Snow On A Lake Mead Hike

I never thought snow would be an issue while hiking around Lake Mead. But this is not a normal December. Today 12 hikers made it to the summit of Dry Falls Loop Peak, one of the better routes near Lake Mead.

This is a cool route with eight dry falls to climb and an airy climb to the summit, which has outstanding views of Lake Mead and the surrounding mountains. The descent is along a wild looking ridge with lots of down climbing. This is one of the best scrambling routes in the Lake Mead area.

Rainbow Peak Without the Ledges

Today (11-23), seven hikers hiked to Rainbow Peak following one of the best routes in Red Rock Canyon, which is just 20 miles west of Las Vegas. I had looked at this seemingly impossible route for years before trying it. If fact, the route came about by accident. Valentina and I had be up around Rainbow Wall and headed east until a huge cliff stopped us in our tracks. It became apparent if a route to Rainbow Peak was possible the route would have to avoid the cliff by staying low and descending to an area below the cliff.

A year later Richard N. and I were in Juniper Canyon. We found a deep slot and we were checking it out. The slot ended, at least for us, at a 75 foot dry fall. We headed up Juniper Canyon and then pulled ourselves up the rope at the bottom of Rainbow Wall. We headed east toward where we thought the top of the deep slot would be. As we started descending to an area well below us where we figured the top of slot is located. The descent was tricky and we placed one fixed line. Once down we found the top of the slot and realized there were two big dry falls, each at least 75 feet high.

I then realized we had successfully navigated below the cliff that stopped Valentina and I a year ago. Although the terrain ahead of us did not look too promising, we started up with the goal being to find a new route to Rainbow Peak. We made it up another 400 to 500 feet, but the rock was too steep and it was getting late, though we did think the route still had a chance of going.

A few days later we returned and this time headed up a sketchy looking ramp. It went and the rest of the route turned out to be mainly class 2! It seems impossible with 1,200 feet to go the route wouldn't encounter some serious climbing. The route is named, Rainbow Peak Without the Ledges. If you have done the normal route, you know the ledges I am writing about.

Notes: The route is well cairned at this time. Luba replaced the container for the sign in book. The book has plenty of pages left. I put in a fix line at a downclimb with lots of moss. It's only class 3, but the moss makes it tricky.

On Saturday, Richard and I put the finishing touches on Terrace Canyon Peak. It's a fun route with enough climbing to keep it interesting. The summit has some of the best views of any peak in Red Rock! We placed a sign-in book at the summit so hikers can record their ascent on this Sunday's hike. Members can also download the hike.

Today eleven hikers ascended Lost Creek Canyon to North Peak. This is a challenging route with lots of class 4 climbs. Although the weather forecast was iffy, it turned out to be a beautiful day. Peter wore his new shoes with the Gryptonite soles. He thought they were as good as Stealth rubber soles. Lost Creek Canyon was a good test. I feel hikers can now use either type of sole and feel comfortable on class 4 rock.

Walk Up Wall - Ain't No Walk Up!

Five of us hiked to the summit of Walk Up Wall in Red Rock Canyon today. We parked at Oak Creek and followed the new trail/path into Juniper Canyon. Our first goal was the top of Gunsight Notch, which looks impossible from Juniper Canyon. (See photo to the left.)Soon after leaving the notch the real climb begins. It's an exposed 50 foot climb up steep rock. Once up the route traverses a n exposed ledge and then weaves around and up rock to the summit. Walk Up Wall has tremendous views of Juniper Canyon. You can see most of the route to Juniper Peak and part of the route to Rainbow Peak without the Ledges. It's an amazing place to stand and I like it more than Rainbow Wall, even though Rainbow Wall is about 200 feet higher.

There's a good view of the ledge climbers sleep on when they climb Rainbow Wall. This is just after leaving the summit of Walk Up Wall. The descent route avoids the exposed traverse and 50 foot climb and soon meets up with the regular route. Descending Gunsight Notch is much faster. In no time we were down in Juniper Canyon. All in all a great hike.

Fall Colors in Red Rock

Although most people would not think of Red Rock having fall colors, Pine Creek is an exception. This photo was taken in Pine Creek less than a half mile from the trailhead. Click on the photo for a larger view.
Since I will be in town for the next few months, there will be a scheduled hike every Sunday until the end of the year. We will do the longer hikes before daylight saving time ends. Once it ends, some of the Sunday hikes will be in south Red Rock where we do not have to worry about getting a ticket for late exit. In November the Scenic Loop closes at 5 pm.

New Route to Juniper Peak

It has been a long time since there's been a new route to Juniper Peak. Yesterday we found a route that passes by the boulder in the photo. This is a wild looking boulder we call Pyramid Boulder. I know from this angle is does not look much like a pyramid, but it does from the direction the route approaches it. Members will be able to download the hike later this week. The hike travels through Pine Creek Canyon and follows the beginning of the Juniper Peak from the Backside route. The route then heads to Pyramid Boulder before making a direct ascent to Juniper Peak.