Page 77 - 2003 DT 12 Issues
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ture into this rock scrambling narrow canyon. Basic Rappelling - Harness up, hook up and four miles past the Visitor’s Center and look
Learn about and search for bighorn sheep; Mod., drop off the side of Sandstone Quarry Boulders. for the Oak Creek Canyon sign. You’ll have
3 mi. (*) No previous experience required. Climbing to park along the highway, but there is plenty
Tues. 21, Three Waterfalls - Join Peppe Ranger Jed will teach and guide you through. of room on both sides of the road. The trail
and enjoy a refreshing morning climbing the wa- Clinics limited to 15. (#) leads through an old campground to a sign
terfalls at Red Rock Canyon; Mod., 3 mi. (+) Wed. 29, Cathedral Rock - Even if you that announces the “New Oak Creek Trail
Tues. 21, Tort Talks (Ongoing, 10 a.m. have done this cool mountain trek before, you System.” From here, it’s a 2.5-mile walk
- 11 a.m.) - Desert tortoise talks at the Visitor know it is a keeper and worth doing again. Its northwest to the canyon. The first mile or
Center. Learn about the Nevada State reptile and also a great intro hike to Mt. Charleston; Mod. so follows another old rocky road through
Mojave Desert resident. (*) 3 mi. (*) the desert. You’ll likely be sharing this route
Wed. 22, Bristlecone Loop - Mt. Thurs., 30, Hermits Cabin - Hike La
Charleston hikes will soon be a trek of the past Madre and learn about the area history and ac- with mountain bikes and horses, as this is a
popular spot for both of those activities. In
for 2003 while we await winters passing. So, join tually see a primitive shelter at the end of the
us for a last look at the Bristlecone Loop; Mod., trail; Mod., 4 mi. (*) fact, the bikers have cut a little side-trail
6 mi. (*) Fri. 31, Freaky Friday - Sorry, no pump- along the main road, which makes things a
Thurs. 23, Lost Creek and Beyond - kins here! But there are critters and a spooky bit smoother going for us hikers, too.
Join Janis for a wonderful autumn hike where tale or two lurking about. Join Melissa for a Hal- As you come around the Knoll (the little
youll explore petroglyphs, pictographs, and an loween stroll around the mountain. (#) potato-shaped mountain standing alone at
agave roasting pit; Easy -Mod., 3 mi. (*)
Fri. 24, Hike Leaders Choice: The
Gauntlet - Well trail blaze from Brownstone
Canyon to Calico Basin, traveling down along the
east side of Turtlehead Peak. Rock scrambling,
elevation gain, and delicate down-the-mountain BOOT TRACKS
footwork required. Take it from us, this is an E by Tom Pfaendlar
Ticket Ride; Stren., 6-7 mi. (*)
Fri. 24, Date with Kate - See what
creepy crawlies and flowering flora we can find ouldering is the fine art of leaping
on this 3-4 mile family hike with Ranger Kate. gazelle-like from the top of one
Put the babies in a backpack, tots on the trail, Bboulder to the top of another, to
snacks for both and lets go explore. Trail to be another, in rapid succession without
announced; Easy. (#) permanently damaging yourself. This back-
Sat. 25, Red Rock Day - Volunteer to wrenching activity is serious fun and an old
help with improvement projects within the Can- guy like me has no business doing it. But
yon including graffiti removal, trash collection, trail we happen to live next to one of the best
maintenance, painting, and fence posting. Sign- bouldering areas in the world, and every
ups begin at the Visitor Center at 8 a.m. (#) once in a while, I just have to venture out to
Sat. 25, Intro to Pine Creek - Join Eliza- Oak Creek Canyon and give it a try.
beth and explore the Pine Creek trail. Discover There are two ways to find this beautiful
the history behind the old homestead foundation; canyon nestled between Mt. Wilson and
Easy-Mod., 2.5 mi. (+) Rainbow Peak. The shortest route is from the foot of Mt. Wilson), the scenery changes
Sun. 26, The Animals of Red Rock the north and can be found by driving twelve dramatically. The open desert and noise
(Ongoing, noon - 2 p.m.) - Talks and displays miles around the Scenic Drive, then from the highway disappear and the hard
about the various critters that live within the Con- following dusty Oak Creek Canyon road to rocky road beneath your feet gives way to a
servation Area. (*) the parking lot. The mile-long access trail soft red dirt path. You’ll find yourself now
Sun. 26, Stanley Springs with a Plus (actually an old road) runs straight as an in a little forest of pine and juniper trees
- The walk to the mines is beautiful in fall, but arrow due west, and is very rocky. If you with Mt. Wilson towering to the west and
short. Jack has added a few more miles of choose to go this way, try not to twist your the Knoll beckoning with its own series of
backwoods trekking to extend your pleasure; ankle early on. There’s plenty of opportunity trails to the east. This would be an excel-
Mod-Stren., 5 mi. (+) for that later. lent spot for a family picnic or, to just spend
Sun. 26, Investigate First Creek - Ex- The South Oak Creek Canyon route is the day exploring the base of Mt. Wilson,
plore the trail and search for seasonal waterfalls longer, but somewhat more interesting and
along the stream; Easy, 3 mi. (*) it’s the way I chose to go for this article. To
Tues. 28, Creative Canyon Series: get there, follow highway 159 west about Boot Tracks, continued on p. 6.
FORRC/October 2003 Page 5
