Cowboy Cave Hike and Cleanup with Alan Gegax

To me, this is the single most important hike in the history of VegasHikers. Cowboy Cave is the hike where I met my wife, Meghan. November 11, 2006. (LINK) We would get married at Red Rock 19 months later. For the 20th Anniversary of VegasHikers, I wanted to go back to where the magic happened. Meghan has chronic illness now, and she won't be able to do the hike. But if all goes well, she'll be at the 20th Anniversary Event immediately following the hike.

Cowboy Cave is a wild cave across the highway from Red Rock, within Blue Diamond Hill. It's fairly easily accessible, which is why it was a popular hangout spot for teens and partiers. Unfortunately, that means the inside is pretty badly vandalized. We're going to bring trash bags with us and clean up what we can.

You MUST bring at least one light (not your cell phone). I recommend GLOVES for the trash, and a helmet or a hat to protect your head. I'll bring the garbage bags.

We'll meet AT THE TRAILHEAD at noon. I'm on a schedule, so please be prompt. It's the Cowboy Trail Rides parking lot. Coming from Vegas on Charleston Blvd, it's on the LEFT side of the road, one mile past the entrance to the scenic loop, BEFORE you get to the scenic overlook. There is a large dirt lot. Park here, or if it's full, park on the shoulder of the road.

Distance: 2 miles total
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Pace: 1 out of 5
Scrambling: Class 2 out of 5
Exposure: 2 out of 5. There is a series of ledges that must be traversed to get to the cave.
Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Kids/Dogs: No dogs. Kids with climbing experience are OK.
Bathrooms: Vault toilets

Trash notwithstanding, it's still a pretty fun adventure, and makes a good introduction to caving in a relatively safe environment.

Please be aware that your Meetup organizers are not tour guides and are not park/BLM 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.