Siena Little Grand Canyon Exploratory - 11/10/13

Siena's Little Grand Canyon

Rocky Connection to Next Level

Hiking the Wash Out to the Canyon

 Four hikers went out to the housing development of Siena to explore an area in the ridges behind it. This would be Chris' third exploration here. The first adventure led up along the ridge and is indicated by the blue line on the map below. This time, (indicated by the green), we found access to the "Little Grand Canyon" that we saw from the ridge above. The canyon is about a mile from the road where we parked and has a narrow limestone floor. We quickly came to a stop when we encountered two (that we could see) large dry falls. Chris climbed up the first one but had some difficulty getting back down after learning that this was a dead end.

Going Up Canyon to First Dry Fall

Chris Explored the Area Above the First Dry Fall

Evidence of teenage activity was seen in the form of fireplaces, graffiti and a make shift rope leading up the second dry fall. The rope appeared to have been taken from the home construction work being done in the area. Not sure if anyone should trust this rope!

After this short exploration, we searched and found a route that would connect us to the next level, thereby allowing us to continue up further in the canyon.

Satisfied with our new route, we turned around to find out a few other things.

Las Vegas Strip View from Canyon Area

Descending from the Connection Exploration

 We exited through the basin at the end of the canyon and followed a road that led up the back end of the development. A park that we were trying to get to was fenced off from the road but we squeezed through an opening in the fence and continued down to the park. From there, we walked down the road back to the cars.

Our exploration was only 4 miles but we learned a lot and have two new hikes planned because of it.

Hiking the Road Behind Development

John Squeezes Through the Fence

Layout of the Siena Area

Mt. Wilson via Cleaver Crack - 11/3/13

The Ledge. Steeper than it Looks! You don't want to fall here!

The Wall

 Jerry Thomas, who is also a member of The Las Vegas Mountaineers Club, sent these photos and track of the "scary" hike he did with them last Sunday. It is Mt. Wilson Peak via Cleaver Crack. Apparently, it is one of the toughest ways to get up to the highest peak in the Red Rock escarpment. The photos are of some of the "fun" stuff. Although it looks very exciting, AtBF will probably not be doing this hike any time soon! However, add helmets and harnesses and a few lessons and it appears to be doable! Thanks, Jerry! You always send us fun stuff!

Class 4 Descent - Wall Bypass

Conglomerate Gardens Loop - 11/9/13

Cholla, Red Barrels & Conglomerate Rock

Conglomerate Arch Among Boulders and Cacti

 The bicyclists call it "Kibbles 'n' Bits." We call it Conglomerate Gardens Loop. Whatever you call this trail, twenty hikers came out to do the 6.5 miles this morning. It was a gorgeous day shining upon us as we motored into the Red Rock Canyon NCA Cowboy Trails parking lot and began our hike up the outer Fossil Ridge Trail. Diane, our coordinator, started out with a vengeance. The two mile climb up the hill was fast and no-nonsense.

Red Rock View from Climb Up Fossil Ridge

 Each time we arrived at a fork in the trail, we turned right. The last fork was the high point of the hike after we had climbed almost 1100 feet in elevation. Now, we began a squirrelly windy tour descending among large conglomerate boulders surrounded by a vast collection of cacti and yuccas. One of the first points of interest was an area of limestone rock that held a large array of fossils from the pre-cambrian era. The front of the line of hikers walked right by the display and forgot to look as seen in the photo to the right.

Some of the Fossils

Approaching the Snack Break

 We wound around some more and ended up in the midst of a huge area of conglomerate rock. The internet suggests that conglomerate rock is usually prominent in areas where there is an alluvial fan at the base of mountains. Well, that be us! Anyway, we sat here for our break and enjoyed the view. There were also some bikers just below us who were doing the same.

A Bunch of Happy Hikers

 The remaining three miles were more of the same as we moved generally in the direction of the cars. The view continued to be beautiful and the day only got better and better. Three hikers decided they were trail runners today and ran back. Several other hikers decided they were singers .... Lucky for some of us, voices can get lost in desert! A wonderful hike.

99 hikers on the trail today, 

99 hikers on the trail, 

one fell down, 

didn't make a sound, 

98 hikers on the trail today ... 

Gee, what hikers will do to keep the bears away! ... mountain lions? ... bunny rabbits, yes, bunnies!

Winding Our Way Back

More Conglomerate Gardens

Up Cave Canyon / Down by the Muffins - 11/7/13

Looking Back to Entrance of Cave Canyon & Stables Below

Beginning Descent at The Muffins

 Ahh, Thursday! What a wonderful day for a hike! Twenty-three hikers thought so, too. The air was fresh and at just the right temperature. The sky started out almost clear then turned cloudy just when the sun started to heat up a little too much. And, there were several hikers who had not explored Cave Canyon before ... always a fun addition to the adventure.

Blondie Saddled Up and Waiting

 We parked at the Red Rock Canyon NCA cowboy trails entrance and began our hike by heading up to the upper cowboy staging area. There were a few horses waiting there for an adventure of their own.

Climbing Up to the Large Cave

 As soon as we passed the Echo Canyon junction and climbed into Cave Canyon, we took a look up to our left and mentioned the large cave in the wall of the canyon. Several hikers took about 10 or 15 minutes and climbed up to quickly explore the opening.

Twenty-Three Hikers Up the Obstacle Without Help!

 As everyone began returning to the floor of the canyon, we turned to start the 2 mile hike/scramble. The first obstacle would be the most difficult. But, this being a stellar group of hikers, no one needed help with the scramble up the dry fall. In fact, no one needed help nor lagged behind all the way up between the walls. There was decidedly less graffiti than a few months ago. The overgrown brush had died back. And, the trail in the wash was more welcoming.

Zigzagging Our Way Through the Canyon Brush

 Cave Canyon has its own charm. It is different from the other two choices of the North Blue Diamond Hills. It offers a little more scrambling and is the longest canyon of the three.

Arriving at the Canyon Junction

 When we reached the fork in the canyon, we chose the left fork. The right fork peters out fairly quickly. The left fork offers another half mile of scrambling and a wonderful boxed in dry fall at the end. Most of our participants chose the most challenging way to ascend the dry fall! A little more canyon, then we T-boned into a trail on which we turned to the left.

View at Top of Large Dry Fall

 The trail we were now on is one trail that delivers hikers from the south end of the hills to the north end ... and vice versa!

On the Trail Again

 We switchbacked at the Boneshaker Hill trail junction and began climbing up past the relay station to the ridge that overlooks the city of Las Vegas. This overlook is considered the "new" overlook.

Break Point at New Las Vegas Overlook

 We enjoyed our long break here at the overlook. The sky had begun clouding up just as we were beginning to feel a little too warm. After a nice rest, we started out on the trail that followed along the North Blue Diamond Hills ridge. The cliff to our right dropped around 200 feet. We had a nice view of the Red Rock campground. It is rumored that it is a very nice and well equipped desert campground.

Old Las Vegas Overlook

 The ridge trail finished at the "old" Las Vegas overlook. We took a short water break here then moved on.

Connecting with Muffin Trail

 The trail drops down from the overlook then climbs up again. A small trail bears off to the right at the top of the rise. It is our usual route to just climb up to the top of the ridge and follow it down to the Muffins. Today, we chose to take the small trail that travels around the Muffin ridge and junctions with the Muffin trail at the point in the photo below. We all agreed it was fun to find a new route.

Ridge Trail Approaching the Muffins

 We turned left onto the Muffin Trail and followed the ridge down to the huge set of conglomerate boulders sitting atop the end of the hill.

Short Stop at the Muffins

 Another small break was taken here. The distance was starting to take its toll and feet sometimes need a break!

Las Vegas from the Muffins

 The last leg of the hike had arrived. DOWN! We found the trail beside one of the muffin rocks and began a talkative descent along the side of the hill. This is the only time during the entire 7.5 miles that we began separating. It mattered not as we all knew our way home passing the Skull Canyon Trail, the Boneshaker Hill Trail and the horse corral. Our 7.5 mile hike lasted less than 4 hours with 1600 feet of elevation gain.

Starting Descent from the Muffins

Approaching the "Floor"