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Good summer hike near LV?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:07 pm
by milbucksfans
My wife and I will be in Las Vegas in mid-June and will have a half-day available for a hike somewhere nearby. We did Turtlehead Peak last spring and really enjoyed it. That hike was perfect for our experience level - a bit challenging physically but not overly so.

We'd love some advice on something similar we could do this year. Having read how oppressive the desert heat can be, we are a little leery of trying something in Red Rock in June. We love the heat and do pretty well in it but don't want to attempt anything ridiculous. We will likely begin our hike at sunrise and will have to head back around early afternoon.

One climb that looked intriguing to me was Potosi Mountain, but I'm thinking we might be a bit pressed for time to reach the peak? That one also may be just a bit outside our capabilities - not sure. I also thought about Sheep Peak but that appears to be a very exposed hike for early summer heat.

Any advice or recommendations would be very much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Re: Good summer hike near LV?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:27 pm
by Marmaduke
I hiked Windy Peak via Windy Canyon and it was a very fun scramble. It is a step above Turtlehead, route finding can be a small issue but a fun hike.

edit- Just noticed you'll be there in June, yes very hot, bring a lot of water..... a lot.

Re: Good summer hike near LV?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:23 pm
by MoapaPk
Spring Mountains, Mount Charleston area. You'll start at 7500' at least, and will travel up to near 12000'. No worries about heat.

I haven't updated this in a while, but check:
http://hwstock.org/map/01Spring.htm

I suggest South Sister from Lee Canyon -- barely 2000' elevation gain. Easier still is Amargosa (Wallace Canyon) overlook from the Ski Area in Lee Canyon. Even the Bristlecone -> Bonanza Trail will get you out high with good views. In Kyle Canyon, try Cathedral Rock for a quick day, Cockscomb is you can take class 3 on sketchy rock, or class 2+ with intense routefinding. For me, Mummy by Trail Canyon->scree slope (SW side) is a half-day hike; others may not feel that way, since it has 3800' gain.

Re: Good summer hike near LV?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:28 pm
by milbucksfans
Thanks Moapa - The Sisters looks like a good potential option.

I see from your link that you've been up to the site of the Carole Lombard crash site. Do you think attempting to summit Potosi is a bad idea for June or for climbers of our experience level (Turtlehead being our most extensive climb)?

Re: Good summer hike near LV?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:32 pm
by MoapaPk
Potosi to Carole Lombard wreck mainly requires a very tough 4x4 and good navigation. Potosi by the NW (standard) route is OK for windows of oportunity in June. Turtlehead is a lot easier than most stuff that I do; I don't know if that is at your limits. Cathedral Rock alone is ~similar to Turtlehead.

Re: Good summer hike near LV?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:50 pm
by surgent
Potosi has a road/hike option from the south via Goodsprings. Technically, very easy, but moderately long with over 3,000 feet of vertical gain.

I would be hesitant to hike this peak even along the road unless the temperatures are way below normal. In spring or fall, it's cake. The warmth can be pretty evident even at 8,000+ feet.

Thus, I second MoapaPk: the Springs can't be beat during summer and there are many hiking options. You may even run into my mom with her hiking gang up there. The heat pretty much shuts things out for anything below 6k.

Re: Good summer hike near LV?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:27 am
by lcarreau
Gotta agree with Harlan and Scott ...

The Spring Mountains are pretty cool, but you might want to call the Forest Service about "fire restrictions." Sometimes, they can close trailheads ..

My wife and I did the Cathedral Rock hike. It's pretty laid back, and the view from the summit is ALWAYS impressive.

Image

- photograph compliments Anya Jingle ... taking a wild guess and calling this a "winter shot."

Re: Good summer hike near LV?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:54 am
by MoapaPk
Bigger restrictions are likely to come from the closure of the areas near the South Loop Trail for the upgrades of the parking lots and picnic area. You may be required to park at the first turnout left, on the way to the Mary Jane Falls trailhead, if you go to Cathedral Rock. For that reason, check with the rangers in Kyle Canyon. http://gomtcharleston.com/conditions.html

I can recall just 3 days in 14 years when the trails were closed because of fire restrictions, and those were from actual fires.

When you get closer to the time, contact me. If the year stays low-snow, you may have an easier time with the North Loop Trail off the Deer Creek Road; starts at 8500', and you can make the 10000' ridge, Fletcher Peak, or RainTree your destrinations. I live 45 minutes from the trailheads, and am in that area a lot (e.g., I am not too fond of Charleston Peak, but have been up there 30x by 13 routes). If you have an HC vehicle, you can start for Griffith Peak at the Harris Springs TH at 8500', and avoid the SLT mess, and have a trail with 2600' gain.

Really, a lot of options depend on your conditioning and comfort with off-trail travel. When you start at 8500', you may immediately run out of breath, if you come from Wisconsin.

Re: Good summer hike near LV?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:39 am
by milbucksfans
I really appreciate all the replies. Moapa, I will definitely contact you when we get closer to the date to get further advice...our choice may depend on what physical condition we're in at that time. :)

Thanks again to everyone posting.