02 Visitor Center | Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
The Desert National Wildlife Refuge just North of Las Vegas Was Created to Protect Nevada’s Bighorn Sheep. The Visitor Center Has Well Designed Interpretive Displays, a Desert Oasis Walkway and is Staffed with Helpful Experts. The DNWR is the largest wildlife refuge in the lower 48 states and has as its main feature the massive Sheep Range.
Hollow Rock Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
Hollow Rock Peak is the second to the Southernmost peak in the Rainbow Mountains with South Peak just beyond. It’s a great 5-mile round trip and offers climbing levels from class 2-3 to class 5, depending on the route you choose (see below). And the calico boulders, pinnacles, cliffs, ledges and scattered bonsai-like bushes and trees make this an adventure of wonder. Spectacular views include the Las Vegas Valley and Strip, Frenchman Mountain, Muddy Mountains, Virgin Mountains (dim, distant), Gass Peak, the Sheep Range, Blue Diamond Mountain, portions of Red Rock Canyon, Calico Basin and La Madre Mountains, Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Lovell Canyon Area, Potosi Mountain, Lake Mojave (or Havasu?), and too many additional points of interest to mention here. Route details: 5 mi RT/ 5,470ft > 5,960ft; Mostly Good Trails, Some Class 3 Climbing. Best time of year for this adventure: Spring or Fall. Click image or title above for more…
Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing Southern Half | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
This is the Southern half of the Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing from the intersection of Kyle Canyon and Harris Springs Roads in Kyle Canyon, up over the Keystone Thrust and down to the base of White Rock Mountain in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The entire Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing gives an experience of the La Madre Mountains Wilderness and Red Rock Canyon. In addition, there are views of the Sheep Range, Gass Peak, Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Rainbow Mountains Wilderness, Las Vegas Valley including the Strip and many points beyond. But this Southern portion of the route included what can be seen from the Keystone Thrust in Red Rock Canyon. Route details: 10-15 miles RT; **Some trails, mostly wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing Northern Half | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
The Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing North is the Northern half of the larger Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing which begins at the intersection of Kyle Canyon and Harris Springs Roads, ascends to the El Bastardo Mountain area on the Keystone Thrust above Red Rock Canyon, then descends to Red Springs Desert Oasis in the Calico Basin. This Northern half of the adventure takes you to the saddle between Burnt Peak and El Bastardo Mountain on the Keystone Thrust Ridgeline, looks down to Red Rock Park and contemplates various routes into the park below before returning to the starting point on Kyle Canyon Road. Highlights include a walk though the beautiful La Madre Mountains Wilderness camping, navigating numerous rocky plateaus through the wilderness up the Burnt Peak approach ridge, exploring a section of the upper Keystone Thrust and seeing spectacular 360-degree views all along the route. Route details: 20 Miles + RT / 4500-7900ft; *Some Road, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…
Anniversary Ridge | Muddy Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
Anniversary Ridge, the highest overlook point in its area on the Eastern border of the Muddy Mountains Wilderness, offers a spectacular aerial view of the Bowl of Fire, almost immediately below, and views all the way to Lake Mead. Ascending Anniversary Ridge involves a rather involved unmarked approach route and finally, traversing a very narrow ridge with dramatic drop-offs on either side. Route details: 10 mi RT; **Some Trail, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Hiking with Dogs | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Two dog experts, Pug Society rescue owners and avid hikers give their best wisdom and tips for hiking with dogs. Click image or title above for more…
Spring Mountains Hiking Strategy | Trail Running and Hiking Tips
If you’re looking to summit 11,918ft Charleston Peak but are starting at ground zero in terms of your conditioning, here is a strategy to develop the conditioning you will need to reach your goal. This graded hiking strategy takes into account developing the necessary endurance, altitude conditioning and strength, while having fun throughout. Click image or title above for more…
Trail Running and Hiking Injuries and Solutions
Avid hikers and trail runners can count on getting injured at some point. Many injuries are repetitive motion injuries to knees, feet, back…muscles and joints. Here is my best wisdom for injury prevention and rapid recovery. Click image or title above for more…
Hiking Gear for Hikers and Trail Runners
View my simple minimalistic “gear” strategy for mountain adventures. What are some of the “gear” the essentials I’ve found are needed during a mountain adventure through my years of experience.
Environmental Consciousness Around Las Vegas, Nevada
Imagine the impact if many people in the Las Vegas Area picked up a few pieces of trash during their morning walk and threw them into the recycling container at home! Here’s how I relieved an abandoned 27-hole golf course of over a ton of trash over time.