Anniversary Narrows - 12/22/12

                                   The Entrance to Anniversary Narrows

                                                 Narrows Light Play

 Today's hike is, perhaps, one of Las Vegas' best kept secrets from the outside world. Anniversary Narrows lies north of Northshore Road at mile marker 16 where there is a newly graded dirt road for easy access down to the large wash containing the slot canyon. The narrows were closed off last year since the new owners of the land on the approach wanted to keep the mining area to themselves for a while. Now, the narrows, which lies on wilderness land, is accessible to hikers hiking through the private land.

                  Climbing the Road Up to the Old Mining Camp Foundations

                                       Old Mining Camp Foundations

 Some of today's seventeen hikers parked at the Northshore Road parking area and hiked in. Others drove the dirt road to the regular parking area where there is a sign welcoming visitors to the Ore Car Mine ... a new name for what we will always call the Anniversary Mine. The group gathered at the second parking and continued in the very brisk weather of the morning. We soon separated into two or three small groups as we excitedly climbed the hill to the old mining camp to sight-see the foundations from long ago buildings.

                    Ridge Descent from Camp to Wash and Mining Dam

                                             Hiking Into the Narrows

 We took the small trail with a bit of exposure down to the wash where there is a newly dug mine and two old tunnels that were used back in the day. The small trail between the two old tunnels has deteriorated and use of a broken ladder is required to reach the first one. This area is geologically very interesting because of a fold in the rock that has dipped down to the level of the floor of the wash. Passing the dam here, which appears to have been rebuilt, in the wide curve, we continued up to the Narrows entrance.

                                                 Hiking the Narrows

                  This year, there is a couple of feet of sediment in the narrows.

  Walking into the large slot canyon, one feels as if he/she has entered another realm of reality. The walls curve, contort and sag on each side. The sculpture was created when torrents of water repeatedly ran through the narrow space from the top of the wash down ... or from where we faced to where we had been. The recent rains had left a deep layer of sediment on the floor of the slot and puddles of water remained. The colors of the slot added yet another dimension.

                                   The Winding Passage of the Narrows

                                    Water Worn Walls Resembling Drapes

The other end of the slot is always colder than the entrance and today, there was frost on some of the rocks. Three hikers took a short exploratory further up the wash then after a short cold break, everyone headed back the way we came in. The whole hike was around 7 miles with a gross elevation gain of around 1100 feet. By the way, on the way up to the trailhead, this morning, we watched as a small group of bighorns, complete with two kids, scrambled across the highway and up the steep bank on the other side. It doesn't get better than this!

                                         The Hikers Hike Through

                Frost Appearing on the Rocks on the North Side of the Narrows

Fortification Hill - 12/20/12

                              Climbing Fortification Hill Near Lake Mead

Once again, the AtBF hikers prove that a little cold wind doesn't deter them from a fantastic hike! Mike OC offers the information in this entry about a quick climb up Fortification Hill, that long flat hill you see from Hoover Dam and Bridge on the Arizona side of Lake Mead.

Let the four winds blow!  The only thing more brisk than the arctic north wind was the relentless pace to the summit.  Peerless Paul was on point and the man was on a mission to summit.  So at an hour when normal folks down in the valley were lingering over a second cup of Joe, Peerless and the AtBF crew were doing lunch atop Fortification Hill.  PB&J sandwiches and Gu.  

Unlike yesterday's jaunt to Liberty Bell where the canyon walls protected us against the gale, today's hike was totally exposed.  Everyone was layered to the max, as eyes watered and noses ran throughout the morning.  

But oh my, the view from on high was nonpareil!  The magnificent panorama lay directly in front of us--the Dam, the Bridge and the city, crowned by a snow-capped Mt. Charleston far in the distance.  And not a trace of smog in the Las Vegas Valley.  Just a scintillating, spectacular day.

And with the end of the world less than a day away, all eight hikers agreed that there was no better way to exit.

 

BTW:  The Kingman Wash Road to the trailhead is in excellent shape.  They recently ran a blade over it.  With decent tires, one may drive a sedan the entire 5 miles.  We actually encountered a Mustang convertible on the way down.

                 On the Top of Fortification Hill with Las Vegas in Background

Liberty Bell Arch - 12/19/12

                                      Hikers Inside Liberty Bell Arch

Today's hike to Liberty Bell Arch which is a natural arch located above the Colorado River below the Hoover Dam is photographed and described by the coordinator Mike OC below.

Ten hikers huddled in the Fiesta parking lot, their backs to a brisk north wind.  This would prove to be the cold spot of the entire day. The canyon walls on the Arizona side of the dam offered the group a nice wind break.  Onward to Liberty Bell Arch.  Ninety minutes after leaving the trailhead, we stood atop a bluff looking down on the mighty Colorado River 700 feet below.

It seems that 60% of the troupe wanted to climb up to the actual arch, so off we went following lunch.  The remaining four trekkers lingered on the bluff for a while to savor the scenery before starting their return jaunt.  All 10 gathered at the bottom of the arch and together we made the uphill journey back to the cars.  Piece of cake.

Another grandiose Wednesday AtBF outing.   

                            The Break on the Bluff Above the Colorado River

Echo Canyon / First Finger / Fossil Ridge - 12/17/12

             Red Rock Shrouded in Clouds from Sunny North Blue Diamond Hills

                                     Looking Up Through Echo Canyon

 Today, fifteen hikers saw what Red Rock Canyon would look like without the famous escarpment! The cliffs and peaks were completely shrouded in clouds for the duration of the hike that began at the Cowboy Trails parking lot. It was very cold to start the hike but a brisk pace took care of that! We quickly hiked past the upper stables and dropped into the Echo / Cave Canyon area. Taking a right at the canyon fork, we began our climb up through Echo Canyon.

 The group of hikers, today, were ready for a workout so the fast pace was welcome as we hiked, scrambled and twisted our way up through the beautiful little canyon. The weather wasn't bad for a hike. After all, there was no wind in the canyon and there was also no rain in the forecast. As we reached the high point of the hike, there was just a light wind that didn't really bother us.

                La Madre Mountain Range Peeking Out of Clouds Over Red Rock

                    Mt. Potosi Behind Clouds and Invisible Escarpment to Right

 At the top of Echo Canyon, we turned left onto the First Finger Trail. About halfway around the finger of the plateau, we stopped for a break. Before we got too cold, we started out again and finished First Finger. This had brought us around to the old mining road that connected to the top of Echo Canyon. We passed the trail down and continued on the outer Fossil Ridge Trail ... that some people have named the "Bunny Trail."

 Our swift pace continued as we found the connecting trail that led us just below the rim of the ridge above Echo Canyon. From there, we chose the left trail that brought us back to the cars on a gradual down slope. Conversation throughout the group of hikers never ceased over the 6.25 mile hike that gained a total of around 1000 feet in elevation over almost three hours.

                           Fossil Ridge Trail with Echo Canyon to Right

                                Red Barrel Cactus on First Finger Trail

Valley of Fire West / East Loop - 12/16/12

                          Snow-Covered Virgin Peak from Valley of Fire

                                       View Up from Ascent Notch

After swimming through a dense and dangerous fog on Interstate 15 just south of our exit to Valley of Fire, fifteen hikers arrived at the Nevada state park and found the trailhead parking for Prospect Trail. This is a dirt turnout from the Valley of Fire Highway occurring just before reaching the big red sandstone plateau on the left. Our hike, today, would loop around the largest hunk of red rock in the southwest corner of the plateau.

                                          Happy Bunch of Hikers

We hiked out the abandoned dirt road on the west side of the plateau and turned right to head toward a notch where we could scramble up the red rock. A few twists and turns later, we were winding our way through the window-filled sandstone. The park had received recent rains and the sandstone was soft so we were careful all morning to watch our step and make sure that we were on solid footing. Also warned about the presence of bighorn sheep ticks, we weaved through brush of ephedra, white bursage, and catsclaw scrub.

                                            Crossing "The Bridge"

The next part of the hike took us over a sandstone fin (or bridge) that dropped off on both sides. This led to a rather steep sandstone climb up to the high point of the day where we took our break. Sitting on the sandstone at the top, we could see all of the park and snow covered mountains in the distance. One of the highest peaks in this area is Virgin Peak which can be seen in the first photo of this entry.

                                Climbing Steep Sandstone to Snack Spot

The day was overcast but rain was not on the schedule. The red and white colors of the rock came through in a deep hue. However, the usual purples and yellows of the Valley of Fire were not apparent. No worries. We were all enjoying the outing as the scrambling never disappoints in this park, especially when our hike leader is Brian Dodd.

                                    Starting Steep Descent After Break

After the break, we completed a steep descent which we accomplished by zigzagging back and forth across the sandstone. At one point, we passed by an interesting rock overhang as seen in the photo below. At the bottom of this descent, we junctioned with the Valley of Fire Peak route. A few more yards and we junctioned with the North / South Traverse route. Both of these previous hikes utilized the "down notch" that we used today to descend from the plateau.

                               Inspecting the Unusual Rock Formation

The view from the top of the "down notch" is rather daunting and is guarded by a healthy velcro bush. Carefully choosing our footing, we descended to the valley floor. There, we turned right and made as straight a shot as possible back to the cars over the easy desert terrain. The hike was around 4.5 miles with around 1100 feet in total elevation gain. Another fun day at the Valley of Fire!

                                      View From Top of Down Notch

                                    Steep Descent from Plateau to Floor