- Shark Fin Loop - Tenth AnniversaryNeeds location
The first official Shark Fin Loop was done on April 26, 2014. I have done the hike dozens of times since then and it's been copied by many organizers over the last 10 years.
REQUIREMENTS 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.
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.pdf
You will not be moved to the "going" list without providing a signed waiver by email to the address on the waiver.
If you have already provided a waiver to me, you do not need to provide another one.HIKE DESCRIPTION
This route has been duplicated over and again by many different organizers. Like all my routes, I continue to refine it and add more obstacles for everybody to enjoy.
This hike features "the squeeze," “the jelly cave,” and Ian and David's Rock Bridge. The hike goes to an outcropping near Calico Basin that is seldom visited. I've been calling it the Shark's Fin, but it may have another name. The view from the top is slightly different because it looks over more of Calico II than other rocks in the area.
There will be a few places that have exposure and some narrow cracks that are a tight "squeeze" to get through. At the top we will take a short break and enjoy the view. The return trip will be down a separate section that I have recently added.
Except for a pair of owls, I have seen very few animals in this area. We'll keep an eye out for any sightings. Check out my wildlife gallery for pictures of wildlife that I have seen.
http://richardwaltjen.com/galleries-2/animal-gallery/• 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 ON THIS HIKE:
Jelly Cave
SqueezeSTATS
• Distance: ~ 2.5 miles loop.
• Elevation gain: ~ 1100
• High point: 4570
• Low point: 3650
• Difficulty: moderate – difficult
• Pace: ~ 1 Miles Per Hour.
• Children: no.
• Dogs: no.
• Time: 4 hours max.
• Bring: At least two liters of water. Snacks.INFORMATION 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.pdfNot open - Scrambling Skills: Advanced Beginner LevelKraft Mountain Parking, Las Vegas, NV
A "Scrambling Skills" pin (see photo above) is now available to anyone who completes at least one each of Beginner Level, Advanced Beginner Level, Beginner Intermediate Level, and Intermediate Level "Scrambling Skills" hikes.
Please read the entire hike description. New participants will be required to sign a Waiver similar to the Disclaimer below.
This hike on the west side of Kraft Mtn in Calico Basin is intended to be an advanced beginner level scramble but more experienced scramblers are welcome. We will ascend the Pegasus route to a ridge above The Beach, continue to the peak, and then descend on the west side.
Scrambling is not hiking; it is climbing up, down, over, under, around and through rocks. The difficulty of our route will be based on the experience level of the attendees. If you are new to scrambling, you will learn about different techniques, terminology, gear and safety; all while being amongst the most amazing people and scenery in Las Vegas. Scrambling is challenging and FUN for anyone who enjoys adventure and doesn't mind a few scratches or bruises along the way.
STATS
Trailhead: Kraft Mtn
Distance: 2.0 miles
Elevation gain: 1,000 ft
Difficulty: moderate
Class: 2 and 3
Exposure: some
Pace: moderate
Time: 3.0 hoursGear:
approach shoes are recommended but not required
trekking poles are not allowed
full-finger or finger-less gloves are recommended but not requiredClick link below for latest issue of the VegasHikers Magazine:
VegasHikers Magazine Feb, 2024 - FlowPaper FlipBookIf you have any questions, text Jim at 702-515-9824.
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 can not 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. - Ike's Peak 4.3 mile (southwest) 2~groups8600 Todd Allen Creek St, Las Vegas, NV
*** Shared event with another Meetup hiking group ***
- TRAFFIC DETOUR (from Henderson) - Ft Apache south end is temporarily closed.
- From Blue Diamond Road, exit at Durango and turn left on Pebble to get to
- Ft Apache. Then go north one block to turn left at Ford Avenue.
For most hikers, this is a "relatively easy" 4.3 mile (level 2) "no scrambling" hike, elevation gain 650 feet. From COUGAR AVENUE parking, we first hike around the mountain bend on an old mining road. We ascend to follow a mountain ridge trail to Ike's Peak and back again. Hiking shoes: YES, tennis shoes: NO.
REQUIRED READING (legal info + ICE card PDF) • Las Vegas for residents and visitors
photos 2024 2023 2022 -etc • history • 2018 • Arden mine map • mining images
I am a retired systems analyst / computer geek. I still dabble with making hobby web pages mostly for desktop. My latest include non-app phone+desktop pages:
Quick Access TV News • Song Loop Player • Web Streaming Plus • Click-to-Play Radio
2-GROUPS NOTE • This hike started with Trail-Seekers. Now, most RSVPs are often by members of the larger VegasHikers. If you belong to both Meetup groups, choosing to RSVP via Trail-Seekers reduces the chance of hikers stuck on a VegasHikers "waitlist". (Don't RSVP from both groups for the same hike.)
BTW, the total 2-Group attendance count will be most up-to-date on Trail-Seekers. Since VegasHikers has a signup limit, unless it's full, I try to keep VH numbers a bit lower until just before the hike starts.
Upload to share your Meetup hike photos with others. I will re-post to the Trail-Seekers Meetup group and post to Facebook Summerlin Outdoors group.
Location is southwest of Rhodes Ranch and Cowabunga Canyon water park near Ft Apache Road. If more than 5 minutes late, spot us walking up the hill.
Note: 8600 (street address) is for GPS reference only.
GPS • Parking 36.0314 / -115.3136 • Ike's Peak 36.05401 / -115.31995
Street Parking -- COUGAR AVENUE and Todd Allen Creek Street -- 89178DIRECTIONS -- for most, take Ft Apache south, past Warm Springs Road, and past Rhodes Ranch (on left). Turn right (west) on Ford Avenue. Near the end of Ford Avenue, you may see Forbuss Elementary School. At the end of Ford Avenue, turn right (north) on Reynolds Spring Road and then left on COUGAR AVENUE. We can park along or near the first 2 blocks of COUGAR AVENUE (parking photos).
We DO NOT meet on Reynolds Spring Road or next to the water detention basin.
For those coming from the southeast or Henderson, you might try going west on Blue Diamond Road aka H-160 and turn right (north) on to Ft Apache Road. Going north, turn left (west) at Ford Avenue.
Hourly Weather + UV (sun) ~~~ Las Vegas Southwest hike maps
Friendly chat welcome but please: no national politics or religion.
Hiking shoes are REQUIRED for greater safety - no tennis shoes.
Bring water and snacks. • Well behaved dogs on leash might be okay.
I try to schedule my hikes when the sun's UV level is 4 or lower.
Be aware that we share this trail with advanced mountain bikers.Ike's Peak mountain biking -- Summerlin Outdoors -- Durango Southwest
Use Meetup message system to contact organizer with any questions.
++ On a WAITLIST ?? Then, RSVP instead at Trail Seekers Meetup
IF WEATHER FORECAST IS BAD, this hike may be moved to SATURDAY.
Description so long that you got sleepy? I made videos for that. - Unnamed Route I (eye)Needs location
REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN UP - NO EXCEPTIONS
• You must have hiked with me on a Tier 3 hike.
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.pdf
You 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 one to me, you do not need to provide another one.***
HIKE DESCRIPTION
Soon to be copied by other organizers. New route that I expect will be tier 3-4. The route will take a previously unused paths going in and around new obstacles, and will probably be a shorter route. We should have a lot of shade on this hike.
STATS
Not available yet.INFORMATION 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.pdf - Kraft Mtn LoopKraft Mountain Parking, Las Vegas, NV
Please read the entire hike description. New participants will be required to sign a Waiver similar to the Disclaimer below.
This family-friendly clockwise loop hike starts off on a flat trail across the desert, goes up a steep trail on the west side of Kraft Mtn commonly known as Hell Hill, descends down to the wash into a colorful canyon behind Kraft Mtn with some fairly easy scrambling, and then finishes with a trek through red sand back to the cars. We may do the inner scrambling route instead of the Hell Hill trail depending on the attendees experience. Everyone starts on the Waitlist.
HIKE QUICK STATS
Trailhead: Kraft parking lot
Distance: 3.0 miles
Summit: n/a
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Class: Mostly 1 and 2, some 3
Exposure: None
Pace: Slow/Moderate
Time: 2.5 hours
Gear: Hiking boots are best; trekking poles are optional
Children: Yes, if capable (see distance and elevation gain)
Dogs: NoQuestions: text Jim at 702-515-9824
Click link below for latest issue of the VegasHikers Magazine:
VegasHikers Magazine Feb, 2024 - FlowPaper FlipBookDisclaimer
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 can not 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.