Fern Canyon - 11/5/09

The selection of Fern Canyon at this time of year was an excellent choice. The leaves over Pine Creek and throughout the right fork canyon were yellow on the trees. Although there was little water, it added to the views one perceived on the 4.6 mile hike this morning. Seven people headed into the canyon from the Pine Creek Trail as the weather warmed up.

We took the trail to the right of Mescalito, the pointy mountain in the middle of Pine Creek Canyon, and dropped down into the wash. We were met with a small amount of running water and looked up the canyon where we saw a bunch of boulders to climb. It's what we came for and we were ready! ... right after taking a whole bunch of pictures!


We chose our routes with care. Each of us got to join in on the choosing and sometimes there were three routes going on at the same time. At one point, as you see to the left, we met with this humongous boulder which we had to climb up at a steep angle ... one of the easier obstacles. There were more difficult places in which we helped each other up in some way. For instance, one obstacle required very large steps as we reached from one foothold to another. A helping hand seemed to always be there either in front or behind.

At another point, we came to a dead end. Then we turned and saw the trail. As you see to the right, it went straight up a wall that was laden with "steps" that were akin to a set on "Lord of the Rings" or some fantasy movie such as that. We skipped up this obstacle easily.

Throughout the canyon, there were grape vines or, perhaps, muscadine vines. They were very thick and full of yellow leaves. Our fantasy extended sometimes to the time of dinosaurs as we pretended we saw dinosaur footprints going up the walls; or, the legendary saga of Tarzan, came to our minds, as we imagined ourselves swinging through the canyon on the vines. All of this with dignified decorum, of course.


The "Love Tree." Oh, Rhett! ... "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a darn." ... or something like that .... Okay. That's "Lord of the Rings," "Jurrasic Park," "Tarzan," and, now, "Gone With the Wind." Actually, this was just a beautiful desert canyon with several fern plants growing around the wash. The imagination must have been rampant this morning.



We climbed all the way to the top of the right fork of the right fork. (Yes, the right fork of the right fork which is really a short arm of the main wash.) The trail continued but we were satisfied that this was the right place for our break. In one direction, we saw the canyon that we had negotiated about 150 feet below.

In the other direction, we saw the walls rise above us at the end of the right and left forks of the right fork of Pine Creek. (Stay with me.) The view from this point put us right in the middle of the total elevation of the escarpment, out on an outcropping of rock where we could take in the whole scene of this movie we should have called "Fern Canyon in 3D."

After our break, we had a very pleasant hike back down the steep climb at the end of the canyon, back down all the scrambling (sometimes, we would choose each other's routes), and back through the Pine Creek Trail area to the cars. The weather was very warm when got out of the canyon and back into the sun.



Due to several very long bounces of the GPS inside the canyon (which were removed), the distance of 4.6 miles is approximate.

First Creek - 10/31/09

So, it's Halloween and 25 hikers came out to hike the First Creek Trail. Boo! The First Creek Trail is a short easy trail that ends at the foot of the escarpment for rookie hikers and only begins at the escarpment for the more advanced. At that point, the trail, per se, disappears and it is replaced by boulder scrambling into the canyon beyond. Today, we stopped at the boulders which resulted in a 3 mile, out-and-back hike in the desert with very little elevation gain.

Near the turn around point of the hike, we dropped down into the wash to see in what state the grotto was. Many times, there is a small waterfall into a relatively large pool of water where animals go to belly up to the bar. However, at this time of year, the waterfall is dry and the pool exists with a foul smell and a ghoulish black color. Looking at the pool, we felt like the creature from the black lagoon was going to appear from its depths any minute. However, when we climbed above the pool, a beautiful picture of reflection appeared as seen below.

It's the creature!!! I thought he had flippers and a head fin! No! No!

It was a beautiful morning with a surprisingly high temperature in the sun.

Cave Canyon - 10/29/09

Seven hikers braved the morning cold wind and nasty weather forecast and showed up for the Cave Canyon hike. As it turned out, the canyons we conquered shielded us from the wind and the cold and we were very comfortable for 80% of the hike. During the other 20%, we were out in the open, unprotected from the elements.

The hike begins at the horse stables located across the highway from the Red Rock scenic loop. We hiked up past the stables on the right and dropped down into the canyon. Bearing to the left, we began hiking a beautiful canyon filled with a lot of fun scrambling. Soon, we came upon one of the caves that gave this canyon its name.

After exploring this cave for a few minutes, we returned to the trail. We turned left again when we were nearing the top, to an arm of the canyon that came to a stop at a twenty foot dry waterfall that can only be negotiated by climbing up the rock in one of 4 directions.

We each chose our fate and scrambled up. At the top, we soon came to a bike trail and turned left yet again. The trail led us around the rim of the canyon then turned to the right and headed straight up the hill past a small communications station complete with solar panels. The views of Red Rock Canyon and the escarpment were exquisite, full of color.



When we arrived at the top of the hill, we were rewarded with this amazingly clear view of the city. You could see all the way to Arizona including Lake Mead. The wind that we have had for the past 3 days has presented us with this gift.











Along the way, we found that the red barrels were bright red from a recent rain. We also found many fossils of shells and other sea creatures in the rock bed of the canyon.

We took our break at the overlook then proceeded around the rim of the hill towards the Muffins. Upon reaching the old Las Vegas overlook, we turned inward and found the trail that leads down through Skull Canyon. It was a quick trip down through this equally beautiful canyon then out past the other horse stables and back to the car. The complete hike was 6.6 miles with 1200 feet of elevation gain.

Calico Tanks - 10/24/09

It was the Around the Bend Friends' first official hike at Red Rock; it was a be-'u-tiful day; the atmosphere was uplifting as volunteers around the park were giving things a facelift; and ... 39 hikers showed up for the 2.5 mile jaunt on the most beautiful trail at Red Rock! We would like to welcome several new hikers that we signed up this morning and, please, don't be strangers!



Our line of hikers stretched over the trail below the looming Turtlehead Peak as we started out. Some hikers were experiencing Red Rock Canyon through hiking for the first time. Yes, it IS rocky ... but that's the gorgeous desert! The photog hopes you will accept the long showing of photos presented here. It was just such an exceptional day!



The trail begins from Sandstone Quarry on the scenic loop hiking past the quarry signs around the bend to the right and up the canyon wash. The trail was augmented long ago with rock steps in several places. At several points, there is so much sand that you feel like you are on the beach. Eventually, you arrive at the top of the wash and you see below you a large area which usually has quite a bit of water in it. Today, however, it was still dry from last spring. In fact, all the tanks we saw today were dry as a bone.



Hiking past the dry water tank, we found a nice spot to sit on the overlook. From this point, you can see the Las Vegas Strip, Calico Basin, Red Springs, and the mountains surrounding our city. After the break, we organized a small group of 11 people to hike up the hill and see three more tanks while taking in a more inclusive view of Red Rock.



After taking one last photo of the fantastic view, we proceeded to the tight wash that leads up to the top of Calico II Peak. The first step is the most difficult requiring teamwork. So one by one, we got past the first step and on up the wash while battling scratching brush, steep steps, and dead logs across our path.



We reached the top of the short interesting climb and enjoyed the view for a few minutes. The summit itself was filled with unusual sandstone formations. The view around us was uninterrupted. The group was mesmerized by the sight, and then, much discussion was made about the descent. Each hiker was to choose whether he or she would go back down the way they came up or try the way with ...(wait for it) ... lots of exposure!



Well, as it turned out, 2 hikers went back down the wash, 7 hikers took a fright-filled yet exciting trip down the side of the mountain and 2 hikers began the "fright hike" and opted for another route full of exploration. The 7 of us that took the "fright hike" looked at our "segment coordinator" with doubtful eyes, made sure she had plenty of lead (if she fell off the mountain, they would not go there), and learned a few new tricks ... like, "don't look down!" We all got down safely not very long after the main group had left the big tank. As we hiked out for the next 45 minutes, there was plenty to talk about. Everything was said from "I can't wait to go back up there!", to "I'm glad I did it once but I won't do it again!"

Anyway, another wonderful day around the bend now showing at Red Rock Canyon!

Mud Springs - 10/22/09

The Mud Springs hike actually begins with an exciting ride 2.85 miles out Mack Canyon Road. This small road which is used for camping is located not far past the Sawmill Trail picnic area. It starts out decent enough but the further one drives, the worse the bumps get; therefore, a high clearance vehicle is required.

After reaching the trailhead which is somewhat hidden at the right side of the road, 18 hikers started off on the undulating path which ascended and descended the same 100 feet several times over the course of the 5 mile out-and-back hike. We hiked below Mack's Peak for most of the time in a wooded area with nice views of the peak and the desert below. One of the ridges held a giant joshua tree which seemed to be a bit out of place among the white pines and juniper.

At around 1.4 miles, we reached the first mud spring which was surrounded by a barbed wire fence and posted with the sign seen to the right. It is difficult to get 18 hikers in a long line to be quiet but there didn't seem to be any elk in the area at that moment anyway. We saw plenty of scat but no elk were drinking at one of their favorite watering holes.

We passed a second mud spring which looked similar to the first then made our quietest approach to the third and final spring. Again, no elk. However, since the elk were not at home, we were able to cross a low part of the fence going into the spring area where we got the photo above.

We ate our snack at the third spring and waited hoping to see an elk wander in but "nothin' doin'." The trip back out from the spring was very pleasant. Some of the best views are seen better on the way out. We were careful to retrace our steps correctly as this trail can be deceptive otherwise. In fact, a small boy was lost in this area for 3 days a few years back. They found him and he was fine but ....

We found this vertebrae bone in the area. As you can see, to the right, it is very large. Perhaps it either belonged to one of the elk or maybe a horse or burro. We all enjoyed the hike and hope we remember the location at a future time.