John Morrow
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2015
- Messages
- 1,063
Less than 30 miles driving out from Las Vegas in three different directions to three vastly different landscapes.
Nov 17: Lostman Canyon descent to the Colorado River, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ.
This is a little known canyon north of the famed AZ Hot Springs/White Rock Canyon loop and starts from that trailhead. Hot spring searching, we discovered a hot seep but too little water to pool into a soaker. Still, great scramble descending on this one. A Class 5 dryfall has a bypass on a steep slope. We descended the slope and returned ascending the dryfall. The final dryfall to the Colorado River gravel beach is probably Class 4, just takes a bit of effort to work out the moves in a chimney like dryfall.
Starting out:
![DSC03881.JPG DSC03881.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69943-9483976e02cf8a4062b5f1d326394fb0.jpg)
![DSC03882.JPG DSC03882.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69944-8ea4993df9c08f6e4411718cf4ae23a8.jpg)
![DSC03885.JPG DSC03885.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69945-c8501c73ceef40001c6417587e4d1ec6.jpg)
![DSC03890.JPG DSC03890.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69946-49b85858932fd7603689a75f095f8425.jpg)
![DSC03891.JPG DSC03891.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69947-2f10d407335de0cbaa5950a559996f5b.jpg)
![DSC03895.JPG DSC03895.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69949-25f4ca03abedb5eea1ea1f2387328c0a.jpg)
The final two dryfalls to the river described above:
![DSC03900.JPG DSC03900.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69950-9c4e221cb5436b060f9e7766495f4350.jpg)
![DSC03902.JPG DSC03902.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69951-5676f2fb8d313a4eb5bbbe7c03513a40.jpg)
![DSC03904.JPG DSC03904.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69952-a3ad507061fb0a43536e92f9a4b1f794.jpg)
![DSC03910.JPG DSC03910.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69953-ee68146826ecbfa1acdcb23046dd86a0.jpg)
![DSC03914.JPG DSC03914.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69954-125b6866dc72272f35af7fc6c91fc895.jpg)
![DSC03919.JPG DSC03919.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69955-092a30010ef29ba9670f63423cbee17f.jpg)
![DSC03921.JPG DSC03921.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69956-4ede113db8eb5effd8995778d4679f4f.jpg)
![DSC03924.JPG DSC03924.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69958-e86824fd23e800bbab010e68701b26e0.jpg)
The rest of the return:
![DSC03931.JPG DSC03931.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69959-17b9c085a443b3a57f2ba871c21555af.jpg)
![DSC03934.JPG DSC03934.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69960-7739a12ba0f1f9c4a30ad474dcca5d32.jpg)
![DSC03937.JPG DSC03937.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69961-717787725f2deffa7f6565b35ddfcf12.jpg)
Nov 19: Bonanza Trail, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, NV.
From a trailhead in Lee Canyon my goal was McFarland Peak. Having read no trip reports, and just the minimal description in Rambles and Scrambles, I peeled off the trail too early and missed the summit gully...oh well, next time. Divide Peak 10067' was my consolation, a mere 100 feet vertical above the height of the trail. Still, a great day among the fantastic bristlecone pines known to this range and expansive views all around.
![DSC03940.JPG DSC03940.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69963-c9d3107d3a7f4d75588a117227556070.jpg)
![DSC03950.JPG DSC03950.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69964-c5a91e43e56a63dc282da32f980aa2c3.jpg)
![DSC03954.JPG DSC03954.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69965-6d4e6d8ac23a014837240c69c5a0bbd0.jpg)
![DSC03957.JPG DSC03957.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69966-b11ed38f4f02b455a0c22bd562c99bf4.jpg)
![DSC03960.JPG DSC03960.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69967-348e16a143d6bb395cffa6d435612cce.jpg)
![DSC03962.JPG DSC03962.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69968-b2f00343159cb25e29687aec62923037.jpg)
![DSC03965.JPG DSC03965.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69969-7096ef522b6a4a2822db1f4b7d9b1a4b.jpg)
![DSC03966.JPG DSC03966.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69970-ae8dda6e8a8413ab7a66bca0a592e42d.jpg)
Nov 20: Return to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area for some hiking and search for rock art.
This is known as the "Kraft Mountain Loop" and has a designated trailhead for such. I extended it up to the head of Gateway Canyon (lower part is on the loop) for a quick descent into Brownstone Canyon befroe retracing my steps. Yes, the rock art is quite special and extensive. Sample here:
![DSC03969.JPG DSC03969.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69971-c06d02cd9c14bb509dd7141cf280f82a.jpg)
![DSC03975.JPG DSC03975.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69972-1433341219d033a708d49dc28ac5f804.jpg)
![DSC03977.JPG DSC03977.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69973-c25444237b5d50af25b0c84b129f37e3.jpg)
![DSC03989.JPG DSC03989.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69974-fe532977b6050b79d89104d05393a07f.jpg)
![DSC03991.JPG DSC03991.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69975-98c46aa147b4281ae0f9357dc3540bb0.jpg)
![DSC04000.JPG DSC04000.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69976-62b53251649f1e694bf8600acc612117.jpg)
![DSC04001.JPG DSC04001.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69977-4cf8c191d65541b151df1cae213d47e0.jpg)
![DSC04041.JPG DSC04041.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69983-8710d23c8e47375596b9ceca118de373.jpg)
![DSC04046.JPG DSC04046.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69978-3e55e4bb4bb753d2990da06a25f2f240.jpg)
![DSC04061.JPG DSC04061.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69980-672a9b4ed57fd48e2b8cc90fc9adf69b.jpg)
![DSC04068.JPG DSC04068.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69981-af816740a2138f1b6a2f421369b75966.jpg)
![DSC04068.JPG DSC04068.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69981-af816740a2138f1b6a2f421369b75966.jpg)
![DSC04069.JPG DSC04069.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69982-26bed298873e0483928d38406bf2b2bc.jpg)
![DividePkSpringMtns.jpg DividePkSpringMtns.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69984-98df0feb5833f13c60b883e18f597f97.jpg)
![LostmanCany.jpg LostmanCany.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69985-4168c59990a5c91953ec08041e91c232.jpg)
![KraftMtnLoop.jpg KraftMtnLoop.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69986-0886028fe6590d9cea10e08d241eafd2.jpg)
Nov 17: Lostman Canyon descent to the Colorado River, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ.
This is a little known canyon north of the famed AZ Hot Springs/White Rock Canyon loop and starts from that trailhead. Hot spring searching, we discovered a hot seep but too little water to pool into a soaker. Still, great scramble descending on this one. A Class 5 dryfall has a bypass on a steep slope. We descended the slope and returned ascending the dryfall. The final dryfall to the Colorado River gravel beach is probably Class 4, just takes a bit of effort to work out the moves in a chimney like dryfall.
Starting out:
![DSC03881.JPG DSC03881.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69943-9483976e02cf8a4062b5f1d326394fb0.jpg)
![DSC03882.JPG DSC03882.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69944-8ea4993df9c08f6e4411718cf4ae23a8.jpg)
![DSC03885.JPG DSC03885.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69945-c8501c73ceef40001c6417587e4d1ec6.jpg)
![DSC03890.JPG DSC03890.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69946-49b85858932fd7603689a75f095f8425.jpg)
![DSC03891.JPG DSC03891.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69947-2f10d407335de0cbaa5950a559996f5b.jpg)
![DSC03895.JPG DSC03895.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69949-25f4ca03abedb5eea1ea1f2387328c0a.jpg)
The final two dryfalls to the river described above:
![DSC03900.JPG DSC03900.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69950-9c4e221cb5436b060f9e7766495f4350.jpg)
![DSC03902.JPG DSC03902.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69951-5676f2fb8d313a4eb5bbbe7c03513a40.jpg)
![DSC03904.JPG DSC03904.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69952-a3ad507061fb0a43536e92f9a4b1f794.jpg)
![DSC03910.JPG DSC03910.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69953-ee68146826ecbfa1acdcb23046dd86a0.jpg)
![DSC03914.JPG DSC03914.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69954-125b6866dc72272f35af7fc6c91fc895.jpg)
![DSC03919.JPG DSC03919.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69955-092a30010ef29ba9670f63423cbee17f.jpg)
![DSC03921.JPG DSC03921.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69956-4ede113db8eb5effd8995778d4679f4f.jpg)
![DSC03924.JPG DSC03924.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69958-e86824fd23e800bbab010e68701b26e0.jpg)
The rest of the return:
![DSC03931.JPG DSC03931.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69959-17b9c085a443b3a57f2ba871c21555af.jpg)
![DSC03934.JPG DSC03934.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69960-7739a12ba0f1f9c4a30ad474dcca5d32.jpg)
![DSC03937.JPG DSC03937.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69961-717787725f2deffa7f6565b35ddfcf12.jpg)
Nov 19: Bonanza Trail, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, NV.
From a trailhead in Lee Canyon my goal was McFarland Peak. Having read no trip reports, and just the minimal description in Rambles and Scrambles, I peeled off the trail too early and missed the summit gully...oh well, next time. Divide Peak 10067' was my consolation, a mere 100 feet vertical above the height of the trail. Still, a great day among the fantastic bristlecone pines known to this range and expansive views all around.
![DSC03940.JPG DSC03940.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69963-c9d3107d3a7f4d75588a117227556070.jpg)
![DSC03950.JPG DSC03950.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69964-c5a91e43e56a63dc282da32f980aa2c3.jpg)
![DSC03954.JPG DSC03954.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69965-6d4e6d8ac23a014837240c69c5a0bbd0.jpg)
![DSC03957.JPG DSC03957.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69966-b11ed38f4f02b455a0c22bd562c99bf4.jpg)
![DSC03960.JPG DSC03960.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69967-348e16a143d6bb395cffa6d435612cce.jpg)
![DSC03962.JPG DSC03962.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69968-b2f00343159cb25e29687aec62923037.jpg)
![DSC03965.JPG DSC03965.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69969-7096ef522b6a4a2822db1f4b7d9b1a4b.jpg)
![DSC03966.JPG DSC03966.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69970-ae8dda6e8a8413ab7a66bca0a592e42d.jpg)
Nov 20: Return to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area for some hiking and search for rock art.
This is known as the "Kraft Mountain Loop" and has a designated trailhead for such. I extended it up to the head of Gateway Canyon (lower part is on the loop) for a quick descent into Brownstone Canyon befroe retracing my steps. Yes, the rock art is quite special and extensive. Sample here:
![DSC03969.JPG DSC03969.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69971-c06d02cd9c14bb509dd7141cf280f82a.jpg)
![DSC03975.JPG DSC03975.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69972-1433341219d033a708d49dc28ac5f804.jpg)
![DSC03977.JPG DSC03977.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69973-c25444237b5d50af25b0c84b129f37e3.jpg)
![DSC03989.JPG DSC03989.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69974-fe532977b6050b79d89104d05393a07f.jpg)
![DSC03991.JPG DSC03991.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69975-98c46aa147b4281ae0f9357dc3540bb0.jpg)
![DSC04000.JPG DSC04000.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69976-62b53251649f1e694bf8600acc612117.jpg)
![DSC04001.JPG DSC04001.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69977-4cf8c191d65541b151df1cae213d47e0.jpg)
![DSC04041.JPG DSC04041.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69983-8710d23c8e47375596b9ceca118de373.jpg)
![DSC04046.JPG DSC04046.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69978-3e55e4bb4bb753d2990da06a25f2f240.jpg)
![DSC04061.JPG DSC04061.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69980-672a9b4ed57fd48e2b8cc90fc9adf69b.jpg)
![DSC04068.JPG DSC04068.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69981-af816740a2138f1b6a2f421369b75966.jpg)
![DSC04068.JPG DSC04068.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69981-af816740a2138f1b6a2f421369b75966.jpg)
![DSC04069.JPG DSC04069.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69982-26bed298873e0483928d38406bf2b2bc.jpg)
![DividePkSpringMtns.jpg DividePkSpringMtns.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69984-98df0feb5833f13c60b883e18f597f97.jpg)
![LostmanCany.jpg LostmanCany.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69985-4168c59990a5c91953ec08041e91c232.jpg)
![KraftMtnLoop.jpg KraftMtnLoop.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/69/69986-0886028fe6590d9cea10e08d241eafd2.jpg)