Page 85 - 2003 DT 12 Issues
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hike in and around the various canyons. Bring along Trail, Dark Canyon, or the road to Angel Peak. In true to the Escarpment throughout its en-
an inspirational writing to share with the group at any case, wear your woolies; Mod., 4-6 mi. (+) tire length. I’ve always felt that the Knoll
lunch; Mod., about 4 mi. (*) Sun. 30, Explore La Madre Spring - should be the rightful southern leg of the
Fri. 21, Morning Walk-about - Join Mel- Springs are a major key to the diversity of wildlife
issa on yet another glorious morning meander about in Red Rock Canyon. Hike along this trail in search escarpment base trails, but then, you tend
a desert spring; Easy, 1-2 mi. (#) of these creatures, or at least signs that they have to think about stuff like that when you’ve
Sat. 22, La Madre Spring - Elizabeth takes been out in the sun for a long time!)
you right through Red Rocks Mountain Lion coun- been there before us; Mod., 3 mi. (*) The Knoll Trail continues south di-
try and past some historical building foundations to rectly toward its namesake, The Potato
a beautiful vital spring; Mod., 3 mi. (+) Knoll. That’s the small hill in front of Mt.
Sat. 22, Fun for the Family - A fun interac- Wilson that strongly resembles a huge
tive interpretive program geared towards the whole by Tom Pfaendler Idaho baker lying in the desert, although I
family. Program takes place both inside and out, read one guidebook that referred to this
so dress in layers; Easy, 1 mi. (*) hill as the “Wilson Pimple” . . . go figure!
Sat. 22, Geology Jumble - An off-the- his month we wrap up our lengthy
beaten-path geology jaunt up rocky White Rock series exploring in and around the My TOPO map wouldn’t settle the issue
Wash, past a fantastical variety of sandstone-col- TEscarpment Base Trail system with with any authority, so I’ll just refer to it as
ored, polka dot, striped rock. Learn what caused a look at The Knoll Trail and The Potato the Potato Knoll.
the scenic delights; Mod. 2 m1. (*) Once you’ve hiked the rocky two-mile
Sat. 22, Fall Challenge 2 - You gotta really Knoll. I don’t know what possessed me Knoll Trail and arrived at the intersection
want this one! 18.5 miles of awesome hiking plea- to spend all summer hiking the Escarp- of the Oak Creek Canyon Trail, things get
sure. Lets hike! STRENUOUS. (#) ment. You would think the occasional a little strange. It doesn’t matter which
Sun. 23, Calico Tanks - Spend the morn- circling vulture would have tipped me off map you’ve studied, they all indicate that
ing exploring this trail and looking for signs of that maybe this was the wrong season to you can continue hiking the Knoll Trail
wildlife. Bighorn sheep frequent the water caches be out here, but you know how it is once south to the “Potato.” But here’s where
in and around the rocky outcrops of this area. Maybe you start something . . . . Rod Serling steps out from behind a bush,
well get lucky; Easy-Mod., 2 mi. (*) To reach the Knoll Trail,
Sun. 23, Autumn at Wheeler Springs - follow the scenic drive twelve
Explore the unique habitat of Wheeler Camp Spring miles around the loop and take
to see how the autumns harvest of seeds, nuts, the dirt road marked with the
and cones help the animals prepare to survive the Oak Creek sign. You’ll find
coming winter; Easy, 2 mi. (*) ample parking and even a
Mon. 24, Tues. 25, Wed. 26, Earn that restroom. One of the unique
Pumpkin Pie - Work for that upcoming turkey things about The Knoll Trail is
dinner with all the trimmings, not the least of which,
the pumpkin pie with (of course) whipped cream. that you’ll need to hike at least
Join us at Red Rock Canyon for an 18-mi. hike a mile from any direction just to
series: 3 days, 6 mi. each day. Day 1, Gateway get to it. (Most of the other
Canyon, Mod; day 2, Arnight/Dales/SMYC, Stren; trailheads within Red Rock start
Day 3, White Rock Loop, Mod-Stren. (*) at or near parking areas.) I’ve
Sat. 29, Work off that Pumpkin Pie - Join found the best and most inter-
Susan on a hike to the end of this cool canyon and esting access route from this
burn off some of those holiday calories. Explore parking lot is to follow the Arnight Trail takes a slow drag from his cigarette and
some cool ecological niches along the way; Mod., one mile northwest where it intersects with says, “Meet Tom. A typical Red Rock
3 mi. (*) the Knoll Trail. hiker, about to get lost. He has no way of
Sat. 29, How to Greet the Day - Get ener- The Knoll Trail then connects the knowing that he’s just entered The Oak
gized with a 2 hr. 2 mi. late morning hike along the northern end of the Arnight Trail with the Creek Twilight Zone.” There is no trail
base of the Calico Hills. Weather permitting, well Oak Creek Canyon Trail. It will take you where one should be according to your
seek out hidden water pockets in the sandstone up and down through every wash as you map. The problem seems to be the rather
and examine recent animal tracks and other signs head south along the colorful base of Rain- formidable Oak Creek wash separating
of wildlife. (*) bow Mountain. (The Arnight is the official you from the Potato Knoll. You are left
Sun. 30, Weathers Choice - The weather southern leg of the Escarpment Base trin-
on the lower slopes of Mt. Charleston will deter- ity of trails, however, it leads away from
mine Cactus Jacks trail choice: the Pinion Pine the mountains. The Knoll actually stays Boot Tracks, continued on p 6
FORRC/November 2003 Page 5
