Summerlin & Bighorn Peaks - 11/13/11

On this Super Duper Sunday, eight of the Around the Bend Friends set off for an epic hike up to Summerlin and Bighorn Peaks from the parking lot found off of Cheyenne Avenue just west of CC-215. These two peaks are seen prominently from almost anywhere on the west side of town, basically from Summerlin. While the picture to the left is a view of the peaks from Summerlin, the photo above is of Bighorn Peak from the ridge approach.

We began our 2400 foot elevation climb from a gravel road that leads to the base of the mountain. The steepness began very quickly as we picked our way up a limestone ridge filled with scrub brush and red barrel cacti. We tried to climb from limestone slab to limestone slab. This rock was very sharp and our hiking boots stuck to it very well eliminating any unplanned falls on the steep terrain. Summerlin Peak was our first target and for most of the first climb, it loomed unreachable on the other side of a steep- walled canyon.

This first climb claimed the first victim. Although indigestion sounds rather innocuous, try climbing 2000 feet in 1.5 miles when you have been so affected. This normally competent hiker retreated back to the cars and then there were seven. Up, up, up we went. Finally, we reached a small rest which the writer called Kay's Peak out of appreciation of the small outcropping. A little more up and we began a traverse around the top of that canyon that lay between the "up" ridge and the summit.

Views of the city were amazing even though the weather was dreary. We decided that it was a decent sacrifice, though, since we were very comfortable temperature- wise. Very little wind with highs in the 50's. Our traverse brought us to the final ridge up to Summerlin Peak. We climbed up and enjoyed a long break on top. Summit photos were taken.

The views around us included all of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon NCA, little Red Rock, the Sheep Mountains, the Spring Mountains and the "piece de resistance" Bighorn Peak and its approaching ridge. There it was calling to us and, until then, it was not on the itinerary. Yep! Now it was. How could you resist?

So, after our break, we began a dip down to the approach saddle and made our way up around 300 feet in elevation to reach the opposite ridge. When we got to the top, we quickly realized that we would not be going over the ridge to the other side ... at least, not if we could help it! Yes, it was straight down about 200 feet. Needless to say, we continued our climb along the ridge just slightly away from the top of the knife edge for most of the way.

We summitted on an intermediate peak that we dubbed Don's Peak. We had two Don's on this hike and this was where one of them decided to begin his descent. So, now, we had six hikers left. Onward to the next and final peak. This portion of the hike was perhaps the most interesting as we were obliged to walk along the knife edge for part of the way. Again, sticky shoes and good balance made the going safe.

On top of Bighorn Peak, we signed a third log book having to provide our own paper. The tablets inside the metal box were completely and thoroughly wet. Not sure how that happened. From here, we could see Mt. Charleston, covered with snow, along with Mummy Mountain. We began our descent by traversing back over to the ridge that Don went down. At the bottom of this ridge, we reached the point at which the "up" trail and "down" trail met. However, we decided to take a slightly less steep ridge to descend ... SLIGHTLY.

This ridge had lighter colored rock that was not as slabby as the route we came up. However, we made it down to a saddle ... slowly but surely. We took a water break as we pondered the route for the rest of the descent. A steep wash lead down to the bottom, but, was that a cliff near the end? Don't know until you try! So down we went. About half way down, we began seeing cairns that someone had built. With a bit of relief, we followed the cairns down the wash and, eventually, the wash became a slight trail. The photo below, the writer calls her "Happy Photo!" This photo was taken when we reached the bottom of that extremely steep descent. Back to the cars and the epic hike had come to an end.

John S. a wrote blog- worthy poem about the day as follows: (He also suggests to read it with the music from "There is a House in New Orleans" in mind.)

There is a mountain in Las Vegas
They call it 'Summerlin Peak'
And it's been wanted to be climbed
By many, I know I'm one.

My daypack is complete
With water and some nuts.
My boots are roughly soled
The better for steep rock.

Now, the only thing a hiker needs
Is a GPS and a walking stick
And the only time that he's satisfied
Is when he's on the top.

Oh, Nature, tell your children
To do what I have done;
Spend your days on high trails and aching muscles
Heading for the risin' sun.

Well, I've got one foot on a rock
the other reaching steeply up,
I'm goin' up to Summerlin
To conquer that peak and view.

Well, there is a mountain in Las Vegas
They call it Summerlin Peak
And it's now been attained by a group;
And me, I'm one of the seven.

J*S

Grapevine Spring - 11/12/11

In spite of our valiant efforts to reduce group size by offering two separate hikes on Saturdays, our hikers, today, numbered forty strong. A large contingent came from the southern part of the Las Vegas area and Henderson. We converged on the Late Night parking lot located off of Highway 160 in the Cottonwood Valley area of Red Rock Canyon NCA. Normally, this area is used mainly by bicyclists. Today, the two wheelers stared at us in awe ... or, maybe that was shock. Shock and awe, ... yeah, that was it.

We headed out of the asphalt parking lot on a trail that led up not far from the highway. There were two miles of hiking through the desert with views that became more and more gorgeous as the morning wore on. The clouds that had hung around for a couple of days were finally beginning to dissipate. The blue sky was slowly returning and we had a front row view. We hiked almost straight over to the mouth of the canyon lying between Hollow Rock Peak and Windy Peak.

Arriving at the base of Windy Peak, we found a fenced in spring. This area is like a large rock garden as there are many large dark colored boulders among the many healthy red barrels, and chollas. There were also many red barrels that had collapsed; evidence of the area getting more rain than it normally did. The red barrels that were still hanging in there were extremely plump with water.

Okay ... so, if there was so much rain that the cacti were dying, why was the water trough that is fed by the second spring in the area completely dry? Our hiking club has never seen this animal water source when it wasn't overflowing with water. What gives? Was there a break in the hose that feeds the trough from the spring above? This spring is difficult to get near as it is also fenced in.

Above, there are three petroglyph collages from the area of the second spring. The first two were arranged last spring. The third was arranged today with a few petroglyphs found off the beaten path. Also note the rock with the smooth concave indentation. Could this have been used by the ancient natives of the area? Anyway, we all sat for a few minutes to take a break.

While most of the hikers enjoyed just being there, several of the hikers wandered around on the hillside looking for petroglyphs. After the break, we returned to the cars on a slightly different route. The hike was five miles with minimal elevation gain.

Mt. Wilson ... From the Back - 11/9/11

Entry sent in by John S.

We were to do Wilson on Sunday Nov. 6; but this day the dark clouds decided to bathe the mtns with a slightly white storm. So today, Wed. Nov 9 was the perfect sun-shiny day to recapture our lost trek.

Since we had already done Wilson from the front via First Creek, the intention now was to re-attain the summit from the back- via Lovell Canyon Rd. The one person (Paul) who had done this gave us the GPS approach coordinates and warned us it was going to be tough.

' Let-it-Be'!
(at least it was doable :-)

Of the initial tough party of four, two just decided to brave this trek- Steve & j*S. After finding the dirt road that led to the possible trek-head (note - no established or semi trails here), we followed washed out drainages, heading in the general direction for the ridge that hid Wilson.

At the ridge, we saw Wilson beckoning far away beyond a steep cliff drop-off.

There was but one way to get to this charm- drop steeply down for hundred(s) feet and then traverse the steep hillside and then steeply climb up another hundred(s) feet to another ridge which would then easily lead us to the summit.

But--- steep cliffs on all-sides could possibly dead-end our way! Did we hesitate? Nah - what is untried is always none-doable.

So down we steeply plunged looking for non-cliff traverses to the other high ridge. Somewhat tricky at some tricky places. At last we arrived at the highest Queen of the RedRocks in less than 3 hours.

A brief snack and then on back. But now being experienced (not wiser)!, our way out was- follow ridge, steep down, a nicer higher traverse, steep up and finally follow a better gully to the car, ----> quite tough but do-ably easier.

We will repeat this 7 mile hike for those 'toughies' who missed our adventure in the next earth's flower-time awakening. To me, it's easier than going up the boulder hopping strewn First Creek approach.

Mountain Spring Peak Loop - 11/10/11

Climbing, once again, up past the radio relay tower above Mountain Spring, Nevada, sixteen hikers set out for a loop hike that passes over Mountain Spring Peak. This peak is a high point within the limestone portion of the Red Rock Canyon NCA escarpment. It lies between the escarpment and the small community below with the same name.

We reached the trail junction ridge breathing hard. That first mile is quite a climb. After this, we hiked along the most beautiful section of the morning on the edge of the escarpment. Below us was the panoramic view in the second photo of Black Velvet Peak and the Las Vegas Strip beyond. Mountain Spring Peak arrived suddenly and we all wrote in the log book which is kept inside a metal box nearby. Writing in the log book is perhaps a small reward for climbing this far on any peak but the best rewards are in the expansive views attained.

After a small break on the peak, we continued in the same direction along the escarpment passing residual patches of snow here and there. There were several tracks in the snow which we presumed to be those of a mountain lion. The track was circular with a diameter of around 3 inches and there were no claw marks at the end of the toes. At any rate, this large animal walked along the trail for much of the way.

At a dip in the elevation, there lies a cliff side, limestone projection large enough to seat at least ten people. Here is where we sat to eat our snacks with our feet dangling over the edge. The views had changed from Black Velvet Peak to Monument Peak but the Strip was still there in the distance.

To the left side of this out- cropping, there is a small limestone window and Jim B. was quick to note that we could see the Stratosphere Tower through the hole. At his suggestion, the first photo of this entry was born!

Leaving the cliff, we soon turned to our left and began our descent on a long gradual ridge. The ridge eventually gave way to a wash and the line of hikers that had "centipeded" down from the edge of the escarpment, junctioned with a dirt road that leads through the Rainbow Wilderness and, eventually, to Lovell Canyon Road. We turned to the left; the direction of Mountain Spring and our cars.

We followed along the dirt road for over a mile. The powers that be had erected a blockade on the road as we neared the town. (Tracks were seen ... yep ... going around the blockade.) Turning left on a small side trail, we quickly explored a small cave with a hole in the back. After this little excursion, we returned to the road and passed the spring area above the town.

Skirting the town, we passed agave roasting pits made by the native Americans who lived here long ago. One of the pits is quite pristine as seen in the photo to the right. Our trail led us behind a farm with chickens and horses and three ferocious dogs. (Okay, two wiener dogs and a large mutt.) Anyway, 4.5 hours after we began this 7 mile hike, we arrived back at the cars.