Calendar-Sierra Club Southern Nevada Group

NOTE: THE TOIYABE TRAILS, our Toiyabe Chapter Newsletter, is now online and includes THE MOJAVE MONITOR, our Southern Nevada Group section of the newsletter.
Click HERE to access the latest edition.

NOVEMBER 22 (SATURDAY) *Bridge Mountain via Rocky Gap Road Summit, RRCNCA. One of the best scrambling hikes at Red Rock. From Rocky Gap Summit, we'll hike to the escarpment with a great view overlooking Pine Creek. Here's where the fun begins: up the chute to the bridge, past the hidden forest, and on up to the summit with breathtaking views of Red Rock and Las Vegas. You'll never forget this hike. Which erodes faster limestone or sandstone? 5 mi. RT; 2000' gain.
Leader: George McDonald (808-3855) Level 5.

NOVEMBER 22 (SATURDAY) Adopt-a-Highway Clean-up at Red Rock's South Entry. Come join us to offer thanks for the beautiful views of our expansive desert and majestic sandstone escarpment at Red Rock. Meet at the Pizza Hut on Antelope and Charleston at 8:30 AM where we'll return for refreshments. Bring water, work gloves, a hat, sunscreen, and a joke to tell.
Leader: Jack Borden (642-9144).

NOVEMBER 23 (SUNDAY) *River Mountains Loop, LMNRA. This trip begins near Lake Las Vegas and ends at Hole 33. In between is a wide variety of terrain, including a very interesting slot canyon. How are slot canyons formed? 7 mi. RT.
Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 2.

NOVEMBER 27 (THURSDAY-THANKSGIVING DAY) *Horse Canyon Loop, RRCNRA. How much has nearby development affected the views here? We begin not far from Mountains Edge and in about a mile we enter a deep canyon which we follow to the top of a ridge. Then we follow that until we drop into another canyon and back to the start. 5-6 mi. RT. Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 2-3.

NOVEMBER 28 (FRIDAY) *Valley of Fire. A colorful loop through various rock formations and narrow canyons, about 8 mi. of easy walking with some scrambling. What is the climate here in summer?
Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 2-3.

NOVEMBER 29 (SATURDAY) *Cottonwood Valley, RRCNRA. Fine horses will make your day but will take some effort and a few miles. 0ne of several loops in this area in the s. end of the Red Rocks, we will be walking through canyons and on ridge tops. At the far end of this hike we will get to Wilson Tanks. What do the horses live on? 8-10 mi. RT.
Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 2.

NOVEMBER 30 (SUNDAY) *Calico to Calico, RRCNRA. A loop hike beginning at the fee station in Red Rock, walking to Calico Basin, then to Gateway Canyon, to Sandstone Quarry, then following the Grand Circle Trail 3 miles back to the fee station. Narrow canyons, lots of color, rock scrambling. What evergreen plants grow here? 8-10 mi. RT. Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 3.

DECEMBER 6 (SATURDAY) *Liberty Bell Arch, LMNRA. Join us on this 6-mi. RT hike past an old mining tunnel and machinery, across the arroyos, and on to the Liberty Bell Arch. Bring your cameras for the arch and the view from the mesa overlooking the majestic, emerald green Colorado River.
Leader: George McDonald (808-3855) Level 3.

DECEMBER 7 (SUNDAY) *"Walk and Waffles" - Wetlands Park. This is another in our series of 2-hr Sunday morning hikes along beautiful city trails in the valley, followed by brunch. This hike is in the Wetlands Park down by Las Vegas Wash. How do wetlands help prevent flooding and improve water quality? Distance about 4 miles.
Leaders: Nick Saines (896-4049) and Ann Cronin (737-5758) Level 1-2.

DECEMBER 7 (SUNDAY) *Buffington Pockets. Loop hike about 6 mi. very scenic with a natural arch, very pretty, a bit of a rock scramble, and one steep descent but very doable. This hike is near the Valley of Fire area, 4X4s, HCV needed. If we can't get these vehicles the hike will be about a mile longer. My favorite part of the hike is near the end where all the petroglyphs are. Hike rain or shine.
Leader: Dennis Hayes (280-2940; if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email: dshayes1@cox.net) Level 3.

DECEMBER 10 (WEDNESDAY) Holiday Party. Join us for our annual Holiday Party, 6:00-9:00pm, NV Energy (Nevada Power Co.) Bldg., 6226 W. Sahara (East entrance, Wengert meeting room). All members, friends, and guests welcome. Turkey with all the trimmings, plus potluck dishes brought by others. Two hours of karaoke entertainment with a DJ host, too! Optional holiday grab bag for new unisex type gifts, $8 - $10 price range. Bring your own dinner set-ups (plates/forks/etc). $3 donation requested to help defray costs. Sandee Herlands Gogatz 417-8680,hsandee@yahoo.com

DECEMBER 13 (SATURDAY) *Arizona Hot Springs, LMNRA. A 6 mile RT hike to one of the most popular hot springs on the Colorado River. Down White Rock Canyon to the river and on to the hot springs. After lunch, out the back way we'll see petroglyphs at a dry falls.
Leader: George McDonald (808-3855) Level 3.

DECEMBER 14 (SUNDAY) *Hike, Shake, Soak in Tecopa, CA. Hike 6 miles through the beautiful Amargossa Canyon, to Shake at the China Ranch Date Farm, followed by optional Soak at Tecopa Hot Springs.
Leader: Ann Cronin (737-5758) Level 2.

DECEMBER 20 (SATURDAY) *Velvet Canyon Loop, RRCNRA. This 10 mile hike begins and ends in Blue Diamond and includes the lower end of Velvet Canyon where we may see some ice if it has been cold enough. Where have the frogs gone?
Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 3.

DECEMBER 20 (SATURDAY) *Bowl of Fire Loop Exploratory, LMNRA. What organisms form and of what benefit to the desert are crypto-biotic soils? Dogs O.K.
Leader: Bill Marr (433-0743) Level 4.

DECEMBER 21 ( SUNDAY) *River Mountains, Lake Mead. An outstanding outing offering scenic views, boulder hopping, narrow canyons, dry falls and always the possibility of big horn sheep. The trailhead for this outing is near the fish hatchery on Lake Mead. This is a hike of about 8-9 miles . Elevation change is 1080ft. Level 3-4.

Dennis Hayes (702-280-2940) (Out of state area codes use E-Mail dshayes1@cox.net)

DECEMBER 25 (THURSDAY) *Lost Pickup and Possibly a Cave. This loop is about 8-10 miles of cross-country hiking, then down a steep slope past the lost pickup, then following a trail back to the start. If it is cold, we can have lunch in a cave where it is much warmer so bring a flashlight. What do you think about putting a development in these hills?
Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 2.

DECEMBER 27 (SATURDAY) *A 10-mile loop on the Blue Diamond Hill takes us through canyons as well as the top where the fine views of Red Rock, the city, and Lake Mead will make your day. Lunch on top. We start and end at the horse corral. Will we find any trees on this hike?
Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 2-3.

DECEMBER 28 (SUNDAY) *Pinto Valley, LMNRA. We begin near Mile 18 on the North Shore Road, following a wash which narrows down in a few places. Look for fossils in one part where they are abundant. The middle part of the hike is a loop through a colorful, narrow canyon. How do fossils form?
Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 2-3.

JANUARY 1 (THURSDAY) *Bowl of Fire, LMNRA. This will be the Ravens Balconies hike on the crest of the bluffs. Narrow canyons, scrambling, crawl through the rabbit hole where we will help each other. Why are the rocks so many different colors?
Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 3.

JANUARY 1(THURSDAY) *Hangover Hike. RRCNRA. Start the New Year right by joining your fellow hikers on a moderate but scenic hike to Calico Tanks beginning late morning. What is a tenaja?
Leaders: Geologists Gary Beckman (648-2983) and Nick Saines (896-4049) Level 2.

JANUARY 3 (SATURDAY) *Valley of Fire. Another one of many loops through narrow canyons and multicolor rock formations. About 8 miles. What are tanks?
Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 2.

JANUARY 4 (SUNDAY) *New Loop in Back of Blue Diamond. A car shuttle required for this one. Hike is about 10 miles walking from Hwy 160 back to Blue Diamond. We will be on trails all the way and see water collection tub and spring and petroglyphs on the way. There is a ridge to hike over near the end. Where does the water originate in a spring? Leader: David Hardy (hardyhikers@embarqmail.com--email response preferred; or 875-4549--if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email) Level 2-3.

JANUARY 10 (SATURDAY) *Rogers Spring Exploratory, LMNRA. Off the North Shore Road we will course over the foothills. What is the brain eating amoeba that lives in most hot springs? Dogs O.K.
Leader: Bill Marr (433-0743) Level 3-4.

JANUARY 11 (SUNDAY) *Liberty Bell Arch. Join us for my annual loop hike about 8 mi. RT with scenic view of the Colorado River, White Rock Canyon, and of course what we came out to see: The Liberty Bell. Might just be able to see some big horn sheep. This is a good rock scramble with one steep descent. Lunch will be just above the Colorado River about 200'. Hike rain or shine.
Leader: Dennis Hayes (280-2940; if you have a long distance cell phone number, please use email: dshayes1@cox.net) Level 3-4.

JANUARY 14 (WEDNESDAY) *Monthly General Meeting, 7:30 pm, NV Energy (Nevada Power Co.) building, 6226 W. Sahara (east entrance: Wengert meeting room). Program: "Renewable Energy and the UNLV Center for Energy Research," by Robert F. Boehm, Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Energy Research Center, Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, UNLV. Dr. Boehm will present an overview of geothermal, wind, and solar energy resources and discuss projects in the UNLV Center for Energy Research, covering topics of solar power generation and building applications, hydrogen energy work, and wind monitoring. All members and general public are welcome. Refreshments, announcements, and free literature, too. Info: Gary Beckman (648-2983).

JANUARY 17 (SATURDAY) *North Peak from Willow Springs, RRCNCA. Ascend to the wild views at this end of the Red Rock escarpment. Why are the sandstone cliffs so abrupt and steep?
Leader: Peppe Sotomayor (463-8548) Level 4-5.

JANUARY 18 (SUNDAY) *Velvet Canyon Loop, RRCNRA. About 10 mi. Begin and end in Blue Diamond. Includes lower end of Velvet Canyon, there may be some ice if it has been cold enough. Where have frogs gone?
Leader: David Hardy (875-4549, hardyhikers@embarqmail.com; e-mail preferred) Level 3.

JANUARY 24 (SATURDAY) *Hole 31, LMNRA. We will course over the foothills with geodes and down the narrows. What is a geode? Dogs O.K.
Leader: Bill Marr (433-0743) Level 3-4.

JANUARY 25 (SUNDAY) *Turtlehead Peak, Via Red Springs, RRCNCA. We'll loop the Calico Hills. What is the Keystone Thrust Fault?
Leader: Peppe Sotomajor (463-8548) Level 4-5.

JANUARY 31 (SATURDAY) *Railroad Tunnel Hike to Hoover Dam, LMNRA. Great views of the lake. How many feet of water evaporates from the lake over a year? We walk 7 mi. RT with very little elevation gain.
Leader: Ann Cronin (737-5758) Level 2.

FEBRUARY 1 (SUNDAY) *Beginners' Snow-shoe or Cross Country Ski Trip, Lee Canyon, SMNRA. Snow permitting, we'll do a section of the Bristlecone Loop. Which species can we identify from their tracks in the snow?
Leaders: Peppe Sotomayor and Jack Sawyer (228-3857) Level 2-3.

FEBRUARY 7 (SATURDAY) *Owl Canyon, LMNRA. Hike the shoreline of Lake Mead and up into a slot canyon where we may catch a glimpse of the birds that frequent this canyon. Which species are we more likely to see? Hike is 3 mi. RT. Leader: Ann Cronin (737-5758) Level 2.

FEBRUARY 11 (WEDNESDAY) *Monthly General Meeting, 7:30 pm, NV Energy (Nevada Power Co.) building, 6226 W. Sahara (east entrance: Wengert meeting room). Program: "Wild Alaska," by Vicky Hoover, Sierra Club staff, Alaska Task Force. Alaska's vast and magnificent public lands have been a Sierra Club priority since 1967. Vicky will present a brief historical review of Sierra Club involvement in Alaska and a photographic overview of the state's prominent wild places and several trips in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, including 1970s exploration trips by Sierra Club iconic leader Ed Wayburn. Refreshments, announcements, and free literature, too. All members and general public are welcome. Info: Gary Beckman (648-2983).

FEBRUARY 22 (SUNDAY) *Bowl of Fire to Anniversary Narrows, LMNRA. A very early start will allow us enough time for this 14 mile hike beginning at Mile 20, going into the north end of the Bowl of Fire, over a low pass which drops us into the Anniversary drainage. Sandstone rock formations, narrow canyons, some scrambling. Possible wildflowers. Why is there such a variation in topography? Leader: David Hardy (875-4549, hardyhikers@embarqmail.com; e-mail preferred) Level 3.

Abbreviations:
SMNRA—Spring Mountain National Recreation Area
RRCNCA—Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
LMNRA—Lake Mead National Recreation Area
DNWR—Desert National Wildlife Range
NP—National Park
WSA—Wilderness Study Area
HCV—High Clearance Vehicle

For more information of outings, including an explanation of the hiking levels, please read Hiker Tips.