About us
✰✰✰ Bring 'em back alive! ✰✰✰
That's the Motto of RRH, and it means the hikes here can be long, can be challenging, but first they are as safe as is reasonable for a region with so much high relief. It's all about being a big strong kid again, and having a nice low-pressure ramble in the Big Blue Room, to the edge of endurance in some cases!
Our hikes typically are 3-8 miles, with hopefully no more than 2000 feet of climb and usually much less. Very often these hikes are entirely cross-country, so they seem longer than they are.
I and the other hike leaders try to make the hike descriptions as direct and accurate as possible, but it is up to the individual to know their limits, and choose hikes that are within their hiking level. This means you. Yes, you. If the hiking's too hard for your level, then train and level up until you can do it! Lots of people do, and the benefits are huge.
Check out the "Pages" for hike ratings explained and other goodies for hiking.
MISSION STATEMENT
Message from John:
My personal goal for every hike is "Bring 'em back alive!"
After that, it's to have a nice moderately paced hike that often goes on all day and can be quite rough sometimes, oy. Of course, "rough" and "spectacular" are often found together...
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As volunteer hike leaders, we are here to make sure everyone is guided on the particular trail and is accounted for in general. We all come onto the trail together, and we all leave together. Hiking with us is like hiking with friends. When we’re on trail, we work as a team, and never leave anyone behind. If we notice people are getting too far ahead or behind, we make sure we stop regularly, regroup, and continue on trail together. In the end, we are a hiking group, and while it is ultimately up to the individual to keep oneself safe, it is up the group to stay together.
DUES/FEES
There are no dues for membership, period.
However, it does cost $200 per year to maintain a Meetup site (no advertising!) so tips toward that end are appreciated. :)
Upcoming events
1
Valley of Fire: The Pinnacles Loop
Smith's, 4582 S Pioneer Rd, St. George, UT 84790, USA, St. George, UT, USWeather Notice:
Showers are predicted on Saturday, with light wind and 70F temps. You should bring a parka. Also be aware that if the forecast worsens we may need to postpone the hike. Stay posted.Rating:
6-7 miles with up to 1000 feet total climbing. Moderate to semi-difficult, with considerable rough, rocky/sandy terrain. The walking is sometimes rather rugged, but there are no big climbs, just lots of short ones of varying steepness.There is a bit of minor rock climbing with moderate hazard, but any experienced cross-country hiker should do okay. The main danger comes from certain areas that are littered with broken rocks and slippery gravel. It's fairly typical of the low desert. Bring leather gloves for hand protection in case of falls and you will be okay.
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This hike is in conjunction with Mindful Scramblers and Peaks & Trails Baggers.
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Imagine walking thru pristine desert terrain, banded in multiple colors, with red or white sand along the washes, limpid pools, pure white cliffs, and bizarre multi-colored pinnacles to explore. Yes, it's that good.
This hike is exceptionally colorful and interesting, traveling thru a rarely visited portion of the Valley of Fire. It's 95% walking, and 5% slower travel among the stunning rock formations.
We start going east from Parking Lot 3, at the north end of the main valley, traversing long stretches of colorful stone, with ridges, gullies, and whatever, basically doing a large lazy circle around a mile-wide hill, and back to the start. Along the way we'll pass thru the amazing Pinnacles area. We consider it possibly the best part of the park, for hiking at least.
This area of the park doesn't have the high relief of the other parts, but it makes up for that by being even more colorful (hard to believe, we know). And there is some up and down hiking to keep things interesting, never fear.
Prep:
The usual for the desert; stout boots, leather gloves, hat, plenty of water (2 big bottles), some food, and a hunger for rough but extremely colorful desert vistas.Also, there are a couple of spots with gravel on slanted hard rock, which can be quite treacherous. A hiking pole can be very handy to have here, to avoid an embarrassing (and maybe injurious) tumble.
Meetup:
We meet at Exit 2 on I-15, the Southern Parkway overpass. Go west to the southeast corner of the Smith's grocery parking lot (away from the store).The Drive:
2 hours one way on pavement, and a $15 entrance fee per car ($10 for Nevada residents). Be sure to have a writing pen to fill out the self-pay envelope at the entrance to the park, along with the cash.For those in Mesquite, go to the Flying J on Lower Flat Top Road at 7am Nevada Time. We'll arrive from St George at that time and we can carpool. Alternatively you may go to the Valley of Fire, Parking Lot 3 (the Fire Wave Trailhead) in the main valley on White Domes Road. Be there at 8:30am Nevada Time.
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See you there! M+J :)
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Notice:
Meetup organizers are not touring guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death.
The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or injury to themselves or their guests.
By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.7 attendees
Past events
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