Various Updates

The speed limit along SR 159, the road to Red Rock, has been lowered to 50 mph. This is a good idea that could possibly save lives. The parking is forever gone at Red Rock. The old lot will be for BLM employees, which from what I have heard, will create more traffic going out to Red Rock, since all BLM employees will now work out at Red Rock.

Today (7-4), I led the traditional 4th of July hike to Macks Peak in Mt. Charleston. 11 hikers stood at the summit before high noon. This is a fun and very short hike, perfect for the 4th of July. The route is in good shape and the famous ramp leading to the peak has less and less rock on it. The first time I did Macks Peak (back in 1996), the ramp was a minefield of loose rock crashing down on the path below. It was dangerous. Over the years many rocks have fallen off the ramp making it safer.

Tonight I will join over 100 hikers and watch fireworks from the Muffin Ridge that overlooks Las Vegas. I have been wanting to do this for years and this is the year. It should be interesting.

Zion Narrows Trip Report by Debbie Wood

On June 26th, 12 hikers headed out to backpack the Narrows of Zion. This is one of the best hikes in the country. It should be on everyone's bucket list. Hiking the Narrows from top to bottom requires a permit through the Zion Backcountry Office. Day hikes from the bottom do not require a permit.

We camped Friday night at Zion Canyon Campgrounds in Springdale. I would not recommend this campground. The sites are very small, and the place was very loud. The benefit of the campground is that it's right across the street from the outfitter that was going to shuttle us to Chamberlin's ranch in the morning.

We used Zion Adventure Company for all of our outfitting. They have a warm weather rental package for the Narrows. You get a walking stick, neoprene socks and canyoneering shoes for around $32 for both days. The hike can be done with water shoes and trekking poles, but the proper gear is recommended.

Zion Adventures has two morning shuttles to Chamberlin's Ranch. The first is at 6:30 am and the second is at 10:00 am. The cost for the shuttle is about $32 per person. It takes almost 1 ½ hours to get from Zion Adventures to Chamberlin's Ranch. Our group took the 6:30 am shuttle to Chamberlin's Ranch. This area is private property, so it is the closest you can get to the top of the Narrows. It is about a 2 miles hike from the shuttle drop off to the start of the Narrows. At this time of year, the water in the Virgin River is in the mid 50s. The air temperature was warm, but you are in the shade a lot of the time.

We camped at site #12. It is about 11 miles down the river. All of the sites seemed to be tree covered and spacious. The other spots hold 4-6 people. It took our group about 9 hours of hiking to get to camp. The water was fairly low, but still got up to waste deep in some spots. The rocks can be very slippery, and the current can be strong.

The second day was only about 5 miles. There were optional swims with water that was belly button deep. Since it was a short hiking day, we took a quick side trip up Orderville Canyon. This is a technical canyoneering trip, so we went as far as we could. It requires a permit and full canyoneering gear to hike the canyon from top to bottom. We began to see more day hikers once we reached this intersection. It was strange since we hadn't seen anyone is almost 24 hours. The further we got to the end of the hike, Temple of the Sinawava, the more people we saw.

Permits - Permits are required for all top to bottom hikes of the Narrows. I highly recommend taking 2 days for this hike so you can take your time to enjoy the beauty of the canyon.

Gear - Zion Adventure Company is the best! They provide rental gear and shuttle service. Be sure to try on rental gear before you take it with you. We had a few people with size issues. If your canyoneering shoes are too big, you may get rocks and blisters.

Any equipment you don't want wet must go in a dry bag. This includes camera, food, sleeping bag, additional clothes and anything else you want to keep dry.

To save weight, plan your gear ahead of time. Everyone in your group does not need a water filter. People can share tents, or not use a tent at all.

A walking stick is needed to help you balance; the currents can push you over.
A wet suit is recommended in the winter.

This hike is not for a beginning hiker or backpacking. The Narrows are 16 long, strenuous miles.

Warning - This is a slot canyon. The potential for a flash flood is tremendous. If the weather looks bad, do not go. You life may depend on it.

Ski Lee Peak in Mt. Charleston

On Sunday (6-28), 14 hikers made it to the summit of Ski Lee Peak in Charleston. This is a relatively new peak and only the second time I have climbed it. We started at Trail Canyon and made it to the junction in about 45 minutes. After a short break we headed for the dreadful scree slope via the North Loop trail. The scree slope is never fun, but something you have to do. A trick Nick taught me is to head way left as you ascend the scree slope. Not only is this less elevation gain, but you avoid a down climb along the ridge.

Once up the scree slope we followed the ridge to the base of Ski Lee Peak. The vistas are the best in Charleston. To the south is Kyle Canyon; to the north is Lee Canyon. Just before the start of the scramble to the summit you come across one of the coolest spots in Charleston. I call it The Landing.

Although the final push to the summit looks loose, it's not too bad. There's a path leading to the climb and I placed several cairns along the way. The summit has fantastic views in all directions. There's an ammo box at the peak and the book has plenty of pages left.

We retraced our steps about 200 yards and then we intersected the North Loop Trail and followed it back to the trailhead. Of course you could continue to Charleston Peak.

Notes: Lee Peak route will be published in July. This is a good hike. Difficulty: 5
The book at North Sister needs to be replaced

The Sisters Hike and New Slide Show Added

Today (6-27), 12 hikers visited two old friends high up in Mt. Charleston, the South and North Sisters. It was a glorious day with perfect temperatures and enough clouds to give the sky character. I believe this to be one of the best hikes in Mt. Charleston. It has a little of everything: some steep ascents for cardio; some exposure to keep you awake, and it's a loop route.

We started at Old Mills Campground and followed the trail about 0.25 miles before heading north up the slope to the first saddle. From there we followed a ridgeline to the class 3 chute that leads to the summit of the South Sister. Everyone handled the chute with ease.

We then watched our step as we traversed the exposed ridge to a tricky down climb. Luckily I had cairn the next part of the hike last year and we had no problem finding our way off the ridge to the saddle between the Sisters. This year we followed the original route up the north ridge to the summit of the North Sister. I had not done this route in years!

After taking a short break we descended the extremely loose north slope down to yet another saddle (that's the third saddle if you are counting) and then we followed a drainage to the road. The descent is very fast, taking less than 90 minutes.

I just published a slide show of the Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon Backpack we did earlier this month. Click here to view.

The Subway Hike Now Available for Download

The Subway, one of the best hikes in the country, is now available for download for members. What do you get? Written directions, photos of key landmarks, waypoints, and an enhanced topo map. Plus tips on how to have an enjoyable hike such as: where to camp, where to rent a wet suit, how to keep your items dry, and how to float your daypack in the water.

Download The Subway Hike Now

There are now 344 hikes to download in the Member's Only Section of www.hikinglasvegas.com, including Mt. Whitney, Half Dome, Havasupia Backpack and hike to the Colorado River, North Pal, Boundary Peak, Badwater to Telescope Peak and another 338 hikes.

Buckskin Gulch Added to the Members Only Section

I just published Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon day hike. This is one of the best hikes in the country! Although we did it as a backpack, I wrote it up as a one day hike. Buckskin is the longest slot canyon in the country. At times the walls are only three feet wide and tower hundreds of feet into the air.
Members can download it now!
What do you get: Everything you need including information about permits, where to car camp, how to do the car shuttle, and an unknown escape route that could save your life if a flash flood occurs.

Coming very soon to the Member's Only Section of this web site: A 4 day backpack through Buckskin and Paria Canyon including a little known way to climb out of Paria Canyon for some amazing views.
Also The Subway - one of the best canyoneering hikes in the country.

Mummy Mountain

Yesterday (6-21), seven of us hiked to Mummy Mountain via the scree slope. The route is completely snow free. I was surprised we were wind free at the summit. It had been breezy at the trailhead. Always bring a wind breaker when hiking in Charleston.

Mummy is the second highest peak in southern Nevada; Charleston Peak (11,918 feet) being the highest. There are five summits on Mummy Mountain: The Nose, Forehead, Chin, Belly (high point), and Toe.

Later this summer I will lead the classic Mummy Head to Toe hike. This year the route will travel to all five peaks! It will be tough, but fun. The hike will take about nine hours. Unfortunately a car shuttle is required. Video of a previous Mummy Head to Toe hike.

Shin and others tried Mummy via Mummy Springs route yesterday. They told me there was too much snow in the gully, so they hiked NW and climbed a broader gully to reach the summit. At this time only north facing gullies still have snow. All other routes are snow free.