loop - 10/20/25

Happy Halloween! 

Sign for Rise over Run Trail

Just Rita and DJ in front of Summerlin Peak

Kay and Amora having a Tête-`a-tête

Buckskin Cliff Shadows Hike, Bike and Equestrian Park is an excellent section of Red Rock Canyon NCA to go and do your thing. The trails are fun and plentiful. And, the best part is that the park is just outside the 215. Go west on Cheyenne where it becomes Cliff Shadows Pkwy and turn left into the park where there is a white fence. Right now, there is construction right there and I have no idea what they are doing. Three Wanderers and their two dogs parked near the restrooms and headed over to the trail that circles around Cheyenne Peak. This trail is called the Toque Trail and is popular among dog walkers and joggers as well as hikers. Not too many bikes right here. We turned onto the Toque Trail to the left and circled around the base of Cheyenne. Staying high, we found a trail that turns to the left (~0.9 mi) leading down to the wash below. This trail junction is not very obvious. I know the bikes have a name for it but essentially, it leads down to a grouping of trails I call the Black Friday Trails. After crossing the wash, we turned back to the right and followed the trails around and up to the first small peak on the left. There are a couple of turns and forks and, suffice it to say, I usually have to bushwhack somewhere! 

Sunrise on Summerlin Peak

Red Cactus barrels facing South

Climbing up to small Peak (Hidden Canyon in background)

Rita, Susan and DJ

Our target was to get up on that first small peak without having to bushwhack too much! It is possible. But, on this hike, it didn't happen. Anyway, we eventually made it up to the peak. Trail or no trail. Finding the trail up there, we circled around to the right and came to the Bighorn Spur junction. This trail circled around the neighboring peak in a clockwise direction high above the wash below that emanates from Hidden Canyon. (We saw that trail below near the wash on the other side.) Bighorn Spur hangs on the side of the small mountain and has challenging sections for bicycles. At reaching the end right above Hidden Canyon, a trail turned up to the right. 

Unusual cliff Band (Bighorn Spur above)

Bighorn Spur (Hidden Canyon beyond)

Rise over Run Trail (Mt. Golden Eagle and Gass Peak beyond)

Rise over Run with Summerlin Peak to Right

There are small signs here. One indicates the Bighorn Spur Trail and the other marks the turn up to the right as Rise over Run (see second photo). Using a long switchback, Rise over Run makes its way up above a different wash then back to the same side of the peak as  Bighorn Spur but it is much higher here. Again, the trail is challenging for bikes but I have seen brave bicyclists using it a few times. We followed along this side of the peak for about a quarter mile until we reached the overlook, a good break area. Turning around to see uphill, we saw an addition to the scenery! (See first photo. Apropos for this time of year.) Also, there is a new trail that zigzags up to the top of a peak that I call the Bighorn Hangout. Although, I think they were not around on this hike, I have seen bighorns at the top of this craggy peak before. Bighorns have been scarce this year.

Rise over Run Trail

Rise over Run Trail

Overlook Approach (Bighorn Hangout & Bone Sculpture to Right)

Susan prepares to continue after break at Overlook

We took our break at the overlook with a nice view then proceeded along the trail that immediately started down to the left. There are a few very steep and slippery hills during the descent so you may want to find a way around the given trail. We did once or twice and ended up on the trail that continues around to the right. We saw the "Land Bridge" and hiked to it using as many trails as we could find! The Land Bridge took us over to the Toque Trail at a point later than where we had left it earlier. So, we turned to the right and circled back around Cheyenne Peak to the trailhead. This is a very clean way to finish the loop although there are several other ways that can be taken.

Rise over Run continues into the "Valley" with steep Hills

Turn onto Toque Trail

Toque Trail as DJ watches Rita

Toque Trail below Summerlin Peak to Right

It was a beautiful day. The weather was optimal. We saw a few other hikers and dogs but no bikers or horses. Amora and DJ were both very good dawgs. They are becoming quite good hikers.

Stats: 5 miles; 875' gain; 4.25 hours

Amora pauses for another photo Stop

Las Vegas Skyline

DJ roams free near the Trailhead (He is disappointed that the hike is over.)