| Colorado Rookies Return to the Las Vegas Desert Trip Report |
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| Page Type: Trip Report Location: Nevada, United States, North America Date Climbed/Hiked: Mar 15, 2009 Activities: Hiking, Scrambling Season: Spring | Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: Mar 19, 2009 / Mar 20, 2009 Object ID: 499279 Hits: 1335 Loading... Page Score: 90.08% - 32 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
FOREWARDThe plans were made. For my birthday present, Ellen had arranged a return trip to Las Vegas, and she had planned a four day trip featuring three nights of entertainment. However, I was assigned the duty of planning and organizing our hiking activities for this trip. We knew we wanted to do some hiking in areas we had not yet visited, but we weren’t opposed to returning to an area we were already familiar with either - if the hiking route was interesting enough, which would certainly be no problem in Vegas. The challenge was to set up hikes that would allow us to be back in town in time to get a decent dinner and allow us time to get to the shows we were slated to attend.
To begin my research into the possibilities, I went to the best possible source imaginable-our SP friends in the Las Vegas area! I posted an announcement in SP’s Southwest Area forum, and to no surprise, SP’s members sounded off straight away with all sorts of wonderful suggestions (you can read the thread and see how events unfolded HERE). I was hoping to hear from our SP friends from our last visit, as well as from new friends, and this was the case.
After considering the expert input from our knowledgeable SP peers, we decided to try three intriguing destinations that promised to be engaging, interesting and challenging, as all of our previous Las Vegas hiking excursions have been. These hikes were also short enough to assure our return to town in time for our evening activities. As usual, we ran ourselves right into the ground but had an awesome time doing so. For the most part, this trip was a fantastic success, with just about everything working perfectly. It would not have been possible though without our SP friends’ help in the planning and execution of these climbs. They did a fantastic job of assuring these hikes were executed in an expedient manner, and of course they were all mindful of our safety as well, which was much appreciated.
Our climbs turned out to be three fun mountains, each with a significant amount of Class 3 scrambling, which was just what we were looking for. Each summit destination had its own distinctive character and unique offerings, and each was a shining example of how wonderful hiking can be in the tremendously diverse Las Vegas region. We climbed a very obscure summit, a well known summit, and a lonely summit across the border in California. What follows is a report equal in text and photos, to be a feast for the eyes as well as a source of information for those considering a visit to the spectacular desert country surrounding Las Vegas. Enjoy!
Panorama from The Sentinel |
THE SENTINEL
The Sentinel |
The Sentinel is a local name. Officially, the mountain has no name, although it certainly deserves one, and the Sentinel is very appropriate. We met fellow SP members Mike and Harlan as planned at 6:00AM and drove east out of Vegas into the Lake Mead Recreation Area. We were hiking by sunrise and made good time crossing the spacious and lonely Pinto Valley as the sun rose over the area.
The Sentinel |
We approached the mountain from the northeast and we soon entered a draw surrounded by red Aztec sandstone. We began winding our way up gullies toward the ridge line east of the mountain. Fun gully scrambles were followed by a pleasant walk up a broad wash that sheltered us from the cool wind that was beginning to blow. Once on the ridge line and in the sun, we remained bundled up in the persistent cool breeze. We then followed a sheep trail along the south side of the ridge, rounded a corner and were greeted with a dramatic view of our destination to the west. The Sentinel is actually a long ridge and we were looking at it edge on, and from that angle, it’s a very immediate mountain. It was this view in Harlan’s photo suggestions that enticed us to climb this peak.
Approaching the final pitch |
Ellen climbs The Sentinel |
Aaron & Ellen on the final pitch |
Final Pitch |
Climbing The Sentinel |
MoapaPk climbs the Sentinel |
Narrow spots on the ridge followed, but we were soon on the south face of the mountain, out of the wind and enjoying the warmth of the sun radiating up at us from the steep, tilted limestone rock. Harlan led us to a ramp that cut back to the east as it climbed rapidly to the summit ridge. This was a fun class 3 scramble on very steep, grippy rock. A slip or a scrape on this stuff would cut you wide open, a tumble would result in a serious bloody mess, and a long fall would be deadly. There were plenty of holds though and the climbing was great fun.
SP members on The Sentinel |
Lofty heights on the Sentinel |
Once on the ridge, it was a pleasant stroll to the summit, although the cold morning wind was hammering at us. We had a pleasant “lunch” on the summit at 9:30AM, where Mike enjoyed a can of sardines while perched on a ledge below the ridge and out of the wind. We were shown many more possibilities for future hikes from this unimpeded perch as well. Needless to say, our return trips to Vegas will carry us on for years.
Scrambling down from The Sentinel |
Ellen traverses a narrow foot ledge |
We were then treated to an alternate descent making for a wonderful loop trip. Following the ridge to the west end, we descended down a canyon, first through limestone layers, and then we turned a corner and entered a fun slot canyon in the Aztec sandstone layer of the mountain. A fun series of obstacles punctuated our scramble down this canyon, including two particularly tricky maneuvers down smooth sandstone that Harlan assisted us in by providing guidance and impromptu footholds. We’ve done our fair share of climbing, but we’re still rookies on this smooth slick rock stuff. Mike and Harlan commented that our packs weren’t torn up enough, a tell-tale sign that we haven’t hiked enough in the Las Vegas area!
Descending the slick rock slot canyon |
Spotting Ellen on a tricky spot |
Near the bottom of the canyon, we hung a right to avoid a towering pour-off and climbed up another gully, then back down to a traverse across slick rock and back to the desert floor of the Pinto Valley. We strolled up a long, dry gully and reached the cars around 12:30 or so, allowing us plenty of time for a leisurely return back to town and the evening’s entertainment: The spectacular Criss Angel show at the Luxor.
The Johnsons pose with The Sentinel |
GUNSIGHT NOTCH PEAKOur plan was for each successive hike to be shorter and have a later start time. We figured as the trip progressed, we’d be getting worn out, if our last trip to Vegas was any indication. This was certainly the case again. Careful consideration and planning for this trip resulted in less devastation on our bodies. Even so, we knew our second hike would do a number on us. We were returning to the Red Rock Canyon Conservation area. On our previous trip, we did two major outings there that leveled us. They were the first hikes of the year, and they took a heavy toll.
This time around, we had been out prior in efforts to get warmed up for our Vegas hikes, and this worked to great success. Even so, the climb to Gunsight Notch Peak was expected to be a serious work out, and it was. The nice thing about it was the later start time and leisurely pace. We were also excited about meeting SP member Jim Egan, who is a fellow Glacier National Park enthusiast and quite an accomplished climber in that well known national attraction, having scaled over 200 Glacier NP summits.
SP member Jim Egan leads the group |
Jim was leading a hiking group from his church and had extended an invitation to us to join. An acquaintance of Ellen’s through her work joined us as well, and he brought his girlfriend. On the drive to the trailhead, we had a chance to talk about our previous climbing experiences in Glacier with Jim. The group numbered ten, and meeting and getting to the Pine Creek trailhead went smoothly. We were hiking at a leisurely pace as any large group would do by 9:00AM.
Jim and Aaron in Pine Creek |
After snapping photos of some bighorn sheep, we were soon scrambling up Pine Creek, which is a countless series of scrambling obstacles, many of them Class 3, and the challenges never let up. Progress grew noticeably slower the further we went up the canyon, and keeping the group together was becoming a challenge for Jim. It was clear the scope of the outing, which I’m sure was clearly illustrated by Jim in the hike information, was underestimated by most of these casual hikers. By the time we reached the large cairn marking our exit into another, steeper canyon, four of the group had elected to remain below, including Ellen’s acquaintances.
Scenic Gunsight Notch Canyon Approach |
It had taken two hours to reach this point. If we were going to be successful at reaching the summit, we were going to have to pour on the speed in typical Colorado fashion. We knew the terrain only got more challenging as well. Jim encouraged us to step up the pace and we did, and Jim soon caught up with us, and then passed us when it was clear that the remaining three members of the group were following with the intention to summit.
Jim blazes up the canyon |
Ellen and I figured we had until 1:30 to reach the summit. This was the absolute turn-around time we could afford in order to be back in town at the desired time of 4:00PM. However, as we ascended the complicated terrain, we knew it would be more like 5:00PM when accounting for the drive to town. We figured the climb was still a GO and we pressed on.
Terrace ascent |
The friction climbing in this canyon is a quad burner, but we made good time on this smooth and slabby rock. Some of it was REALLY smooth and a bit disconcerting, but we continued to make great time and we would get used to this smooth rock and actually appreciate it during our descent.
Final Pitch to Summit |
We were soon at the famous “notch” between Gunsight Notch Peak and the equally famous Rainbow Wall, a grand vertical feature that presents a considerable challenge to big wall climbers. This was an exciting backdrop during our final pitch to the summit over steep Class 3 rock.
Gunsight Notch Peak Summit |
Jim reached the summit a minute before I did, and Ellen was about two minutes behind me. We enjoyed a nice lunch on top but wasted no time. We agreed with Jim that we would descend at a leisurely pace to allow him time to get summit photos of the others and catch up to us for the descent.
Ellen climbs the final pitch from the Notch |
Half way down this upper canyon, we looked up and saw the group was only at the notch and it would take quite a bit of time to catch up to us. We continued our descent back down to the large cairn and were concerned that it took over an hour to reach that point. Jim and the others had not caught up to us, and we knew it would take at least another two hours for us to get out of Pine Creek and back to our car, and longer if we waited for the group, which we could not afford.
Slickrock Descent |
We left a note for Jim on the back of one of my Cathode Raytube Land cards, conspicuously placed at the cairn where he could not miss it and regretfully pressed onward. Efforts to get in shape before the trip had paid off. We were moving along very efficiently as we progressed without pause down Pine Creek, back through the many climbing obstacles that had slowed the group’s progress considerably that morning. But we could feel the cumulative rigors of the day beginning to catch up with us, and we knew it would be another painfully stiff evening, just as it was on our last visit. Red Rock really ran us through the ringer, despite our better-than-usual physical condition.
Descending the terrace steps |
We reached the car at 4:00 and were back at the hotel at 4:45, which was pretty good considering the traffic on the Strip. Little did we know we had more “hiking” challenges to come that evening. We took the monorail up to the Wynn Hotel station, which is a mile EAST of the hotel, where the Danny Gans show we were seeing was playing. Upon our arrival at the station, we learned the Wynn shuttle had been discontinued, and we were faced with a mile of walking to the hotel. We only had a little over 30 minutes to make the show. Ellen hailed a cab utilizing her well known, ear-splitting whistle, which immediately caught the driver’s attention. Needless to say, he was impressed with what we had done that day.
We made it to the show with ten minutes to spare. Right before the show, Ellen mentioned her throat was feeling lousy. Afterwards, we were pretty stiff. Red Rock had done its usual number on us, so we took a cab back to our hotel, the MGM Grand, content in the knowledge that the next day’s hike would not be as grueling or long.EAGLE MOUNTAINEllen had a rough night with her throat, so it was obvious she had caught an ailment of some sort. I was concerned about how it would affect our climb of Eagle Mountain with Dionne and Courtney, but Ellen was confident it would not be a factor. We were up at 5:00AM and rolling on the highway due west out of town by 6:00AM. At 8:15AM, we met our two trusty guides for our next hike beside the highway in the middle of nowhere.
North of a little almost deserted hamlet right out of the X Files called Shoshone is a lonely mountain called Eagle Mountain. This mountain stands all by itself, a great rib of limestone erupting from the desert floor in immediate and imposing fashion. We met Courtney and Dionne along the highway just west of the mountain, then drove a few hundred yards on a dirt road to the start of the hike.
It was great to be hiking with Courtney and Dionne again. Our last outing together was Mescalito Peak in the Red Rock area. That hike really toasted us good. We were assured this short outing would be perfect and it would not run us through the grinder, which was a relief.
Climbing Eagle Mountain on solid black limestone |
Eagle is a stout mountain. Once off of the desert floor, the terrain rose in very steep fashion. We climbed more amazingly steep, grippy limestone like that encountered on the Sentinel, only this stuff was black as coal. One would swear that from a distance the mountain was a pile of rubble. It is actually very solid. Our boots gripped the rock readily and this made for enjoyable scrambling all the way up to the ridge, where most of the day’s gain had been accumulated.
CP & DB take in the desolate view due west |
A use trail takes over from cairns at that point. We contoured beneath a ridge cliff and then arrived at the summit ridge, a series of fun Class 3 scrambles with notable points of exposure along the way on both sides of the ridge top. We then arrived at the crux move, a 30 foot high vertical wall of super solid limestone. Courtney was the first one up. He got situated and lowered some webbing for anyone that might require it. This gesture was very thoughtful, and I appreciated Courtney’s safety minded approach to this crux piece. However, none of us required the webbing to aid our ascent, though we admittedly were concerned about the down climb.
The Johnsons on the summit of Eagle Mountain |
The summit scramble was fun but brief, and we enjoyed almost an hour of peaceful bliss atop this lonely summit. A dust storm had ravaged the valley the night before, so the haze was thick and the views were obscured, but we could see the general Death Valley area, and even Mount Charleston to the east and Telescope Peak to the west. We had a fun conversation covering many subjects and enjoyed a nice lunch.
Looking north from the high trail |
The scramble down this mountain was just as enjoyable as the scramble up. Back at the crux section, Courtney set up a belay which Ellen and I gratefully accepted. The mountain is rated Class 3, but this vertical section could be Class 4 in most folks’ terms, and doing it safely was much appreciated. It had been a while since either of us had been on such terrain. It was nice to see neither of us needed the belay, but it was nice to know that the safety measure had been employed.
Ellen ascends the crux section |
I should mention that this limestone rock, which most of the mountains in the area are made of, is tough stuff and highly abrasive. It’s great to walk and climb on, but it’s hard on skin. I went through the day without gloves without a problem, although by the end of the hike, the skin in my palms was like sandpaper. It’s nothing a bit of hand lotion couldn’t cure, but nevertheless, I recommend gloves for climbing on limestone, primarily in the interest of minimizing your chances of injury on this stuff, which can cut like glass if you’re not careful. Thin leather or fabric gloves would be ideal for scrambling on this terrain.
AJ descends endless limestone |
As promised, we were up and down the mountain in four hours, not counting the hour of leisure on the summit, which we were much appreciative of. Ellen seemed to be doing well despite her newly acquired cold. We spent another hour back at the cars talking about music, our past climbing experiences and possible future endeavors. It was wonderful climbing with Courtney and Dionne again, and we look forward to many more outings in the future!
Ellen & Eagle Mountain: Desolation at its Best! |
EPILOGBe sure to view the photos included in this report separately to read the captions and get more of the story!
Our deepest and most sincere thanks are extended to our fantastic Vegas friends: CP, DB, Mike, Harlan and Jim for making this trip to the Vegas desert a hugely successful event. We also want to thank those in the area who have hiked with us previously, notably SusanM. We hope to be reunited with them in the future! Also, special thanks to everyone else that participated in the SP thread with suggestions for this trip. Never underestimate the value of your SP peers, which is THE greatest reason and biggest benefit for being a member of SummitPost!
On the fourth day we did another “hike,” walking the strip up to the Mirage to see the Secret Garden and Dolphin Pool. We were treated to observing the trainers working with the dolphins and seeing a new baby Jaguar named Java. On the way back, all that hiking caught up with us. Our feet were killing us and we were glad to get to the airport. We were then compelled to sit down and finally relax and give our feet a break. Unfortunately, the plane had mechanical problems and United Airlines had to send another one from Denver, so we were stuck at the airport for 2.5 hours. We got home at 11PM instead of the intended 9PM. No matter, our feet appreciated the rest. Most folks on the plane were supposed to catch connecting flights. Very few of them made their connections and were marooned in Denver over night. At least the airline put them up for the evening. So in that regard, we were fortunate.
Ellen scheduled three shows for us to see, two of which were surprises. For those of you that were interested, those shows were:
Criss Angel/Believe
Highly recommended! It’s quite the mind blowing spectacle and worth your time and money to see it. Only in Las Vegas will you see such bizarre, unbelievable stuff!
Danny Gans
This guy is incredibly talented and deserves all the accolades he receives, and his super tight band is fantastic. Doing impressions is one thing. SINGING those impressions is another matter entirely!
Crazy Horse Paris Revue
This one was truly a surprise. Given the obvious attractions aimed at the male of the species, the male talent in this show was actually more talented and appreciated by the audience, the obviously scantily clad female talent notwithstanding. It’s interesting to note that half of the audience was women, and half of the audience was also folks older than 40. I had never seen such a show before, hence Ellen’s choice, but she misinterpreted my intention, which was to see a classic Vegas extravaganza that hails back to the early “glory days.” After seeing a number of billboards, we realized such attractions are still running, so we’ll probably see one in the future.
Other Attractions We Recommend
The M&M Store on the strip; Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Pool (this was a very cool thing); The Wynn Hotel; The Titanic Exhibit (presently at the Luxor-we saw it in Denver, it’s excellent).
Not Recommended
Unless it goes directly to your intended destination, the Vegas monorail is not recommended.
I caught Ellen’s illness upon our return home and ended up in bed on my birthday. I guess there had to be a price paid for all of that fun!
Finally, thanks to you, the SP member/reader, for stopping by and reading this report. Recommended Research and ReadingCourtney Purcell's Web Page
H.W. Stockman's Spartan Web Site
H.W. Stockman's Report on the Sentinel Climb
Eagle Mountain on SP
Gunsight Notch Peak on SP
Criss Angel: Believe
Danny Gans
Crazy Horse Paris
Titanic Exhibit
Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden Images
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