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Vegas for work, Red Rocks for fun?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 3:17 pm
by neoday
Hello,

I am going to Vegas today through Friday. What are my options for night hiking/climbing? I am going to be there through Friday. I am working a booth at a convention during the day. I can probably get away at night. I figure most people are going to hit the casinos- I should be able to get away into the hills.

I don't have a rental car, what are my options? I would love to get out and do some climbing/hiking. I am going to bring my headlamp and harness/shoes.

What are my odds of finding some one/group of people to go spend an evening outdoors?

Re: Vegas for work, Red Rocks for fun?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 3:46 pm
by MoapaPk
What do you mean by "night"? Sun will set ~6:40, and the moon won't rise until ~11:30. Best quick destination is Calico Basin; turn on the N side of road a few miles before Red Rock Visitor Center. A green road sign on R (N) indicates road.

1) Take the road all the way to "parking" on the NW side (a wide dirt road with cable fence and a gate -- BLM sanctioned). Kraft Mt is to your N-- has candy-cane red-and white appearance. Go right of Kraft Mt by bouldering area -- you'll see the chalk on the rocks. For a hike, continue counterclockwise E then N then W then back up hill through Gateway gully (some bypasses by cliffs). Or hike up to the pass W of Kraft.

2) Go straight W along old road, the slight R (WNW into area with short trees, then on to pass at W end.

3) or park at Red Springs, hike NW on N side of little peaks, up gully to pass.

Re: Vegas for work, Red Rocks for fun?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:29 pm
by neoday
Hi MonaPK,

Thanks for the note- as for "night" I'll be in Vegas so sleeping is optional. I can do 36 hours on no sleep without much issue. The fresh air would be good for me, no?


I am used to winters in MN where the sun sets around 5:00pm and doesn't rise until after 8am. We do lots and lots with our headlamps. Night is just like the day but without the sunlight- still plenty of opportunity for fun!

Re: Vegas for work, Red Rocks for fun?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:33 pm
by MoapaPk
Then there are lots of trail/semi-trailless/trailless hikes in Charleston area, off Lee Canyon and Kyle Canyon Roads, which are off rte 95 NW of City. Lots of scrambles in Red Rock; don't do technical climbs, so can't help there.

This is old, but check it out for a few ideas:
http://hwstock.org/map/01Spring.htm

I don't recommend most trailless hikes in RedRock without moon or sun -- too dangerous.