Valley of Fire Series: Africa Loop & Tailgate

Please provide separate answers to all 4 questions when you RSVP:
Q1. What is your cell number?
Q2. Do you understand that tailgating after the hike is a part of this Event?
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 old VOF Visitor Center lower 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 3:30pm, 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 old VOF Visitor Center lower 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 outside the fee booth, let me know and I'll include you in a group text to facilitate.

📌 This is one of the top 3 hikes in the VOF. I learned it from Brian Dodd with Around the Bend Friends. The GPS track is shaped like the continent of Africa; hence the name. We will visit Rock of Gibraltar, a canyon with drop slots (aka, Drop Dead Slots), the Pinnacles (see photo above with Brian and Jim), Black Cap, White Nipple, Alien Wall, and Fire Wave.

QUICK STATS
Trailhead: will be provided to carpools at the old Visitor Center lower lot
Distance: 5.5 miles (feels like 8 miles due to deep sand)
Elevation Gain: 1,250 feet
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Class: 1 (50%), 2 (40%), 3 (10%)
Exposure: None
Pace: Slow to Moderate
Time: 8.0 hours (includes hiking, driving and tailgating)

Gear: Mid-height hiking boots or gaiters are recommended for the deep sand. Bring an extra pair of socks and a small towel just in case there's water in the drop slots. Trekking poles are helpful part of the time and in the way part of the time.

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 will be posted in the Comments section below by Liz. If you have trouble using it, text Jim with what you're bringing.

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Tentative Schedule Lake Mead Series:
2/7 - White Owl Canyons & Twilight Zone Tunnels
2/28 - Red & Black Mountains (Boulder City)
3/7 - Frenchman Mtn

Tentative Schedule Valley of Fire Series:
1/31 - Africa Loop (if no rain for 7-10 days)
2/21 - Yellow Spire

Tentative Schedule Red Rock Series:
3/14 - White Rock Springs Peak
3/21 - Terrace Canyon or Gunsight Canyon
3/28 - Indecision Peak or Black Velvet Peak
4/4 - Goodman Peak
4/11 - Crabby Appleton Peak
4/18 - Imagination Trench – Jim’s birthday 4/20

Tentative Schedule Charleston Series:
5/2 to 8/8

Tentative Schedule Southern California & Southern Utah:
2/14 - China Ranch (Tecopa, CA)
4/25-26 - Coalpits Wash (La Verkin, UT)
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 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.