Warm Weather Hiking in Red Rock Canyon

If you get an early start, pick hikes that have some shade and bring lots of water, you can hike in Red Rock Canyon during the summer. If you don't do good in heat, then I recommend hiking in Mt. Charleston.

The advantages of hiking Red Rock in the summer are no crowds and long days. It doesn't get dark until 8 pm, the same time the Scenic Loop closes. That gives you almost 14 hours of daylight. I don't recommend doing long hikes in the summer. The following hikes are short to moderate hikes in duration.

Early Morning Red Rock Hiking

It gets light by 5 am in June. You can hike in Calico Basin (it opens at dawn) and South Red Rock. The Scenic Loop opens at 6 am and you still have to drive to the trailhead, meaning you probably won't start hiking until ~ 6:30. Calico Basin and South Red Rock hikes are better choices during the summer.

Kraft Mtn

There are two routes up Kraft Mtn. that are almost entirely in the shade until 8 am. They are the West Route and the route up Hell Hill and then heading east to the summit.





In South Red Rock, East Peak will be in the shade early in the morning as you hike and scramble in the gully. Veteran's Peak will be in the shade for most of the ascent route.

East Peak

Via the Scenic Loop, Oak Creek Overlook and Oak Peak have lots of shade. Realistically, you will not start hiking until at least 6:30.

Oak Creek Overlook

You should bring extra water and wear cotton while hiking in Red Rock during the summer.

Red Rock Season Is Almost Here

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Most hikers prefer hiking in Red Rock Canyon than any other location around southern Nevada. There are over 50 peaks in Red Rock in a small geographical location compared to Mt. Charleston or Lake Mead. For most hikers Red Rock is a much closer drive than Charleston or Lake Mead. Temperatures will soon drop into the eighties and below, making it the perfect time to hike in Red Rock.

Things to Remember About Hiking In Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon is known for rock scrambling. I have over 90 scrambling routes on my site: www.hikinglasvegas.com.  Approach shoes are the best type of hiking shoes for the scrambling routes in Red Rock. The soles have sticky rubber and stick to the rock much better the normal hiking shoes. My favorite approach shoes are the Vasque Screes. They are well made, comfortable and really stick to the rock. You can get a discount on the Screes by going to Red Wing (4616 W. Charleston in Las Vegas) and mention my name (Branch Whitney).

Darkness

Once it cools down, heat is no longer your enemy, it's darkness.  Currently it's getting dark around 7 pm, but in December it becomes dark before 5 pm! You do NOT want to descend a scrambling route in the dark. Every hiker should have a headlamp with them. Buy it and leave it in your pack. Also, you need to test it to make sure the batteries are still good.

Snakes

Sidewinder 

Although not a big issue, snakes are most active in October and April in Red Rock. Here's a page from my website that deals with snakes: http://www.hikinglasvegas.com/Snakes.htm

What to Bring on a Hike and Ice

In December it can be cold in Red Rock at the higher elevations. Hikers should have extra layers, a balaclava, and gloves in their packs. Also keep an eye out for ice. Early this year a hiker fell 30 feet because he slipped on ice.