Page 29 - 2003 DT 12 Issues

the worst of times! We are desert survivors; observe and record the natural world in a per- ○ BOOT TRACKS, part I
○
○
Mod., 3 mi. (*) ○ sonal nature journal. For the beginner or ○ by Tom Pfaendler
○
○
Mon. 14, “Flower Power” - Experience ○ experienced observer. Mornings are indoors ○ ○
○ ○
the desert in full bloom and learn about many ○ learning journaling techniques; afternoons we’ll ○ ○ ust how far is eleven and a half
of the native plants and their medicinal uses; ○ practice during easy nature walks. All materi- ○ ○ ○ miles? Well, let’s see; if you were
○
Easy, 3 mi. (*) ○ als provided. Space is limited! (*) ○ ○Jstanding in front of the volcano at
○
○
Wed. 16, “Dale’s Trail” - Are you ready ○ Sat. 26, “The Calico’s” - The Calico Hills ○
○ ○ the Mirage and started walking south
○
to hike, explore and view Red Rock? Join Janis ○ are adventurous and a lot of fun. Hike, ○
on Dale’s Trail; Mod./Stren., 3.5 mi. (*) ○ scramble and explore this awesome area; ○ along Las Vegas Boulevard, you would
○
○
○ end up at the airport . . . that would be
○
Sat. 19, “ECO JAM (Sunset Park, 10 ○ Mod./Stren., 3-4 mi. (+) ○
○
a.m. - 4 p.m.) - Visit the RRCIA booth at Clark ○ Sat. 26, “Backpacking with Care” - Join ○ the Henderson airport across from
○
○
○ ○ Wheeler RV. A much better choice for a
County’s Earth Day Celebration promoting ○ Melissa for an overnight backpack trip to ○
○
conservation and wise use of natural ○ Bridge Mt. Beginners welcome. Earn a Leave ○ ○ nice long walk would be the Grand
○
resources. Environmental education and ○ No Trace pin at the end of the trip; ○ Circle Adventure at Red Rock Canyon!
○
○
awareness of environmental issues. (*) ○ Strenuous. (*) ○ ○ ○ The idea of hiking the “Grand
Sat. 19, TRASH BASH: “Trashy-poo ○ ○ Mon. 28, “Wash Ecology” - The pro- ○ Loop” can be a bit intimidating at first,
○
is Born” - To celebrate Earth Day at the Rock, ○ tected spaces within a wash provide unique ○ ○ ○ but it’s really just a long, enjoyable walk
○
join the fun for trash bashing and cleaning up ○ niches for spring plants. Hike in and around ○ through the desert. Don’t worry, it
○
the Red Rock Wash. Witness the unveiling ○ ○ Calico I and see what we can find; Mod, 2 mi. (*) ○ doesn’t take a marathon athlete to do
○
○
ofTrashy-poo! Volunteers needed. (*) ○ ○ Wed. 30, “The Snake Factor” (Ongo- ○ this; all it takes is a little planning. Keep
○
○
Sat. 19 & 26, “Star Program: Saturn & ○ ing, 10 a.m. - noon) - The rattlesnake is ○ ○ in mind that the hike will take six or
○
Jupiter” (8 - 10 p.m.) - Join us for a slide ○ misunderstood and, therefore, feared. Educate ○ ○ seven hours to complete, so a morning
○
○ ○
show at the campground. If the sky is clear ○ your fears away by learning some of the ecol- start is probably a good idea. A hat and
with no wind, telescopes will be set up to view ○ ogy of this awesome desert dweller. (*) sunscreen are essential items since you’ll
○
Saturn and Jupiter. We’ll point out the con- ○ ○ be in direct sun all day. Your feet will be
stellations and, weather permitting, enjoy a ○ ADULT PROGRAMS doing a lot of work, so make sure that
○
campfire. No sign-up, park at the first lot, walk ○ Fri. 4, “Hike Leader’s Choice: To the you’re wearing good comfy hiking
○
about 400 ft. to the amphitheater. (#, +) ○ Base of Bridge” - This mountain trail is well boots. Remember to pack a light lunch,
Mon. 21, “Cool Pools” - Rock scramble ○ worth the challenge, as it ends completely
○
into Ice Box Canyon and check out the double ○ above Ice Box and Pine Creek; Stren. 6 mi. (*) and of course, LOTS of water—a gal-
○
deck cool pools at the end of the line! Mod., 3 mi. (*) ○ Sat. 5, “Loop It” - Join Pepe and hike lon per person ought to be about right.
○
Tues. 22, “Basic Rappelling” - Harness ○ the White Rock Loop. Enjoy the diverse scen- Pick up a handy trail map at the front
up, hook up and drop off the side of Sandstone ○ ery and, maybe, catch a glimpse of our bighorn desk of the Visitor Center and be sure
○
Quarry boulders. No previous experience re- ○ ○ sheep; Mod./Stren., 6 mi. (+) to take advantage of their indoor plumb-
quired. Climbing Ranger Jed will teach and ○ ○ Sat. 5, “Source of Life” - Water . . . it ing before you begin . . . the next
guide you through. Challenge yourself to ○ sustains all life! What would we do without it? ○ ○ restroom is about six miles away. OK,
○
something new. Clinic limited to 15, so sign ○ Join Melissa to discover how you can help ○ now that you’re prepared, let’s go hiking!
○
up fast. (#, *) ○ ○ keep our waterways clean; Stren., 5 mi. (*) ○ ○ ○ Since this is a loop trail, you can
Sun. 6, “It’s a Family Affair” - Join Mel-
Thurs. 24, “Tinajas” - Wildlife, wildflow- ○ ○ issa on a beauty of a hike to visit the Opuntia ○ start near the southwest corner of the tor-
○
○
○
ers, water, and a view. Hike this gorgeous trail ○ family. They are very entertaining as long as ○ ○ ○ toise habitat and go in either direction.
○
and experience some of the best Red Rock ○ Both ways are fine and provide some-
○
○ you don’t get too close!. Mod./Stren. (*) ○ what different views, so it’s entirely up
has to offer; Mod. 2.5 mi. (*) ○ Sun. 6, “A Sunday Stroll to Turtle- ○
○
Fri. 25, “Through an Artist Eye” - Join ○ ○ head” - For casual hikers only! No time goal ○ to you. My preference is to take the south
○
○
○
Martha and practice seeing with an artist eye! ○ . . . just a jaunt with Jack to our spectacular ○ fork and hike clockwise around the loop.
○
○
Bring sketching pens or pencils, paper, and a ○ peak (maybe); Stren., 5 mi. (+) ○ This route takes you west for about three
○
journal. (+) ○ Sun. 13, “Rising to the Muffins” - See miles on an old jeep trail past the
○
Sat. 26, & Sun. 27, “Creative Canyon ○ Las Vegas and die . . . almost. It’s a scenic Moenkopi ridge and through Red Rock
○
Series: The Art of Nature Journaling” (10 ○ view after a breathtaking climb with Jack. Then
a.m. - 4 p.m.) - A weekend workshop with art- some plateau exploring and a nimble descent;
ist and naturalist Sharon K. Shafer. Learn to Stren., 4 mi. (+) Boot Tracks, continued on p 6.
FORRC/April 2003 Page 5