Gray Cap - 11/8/11

In the cold early hours of this morning, fifteen hikers gathered at Sandstone Quarry of the Red Rock Canyon NCA to take a hike. The hike du jour was Gray Cap Peak; a six mile hike with 1900 feet gross elevation gain and some of the most beautiful views in the park. We began hiking out the Calico Tanks Trail and turned left into a rocky wash. From here, we made our way up to the high point of the base of Red Cap Peak. It was a drop down into Gateway Canyon after this.

We turned left in Gateway Canyon and began climbing up the limestone. There are several fun dry waterfalls (one is seen to the left) and many rocks to climb and balance on. Turtlehead Peak looms above for much of this part of the canyon. We were all shedding layers of clothing about midway through our climb. It wasn't so cold after a bit of physical exertion.

Turning one more corner, the red and yellow sandstone at the end of the canyon came into view like color TV arriving after so much black and white. (Yes. We remember this.) A few more waterfalls and we were there at the base of the sandstone. "Where now?" you ask. "Well. See that tree at the top of the sandstone wall in front of you?" the coordinator replies. "We'll wait for everyone there. Go have some fun!"

So, up, we scrambled! Huffing and puffing. Looking for the "easiest route" and realizing that there really isn't an "easiest route." We needed one or two personal breaks as we ascended to the next level. Then, finally together at the top, we crossed over to a very large deep tinaja. Bone dry! (Wasn't there rain at Red Rock just the other day?) Anyway, we balanced across the adjacent sandstone fin and began rounding the peak up to our right.

Our group had become separated and the first segment was already making the final climb when the second segment finished rounding the smaller peak. Picking our way up through the treacherous loose rocks, we passed the "picnic table," picked through more rocks, then found a faint trail as we passed onto the limestone layer. Eventually, all of us made it to the top where we sat for a much deserved break.

From Gray Cap Peak, views of the Las Vegas Strip, the Red Rock escarpment, Red Cap Peak, Turtlehead Peak, Calico Hills, Calico Basin and Brownstone Canyon are all around. Yeah. This is why we hike.

After our break, Mike O'C. lead us down the sandstone using variations on the theme. At the peak where we rounded before, most of the group took off to the left on a route that would take them to the saddle above the top of Gateway Canyon. Three hikers chose to return the way they came. Gathering at Gateway Canyon, the group sped down the wash and back up around Red Cap. Another variation on the theme occurred when we exited through the small slot canyon as we neared the Calico Tanks Trail. Even though the morning seemed to go by rapidly, Gray Cap turned out to be a four hour hike ... again.

John S. reported as follows: Four maverick trekkers decided to go it alone for Grey Cap Peak from Calico Basin. Their leader- j*S took the scenic SW route that skirted boulder hopping to reach a colorful plateau half way up. From here it was but an easy side-ridge up-climb to the Peak. Their time- 1 and half hours. After a brief snack break, j*S led them on a gentle-down NW route that again avoided any difficulties. Thus, by noon, all four mavericks were back at the car; now faced with the drudgery of afternoon home chores.

Blue Diamond Canyons #2 & #3 - 11/5/11

One of the best short scramble hikes around is the Blue Diamond Canyons #2 & #3. At under 3.5 miles with an elevation gain and loss of 900 feet, this scramble offers numerous dry waterfalls of different heights both on the ascent and on the descent. The parking for this hike is located across Highway 159 from the little town of Blue Diamond, Nevada in front of a small utility out- building. Usually we have to crawl through the fence to begin the hike but, today, seventeen hikers were welcomed with an open gate.

We dropped into Canyon #2 located to the right of the small building and began climbing up through the wash until we found the first of many dry waterfalls. This was just a small one and we scampered up. The next waterfall was a bit more challenging as seen to the right. We were aided with a pile of rocks at the base and a rope at the top ... and, sometimes, a boost on the rump!

We continued up the canyon facing waterfalls of varying degrees and, on the way, we met a few interesting canyon residents. In the photo above, we see pictured some of the many red barrel cacti, a large pin cusion cactus growing in a rock, an unfortunate burro's hoof and results of the many "velcro plants" that seemed to grow right where we needed to put our hands. "Velcro plant!" was a cry we heard here and there as a warning not to touch. The plant is impossible to remove from clothing until you are able to dry it out with a hair or clothes dryer. Your efforts will be futile until then.

It snowed in the upper elevations of the Spring Mountains yesterday. Mt. Potosi (seen to the right) and the Rainbow and La Madre Wildernesses had been lightly dusted with white powder. As we began our descent into Canyon #3, we had this gorgeous view.

Canyon #3 begins fairly innocuously. The waterfalls were small and there are many side trails to ease the descent on the rocks. However, about mid- way down, we hit two large waterfalls; the second one is around twelve feet in height. This waterfall requires use of a rope if you choose to go down on the right side. The left side is possible to negotiate with a high degree of concentration. Oh yeah, and there IS a trail that passes the whole area up to the right. However, the fun was there at the rope. We decided that slippery grips provided a fun way for husbands and wives to "have a moment" as the wives slipped into their husband's waiting arms ... "Oops!"

After this, the canyon dropped quickly through a series of falls and slides. The brush is thicker near the bottom and a side trail to the left provides quicker dispatching to the crossover from Canyon #3 to Canyon #2.

As this entry was being written, a photo was sent to the writer from John S. He found a fossil during his wanderings in the Blue Diamond Canyons, today, that appeared as if it was ancient wheat frozen into the rock. We see fossilized sea life quite often on our hikes but fossilized wheat is worth mentioning!

Before we left Canyon #3, we had a close encounter with the burro kind. A light colored female and a black male burro, were foraging in the canyon when the seventeen of us appeared around the corner. They just stood there and watched us until we ventured slowly a little too close for comfort and they nonchalantly strolled up the hill away from us. As we left in our cars, we saw that the rest of the burros were grazing near the highway a couple of hundred feet away. One of the youngest burros stood innocently in the middle of the road.

Windy Peak - 11/3/11

Today's hike found ten hikers climbing up to Windy Peak, the second peak from the southern portion of the Red Rock Canyon NCA escarpment. The parking area for this hike is found to the right off of Highway 160 just before the driver makes it to the top of the mountain pass at Mountain Spring, Nevada. We exited the cars and began our hike up a dirt road that changes into a trail after passing a radio relay tower.

After only 1.6 miles, we had climbed 1000 feet to the high point ridge of the hike. The trail, then began a descent of 300 feet where the limestone gave way to yellow sandstone. Another climb of 150 feet brought us to the summit of Windy Peak where views of the Las Vegas Strip, Calico Hills, limestone / sandstone line, and Mt. Potosi were within sight. Below us, we could see the hills behind Blue Diamond which history tells us began as a rock slide down from the evolving escarpment.

The group of ten hikers spread out during the climb and it was interesting to interpret the trail rather than follow behind someone else that was interpreting the trail. The morning was cold but the exercise warmed us quickly as the hike progressed at a rapid rate. When we reached the sandstone, the worst of the exposure had to be negotiated and, from then on, the hike was somewhat of a small scramble.

Our fearless coordinator, John S. offers a few poetic words about the hike below.

This day (Nov. 3) began with a cool bright sun that promised of more warmth to come; just wanting to be enjoyed in the midst of wildernesses unbounded senses. "Just NeatO!", said the awakening Queen-for-a-day Kay from her dream-Prince Charming's last kiss. So She summoned her hiking knights: Chris and Don and Doyle and Ed and Hawk and Mark and Paul and Steve and finally Snail as the leader- for a jolly good little trek to the not- so- far away high peak called 'Windy'.

'Windy' you say?!
Nay- not true for but a gentle breeze did disturb these 10 trekkers into the pleasant and easy trail that led to their morning quest's destination.

Some did lead to scout while others followed to guard the pilgrimage of this small retinue.

Was but one minor obstacle-
a boulder crack, that marred their way to the final high expansive views.
Being of solid footing and armored with proper foot gear, the 10 went up without a fear of the bottom lurking devilish plunge.

At the summit stood a Heimdall- like guard- an ugly but photogenic tree limbed Orc; but- all too eager to maintain his pose forever for those admiring photo shooters.

After but a brief top rest for liquids, snacks and views, the group descended, mentally refreshed to continue their day into other chosen civil-tasks. And thus, a five mile r/t excursion did occur in the morning time that most people take to complete their stuffy brunch.

Windy Peak in the Red Rocks

As we retreated back to the cars (some down the road and others down the ridge), we bravely faced the fact that we would be re- entering reality! No more queens with hiking scepters, no more knights in shining footwear ... and, thankfully, no more cracks (plumbers or otherwise).

Elevation chart for out and back route up the road beside the radio relay tower.

Elevation chart for partial loop route.

North Peak (Sandstone) - Halloween Hike - 11-01-11

The 2011 Halloween Hike to the North Peak (Sandstone) located in the Rainbow Wilderness of Red Rock Canyon NCA was a great success albeit the scheduled one day late. Larry wrote up the events of the hike and sent a few photos. Mike chimed in with a photo, too. It looks like they all had fun and quite a workout as well. Here's what Larry had to say as follows:

On a beautiful 1st of November day, with plenty of sunshine, high-50s tempera- tures, and calm wind, fourteen ABF hikers ventured from Willow Spring to North Peak (Sandstone) on the 5th (or 6th?) annual Halloween Hike (a day late but with no shortage of enthusiasm). The group elected to hike up the wash that parallels Rocky Gap Road, rather than taking the road itself. At the junction of the wash and the traditional trail up the limestone ridge to Dragon Rock, seven hikers continued up the wash where they scrambled up the boulders and sandstone slabs to the top of the ridge.

The remaining seven took the traditional route up the trail along the limestone ridge and across the sandstone slabs. All met again at the Peak, with the ridge route contingent about five minutes ahead of the scramblers. At the peak, several Halloween stalwarts donned their costumes and shared tricks and treats.

The group enjoyed looking at “summit photos” from prior Halloween hikes and posed for this year’s Halloween 2011 edition featured herein. Above is the 2006 photo of the ABF Halloween Hike.

This is the 2007 hike photo.

Here is the 2008 hike photo.

There doesn't seem to be a 2009 photo but here is the 2010 Halloween Hike photo.

And, finally, here is the ABF Halloween Hike photo for 2011. After lunch, the whole group returned to Willow Spring via the ridge trail and Rocky Gap Road. Thanks for the write up and photos, Larry and Mike.