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| Cholla Forest to Wilson Peak in Arizona |
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| "Bacon" Rock Vein in 7 Falls Canyon |
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| Lake Mead & Fortification Hill from Return Trail |
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| Entering the Canyons |
One of Las Vegas' favorite Lake Mead NRA hikes is a figure 8 loop that visits Cholla Forest, a large grouping of Teddy Bear Chollas. The hike is popular because of the fun dry falls that have to be climbed to get there when ascending through 7 Falls Canyon. Then, the fun doesn't end! After the cholla visit, the descent includes many fun dry falls as well. The hike can be considered a scrambling hike since there are so many challenging obstacles. Nineteen hikers showed up today! We started from the Water Tower Trailhead, located at the end of a road that leaves Lakeshore Road one mile from the Boulder City Lake Mead NRA fee booth station. The dirt road turns to the left away from the lake. We were about to enter the River Mountains; a chain of residual eroded peaks from an ancient volcano.
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| First & Second Dry Falls |
We parked in the large lot at the water tank then dropped down into the wash to hike up the canyon that flows out past the construction area. (Don't bother the equipment there!)
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| 7 Falls Canyon |
After entering the narrow canyon, we took the first turn to the right. The first dry fall climb is almost immediate. Following this, the second dry fall is very soon. The second one offers a rabbit hole.
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| Climbing the Difficult Third Dry Fall |
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| Scrambling up Wash |
These first two dry falls travel through a very large vein of rock that is so colorful that it appears like uncooked bacon! Upward, as the scrambling ensued! There are several small step-ups like seen in the photo to the right, then the third major dry fall stared us in the face. This climb is definitely third class since you have to use both hands and feet to gain the top. Many of us climbed the wall on the right side and cliff-walked our way to the left and over the hump. Two of our rock climbers made it straight up the wall on the left side. (See the photos above.) Then there were about 6 or 7 hikers that took an extended up and around on the right side of the canyon. The larger group of hikers met them not too far up the wash.
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| A Go Around |
The next three dry falls came in quick succession. The first one was pretty easy but the other two made many of us go up and around to the right.
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| Dry Fall after Junction |
After turning left at a 4-way junction, there was one more fairly major dry fall and then we were "out of the woods" so to speak, ... for the time being.
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| Tame Terrain after Junction Right Turn |
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| Reaching the Saddle |
We followed a trail in this wash that took us all the way up to a saddle. When we turned around, we had a distant view of a small part of Lake Mead. (See photo to the left.) Next, we followed a trail down the other side that led us into a very wide wash with powerline poles strung through the middle of it. Our route crossed the wide wash and veered to the right then took a sharp turn left into a canyon. Not too far up this canyon is the forest of teddy bear chollas. We took our break taking in the view of those prickly opuntias. Make no mistake! They
will grab onto you if you brush past them with your skin or any part of your clothing that might be warm. They have their
waze of surviving and proliferating!
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| Crossing Powerline Wash |
After a decent break, we had just a little more climbing to do. Ugh! Up the little canyon to a saddle, we went. (We passed by another canyon to the left that also has a smaller cholla forest within.)
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| Arriving at Cholla Forest |
Up and over the saddle, we turned to the right to begin our descent. This canyon wiggled a little then required a large precarious scramble down. Fun, fun, fun!
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| Cholla Forest |
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| Snack Break at Cholla Forest |
This canyon widened into a large wash that joined the Powerline Wash. We passed the place where we had originally entered the wide wash and continued down another quarter of a mile. Rounding a sloping ridge, we turned up to our left at a large red rock outcrop. Two climbs from here, we turned to the right and connected with a trail. This trail rounded a couple more corners then we found ourselves above the unassuming upper portions of Bacon Canyon. A gentle drop down a descending ridge put us in the wash below and we began our final long descent.
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| Big Dry Fall at Beginning of Descent |
As we dealt with the dry falls and scrambles down, we were constantly deciding which way to tackle the rocks. Some dry falls required particular routes and others provided a couple of choices.
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| Red Rock Outcrop marking the Left Turn on Descent out of Powerline Wash |
The group had stayed together for the ascent and most of the descent but now, the straight shot to the cars was difficult for a few hikers to resist! Regardless, everyone got their safe workout!
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| A Break with a View |
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| Following the Game/Hiker Trail |
Nearing the bottom of Bacon Canyon, we entered the "Bacon" vein of colorful rock. There are several step downs in this part of the canyon. Almost every step down here, can be more easily accomplished by dropping on the left side. At the bottom of the step downs, the 7 Falls Canyon turned off to the left. This is where we began our scrambling. So, from here, we hiked back down the approach wash and returned to the cars. Cholla Forest is a hike that never disappoints! Great fun and great hikers!
6.5 miles; 1300 feet elevation gain; 4 hours
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| Scrambling in Bacon Canyon |
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| Tricky Dry Fall - Sit and Scoot to Right |
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| Dropping through "Bacon" Vein |
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