Page 69 - 2003 DT 12 Issues

Tues. 16, “Tort Talks” (Ongoing, 10 a.m. derosa, and white fir to a 3000-year-old bristle- news about Pine Creek is that you can find
- 11 a.m.) - Desert Tortoise talks at the Visitor cone pine, the oldest tree on Mt. Charleston; water in it just about year-round. The bad
Center. Learn about the Nevada State reptile Mod.-Stren., 6 mi. (+) news is because of this lush wetland; the
and Mojave Desert resident. (*) Thurs. 25, “Enter the Wash” - No, it’s not trail tends to give way to a field overgrown
Wed. 17, “Bighorn Sheep” - The last time wash day! We’ll explore a wash within the Con- with cattail, grapevines, grasses, flowers
we did this trail, we saw eight bighorn nestled servation Area. Where does it go? Who knows! and weeds. Just be diligent about picking
in the cliff side of this gorgeous narrow canyon. Plan to have a great morning! Mod.-Stren., your way through the brush. You should
Maybe we’ll be lucky again; Mod., 3 mi. (*) 4-6 mi. (#) be able to distinguish the path from the sur-
Thurs. 18, “Enter the Spring” - To La Fri. 26, “Freaky Friday” - Oh no! Where’s rounding jungle. Be on the lookout for a
Madre and beyond! If you have only been to the moon? There is no moon. What a freaky helpful trail sign marking the official be-
the spring, then you have missed a lot of stuff; night for a hike, however, stargazing should be ginning of the Arnight Trail. From there it’s
Mod-Stren., 4-6 mi. (#) superb! Mod.-Stren., 6 mi. (#) just a short distance south across a field
Fri. 19, “Hike Leader’s Choice” - A Red Fri. 26, Road Trip: “Warshield Canyon” toward the foothills of Juniper Peak
Rock adventure and then some! We will travel - Petroglyphs adorn almost every wall along the The trail climbs steeply now and be-
on a bighorn sheep trail along the back side of trails that branch off the rocky labyrinth of fore you know it, Pine Creek Canyon will
Calico Basin, descending into Gateway Can- Warshield Canyon, including impressive war
yon; Mod.-Stren., 6 mi. (*) shields from which the canyon gets its name;
Sat. 20, “An Evening Under the Stars” - Mod., 2-4 mi. (*)
The Las Vegas Astronomical Society will give a Sun. 28, “Exploring Fletcher Canyon” -
slide presentation and share their telescopes Join Susan for a cool morning hike in a beauti-
to view the night sky. No sign-up required. Gate ful Mt. Charleston slot canyon; Easy-Mod;
closes at 7:30 p.m. (#, +) 4 mi. (*)
Sun. 21, “Nature Detectives” (Ages 5+) Tues. 30, “Three in One” - See and expe-
- What may be lurking around the corner? What rience three trails that run between Oak Creek
lies beneath? Kids and parents, please join us and Lost Creek. It is beautiful and diverse, and
on this hiking adventure and explore the hid- there is no other hike like it; Mod.-Stren., 6 mi. (*)
den world of the desert; Easy. (*)
Sun. 21, “Meet a Mustang” (Ongoing, 10
a.m. - 1 p.m.) - Join Mary Thompson and the
National Wild Horse Association for the oppor- BOOT TRACKS
tunity to meet an adopted mustang. Learn about by Tom Pfaendler be far below and you’ll have sweeping
Red Rock Canyon’s Herd Management Area, views of Mescalito Peak, Bridge Mountain
adoptions, and how the horses came to be he Arnight Trail is the southern- and beyond. This is a good opportunity to
here. (+) take a short break, sit quietly, and listen to
most leg of three trails that, together,
Sun. 21, “Up the Creek to Mummy the birds while you pick all of those sharp
T make up the lengthy Escarpment
Springs” - Jack begins at Deer Creek, passes little stickers out of your socks. One of the
Base Trail that starts with SMYC to the
the old sawmill and huffs and puffs to the best things about hiking is finding a view-
north and continues through Dale’s Trail.
springs—all without help from switchbacks. point like this and pulling up a big flat rock
Coming down is even more fun; Stren. 5 mi. (+) Dale’s Trail ends at the gate to the old Wil- to stretch out on. It gives a person time to
Sun. 21, “Animals of Red Rock” (Ongo- son Ranch on the Pine Creek Canyon Trail. think and just enjoy being a part of nature.
The ranch house foundation is about a quar-
ing, noon - 2 p.m.) - Naturalist chats and dis- It’s amazing how much wildlife you’ll no-
ter-mile west of the gate and it’s one of the
plays of various animals that reside within the tice if you take the time to “blend in” with
Conservation Area. (*) best picnic spots in Red Rock, so feel free the environment.
Tues. 23, Creative Canyon Series: to relax and soak up all of the cool green Continuing south, you’ll soon pass a
“Basic Rappelling” - Harness up, hook up and beauty. Avoid munching on the Jimson Winnebago-sized rectangular rock on the
drop off the side of Sandstone Quarry Boulders. Weed (Datura) growing here. It may look right. Next to the rock, and nailed to a
No previous experience required. Climbing appetizing, but it can ruin your whole day. burned juniper tree, is a wooden birdhouse.
Ranger Jed will teach and guide you through. When you’re ready to get moving (I don’t know why it’s there; I just thought
Clinics limited to 15. (#) again, just get back on the Pine Creek Can-
Tues. 23, “North Loop to Rain Tree” - yon Trail and head southwest through the
Travel with Peppe through the bristlecone, pon- meadow and across the creek. The good Boot Tracks, continued on page 7