Hello fellow hikers!

As many of you know, we have had a few run-ins with the rangers at Red Rock recently where they have been concerned about our group sizes. At last Sunday's Organizers Meeting, it was the main topic we discussed. Frankly, it's been a growing concern of mine, and was already on the agenda BEFORE we had any encounters with the rangers.

The rangers did not come to the meeting, though they were invited. However, our primary liaison to the rangers, Paul, had a lengthy and productive phone conversation with a head ranger today. Here is what was mutually resolved regarding hike sizes:

Hikes within Red Rock proper (Scenic Loop and Red Springs) are to be limited to 15 people.

Hikes on the Red Rock side of Charleston Blvd. (such as Kraft Mountain or First Creek) are to be limited to 20 people.

Interestingly, at the Organizers Meeting, these are the restrictions we agreed would be good to uphold, before we were even able to speak to the rangers.

What does this mean to you?

For starters, it means that you're not going to be seeing any more HUGE groups out at Red Rock hikes. It also means that it may become harder to RSVP for many of our events - events which will fill up fast. With that in mind, we'll be experimenting with various ways to open RSVP's so that it's not just the people with Blackberries and iPhones going on every hike.

Most importantly, it means that you must RSVP with integrity. Remember that when you RSVP for a hike, you're taking a spot on a hike that could have been filled by someone else. If you no-show or cancel late, it means that someone has missed their opportunity to attend that event. Not cool!

As Organizers, we'll do our part to put more events on the calendar - possibly even multiple start times for the same event. Ideally, this will mean much more variety in our postings and more opportunities for you to get out on the trail in a more rewarding atmosphere.

This could wind up being one of the best things that's happened for the quality of our events!

If you have any questions or concerns, this will also be posted and pinned to the top of our Message Board.

See you on the trail!

- Alan

I was beginning to wonder when this would be discussed. I've already informed ALL 3 news stations and the LVRJ to investigate the reasoning behind the BLM's decision to start enforcing this new hike restrictions. I'm going to contact the BLM myself so I can write an article that is reflective of the reasoning for making it unfair for those that do NOT have access to meetup at work due to company policy. Hopefully, my blowing the whistle so to speak will help us out. I don't mean that we should have 100+ people on a hike but limiting it to 25-30 should be okay.

I really don't see a problem with the limits where we have them now. 15-20 is still a pretty good sized group, and if it puts more events on the calendar, then it's a win-win. Regarding needing access at work to RSVP for hikes, I mentioned in my post that, "we'll be experimenting with various ways to open RSVP's so that it's not just the people with Blackberries and iPhones going on every hike."

I prefer the smaller groups, 15 - 20 sounds just right for casual gatherings. My experience has been the groups stay together better, you get to know more about the people your hiking with, and the organizer gets a chance to enjoy the hike.

More events, at different levels, staggered start times sounds great for our meet-up. The meet-up will probably need more organizers , that’s a good thing to. I will be looking forward to small group moderate hikes , instead of it only being available on advanced hikes.

Alan wrote:
>> "you're not going to be seeing any more HUGE groups"

I have *never* seen any "HUGE groups" on any of our hikes, to which "HUGE groups" do you refer??

Well, this hike was pretty huge. As was this one.

Obviously huge is a subjective term, but I think most people would agree that the above hikes were pretty big. And that doesn't even count the Moonlight Hikes, which can get over 100 people! Of course, we haven't had a Moonlight Hike in Red Rock proper for years.

I have to ask. What will be the limit for hikes that start at Cowboy Trail Rides such as Cave Canyon and Fossil Ridge and even Spring Mtn State Park? I know there was a moonlight hike there that had 60 people or more. Will you leave that up to the particular organizer?

49 people is "HUGE"??
Okay, what-everrr. I still think this is a *HUGE* over-reaction to the increased popularity of hiking at Red Rock.

I think 49 is pretty 'Huge'.
Can you imagene if you encounter 50 hikers at the narrow trail and you have to wait until everyone pass you?

Anyway, hikers size limitation makes organizer easier to handle the group that will reduce injury.

I think the limits may be a good idea although somewhat arbitrary. 15 people might be two families in some locales. However, it surprises me that the rangers would not have suggest some other way of dealing with larger groups. Perhaps they could organize more hikes or designate more trails and routes. actually, i'm not surprised ; the red rock rangers have never seen there mission as promoting use of our public lands.