About us
WELCOME!
VegasHikers is the premier hiking group in the Desert Southwest! We take more hikes to more places and have the friendliest, most welcoming organizers of any group around. We feature hikes for all skill levels, road trips, camping, and social gatherings. We have events at a huge variety of times, places, and days. We even hike at night! With dozens of organizers and an average of more than an event a day, you're sure to find activities to suit your fancy.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS.
Our organizers are not tour guides, we're not rangers. Going out with us is the same as going out with a few friends. Expect the same risks, take the same precautions. As organizers, we will do our best to give accurate descriptions of the hikes we post. If you're a beginning hiker, a hike's elevation and distance may not mean much to you. Likewise, difficulty ratings are subjective, and a hike that is "easy" to one person may be "moderate" to another. Err on the side of caution. You're much better off going on a hike that's too easy for you than a hike that's too hard or too dangerous for you. As you go on more hikes with us, you'll become more familiar with our ratings and our descriptions, and you'll learn more about your own limits. Ultimately, it's up to you to keep yourself safe out there. You're an adult. Hike within your abilities.
DUES/FEES
There are no membership dues to be a part of this group. It does take money to pay for this site, fill up first aid kits, and keep organizers prepared, so we gladly take donations any time they're offered.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Our group can be defined by five terms, which help guide every decision we make. They are as follows:
- All are welcome
- We hike together
- We come prepared
- We're all adults
- We appreciate the outdoors
Upcoming events
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Valley of Fire Series: Yellow Spire Loop
Location not specified yetPlease answer all 4 questions separately when you RSVP:
Q1. What is your cell number?
Q2. Do you understand that tailgating after the hike is a required part of this Event (theme and signup sheet is posted in the Comments section below)?
Q3. Are you willing to drive and take 3 passengers (it is 50 miles one way, all paved road)?
Q4. Where will you meet the group: near Aliante Casino or at the new VOF Visitor Center parking lot?Please read the entire description. New participants will be required to sign a Waiver similar to the Disclaimer below.
Questions: text Jim at 702-515-9824.
All participants are expected to stay and socialize at the tailgate after the hike. If you have to be back before 2:30pm, do not sign up!
Carpooling is mandatory due to limited space at the trailhead. The main group will meet near Aliante Casino. The location will be sent by text to the number you provide when you RSVP. Each rider must pay $10 to their driver for gas.
This hike is in the VOF State Park so if you have a Nevada State Park Pass, please bring it along with photo ID. Otherwise the cost is $10 per car.
If you live in Henderson or Boulder City and wish to meet the group at the new VOF Visitor Center parking lot at 8:30am and carpool from there to the trailhead, let me know when you RSVP. On your way, you will go thru both a National Park and a State Park fee booth so be prepared.
Those of you in Henderson who wish to carpool from the River Mountains Loop Trailhead parking lot on E Lake Mead Pkwy just before the fee booth, let me know and I'll include you in a group text to facilitate.
This is the prettiest hike that I have done in the Valley of Fire with so many constantly changing colors that it's hard to keep your eyes on the ground in front of you! Please do not sign up unless you enjoy scenery because other than a few obstacles, it is not a technically challenging hike.
The hike has about 1,000 feet of elevation gain at the end; much of it in deep sand so be forewarned!!
QUICK STATS
Trailhead: Will be provided to carpools at the Visitor Center
Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Class: Mostly 1 and 2, some 3
Exposure: None
Pace: Slow to Moderate
Duration: 7.0 hours (4 hrs hiking, 2 hrs driving and 1 hr tailgating)Gear: Mid-height hiking boots or trail shoes and gaiters are recommended for deep sand; trekking poles are optional
No pets, children or guests. Everyone starts on the Wait list. You must be on the Going list to attend.
Tailgate: after hike potluck; informal social gathering with food and drink; bring a camp chair. A link to the theme and signup sheet is posted in the Comments section below. If you have trouble using it, text Jim with what you're bringing.
Check out the latest issue of the VegasHikers Magazine
Follow us on Facebook! VegasHikers FB pageTentative Schedule Lake Mead Series:
3/7 - Frenchman MtnTentative Schedule Valley of Fire Series:
2/28 - Yellow SpireTentative Schedule Red Rock Series:
3/14 - White Rock Springs Peak or White Rock Hills Loop
3/21 - Terrace Canyon or Gunsight Canyon
3/28 - Hidden Peak & Biker Bar
4/4 - Imagination Trench
4/11 - Crabby Appleton Peak
4/18 - Goodman Peak – Jim’s birthday 4/20Tentative Schedule Charleston Series:
5/2 to 8/1 or 8/8Tentative Schedule Southern California & Southern Utah:
4/24-26 - Coalpits Wash (La Verkin, UT)
8/8 or 8/15 - Ashdown Gorge (Cedar City, UT)
8/29 - Taylor Creek (UT)
9/18-20 - Big Pine Lakes (CA) – already posted
10/3 – Candy Cliffs/Yant Flats (UT)Disclaimer:
Please be aware that your Meetup organizers are not tour guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take 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 any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this 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.13 attendees
Calico Tanks Double Alternate Route - V2 Return
Location not specified yetREQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN UP - NO EXCEPTIONS
• You must have done one of my Tier 3 or higher hikes with me, or have a Scrambling Skills pin from a VegasHikers Organizer.
AND
• YOU MUST SIGN A WRITTEN WAIVER TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. The link to the written waiver is here:
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/written-waiver.pdfYou will not be moved to the "going" list without providing a signed waiver to the email address on the waiver.
If you have already provided a waiver to me, you do not need to provide another one.
***
HIKE DESCRIPTION
This is another alternate route to the Calico Tanks from Calico Basin. It's NOT the same as the other alternate route. It's the same rocks, but a different route. I finally developed this route so that the exposure is minimal, but the scrambling is fun.
This climb has a little more technical climbing than the other alternate, so it's a little more difficult. You'll need to use more upper body strength to make it.
There are a lot of different rock formations and colors to see on this hike. I've seen lots of different animals along this route. You can see my wildlife pictures in my wildlife gallery.
http://richardwaltjen.com/galleries-2/animal-gallery/Not for beginners or those afraid of heights. There are many places that require intermediate scrambling skills and there is some exposure. You must be able to pull your body weight up and lower yourself down using your arms.
• Helmets are always welcome. Be sure to use one that doesn't block your sight.
• Always carry "in case of emergency" numbers with you.
• No guests will be allowed without my prior approval.
YOU MUST BE ON THE "GOING" LIST IN ORDER TO GO ON THIS HIKE. CRASHING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
Meet Location will be sent by text or message on the day prior to the hike.
PASSAGES:
•ConventSTATS
• Distance: ~ 2.5 miles loop.
• Elevation gain: ~ 1050 ft.
• High point: 4720
• Low point: 3700
• Difficulty: moderate – difficult
• Pace: ~ 1 Miles Per Hour.
• Children: no.
• Dogs: no.
• Time: 4 hours max.
• Bring: At least two liters of water. Snacks.INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Scrambling Tiers
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rickw-scrambling-tiers.pdfPassages
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Passages.pdfPin Program
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pin-Collection.pdf9 attendees
Past events
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