Page 93 - 2003 DT 12 Issues

leader to the South Fork of Pine Creek and be- hike between Ice Box and Lost Creek; Mod., proper clothing, plenty of water, etc.
yond. Peppe will inspire you to try some awesome 2-3 mi. (*) What does he know? If you are about to
rock scrambling; Mod-Stren., 4 mi. (+) Sun. 21, “Strolling First Creek” - Take an prepare for some serious Sunday after-
Wed. 17, “Oak Creek Loop” - Join Janis on easy morning stroll along this desert trail watch- noon football watching, you need real
this morning hike with an incredible mountain view. ing for signs of wildlife and water; 2 mi. (*) manly equipment—beer (not water), a
Discover the scenic beauty of this less-traveled Mon. 22, “A Chill and a Thrill” - Hike the
trail; Mod., 3 mi. (*) trail, trek up the wash, and scramble the boulders continuous supply of food, a large-but-
Thurs. 18, “Lost Creek and Beyond” - in search of bighorn sheep, foxes, swifts, and other ton remote, and extra triple A batteries
Maybe we’ll see a waterfall, maybe we won’t, but wild residents of Red Rock Canyon; Mod., 3 mi. (*) (the remote must be in good working or-
we’ll have a great time on this diverse hike. Learn Sat. 27, “Million Dollar Views” - Enjoy spec- der). Switching channels is a highly
about medicinal plants and see Native American tacular views of Red Rock from Blue Diamond skilled art—it takes a few minutes to
rock art; Easy, 2 mi. (*) Hill with Linda. Learn about the fascinating geol- learn, but a lifetime to master. Only the
Thurs. 18, “The Rattler” (Ongoing, 11 a.m. ogy of the area from fossils to thrust faults; host may use the remote.
- 1 p.m.) - The rattlesnake is feared by most and Easy-Mod., 3 mi. (*) Beer selection is a prized skill as well.
seen as one of the scariest creatures in the desert. Sun. 28, “Ring in the New Year at Liberty You must be able to satisfy all of your
Educate your fears away by learning and under- Bell” - Celebrate 2004 with Jack on a desert trek buddies’ thirst needs, from the guy who
standing some of the life history of the awesome to a WWII titanium mine. Stop in wonderment at is trying to lose a few pounds (Bud Lite)
desert dweller. (*) a giant geological Liberty Bell and snack above
Thurs. 18, “Signs of the Times” - Hike to the rushing Colorado River; Mod., 6 mi. (+) to the glutton, like myself, who wants the
the water tanks called “tinajas” looking for signs Sun. 28, “Bugged” - (Ongoing, 10 a.m. - biggest bang for the buck (Miller). For
of human and animal use. At the end, climb a short 3 p.m.) - They fly, they creep, they hop, they leap the pseudo-intellectual there’s Coors, and
way for an incredible view of Las Vegas; Mod., . . . insects and spiders are everywhere. See an Heineken for those Euro-snob guys
3 mi. (*) exhibit of Red Rock’s collection of amazing (yeah, sure). And I won’t even mention
Fri. 19, “Bucks, Lambs, and Ewes” - Win- bugs. (*) the Corona men (smirk).
ter wonderland at Red Rock—discover the Sun. 28, “Scenic Trails” - Burn off those Next in importance is the pizza.
wonders of winter adaptations; Easy, 3 mi. (#) candy cane calories as we hike the scenic trails (Note: all pizza must be delivered. You
Fri. 19, “Hike Leader’s Choice” - Red near the Visitor Center; Easy, 3 mi. (*)
Rock’s ancient native past is alive on the walls of Mon. 29, “Edible Plants” - Cattail biscuits,
this gorgeous canyon. Enjoy a 4X4 trek to Brown- little apples, and pine nuts are just a few of the
stone Canyon, plus hiking and archaeological diverse food sources that can be found in this rich
wanderings; Mod., 4-5 mi. (*) and diverse Conservation Area; Easy 3 mi. (*)
Sat. 20, “Arnight Trail Trek” - Join Eliza- Wed. 31, “Niches” - This off-the-beaten-
beth on a 2 mi. hike around a gorgeous canyon. wash trail offers a look at small niches that plants
Learn about the local flora and fauna. (+) and animals carve out for themselves in varied
Sat. 20, “Winter Storytelling at Red Rock” and surprising places; Mod., 2.5 mi. (*)
- Stories read by members of the Clark County “Basic Rappelling” - Harness up, hook up,
Library “Web on Wheels” staff with the help of and drop off the side of Sandstone Quarry Boul-
puppets. Winter-themed craft for the kids after- ders. No previous experience required. Climbing cannot have any frozen supermarket gar-
wards; RSVP. (#) Ranger Jed will teach and guide you through. bage.) Your basic pizza sources—
Sat. 20, “Amazing Desert Greenery” - En- Clinic limited to 15. Please call for the date. (#)
joy the sights and scents of pines and other Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s—are
Couch Potato Tracks
Couch Potato Tracks
Couch Potato Tracks
Couch Potato Tracks
evergreens of the desert. Learn about the bounty Couch Potato Tracks okay. Stay away from those designer
of seeds, berries, and nuts that feed wildlife pizza emporiums. Real men don’t want
through the winter at Red Rock; Mod., 2 mi. (*) by Norman Wolin fruit on their pies. And as conservation-
Sat. 20, “La Madre Springs” - Follow the ists, we adhere to a strict “Leave No
trail to the beautiful ephemeral spring and hike a Since our regular Boot Tracks column is Trace” policy. “Waste not, want not.”
ways beyond. Discover the history behind the unavailable this month, we took the op- It is imperative that the wife and kids
foundations; Mod., 4 mi. (*) portunity to write for the recreationally or grandkids MUST, I repeat, MUST be
Sat. 20, “Scramble” - Join Peppe for an in- challenged (with apologies to Tom sent out of the house. You cannot allow
spired adventure scrambling the exquisite Pfaendler).
sandstone; Stren., 6 mi. (+) the possibility of any interruptions dur-
Sun. 21, “Winter Wonder Weather Walk” - hat Boot Tracks Guy is always
Discover how plants and animals in the desert talking about equipment—GPS,
prepare for and survive winter in the Mojave on a T compass, good hiking boots, Potato Tracks, continued on page 7