John Morrow
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2015
- Messages
- 1,004
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:
The final two dryfalls to the river described above:
The rest of the return:
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.
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:
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:
The final two dryfalls to the river described above:
The rest of the return:
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.
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:
