Tank Discovery Scramble
(Red Rock Canyon NCA)
Tank
Discovery Scramble - This route explores the cream colored sandstone of
the northern Calico Hills looking for tinajas. After a good rain, this
hike shows off many tanks filled with reflective water. To see these
tanks, there is quite a lot of moderately strenuous scrambling. The hike
is 4.5 miles with around 1200 feet of elevation gain over three
separate ascents.
Tanks I
Tanks II
Telephone Canyon
(Spring Mountains NRA)
Telephone Canyon - This canyon, running between Robbers' Roost and Kyle Canyon Road near the Visitor Center, contains a number of recreational and abandoned gravel roads and several trails that crisscross the top one-third of the canyon. The easiest access is at the Robbers' Roost parking area on Highway 158. Hikes in this canyon can be anywhere from 2 to 6 miles. As you hike, maintain an awareness of your surroundings, as the canyon is heavily forested and it is easy to lose track of where your vehicle is parked. A popular easy to moderate downhill point to point route is almost 4 miles with a loss of around 1500 elevation feet.
Terrace Canyon
(Red Rock Canyon NCA)
Terrace Canyon - The ultimate in boulder scrambling, the route to Terrace Canyon climbs through the South Fork of Pine Creek Canyon and passes four major canyon junctions on the way. The strenuous hike totals about 6 miles, but 2/3 of that distance consists of pretty intense scrambling in the drainage for an elevation gain of 1300 feet. At the top, the bed of the canyon consists completely of shale type rock that extends from one sandstone side to the other and forms a series of terraces. In the spring, water can often be found in sections of the canyon. If it is flowing over the terraces the sight is unlike any other in southern Nevada.
Three Peaks and an Arch
(Red Rock Canyon NCA)
Three Peaks and an Arch - Another scrambling route in the northern Calico Hills starts with a climb up to Red Cap from the front side. The route then visits the tanks and continues over to Calico Peak. From there, descend to the main tank and ascend up to Calico II Peak. On the way back on the Calico Tanks Trail, take a side trip over to the natural arch located in the sandstone. The strenuous scrambling hike is 4 miles with 1300 feet of elevation gain.
Three Slots
(Valley of Fire State Park)
Three Slots - This is a moderate loop in Valley of Fire of 3.5 miles that begins at the parking #2 turnout. It takes the hiker past the Fire Wave and through small slot canyons before passing by the old movie set and the slot with high walls. The remaining loop is a feast for the eyes with unimaginable color. There is only 400 feet of elevation gain. For further information regarding hikes in Valley of Fire, contact Brian Dodd (briandodd (at) cox.net)
Tombstone Rock (& Lake Las Vegas Overlook)
(Lake Mead NRA)
Tombstone Rock (& Lake Las Vegas Overlook) - This route visits two points of interest going in to the hills from the old Ranger Station and Las Vegas Marina. It also includes desert hiking and a little wash scrambling. The route is 7 miles with 1400 feet of elevation gain.
Top of the World Arch
(Valley of Fire State Park)
Top of the World Arch - There are four versions of the hike that routes up to an arch that lies on top of a sandstone peak on the west side of the Valley of Fire scenic drive called Mouse's Tank Road. The shortest version starts at TH parking #2 and loops up to the arch using a canyon trail. The slightly more strenuous version is an out and back hike that starts at TH parking #1 and ascends via an exciting steep sandstone slab wall. Both of these moderate to moderately strenuous hikes are around 3 miles with almost 800 feet of elevation gain. The next is a moderately strenuous 4 mile version that starts from the White Domes TH and loops around with 1300 feet of elevation gain. The last is a 7 mile moderately strenuous loop that is inclusive of several other points of interest that uses the White Domes TH. It has 1400 feet of scrambling elevation gain. For further information regarding hikes in Valley of Fire, contact Brian Dodd (briandodd (at) cox.net)
Out and Back 3 Miles
Loop of 7 Miles
Trail Canyon
(Spring Mountains NRA)
Trail Canyon - The start of this moderate hike is located just after the turnoff for Mary Jane Falls on Echo Drive. The out-and-back hike follows the trail in the general direction of Mummy Mountain. The first half of the trail is quite steep and generally goes straight uphill. The second half contains several switchbacks to ease the climb rate. The trail terminates at a saddle junction with North Loop Trail. A short distance to the right is a great viewing spot for Fletcher Canyon below and Mt. Charleston above. Reverse direction to return. Total distance is 4.3 miles with 1500 feet of elevation gain.
Trail Canyon / Fletcher Canyon
(Spring Mountains NRA)
Trail Canyon / Fletcher Canyon - There are two ways to do a point to point hike that includes the full length of Fletcher Canyon. The shorter of the two are by using the Trail Canyon Trail to climb up to the Fletcher Canyon Bowl area then drop down into the bowl to find the Big Boulder Landmark. Here, a trail takes the hiker down through the beautiful upper reaches of the canyon, through the rabbit hole and on out to the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead. This moderately strenuous hike is 6 miles with 1600 feet of elevation gain and 2300 feet of elevation loss.
Turtlehead Peak
(Red Rock Canyon NCA)
Turtlehead Peak - The out-and-back moderately strenuous hike begins at Sandstone Quarry on the Red Rock scenic loop drive. The trail starts in a northerly direction toward the La Madre Mountains, then turns east and climbs through or next to the main drainage coming down from the saddle. Once on the saddle, a trail on the backside of the mountain brings you up to the peak, which is the highest point on any of the official Red Rock trails. Total distance is 5 miles with 1900 feet of elevation gain.
Twilight Ridge Loop
(Red Rock Canyon NCA)
Twilight Ridge Loop - This loop leaves out of the Twilight Trailhead that is 9 miles up Kyle Canyon Road. Using bike trails, it crosses the desert to the far end of a ridge where it temporarily junctions with Lucky Strike dirt road. The trail continues circling around the ridge on the right passing Grapevine Springs and generally stays between the foothills of the ridge and the wide wash below. After circling around the other end of the ridge, the trail climbs over a second saddle and heads back to the cars. This moderately strenuous loop is 8 miles with 1300 feet of elevation gain.
Route with an exploration onto a ridge
Two Elephants Loop
(Valley of Fire State Park)
Two Elephants Loop - This strenuous scrambling hike is a 5 mile loop that starts at the Elephant Rock TH on the east side of the park. After hiking up to view the main Elephant Rock formation, it ascends 5 scrambles in a loop to find the Sitting Elephant rock formation. There are 1300 feet of elevation gain. For further information regarding hikes in Valley of Fire, contact Brian Dodd (briandodd (at) cox.net)
Two North Peaks
(Red Rock Canyon NCA)
Two North Peaks - On the north end of the Red Rock escarpment, there is a ridge that borders Rocky Gap Road. On one end of this ridge lies North Peak (Limestone) and on the other end, there is North Peak (Sandstone). An 11 mile strenuous hike leaves Willow Springs Picnic Area Trailhead and climbs 4.5 miles up Rocky Gap Road. At the summit, a trail to the south climbs up to the first North Peak. Another trail from this peak drops down the limestone ridge until it reaches Dragon Rock on the sandstone. A little further along the ridge, the other North Peak is climbed. From there, retrace your steps to Dragon Rock and descend on a trail that follows a side ridge down to the dirt road. Return to the trailhead via the dirt road. This hike has 3100 feet of elevation gain.
Two Peaks and an Arch
(Red Rock Canyon NCA)
Two Peaks and an Arch - This hike is similar to Three Peaks and an Arch except for 2 things: first, it eliminates the climb to Calico Peak and second, it reverses direction. Therefore, the arch is visited first. Then comes Calico II and Red Cap reversing the routes. The moderately strenuous loop is a little less than 4 miles with 1200 feet of elevation gain.
Telephone Canyon - This canyon, running between Robbers' Roost and Kyle Canyon Road near the Visitor Center, contains a number of recreational and abandoned gravel roads and several trails that crisscross the top one-third of the canyon. The easiest access is at the Robbers' Roost parking area on Highway 158. Hikes in this canyon can be anywhere from 2 to 6 miles. As you hike, maintain an awareness of your surroundings, as the canyon is heavily forested and it is easy to lose track of where your vehicle is parked. A popular easy to moderate downhill point to point route is almost 4 miles with a loss of around 1500 elevation feet.
Turtlehead Peak - The out-and-back moderately strenuous hike begins at Sandstone Quarry on the Red Rock scenic loop drive. The trail starts in a northerly direction toward the La Madre Mountains, then turns east and climbs through or next to the main drainage coming down from the saddle. Once on the saddle, a trail on the backside of the mountain brings you up to the peak, which is the highest point on any of the official Red Rock trails. Total distance is 5 miles with 1900 feet of elevation gain.
