What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- Charleston Series: Cathedral RockSanta Fe Station Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Please read the entire hike description. New participants will be required to sign a Waiver similar to the Disclaimer below.
This is the 12th Annual Charleston Series. The hikes get progressively harder each week in mileage, elevation gain, and altitude designed to train up for long-distance high-altitude hikes. For those unfamiliar with hiking at higher elevations, guidance and tips will be provided on pace, breathing, gear, food/liquid, trail etiquette, and preparations.
New this year is the introduction of Prequel hikes. These events at slightly lower elevations where the snow has already melted are designed to prepare for high-elevation hiking ahead of the Main Charleston Series. Prequel hikes will be scheduled in May with the Main hikes being in June, July and August.
A secondary benefit of this program is that carpooling and hiking with many of the same people each week enables you to develop friendships and trust in each other which you will need as the hikes get harder. Tailgating afterward is an additional feature of the Main hikes.
So far, 159 hikers have used this training series to reach Charleston Peak for the first time....will your name be added to the list this year?
Co-Hosts: Jim is the creator of the Charleston Series and has over 1,400 hikes with VegasHikers (VH). Liz is the current organizer of the Charleston Series and co-creator of the Fitness Series, and has over 700 hikes with VH. Paul is co-creator of the Fitness Series and has over 400 hikes with VH.📌 There are 3 possibilities for this hike.
1. We split into two groups; a faster pace group starting at Echo parking lot, and a slower pace group starting at Cathedral Rock parking lot.
2. We all start at Echo parking lot and everyone hikes at their own pace.
3. We all start at Cathedral Rock and everyone hikes at their own pace.
When you RSVP, please indicate your preference; either 1, 2 or 3.This event is cross-posted with 52 Peak Club Explorer's Deck.
STATISTICS for faster pace and longer hike:
Trailhead: Echo
Distance: 4.8
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
Summit: 8,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Class: 1 and 2 trail
Exposure: None
Pace: Moderate to Fast
Duration: 4.5 hours driving and hikingSTATISTICS for slower pace and shorter hike:
Trailhead: Cathedral Rock
Distance: 2.8 miles
Elevation gain: 950 feet
Summit: 8,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Class: 1 and 2 trail
Exposure: None
Pace: Slow / Moderate
Duration: 3.5 hours driving and hikingGEAR:
Hiking boots or trail shoes are required
Trekking poles are optional
You should always carry a windbreaker or rain jacket, warm gloves and hat for any hikes in the Mt Charleston area.No pets or children. You must be on the Going list to attend.
All attendees must be members of VegasHikers. It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up & it's FREE.Meet in the Santa Fe Casino East parking garage, 3rd floor, turn left, section 3F. There are two parking garages, be sure to go to the southeast one close to Lone Mtn Rd, not the northwest one visible from Hwy 95. We will form carpools for the drive to the trailhead.
There is limited parking at the trailhead so carpooling is mandatory.
FAQs
Do I need to attend every hike: no
Do I need to be in good shape to start the series: yes, you must already be somewhat fit but the Prequel hikes are designed to improve your fitness and acclimation for the Main hikes
Do I need to carpool: yes, it is socially responsible and for most hikes, parking is very limitedA pin is available for those who participate in the series and reach the summit of Charleston Peak.
Questions: text Jim at 702-515-9824.
Check out the latest issue of the VegasHikers Magazine
Follow us on Facebook! VegasHikers FB pageTentative Schedule: Prequel Hikes
5/24 Cathedral Rock, Little Falls & Echo Trail
5/31 Lower Bristlecone / Bonanza TrailTentative Schedule: Main Hikes
6/7 Raintree
6/14 Up Trail Canyon / Down Fletcher Canyon
6/21 Fletcher Peak
6/28 Bonanza Peak
7/5 Divide Peak
7/12 Mummy's Toe
7/19 Mummy Mtn
7/26 Helicopter Pad
8/2 Griffith Peak
8/9 Charleston PeakTentative Schedule: Additional Hikes
5/22 Shady Hollow
6/11 South & North Sisters
6/25 Mack's North Peak
8/16 Mummy's Nose
8/23 Wheeler Peak (Great Basin NP)
8/30 Cockscomb PeakDisclaimer:
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.Not open - Guardian Angel (Beginner Scramble)Needs location
CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF VEGASHIKERS
REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN UP - NO EXCEPTIONS
• This hike is open to anybody who provides the written waiver.
• YOU MUST SIGN A WRITTEN WAIVER TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. The link to the written waiver is here:
http://richardwaltjen.com/written-waiver/You will not be moved to the "going" list without sending your 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.
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HIKE DESCRIPTION
From the Calico Basin you can see this pass between the Calicos. It cuts right through towards Calico II on the 13-mile loop inside the park. It can be a tough climb up through the canyon, but the views into the park and Calico Basin are worth it. Along the way you can admire the deep red of the rocks contrasted with some dark green vegetation.
Soon after we get out of Red Springs we'll begin to hit the rocks. This part of the climb requires use of hands to keep balanced. There might be some areas that might require you to push or pull your way up, but most of it will simply require you to keep your balance as you climb up the rocks. If this doesn't get your heart rate up, then you're not doing it right.
The descent towards Calico II is filled with brush. Most of it is easy to avoid. The hike down is on rocks also. It's along this stretch that we'll pass the Guardian Angel carving. We'll end up just outside of the Calico II parking area on the 13-mile loop in the park. There are a few different routes back. On this hike we'll take the original route back to Red Springs.
I've seen lots of different animals along this route. I even saw a tortoise climbing up the canyon. We just barely beat him to the top. You can check out my wildlife gallery for some of my favorite pictures of animals I've 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.
STATS
Distance: ~ 3.5 miles loop.
Elevation gain: ~ 900 ft.
High point: 4260
Low point: 3600
Difficulty: easy-moderate
Pace: ~ 1 Miles Per Hour
Children: no.
Dogs: no.
Time: 3 hours max.
Bring: At least two liters of water. Snacks. Headlamp or flashlight, just in case.INFORMATION LINKS
Scrambling Tiers
http://richardwaltjen.com/rickw-scrambling-tiers-colors/Passages
http://richardwaltjen.com/passages/Pin Program
http://richardwaltjen.com/pin-collection/
