Red Cap via Ash Canyon Loop - 12/8/13

Gray Cap Peak from Red Cap Minor

New Peak & LV Strip from Red Cap

Hiking Around the Eastern Base of the Calico Hills

 The temperatures began below freezing but the wind had moved out and left vibrant colors all over the Red Rock Canyon NCA. Eleven hikers arrived for a Super Sunday Scramble which was sure to warm us up. We parked at the Red Springs Picnic Area parking lot and started hiking north around the base of the Calico Hills. We dipped down into Ash Meadows and began our climb up Ash Canyon using the beloved route on the left side which consists of mostly sandstone slab.

Climbing Ash Canyon

Climbing Ash Canyon

Mike and Steve Climbing Ash Canyon's Trail

 After peaking on the white sandstone "hump," we continued our climb via trail up to the top of the canyon. With Turtlehead Peak rising against the very blue sky, the colors amazed all of us. At this point, Mike (the coordinator du jour) made the decision to climb Red Cap Minor from here instead of the planned ascent on the north side to Red Cap Major. Due to a small amount of snow that fell yesterday, he surmised that there was a possibility that the north crack could hold ice. To eliminate any lurking dangers, we began a spritely climb up the northeast side of the white sandstone.

Top of Ash Canyon

Climbing Northeast Side of Red Cap

Doyle and Tad Climbing the Northeast Side

 When we got to the crack level, Mike decided to take the first crack that headed straight up to Red Cap. Two hikers bowed out and headed up the regular route in the second crack to the Wall Tank area. When those two hikers reached the tank, they could see the rest of the group scaling a fun looking wall across the way. Continuing up to Red Cap, the two hikers reached the red sandstone in time to see the rest of the group solving a routing problem by scaling up red sandstone to the north. Eventually, all eleven hikers summited the small peak and took their break.

New Route Up East Side of Red Cap

Observing New Route from Old Route at Wall Tank

Solving a Routing Problem

The next part of the route took us over familiar territory from Red Cap to Calico Peak by way of the Sundial Tank, the Diane Dempsey Descent, and a lot of white sandstone. As we made the traverse, we noted many small spots of snow in cracks and crevices. Many of the tinajas we saw today were frozen solid. When we threw rocks on the icy surfaces, the rocks just slid across without making a bit of a splash.

All on Top of Red Cap Minor

Descent Off of Red Cap

Turtlehead Peak and Sundial Tank

 We descended off of Calico Peak through the walled descent crack and continued down down down to the red meadow below. There is a trail to follow for this section of the hike.

NOTE: The air temperature was so cold that the writer's camera began losing battery at Red Cap's summit. At Calico Peak's summit, the camera was becoming very stubborn and began refusing to take photos. Therefore, due to the lack of photos in the last third of the hike, the photos in this entry do not coincide very well with the narration!

Helmut Demonstrates Solid Ice

The Diane Dempsey Descent

Red Cap from Calico Peak

From the meadow, Doyle led us across the red sandstone on the east side of the ridge above weaving his way up, over and around big boulders. We passed our usual slot climb to Red Peak and continued down to our left finding a steep wash down to the slope of Angel Pass. Finishing the descent down this slope, we followed the trail around the Calico Hills back to our cars.

Today's scramble was 5.5 miles with 2000 feet of total elevation gain. It took 5.5 hours to accomplish all of this fun!

Descent from Calico Peak to Meadow

Traversing Over and Down to Angel Pass Slope

Bird Spring Range South - 12/5/13

Snow Dusted Bird Spring Range with View of Las Vegas Strip

Snow Capped Mt. Charleston Behind the Escarpment

 Fifteen happy hikers hungry for a hike showed up for a seven mile hike on a morning with below freezing temperatures. The temperature never reached above 40 degrees but the clear sky allowed maximum sun and, though bundled with layers, we were warm and comfortable. We turned off of Highway 160 to the south where there is a pit toilet visible from the road. After following the dirt road a short distance, we turned left into a small dirt parking area where we began our hike in the Bird Spring Range.

Mt. Potosi Rising Behind Bird Spring Range Hill Top

Las Vegas Strip from First High Point

 We started up the Badger Pass Trail and the hardy group of hikers enjoyed the warm up, climbing the hill and down to the pass. After taking a water break at the pass, we turned left to begin a long climb up the adjacent hill. The top of this hill would be our first high point of the morning. We could see the Las Vegas Strip in one direction and Mt. Potosi and Bird Spring Range cliffs in the other (as seen in the photo to the right).

Cliff Edge Littered with Fossils

Hiking the Cliff Edge

 Next, we began hiking along the cliff edge to the south finding many shell fossils in the limestone and chert from the pre-cambrian era. The views from the cliff were large and beautiful under the blue sky. Continuing along the cliff edge, we descended to a saddle where we saw a new seismic instrument along with a solar power pad. Interesting that scientists would choose this ridge to monitor for seismic activity. We ate our snack at the saddle after locating the wrecked car that was once stuck in a crevice below the cliff and has since tumbled down to the valley floor. This is also the area where the Wilson Tank is located below.

Seismic Instrument

View of Goodsprings, Nevada (center, 2/3 from bottom)

 The hike continued up the next hill to a point where we could see Goodsprings, NV in the distance. We turned to our right and descended a long gentle slope and connected with the Dead Horse Trail. This trail led us all the way back to the cars as we hiked among joshua trees. The seven mile hike had 1500 feet of elevation gain.

Hiking Dead Horse Trail

Passing By Agave Roasting Pit on Dead Horse Trail

Valley of Fire High Point Peak - 12/3/13

Valley of Fire High Point Peak

 The Super Tuesday Hike today was located in Valley of Fire State Park of Nevada. A short 1.5 hour drive up I-15 and out Exit 75 brings you to the park entrance to a wonderland of color and fun. Our resident Valley of Fire hiking expert is Brian Dodd. His explorations of the park have brought this club many fun hikes and scrambles in the colorful sandstone.

Today was no different as a few of the hikers checked in with the writer. Mike OC brings us the narration; Larry D. provided the GPS track; and photos were offered by Larry, Jon L. and Mike. Larry came through with many great photos. (So many, that it was difficult to choose which ones to use!) Take it away Mike!

 Following whiskey shooters and beer chasers at the Lucky Club Casino😀, a merry troupe of trekkers piled into four vehicles and headed for the Valley of Fire. Destination: Mouse's Tank, then on to the High Point. We were a baker's dozen: Twelve stalwart gentlemen and a lone damsel--Mademoiselle Anne. 

 After a tedious hour of negotiating a labyrinth of canyons, it was strongly suggested that hiking sticks be abandoned. Brian Dodd informed us that "The hike starts here. In earnest." Indeed it did, as 13 scampering macaques started up the near-vertical slab. Most scrambles have a crux or difficult section and the High Point didn't disappoint.

 Brian threw out a sling and anchored himself at the crown of a vertical crack, as many ascenders were more than grateful to grab a 'handful of nylon.' For the most part, silence reigned on the challenging climb, save for a few audible grunts and groans. And the occasional "Lubinski bellow.' JonLub is the newly crowned "King of the Mountains." What a man!

 It took Brian three years and numerous attempts to find a route to the Valley of Fire High Point. On a warm December morning, this more-than-capable group of ABFers bagged the summit in 140 minutes. The view from the peak was absolutely stunning: Logandale and Overton were far below us. Gold Butte and a shimmering Lake Mead were a few miles to the east. Lunch with a view.

 During the descent, loose sandstone resulted in a minor slip and a nasty leg laceration. President Anderson managed to cushion the tumbling hiker and Dr. Dunn was once again called upon to render first aid. Nice job, boys. Ya done good. ~ MOC

 Vitals: 6 miles, 1800 vertical feet, 4 3/4 hours.

Another wonderful hike in the Valley of Fire State Park.