Lee Canyon Narrows - 10/1/11

Today was another special day for the Around the Bend Friends. It was the first time that we explored the narrows found adjacent to the Lee Canyon Highway and in the Champion Canyon wash. Twenty-one hikers began hiking down Champion Canyon Road from a small dirt parking lot on Deer Creek Highway around a quarter mile from Lee Canyon Highway on the left.

We hiked down the dirt road passing several primitive campsites then turned right into the wash at the bottom of the long hill. Not far from this junction, we arrived at the antiquities' location. We found two very old cars, an extremely large rotted tire, and many rusted cans of all sizes. (We also found several non-rusted cans originating from a teenage variety.) We had a lot of fun marveling at the old stuff then continued down the wash.

We came upon the narrows at the top end where we looked down a drop of about twenty feet. There were two branches set into the crack making a descent possible but we opted to hike the trail above that follows parallel to the narrows. The trail brought us down to the bottom end of the rock crevice and we enjoyed a walk up between sixty to seventy foot walls. Inside the walls, we saw a large rock shelf big enough for someone to sleep in comfortably. We had to hike under the large obstacle rock in the center to arrive at the bottom of the crevice that had the two branches. Two of us opted to scramble up the crevice. It was a fun challenge. The other hikers returned the way they came.

We returned back up the wash or on the nice trail lying parallel, converging in the wash a short time later. At the road, we crossed over to the wash on the other side and continued. This is a pleasant wash with a little slope and a few dropped trees. Eventually, we arrived at the junction of Deer Creek and Lee Canyon Highways. Turning left, we found our cars a little ways up the road. The morning gave us five miles of hiking, 700 feet of elevation loss and gain, and cool air (not interrupted with sprinkles). The consensus is that this is a hike well worth repeating in the coming years.

White Rock Hills Loop - 9/29/11

Everybody loves a good hot hike ... right? Well, thirteen members of the Around the Bend Friends tested that hypothesis today on the White Rock Hills Loop in the Red Rock Canyon NCA. We began at the Willow Springs Picnic Area and began our hike in a counter- clockwise direction passing by the hand print pictographs and the ancient agave roasting pit nearby. We hoped that we would get to the Keystone Thrust area before it got terribly hot.

At around a mile and a half, one hiker decided to turn back. Yep, it was going to be a scorcher! Never- theless, the rest of us marched onward. After reaching the Keystone Thrust area and passing a second agave roasting pit, the hike continued climbing and, at the high point, we had ascended 1000 elevation feet without any descent at all. The sun had risen fairly high and our brains were cooking! Everyone chose their snack break location carefully. Some hikers sought out the paltry shade provided by small trees along the trail and some boldly climbed down to the rock slabs where a cool breeze was blowing through.

After the break, we quickly hiked over the high point of the morning and began our descent on the back side of the White Rock Hills in the La Madre Wilderness. Temperatures were a bit cooler on this side. The foliage was different and there was much more shade. Although only around a mile separates this side of the hills from the first side, the difference in climate of the two sides makes for a completely different type of terrain.

We made our descent quickly with no water breaks. Some of us caught some water from our bottles "on the fly." Finally, we passed a third agave roasting pit when the hike had connected with Rocky Gap Road. It was just so hot that everyone wanted to get back to the cars and the almighty AC! What on earth did we ever do without air conditioning? Anyway, it was nice to hike even if it was hot but we are still not so sure that everyone loves a hot hike!

Fletcher Peak - 9/22/11

Fourteen members of the Around the Bend Friends who were not on the Lake Tahoe Excursion, climbed to the top of Fletcher Peak today. The hike began at the North Loop Trailhead parking area on Deer Creek Highway. Three hikers took off very quickly, eight hikers climbed steadily and the three remaining hikers got off to a slow start. Nevertheless, except for the three racers, all the hikers met up at the North Loop meadow before continuing.

After conquering the following switch- backs, the hikers again re-gathered at the trail junction of the North Loop and Fletcher Peak trails which lies only about a quarter mile before Raintree. It was an absolutely gorgeous day. The sky was blue with white and gray puffy clouds. The old bristlecones were showing off their Thursday best. We turned left onto the Fletcher Peak trail and began a small descent to a saddle.

Travelling now on a small somewhat faint trail, we went up, down, up, down and a final up to the peak. This part of the hike tested a few wills. It was steep and beautiful with limestone, bristlecones and a panoramic view that was "awesome!" We arrived at the peak by ones and twos. The three faster hikers were still there enjoying the views from the peak as seen in the collage below.

The much sought after sign in book was no where to be found. Several hikers over the summer looked high and low for it. It was decided that a new book would be brought up next Tuesday when the peak would be climbed again from another direction. I hope that this will suffice as a substitute for signing the book today: Steve, Mark, Jerry, John, Karen, Mary, Ann, Gaylyn, Kay, George, Lloyd, Don, Hawk, and Karl arrived on Fletcher Peak on September 22, 2011. It was an awesome climb on a beautiful day and we all feel better for the effort!

The hike down to the cars was long but fast. Thanks, Steve, a great coordinator in the making!

No Name / Bristlecone Loop CCW - 9/19/11

Today's hike of the No Name Trail was attended by nineteen hikers, one of whom was having a birthday! We don't often do this hike in a counter- clockwise fashion, however, that's what we did today and it seemed somewhat easier than the usual way. The weather was perfect and the aspens were beginning to change their color.

Yep! Tom was the birthday boy! So, at the high point of our hike, when we were all eating our snack, Edwina unpacked, not one, but two single layer birthday cakes complete with candles! (No matches, though.) We were all served a piece of the delicious cakes and after the party, we hiked through the old bristlecones and returned to the cars. Happy Birthday, Tom!

Ash Canyon Overlook Loop - 9/16/11

Twenty- five club members experienced the return to Red Rock Canyon NCA today by taking a hike around the Calico Hills to the Ash Canyon Overlook. It was great to be back at our fall / spring stomping ground. The weather was a little hot still but there was a very pleasant cool breeze that kept us comfortable.

We parked at the Sandstone Quarry parking lot and headed up the Calico Tanks Trail. Turning to the left at the Red Cap wash, we continued around the wash and scrambled up and over to the old Gateway Canyon trail. We reached the overlook and sat for a break while taking in the view in the first photo.

Wanting to make the hike a loop, we decided to take the old Gateway Canyon trail all the way back to the Turtlehead Trail. This part of the hike lead all of us up and down and up and down through various washes until we arrived at an enclosed sandstone "arena." Here, we explored one pretty slot canyon which ended with a twenty foot dry waterfall that could not be negotiated.

We returned back to the trail and junctioned with the Turtlehead Trail taking this trail back to the Calico Tanks Trail and on to the parking lot. At only 3 miles, this hike is very pleasant with many beautiful views of the calico sandstone all around. Ahhh! It's nice to be back at Red Rock!