Fitness Series: Echo Canyon to Cat in the Hat down Fossil Canyon Loop

Please read the entire hike description.

New participants are required to complete this electronic WAIVER. If you've hiked with Liz or Paul before, then no additional waiver is required.

📢Please arrive between 4:45p – 4:55p.

Got questions? Text Liz 702-496-2455 and/or Paul 702-628-0454

✨It's the return of the Fitness Series! Round #1✨
These hikes are designed to strengthen cardiovascular health and, ultimately, your pace and stamina on the trails. A pin is available for those who participate in the series and attend the final hike, Cowboy Caves & Beyond!

We’ll be running this Fitness Series on a seasonal basis (Fall & Spring) to train up for the annual Summer Charleston Series in 2026.

Hosts: Liz has over 700 hikes & Paul has over 450 hikes with VegasHikers; both are co-creators of this Fitness Series and proud alumni of the Summer Charleston Series.

Learn more about the series HERE
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📌This is a loop hike that starts at the Cowboy Trail Rides parking and runs east-southeast into Echo Canyon, before turning south where we'll pick up Cat in the Hat connecting to Fossil Canyon and back to the trailhead. The route features some Class 2 scrambling over boulders and pour-overs that run along a shaded wash. The walls of Echo Canyon are full of cool fossils like crinoids, gastropods, sponges, and corals. Since the goal of this hike is fitness, you'll need to maintain a fast pace.

Everyone starts on the Waitlist. If we haven't hiked together, then let's get to know each other! 🙂 We kindly request: 1) your VegasHikers profile displays a picture and 2) profile questions are completed. Please RSVP with integrity and if unable to attend, then move yourself to 'Not Going' before the event starts.

Carry a minimum 2L of water, a light snack, & a headlamp or other light source

HIKE QUICK STATS
• Location: Cowboy Trail Rides
• Distance: 4-5 miles
• Elevation gain: 700 ft
• Strenuosity: ⭐⭐✰✰✰
• Time: 2 hours
• Gear: hiking shoes or trail runners; no trekking poles
• No guests, children, canines, or event crashers please!
• All attendees must be members of VegasHikers. It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up and it's FREE.

FAQs

1. Do I need to attend every hike? No. There are 7 hikes to choose from. To earn the pin, you must complete 5 hikes plus the Cowboy Caves. (6 total)
2. Do I need to be in good shape to start the series? Since the program is designed to strengthen endurance, a reasonable amount of fitness is required.

Tentative Schedule for Fitness Series:
Thurs., 9/11: Echo Canyon to Cat in the Hat Down Fossil Canyon Loop
--- Note: New participants will not be accepted after this point of the series ---
Tues., 9/16: Brokeback Mtn to The Bronc to Rock Spectacular
Thurs., 9/18: Firehouse Hill Horseshoe Out-&-back
Tues., 9/23: Boneshaker to Radio Tower down Bomb Voyage-Muffins
Thurs., 9/25: Bob Gnarly aka Skull Canyon to the Overlook Out-&-back
Tues., 9/30: Boneshaker/Three Amigos to Skull/Overlook down Bomb Voyage-Muffins
Sat., 10/4: Cowboy Caves & Beyond!

•• 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 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 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.