Gray Cap Peak (Traditional Route O&B) - 11/6/14

Gray Cap Peak from Rattlesnake Trail

Red Cap and Escarpment from Climb to Gray Cap

Hiking Out to the Rattlesnake Trail

 Gray Cap is so called because it consists of limestone rock that sits atop a mountain of yellow sandstone. The Around the Bend Friends does several different routes to its summit but today's route is, perhaps, the easiest. Still, the climb is anything but "easy." Seventeen hikers arrived at Sandstone Quarry parking lot off of the scenic loop of Red Rock Canyon NCA and were up to the scrambling challenge. We started out the wash next to the Calico Tanks Trail and turned left to make our way over to the Rattlesnake Trail.

Hiking the Rattlesnake Trail

 Waking up our lungs and legs, we scrambled up the hill and found the trail. That was just a little warm-up!

Nearing the Gateway Canyon Junction

 We followed the trail around the northern base of Red Cap Peak, headed down toward the top of Ash Canyon, then dropped down between the mountains in the wash. The Rattlesnake Trail continues down and junctions with Gateway Canyon.

Upper Gateway Canyon beneath Turtlehead Peak

 At the canyon, we stopped for a small water break and to put on our gloves. Here's where the official scramble begins. We turned left into the limestone canyon and soon started climbing dry falls. The canyon was not in exactly the same shape as the writer's previous trip through but the changes were barely noticeable. A few of the dry falls seemed a couple of feet taller. We took on each dry fall with care. Limestone becomes very slippery from water flow. Therefore, each foot hold had to be chosen.

Scrambling Up Dry Falls in Upper Gateway Canyon

 We helped four newbies with the climb as we tried to point out the easier ways to get up.

Climbing the Sandstone Wall

 After another rest at the top of the limestone, we tackled the red and yellow sandstone wall that rose from the top of the canyon. The slope of the wall is steep and footing had to be chosen. There is no trail and hikers were covering the wall like a military invasion!

View Down the Sandstone Wall Climb to Upper Gateway Canyon

 Gathering again at the top, we took another small break while we waited for the last hikers. From there, we circled around a large tank (tinaja) on its left side. We crossed a narrow fin high above the empty tank. (The small tank on the fin did have water.) Next, we climbed up to the wall ahead of us and turned to our right. Up and over the crest brought us to a gorgeous view as seen in the photo below. (Sue posed for the photo and we all wish Ben a fast recovery. Bicycles can be dangerous! Keep hiking!)

What a View!

 The route circles around the wall to our left and drops down to a flat area before it begins the final climb up through the yellow sandstone.

Starting Up the Final Climb to Gray Cap

 By this time, the hikers that were out front continued ahead while a slower group led the newbies up through the maze.

Final Climb Mid-Point at the "Picnic Table"

 Half way up the climb, we gathered at the large flat rock affectionately named the "picnic table." From there, the route heads up the sandstone and then to the right while continuing to gain elevation. Near the top, the hiker should junction with a trail that can be deciphered among the rocks. This trail leads up to the limestone layer and on up to Gray Cap Peak. All seventeen hikers reached the summit and enjoyed a deserved break.

The Last Hiker Reaches the Limestone

 The views from this hike are outstanding and they continue from beginning to end.

Some of the Seventeen Hikers on Gray Cap Peak

 The weather has returned to cool mornings and warm days. We were mostly overdressed and most of us drank all our water by the time we had gotten back to our cars.

Las Vegas Strip View from Gray Cap Peak

 The descent went as expected and, for the most part, we returned the exact way we came up. Looking at the GPS track, it appeared that even through the maze of sandstone, we stayed on the same path. Likely, this path was the best path for staying on sandstone slab for the initial part of the descent. Then, when we reached the sandstone wall, all bets were off! There isn't a set trail that is better or worse for this section. The best advice we have is to stay on slab as much as possible.

Brownstone Canyon over the Ridge

 Brownstone Canyon lies just over the ridge that supports Gray Cap Peak.

Returning to the Large Deep Tank

 Turtlehead Peak rises staunchly above a large portion of the hike.

Top of Upper Gateway Canyon - Sandstone Wall in Background

 When we finished the descent of the wall, we had to contend with the descent of the limestone dry falls. For many of the larger falls, most of us used the up and around trails. Of course, these trails presented their own problems with loose rock. When, at last, we gathered again at the Rattlesnake Trail junction, we knew that the climb up to the base of Red Cap would be the final difficulty of the day. It is quite a climb and lies at the end of a tiring day. We all made it up while faster hikers sunned themselves on the rocks. From there, we took the route through the small slot canyon back to the Calico Tanks Trail and Sandstone Quarry. Great day! Four newbies on Gray Cap!! Yea!!

6 miles; 2000 feet elevation gain; 4.5 hours

"Keep your pants on the rock!"

The Last and Exhausting Climb up Rattlesnake Trail

Lounging at the Base of Red Cap

Juniper Peak Loop - 11/4/14

Juniper Peak

Ornament Hanging at Juniper Peak

 Sixteen club hikers had quite an adventure Tuesday! By all accounts, the hike was one for the history books! That explains the happy smiles and the perplexed grins on the faces of the hikers in the photos. Even after this long and grueling hike, photos, GPS tracks and stories were sent to the blogger late in the day to ensure an entry for the club. Thanks must be given to all those who participated in the hike and those who sent stuff in. Mike OC was the coordinator and added the summit photo. Steve Allen and Jerry Thomas helped out with the GPS track. Jerry also helped with the narrative. And, last but not least, Susan Murphy supplied the photos.

Ascending Out of the Wash

 Getting photos of this adventure must have been quite a task but, Susan's good humor captured the fun splendidly.

Considerable Climb that Turned Out to be the Wrong Way

 The hike began from the Pine Creek Trailhead off of Red Rock Canyon NCA's scenic loop. Jerry takes it from there.

Cairns Anyone?

 Sixteen intrepid hikers showed up for an exciting adventure today.  The weather was perfect and we set out up the south fork of Pine Creek.  This route may be familiar to some hikers because it is the same route taken to Terrace Canyon.  We made our way up Pine Creek always taking the left fork until we reached the spot where we climb up on a ramp up to the northwest side of the Juniper Peak ridge.

Finally ... Cairns!

  It was beautiful on this side of the ridge where few people go. 

Hmmm. Interesting!

 We followed the cairns upward until we reached a point where the route was not clear under a small cliff.  Groups of hikers fanned out in all directions looking for the route through the small cliff area.

Hiking Along the Cliff Walls

Finally someone spotted a string of cairns leading off towards the northeast.  We regrouped and followed the cairns up and around the cliffs only to find … more cliffs!  We were still following cairns so we knew we were going generally in the correct direction but there were just not enough cairns to make the way clear.

Found It!!!

  After another search the route was again found and we took off almost directly towards the Juniper Peak ridgeline. 

What a Rush! Sixteen Hikers on Juniper Peak

  We topped the ridge south of Juniper Peak and made our way along the ridge northward toward the peak.

Southern View from Juniper Peak

 After a snack break we all started down the standard route through Juniper Canyon.  One of the group actually found a shortcut which avoids the large talus field which will have to be explored more thoroughly some day.  It was a difficult hike but well worth the effort. ~ Jerry


And, Mike also chimed in:
Not too many photos taken today. Twas not an easy day. Everyone is fine.

 

Vitals: 16 folks, 7.25 miles, 2500’ elevation gain, 6 hours. ~ MOC

 

(Spoken like a responsible coordinator.)

Las Vegas Strip from Juniper Peak Descent

Descending Through Juniper Canyon

Calico Hills Loop CCW - 11/2/14

Small Slot

A Favorite Sandstone View

 Nine hikers woke to a cool morning and met at the Red Springs Picnic Area parking lot to start a hike that would encircle the Calico Hills of Red Rock Canyon NCA. Ten minutes into the hike, outer clothing layers had to be removed. Reminder: If you are comfortable, temperature- wise, before you begin hiking, you will quickly be too warm! We hiked out the parking lot and up Sandstone Road in Calico Basin to the dirt parking area above. From there, we took the trail that leads through the Krafft Mountain boulder field to get to the 5 Stop Hill Trail.

Climbing 5 Stop Hill

 When we passed three hikers on 5 Stop Hill, we heard grumbling about how fast we hike. No, we're not the fastest group in town but we're not slow.

Descending to Gateway Canyon - Turtlehead Peak Beyond

 At the top of Krafft Saddle, we took a short break to catch our breaths. We had already hiked a mile when we started up the steep hill. And, we weren't wasting time! Next, we dropped down into Gateway Canyon via the trail that leads up canyon. Turtlehead Peak dominated the view all the way down. The gravel in Gateway Canyon led us up to the Rattlesnake Trail junction, a canyon wash that empties into Gateway from the Red Cap area.

Climbing Rattlesnake Trail to Base of Red Cap

 The climb up Rattlesnake Canyon Trail required a little bit of scrambling. Watch out for that low hanging branch right after a step up. It nearly took out the writer!

Rattlesnake Trail

 The high point of today's hike was the northern base of Red Cap. We circled around the base on the Rattlesnake Trail then came to the place where we would cross through the sandstone heading toward Sandstone Quarry. This area is a favorite for views of the northern Calico Hills and the escarpment beyond. Clouds were starting to float in from the west and the scenery improved exponentially! (Not that it needed to.)

Nearing the Calico Tanks Trail

 We dropped through the small slot canyon seen in the first photo then connected with the Calico Tanks Trail. We took our break at Sandstone Quarry with a lot of visitors milling about.

Sunshine, Shadows & Sandstone

 We took a side trip up into a slot canyon near the parking lot. David always has a few new tricks up his sleeve! After marveling at the geology, we returned to the Grand Circle Trail that leads from Sandstone Quarry down to Calico II. The pace of the hike sped up. The easy hiking took us past the rocks that hold petroglyphs. We didn't get a good look to see if the graffiti had been removed.

Hiking the Wash Below Calico II Overlook

 When we were almost to the overlook, we dropped into the wash and passed Calico II there. Back on the Grand Circle Trail, we hiked to Calico I.

Sandstone Hiking

 Again, we circumvented the busy trail by using the wash. This time, we stayed in the wash. The first obstacle was the slot-to-slide. The bottom of the slide was more washed out and did not have any rocks built up under it. Two hikers decided to retrace their steps to go up and around. More obstacles were faced and negotiated. The wash out continued in some of the least convenient places. But, we conquered them and moved on.

The Wash Between Calico I and Red Springs

 We hiked up onto the trail to the left at the end of the wash. The clouds were overtaking us from behind.

Connecting with the Trail

 As we passed some of the rock climbing routes, we noticed that the walls were busy. On the trail, we hiked through a second petroglyph area without stopping. Onward and upward, we hiked under the balanced rock leaning against the wall above and up to the top of the hill above the Red Springs boardwalk. After carefully descending the last hill, we stepped onto the boardwalk for our finale. Great hike. Enjoyed David's choice of routes.

8 miles; 1500 feet elevation gain; 4.25 hours

Busy Day for Rock Climbers at Red Rock

Descending the Hill above Red Springs