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| Up Hidden Canyon Wash |
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| Hidden Canyon |
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| Eagle Mountain from Loop Trail |
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| Summerlin Peak |
So! There is a large system of bike trails in the Summerlin Peak area of Red Rock Canyon NCA out of the two Cliff Shadows parks! The trails are old and very clear. Today, thirteen club members mapped out a very nice route starting at the Buckskin Cliff Shadows Park which included a trip deep into Hidden Canyon where a rock climbers' slot turns up into the mountainside. It was a beautiful day for the lower elevations of 3000 to 3500 feet. The temps were in the high 60's and a cool breeze continued to blow past.
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| Descending to Wash |
We left out of the right (NE) side of the park and climbed up to the Eagle Ridge Loop Trail to turn to our left. As we circled around the end of the mountain ridge, we were very high above the wash to our left.
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| Approaching Base of Summerlin Peak |
An interesting rocky short climb gave us a short thrill of exposure then we junctioned at a trail crossing. We continued straight. This took us down to cross the wide wash with the benefit of a trail. Up to our left was a swath of land that had been razed for a housing development.
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| Crossing Top of Deep Wash |
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| Cave Mansion |
As we crossed the wash, we were being watched by a cave dweller high up in the Eagle Ridge. He had a nice view of the Las Vegas Strip. Our trail led us up and up as we headed into a small canyon inlet at the base of Summerlin Peak. We climbed along a deep wash then crossed the top of it. As we dropped down the other side of the deep wash, we passed by a very large cave. Inside the cave, we saw a tent and rocks for sitting. There was a person in the tent but we didn't bother him. At any rate, the person's cave was also in the high rent district. Very nice.
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| Trail Along Base of Summerlin Ridge |
Out of the inlet, we continued along the base of the ridge above. We noted the routes that we usually use to climb Summerlin Peak and wondered if our trail might improve its hike.
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| One of a Few Interesting Parts of the Trail |
We passed the very steep down slope that we had used a few years ago to descend the ridge above then our trail passed over a couple of limestone slabs. We wondered if the slabs were difficult for bikers to negotiate.
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| Mojave Yucca Fruit |
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| Crossing the Top of Another Big Wash |
Our trail passed through another large wash and a few more slabs then it dropped down to the wash below. A limestone wall stood in front of us to prevent the trail from continuing on the same contour. When we reached the wash, there was a lone biker patiently waiting for us to get out of his way. There was no way that we could all fit on the trail anyway! The trail climbed up the gravel wash for about 50 feet then headed back up the side of the mountain.
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| Saddle from Whence we came Once Upon a Time |
Now, we could see Hidden Canyon in the distance. There were several rugged sections of trail here so, our concentration was needed.
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| Rugged Dirt Biker waiting for Us |
At the apex of the trail in the canyon, we saw another person sitting on a rock. By the time we reached the rock, the person was gone. We never saw him again.
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| Another Rugged Section |
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| First Good View of Hidden Canyon Junction |
As we approached the narrows, we noted a large nest built on a tiny ledge in a limestone wall. (See photo below.) At the time, we could not tell what kind of nest it was but, later, we saw a red-tailed hawk flying around as he hunted. Perhaps it was his nest. Just past what would be a good scramble up the wash, we saw the deep crevice of the Hidden Canyon slot turning to the left. It was far enough away that we did not want to go and investigate. The limestone wash below us was smooth and beautiful.
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| Another Rugged Climb |
We thought about taking our break here but decided to go on up a little further. Across the canyon, we could see the long switchbacks of the trail that would take us up the other side of the canyon.
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| View Up Hidden Canyon Wash from Crossover |
So, we climbed the switchbacks then came upon an old shot up Volkswagen Beetle sitting upside down next to the trail.
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| Possibly a Red-Tailed Hawk Nest |
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| Long Switchbacks out of Hidden Canyon |
A little more climbing and we could feel a nice breeze. Here, we took our break with a view of Hidden Canyon on one side and the Las Vegas Strip in the far distance on the other side. Afterwards, we climbed more as we contoured in and out the small canyons coming off of the mountainside. A small overlook knob was the turnaround point for the trail and we headed back up a rocky ridge. This ridge was the high point for the hike today.
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| Passing a Lost VW Beetle |
The rocky ridge had steep drops on either side of it and also held our last view of Hidden Canyon.
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| Climbing Up to the Hike High Point |
As we looked behind us, we saw an interesting peak above Hidden Canyon. We never figured out its name. At any rate, its elevation is 4341'.
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| Trails |
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| Distant View of Las Vegas Strip |
The trail switchbacked a couple more times in this area then we came to a trail junction. If you continue straight here, you climb to the highest section of these bike trails. Wanting to work our way over to the other side of the canyon to our right, we turned right to descend a steep-sloped trail. This brought us to another trail below where we turned left. Again, we began the ins and outs of the little mountain canyons.
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| Hike High Point Ridge |
The group was patient with the extra mileage. The trail was still the easier way to go most of the time.
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| Steepish Descent |
Finally, we reached the area above a terrain bridge that led over to the other side of the canyon. We bushwhacked down missing several curly Q's of trail.
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| Circling Around to the Bridge |
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| Crossing the Bridge |
After crossing the bridge and climbing up to intersect the Eagle Ridge Loop Trail, we turned to the right. This section of trail, between here and the junction below the cave dweller, was rugged and curvy. It was a good ending to a nice hike. By the time we reached the junction to complete the loop we had made, we were ready for the return to the cars. This was a great new route that we deemed another "keeper." (In an effort to keep names consistent, please send word to us if you know the proper name for the Hidden Canyon wash or the Peak 4341.)
7 miles; 1150 feet elevation gain; 3.25 hours
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| Hiking Down the Rugged Eagle Ridge Loop Trail |
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| Cheyenne Peak from Junction at end of Eagle Ridge |
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| Circling Around to the Trailhead |
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