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| Hidden Canyon |
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| Las Vegas Strip from Trail |
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| Summerlin Peak (L) |
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| Starting Out |
The Red Rock Canyon NCA boundaries stretch north to south all along the eastern side of the Spring Mountains. The eastern boundary of the conservation area is irregular in formation and one of the "bulges" of the boundary includes land that reaches out to an equestrian park off of Cheyenne near 215. This park is called Buckskin Cliff Shadows Equestrian Park. This is where nine hikers arrived for a 6 mile desert hike this morning. We parked at the restrooms in the park then began our hike by skirting the drainage basin on the right (north) side and heading up the trail.
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| Trail toward base of Summerlin Peak |
Since the last time we hiked this area, bikers have added signs to the bike trails. Our first trail was the Toque Trail.
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| Wash Crossing below Summerlin Peak |
This trail continued straight crossing the gravel wash below us and heading straight to the base of Summerlin Peak.
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| Eagle Peak Ridge in Distance |
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| Livable Cave |
A housing development is in full swing to the south of the bulging boundary of RRCNCA. They will be nice houses with extraordinary views of the area through which we were hiking. Our trail junctioned with another called Bighorn Spur Trail. We stayed on this trail for much of the hike. First, this trail took us up to cross the deep wash below Summerlin Peak. We passed a large cave that appeared to still be lived in but no one was home. Then, we curved around to the left and began a long trailed traverse on the side of the mountain. This stretch of trail has several places where the limestone slants underfoot. Good hiking boots do the trick.
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| Distant View from Cave |
Also along this part of the hike, there were several small seabed fossils in the limestone. They were very much akin to the fossils found in the beds below Yucca Peak of the Desert NWR.
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| Small Seabed Fossils along Trail |
After dipping into the gravel wash for fifty feet, we returned to the higher trail and reached the canyon in front of us.
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| Limestone Slant on Trail |
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| Short Dip into Wash |
Although this canyon is not Hidden Canyon proper, there is a canyon hidden around the corner to the left after bouldering up the wash about 100 feet. Hidden Canyon is used for rock climbing sometimes. We crossed the wash and began climbing long switchbacks. The trail here hangs off the side of the hill precariously. We knew that it only got worse so we bushwhacked at an easy spot up to the next switchback. From there, we passed the old Volkswagen Beetle wreck that has been used for multiple target practice sessions. Our trail kept climbing and we stopped for our break at the first corner rocky peak. It was a great view!
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| Crossing Wash at Hidden Canyon |
After the break, we continued on the Bighorn Spur Trail as it traveled in and out the ravines and over small ridges.
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| Climbing Switchbacks |
The first place that a vague trail turns down to the right, we dropped to the next trail. Here, we turned to the left and continued on that trail winding in and out.
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| Volkswagen Wreck |
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| Snack Peak |
The views and terrain were beautiful and the day was fabulous! We were heading toward a land bridge that crossed over to the trail on the side of Eagle Peak. So, when we swung out for a curve very near this bridge, we left the trail and bushwhacked over to the top of the bridge. The trails have been improved by use and bikers have even added a couple of trails. Therefore, as we crossed the land bridge, we could clearly see our target trail on the other side; something we had had a difficult time with in the two previous hikes here. We reached the trail on the other side and turned right. This trail, according to the sign, was named No Dab. ... So, we dabbed anyway.
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| Housing Development from Snack Peak |
As mentioned, the trails have improved. The No Dab Trail was no exception. Previously, this trail was very rocky and had places that were likely difficult for bikers to negotiate.
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| Following Bighorn Spur Trail |
Now, the trail was biker/hiker ready! We followed the trail easily in our descent.
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| Crossing Land Bridge |
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| No Dab Trail |
Finally, we reached the corner where there is another cave high above. This cave used to house someone but, in the last year, it caved in. Now, there is no one but there are a lot of cairns built there at the entrance. We came to a vague trail on the right that has not been used by bikers and descended to the trail we came in on. Turning to the left, we headed back to the trailhead. This was a beautiful hike in an area that we don't visit often. But, on a holiday like today (Happy Veteran's Day!), it was a good choice to avoid the crowds at the Scenic Loop area.
6 miles (with trail cutting); 1000 feet elevation gain; 3.25 hours
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| Dropping down from No Dab to Toque Trails |
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| Trail View |
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| Small Rocky Drop |
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