Page 68 - 2004 DT 9 Issues

lost person. Join us for a few hours on how nestled in the Muddy Mountains west of the wash and a short walk along the
to properly prepare and be prepared for the of Lake Mead. route the cars took. You can imagine the
unexpected. We will learn basic techniques bustle of activity here when the mine
on the use of maps and compass. We’ll be Getting There was in operation.
in the field on the trail using our new skills. Take Lake Mead Boulevard past Scramble back to the wash and
Sun. 24, “You can do it! Turtlehead Frenchman Mountain until you get to finish the rest of the “S” curve. Ahead,
Peak” - This hike is for those of you who Northshore Drive. Turn left at the wash starts to narrow. In the distance,
think you can’t make it up to Turtlehead. Join Northshore Road and continue for about the rocks seem to be a solid wall. As you
Linda on this 5-mi strenuous, but easy-paced 13 miles to mile marker 17. On the west continue, on your right and high up on
hike. If you’ve wanted to try, but feared the side of the road, turn left onto a small the wall of the wash, there are three
pace or thought the terrain was too much, blacktop road, which soon ends. If you openings. The last of these is the
try it—just this time. have a high-clearance vehicle, continue entrance to the Anniversary Mine. As
Tues. 26, “Grand Circle West” - Hike on the gravel road. Keep to your left at always, you should refrain from entering
to the back of Red Rock Canyon toward La any ‘intersection.’ any abandoned mine. If you do enter,
Madre Peak. Great views of the escarpment make sure you have a good flashlight
and Turtlehead. 7 mi. Reaching the Mine and don’t go much further than the first
Wed. 27, “Voyage to the Bottom of Drive (or hike) approximately two junction, where an old ladder goes to an
the Sea” -This is an easygoing 2-mi loop. miles from Northshore Road to the upper mining section.
We will explore and discover a multitude of Lovell Wash overlook area. On the way,
fossils left behind by the once warm and you will leave the Lake Mead NRA and The Slot Canyon
shallow sea. Easy. enter an area to which the Las Vegas Back to the wash again on the op-
Fri. 29, “Hike Leader’s Choice” - Gem Club owns a claim. The sign for posite side from the mine, you’ll see a
Petroglyphs galore, mild hiking, wildlife, and the “Ore Car Mine” will indicate you are large deposit of gypsum crystals, many
blue, blue skies await you on this adventure on the correct route. on the ground dislodged from the walls
to the Valley of Fire. Mod. 4-mi. As you near the end of this segment, by the rushing waters. In spring, keep
Sat. 30, “Red Rock Hiking Series: you will arrive at the upper Lovell Wash your eyes open for the endangered Las
Hike 3, Ice Box” (Mod.) - Join Peppe for a overlook. Here the wash is wide and Vegas Bear Poppy that grows here in the
wonderful series of hikes. Each hike will in- deep, created by countless
troduce you to Red Rock Canyon and the flash floods that have
gradual increase in difficulty will lift your spir- come rushing from the
its and condition your body. mountains. To this point,
Sun. 31, “Nevada Day Helldorado the hike has been almost
Hike” - Come dressed as a real “Helldorado” all on an upward grade.
Nevadan for Nevada’s state birthday! We’ll Now, you begin to descend
have fun with Nevada’s history and state to the wash. If you have
symbols, from bighorn sheep (state mam- driven, this is the time to
mal) to desert tortoise (state reptile) on this park the vehicle and walk.
2.5-mi trek surrounded by some awesome Continue down the
sandstone (state rock) at Pine Creek. Fun road until you are standing
for all ages. Easy-Mod. in the wash. Turn right and Las Vegas Bear Poppy
head north in the wash.
You’ll soon come to some rocks that gypsum soil.
Anniversary Mine Hike form a “staircase.” Ahead of you is an Just ahead of you, Lovell Wash
“S” curve. On the right are the remnants becomes very narrow. Here’s the main
by Norm Kresge
of an ore car unloading area from the reason you came—a slot canyon that
large wash, an abandoned days when this was a working mine. goes on for several hundred yards me-
borax mine, and a colorful slot Halfway up the walls of the wash you andering back and forth in gentle
A canyon are just a few of the will see two tunnels, where the cars trav-
things that await a hiker who visits the eled from the mine to the unloading area.
Anniversary Mine. You’ll find all this A little climb gets you a wonderful view Mine, continued on page 7
FORRC/October, 2004 Page 5