VegasHikers

4.9•57547 ratings

About us

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

See all

Britt Loop from Calico Basin
Sat, Jun 13 · 6:00 AM PDT
Location not specified yet
REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN UP - NO EXCEPTIONS

• You must have done one of my Tier 3 or higher hikes with me.

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 a waiver to me, you do not need to provide another one.

Rick W's Hiking Page-News

***

HIKE DESCRIPTION

This hike is a combination of Guardian Angel and Britt's Loop hikes. The route has 3 climbs and passes through some narrow passages. We'll pass through lots of different colors of rocks. There will be a few different places that we can stop and enjoy the various views of the Park and the City.

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.

We'll go past the Guardian Angel carving and then up through the Black Corridor and then back around and back to the parking lot using some new routes.

• 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
• Jelly Cave

STATS
• Distance: ~ 5 miles loop.
• Elevation gain: ~ 1600
• High point:
• Low point: 3600
• Difficulty: moderate – difficult
• Pace: ~ 1 Miles Per Hour.
• Children: no.
• Dogs: no.
• Time: 4.5 hours max.
• Bring: At least two liters of water. Snacks.

INFORMATION LINKS

DOUBLE DIAMOND PIN

Scrambling Tiers
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rickw-scrambling-tiers.pdf

Passages
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Passages.pdf

Pin Program
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pin-Collection.pdf
11 attendees
Boating Extravaganza at Callville Bay
Sat, Jun 13 · 6:30 AM PDT
Sunset Station Hotel and Casino, 1301 W Sunset Rd, Henderson, NV, US
We are going to Calville Bay again!
*****You must be 21 and over to attend this event!

I reserved two 25' Sunchaser Tritoon boats for Saturday, June 13th at Callville Bay. This is the 10th year in a row we are doing this and we have a blast each year. The first 24 people to pay can go. We will also have a 2-person towable tube for riding behind the Tritoon boat for tubing throughout the day.

Everyone must sign the Liability waiver in order to attend this trip. If you have already signed the waiver there is no need to sign again. I will bring copies of the waiver when we meet Saturday morning. No guests are allowed. Meetup is free to join and only takes a few minutes to sign up.

We will meet at Sunset Station casino under their large sign at 6:30 am and then carpool to Callville Bay. If you have a NP pass, please bring it or it will cost $25 for each vehicle to get into the recreation area. Anyone who has a National Parks pass post it in the comment section. PLEASE ARRIVE AT 6:30 am so we can organize our equipment and car pools! We will leave Sunset Station at 7:00 am prompt to avoid a wait line when checking in.

Callville Bay marina is located in the Lake Mead Recreation area.

Once we arrive at the marina, we will unload and I will check us in. We will then cruise the lake and find a beach to chill out for the entire day in the water and sand with food, music, drinks etc. and take turns riding the towable tube throughout the day.

*******EVERYONE MUST WEAR A LIFE VEST WHEN RIDING ON THE BOAT OR TOWED IN THE INNER TUBE ON THE WATER. YOU CANNOT ATTEND THIS TRIP UNLESS YOU WEAR THE LIFE VEST. WHEN SIGNING UP YOU AGREE TO THIS!

We will be bring our canopy and Picnic Table so anyone who has one feel free to bring it, this way we can get out of the sun when we want to and have tables for our food and refreshments. We have always had enough canopies so everyone can be in the shade when on the beach.

SEATS GO TO THE FIRST 24 PEOPLE WHO SUBMIT THEIR PAYMENTS. ONCE ALL THE SEATS ARE SOLD, YOU'LL HAVE TO GET ON THE WAIT LIST AND HOPE SOMEONE HAS A CHANGE IN PLANS. BEST TO GET IN YOUR PAYMENT RIGHT AWAY! ONCE PAID YOU WILL BE MOVED TO THE GOING LIST.

How to pay: The cost for each person is $75. This includes everything, boats, tube and gas. Message me on this site for payment info. But usual payments will work like PayPal or Zelle. If paying with PayPal make sure you choose the friends & family option to avoid charges. Lake Mead does not allow glass bottles or styrofoam.

There are no refunds for this trip unless it is cancelled. Once you buy your seat, it's yours. You are welcome to sell your spot to someone else, just let me know before you do as I will need to approve it.

Make sure you bring sunscreen and a hat at the very least. As space may be limited on the boat, do not bring barbecues. Below is a list of items you may want to to bring with you.

Camp chair
Picnic Tables
Umbrella
Cooler - ice/beverage/food to share
Canopy
Snorkel
Goggles
Raft
Air pump
Sunscreen
Hat
Towel

*Shorelines may have rock so water socks with laces/zip on are recommended

Please note the following:
• 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 cannot 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 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 Meetup 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.
16 attendees
✦•Charleston Series•✦ Divide Peak
Sat, Jun 13 · 6:30 AM PDT
Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino (East Parking Garage - 3rd Floor), 4949 N Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, nv, US
Please read the entire hike description.

New participants must complete this eWAIVER before I can move them to Going. If you've previously completed one from a different event with me as the host, no additional waiver is needed.

Got questions or comments? Text Liz at 702-496-2455

Please provide a separate answer to all 3 questions when you RSVP:
Q1. Did you read the entire hike description?
Q2. What is your cell number?
Q3. Do you understand that after you RSVP to the Waitlist, you must complete and submit the eWAIVER (unless you have already done so) in order to be moved to the Going list?
Please respond in this format: 1. Yes; 2. xxx-xxx-xxxx; 3. Yes

˗ˏˋ⭐Welcome to the 13th Annual Charleston Series⭐ˎˊ˗
The hikes get progressively harder each week in mileage, elevation gain, and altitude, designed to train up for long-distance high-altitude hikes. Guidance and tips will be provided on pace, breathing, gear, food/hydration, trail etiquette, and preparations.

So far, 174 hikers have used this training series to reach Charleston Peak for the first time—will you be next?

A VH pin is available for those who participate in the series and reach the summit of Charleston Peak.

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 hikes.

Co-Hosts: Liz is the current organizer of the Charleston Series, co-creator of the Fitness Series, and has 800 hikes with VegasHikers (VH) and 100 with the 52 Peak Club (52PC). Jim is the creator of the Charleston Series and has 1,500 hikes with VH and 400 with the 52PC.

📌This hike goes through the Old Mill picnic area, leading to a serene, gentle trail in the woods that becomes steeper and steeper until reaching a saddle commonly used for South Sister. The trail then turns and traverses a ridge as it ascends to the Bonanza Trail. This portion of the Bonanza Trail has breathtaking views of McFarland Peak in one direction and Charleston Peak in the other. The final off-trail ascent to Divide Peak (see photo below) is short but steep and rocky, and passes by a magnificent bristlecone pine (see photo above).

This event is cross-posted with 52 Peak Club Explorer's Deck.

HIKE STATs:
- Trailhead: Old Mill picnic area
- Distance: 6.2 miles
- Summit: 10,040 feet
- Elevation Gain: 1,545 feet
- Altitude: between 8,320 – 10,040 feet
- Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
- Class: Class 1 trail
- Exposure: None
- Pace: Slow to Moderate ⁞ Conversational
- Duration: 6.5 hours (includes hiking, driving, and tailgating)
GEAR:
- Hiking boots or trail shoes are required
- Trekking poles are optional but very helpful
- 2-3L of water, sun protection, snacks & electrolytes
- Carry a windbreaker, warm gloves, and hat when hiking in the Mt Charleston area
OTHER:
- No guests, children/minors, canines, or event crashers, please!
- Everyone starts on the Waitlist. You must be on the Going list to attend.
- All attendees must be members of VegasHikers. Signing up only takes a couple of minutes, and it's FREE.
TAILGATE:
An after-hike themed potluck; a social gathering with food and drink. Bring a camp chair. A link for the signup sheet is provided in the Comments section below.

MEETUP/CARPOOL LOCATION:
Please arrive by 6:20am; we leave by 6:30am. Meet in Santa Fe Casino East parking garage 3rd floor, turn left, section 3F. We will form carpools for the drive to the trailhead. Each passenger is asked to pay their driver at least $5 for gas.

There is limited parking at Mt Charleston trailheads, 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 should be reasonably fit. The prequel hikes in May were added to improve your fitness and acclimate you for the main hikes.
Do I need to carpool? Yes, it's socially responsible, and for most hikes, parking is very limited.
Do I need to stay for tailgating? Yes, at least a portion of it.
Do I need to bring something for the tailgate? No, it’s voluntary, but please contribute in some manner, such as setup, cleanup, cash donation, etc.

ⓕ Follow us on Facebook!

Tentative Schedule for Charleston Training Series:
6/13 - Divide Peak (Explorers - Big Falls substitute)
6/20 - Fletcher Peak (Founders)
6/27 - Bonanza Peak (need HCV's) (Founders)
7/4 - Mummy's Toe & Deer Creek Canyon (Founders)
7/11 - Griffith Peak & Cabin BBQ (Founders)
7/18 - Mummy Mtn (Founders)
7/25 - Helicopter Pad & Lee Peak (Explorers)
8/1 - Charleston Peak & Cabin BBQ (National Summit Day) (Founders)

Jim will also be posting mid-week hikes throughout June and July for those interested in additional acclimating and stamina.

DISCLAIMER:
Please be aware that your Meetup organizers are not tour guides or 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 cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate in 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. ༺🦋༻
33 attendees
Ike*s Peak 4.3 miles (southwest) 2~groups
Sun, Jun 14 · 6:00 AM PDT
8600 Todd Allen Creek St, Las Vegas, NV, US
recent photos 2026 2025 to 2020 • Hourly Weather + UV (sun) • SW hike maps

For most hikers, this is a "relatively easy" 4.3 mile intermediate "no scrambling" hike, elevation gain 650 feet. From COUGAR AVENUE parking, we first hike around a mountain bend on an old mining road. We ascend to a mountain ridge trail to Ike's Peak and back again (option: loop +½ mile). Hiking shoes: YES, tennis shoes: NO.

Las Vegas weather and by month • 10-day forecast • historical averages

I am a retired systems analyst / computer geek. I still dabble with making (mostly desktop) hobby web pages - the latest include non-app desktop and/or phone pages:

Poplinks / Streaming • TV News Plus • Sleep Sounds • Radio Jukebox

2-GROUPS NOTE • RSVPs are most often by members of VegasHikers. Another option: RSVP from the Walking Las Vegas Meetup group. If you belong to both groups, don't RSVP from both groups for the same hike.

Upload to share your Meetup hike photos with others. I will re-post to Walking Las Vegas 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 (photos) • Ike's Peak 36.054 / -115.32
Street Parking -- COUGAR AVENUE and Todd Allen Creek Street -- 89178

DIRECTIONS -- for most, take Ft Apache south, past Warm Springs Road, and past Rhodes Ranch (on left). Turn right (west) at Ford Avenue stoplight. 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 and NOT near the flood control basin dam.

For those coming from the southeast or Henderson, go west on Blue Diamond Road aka H-160. Exit at Ft Apache and go north. Turn left (west) at Ford Avenue stoplight en route to Cougar Avenue.

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 mostly 4 or lower.
Be aware that we share this trail with advanced mountain bikers.

Ike's Peak mountain biking -- Summerlin Outdoors -- Durango Southwest
REQUIRED READING (legal info, etc.) • Las Vegas for residents and visitors

Use Meetup message system to contact organizer with any questions.
IF WEATHER FORECAST IS BAD, this hike may be moved to SATURDAY.
9 attendees