Sunday Scramble: Cowboy Canyon Caves

Escape the Vegas heat and join us for an adventurous hike into Cowboy Canyon, featuring one of the area’s most unique hidden spots—a multi-level cave system descending deep into the mountain. This fun exploratory route combines desert scenery, canyon travel, scrambling, and cool underground passages that stay comfortable even during summer. Expect a memorable adventure with shaded canyon walls, unique geology, and a cave experience unlike anything else around Las Vegas.

⚠️ MODERATE | Class 2-3 Cave Scrambling | ~1.6mi | ~298ft gain
AllTrails Route Information Here (up to cave)

📸 WHAT TO EXPECT
An easy hike leads us to the base of the cave, followed by some moderate scrambling to the entrance. Once inside, you can explore the large main chamber or optionally descend multiple levels deeper depending on your comfort level and scrambling ability. Expect uneven footing, low-light conditions, and dusty/dirty cave surfaces. As a photographer, I’ll also coordinate some fun group photos inside the cave.

⚠️ Cave exploration is optional. Participants uncomfortable with darkness or confined spaces may wait outside the cave.

🦇 Cave Conservation / Decontamination:
To help protect cave ecosystems and prevent the spread of fungal spores between caves, please clean any clothing, shoes, or gear used during this event before entering other cave systems. Recommended decontamination includes washing items at a minimum of 120°F or treating gear with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol.

💥 WHAT IS SCRAMBLING?
Scrambling sits between hiking and climbing, involving hands-on movement over rocky terrain.

• Class 2 Scrambling - Steep hiking with some hand use for balance; minimal risk.
• Class 3 Scrambling - Hands-on climbing with route choice; a fall could cause serious injury.

🚗 WHERE TO MEET
Directly at the Fossil Canyon Trailhead, which is where the horseback riding for Cowboy Canyon is located. This is outside of the Red Rock Scenic loop, so no passes or reservations are required. The gravel parking lot is relatively small so you may have to park along the road if it is full.

WHAT TO BRING

• 🔦 Headlamp required. Backup flashlight strongly recommended
• 🥾 Proper hiking shoes (good grip for scrambling)
• 💧 2–3 liters of water
• 🍎 Snacks
• 🧢 Dress for the weather
• 🧤 Gloves (recommended for scrambling)

If you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out.
Let’s go make some memories! 🏜️🔥

⸻

URBAN TRAILS LIABILITY DISCLAIMER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK:
By registering for and participating in this Urban Trails event, you acknowledge that you are voluntarily participating in an outdoor activity that involves inherent risks including, but not limited to: slips, falls, uneven terrain, loose rock, rockfall, water crossings, ice, snow, scrambling, wildlife, environmental exposure, and changing weather conditions, any of which may result in serious injury, illness, or death.

You understand that Urban Trails and its event hosts and volunteers (including but not limited to Nicholas Klein) are not providing professional guiding services, and that all participants are responsible for their own safety, route decisions, equipment, and level of participation. You understand that you may choose to opt out of any portion of the hike at any time.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation and agree to release, waive, and discharge Urban Trails and its hosts and volunteers from any and all liability for injury, damage, loss, or claims arising from participation in this event, including claims arising from the ordinary negligence of Urban Trails or its hosts and volunteers.

By registering for this event, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk and voluntarily choose to participate.

In addition to the electronic liability waiver above, all participants are required to sign a written liability waiver at the meetup location prior to participating in the event. Participants who do not sign the written waiver will not be permitted to join the hike.