White Rock Hills Peak - Southern Route

There's a shortcut into the normal gully that leads to the summit on the Southern route to White Rock Hills Peak. This shortcut is a different gully that's about five to eight minutes before the normal gully. 

Photo 1 shows this new gully. It's not as loose as the normal gully, which not only makes it faster, but safer. The whitish bark tree (circled in Photo 1) is a good landmark. Although not obvious in the photo, the gully divides; veer left as shown in the photo. 

Photo 1

Photo 2

Continue ascending over easy rock another 40 yard or so until you see cairns off to the left (north). Follow the cairns across the easy traverse as seen in Photo 2. Your landmark are the two trees. Ascend this gully about 30 yards to an obvious opening to the left (north). 

You are now in the normal gully above all the loose rock. This gully  leads to the overlook of the Scenic Loop road. From here follow the normal route to the summit, about 10 minutes away.

Cockscomb Peak - A Better Descent Route

Cockscomb Peak

Cockscomb Peak is the prominent peak out to the east as you hike up Trail Canyon Trail. Many hikers think the trail should be renamed: Boring Trail! Anyways, Cockscomb is a nice peak to bag. The climbs are loose and caution must be used if a large group is attempting this hike.
(Note: Click on photos to enlarge them.)

The old descent route was incredibly loose and too dangerous. About two years ago Kathy and I found a much better route that traversed most of the Cockscomb Ridge and then descended by an arch. This was a better route, but this new descent was still loose and very long.

Last week we again climbed Cockscomb Peak with the goal of finding a safe and fast descent. Here's the new descent.
First, here's a photo taken from the summit looking at the descent route:

Rap from summit

From Cockscomb Peak retrace your steps south as normal. Start heading west down the not too loose slope. Pass two fallen trees with cairns on them. (They are less than 100 yards from the summit of Cockscomb.)
In roughly 20 to 30 yards past the second fallen tree with a cairn, head north (right) to a rock outcrop with a large cairn delicately balance on the top.

Start a series of down climbs (mainly class 2) with some loose rock.  I put a few cairns here. Continue to the hand line in the photo below.

Handline

Once down the rope (short downclimb of less than 10 feet) there’s a big tree that you will use for an anchor.
100 foot rope is enough. The rap is about 43 feet. The first part is really class 2/3 and then a ~12 foot vertical section.

Pulling the rope is safe with the rope suspended over two rock ridges, so there’s very little chance of falling rock.

Rap

At the bottom of the rap, descend west hugging the wall for better footing. Once the wall gives way, the incline lessens and you will soon intersect Trail Canyon Trail. You are about 20 minutes from the trailhead.
Want to do this hike with us? Join Meetup/Hiking-Las-Vegas

One Last Red Rock Hike - A New Classic!

Yes, I know it's getting hot, but I found a great route in Red Rock that I am sure will become a classic! A couple months ago as we were doing the North Peak via Lost Creek Canyon hike Ed asked if I had ever tried going up the bowl and ridge just to the East of Lost Creek Canyon. That got me started! On Friday, Debbie and I explored this route. Wow! It had some fun climbing, very exposed traverses, a slot, and a hidden camp. On Sunday I finished the route having it end at Lost Creek Ridge Overlook. From there you can peer down 1,000 feet into Lost Creek Canyon. The photo to the left is an overview of the route. This hike will be one of the first hikes I will put on the schedule for the fall.