Mid-Week Charleston Series: Bonanza Trail to McFarland Gully

Please read the entire hike description.

Have questions or comments? Text Jim at 702-515-9824

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📌 This hike goes through the Old Mill picnic area, branches off to a beautiful and peaceful forest ascent to the South Sister Saddle and then up a ridge to the Bonanza Trail. From there, we will have a magnificent view of McFarland Peak as the scenic trail tortures us with Mindless Ups and Downs (MUDS) until we reach the turn-off to the McFarland gully. The return route is the same and repeats those MUDS testing your stamina and mental fortitude; otherwise known as "training" for upcoming murder hikes.

HIKE STATs:

• Trailhead: Old Mill picnic area
• Distance: 8.6 miles
• Summit: N/A
• Elevation Gain: 1,900 feet (estimate)
• Altitude: Between 8,458 – 9,498 feet
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Class: All Class 1 trail
• Exposure: None
• Pace: Slow to Moderate ⁞ Conversational
• Duration: 6.5 hours (includes hiking and driving)

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
• Carry rain gear during monsoon season

OTHER:

• No guests, children, pets, or event crashers, please!
• Everyone starts on the Waitlist. You must be on the Going list to attend.

We leave at 7:00am; arrive 10 minutes early. Santa Fe Hotel & Casino East parking garage, go up ramp to 3rd floor, turn RIGHT, then right again, go half-way back, Section 3C. There are two parking garages; go to the southeast one closer to Lone Mtn Rd, not the northwest one visible from Hwy 95.

There is limited parking at Mt Charleston trailheads, so carpooling is mandatory. Each passenger is asked to pay their driver at least $8 for gas.

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Tentative Schedule:
8/22 - Up Trail Canyon / Down Fletcher Canyon (Explorer's)
8/26 - Bonanza Trail to McFarland Gully
8/29 - Taylor Creek (UT)
9/2 - Cockscomb Peak (Founder's)
9/5 - Little Zion (holiday weekend)
9/9 - Mummy Mtn (Founder's)
9/12 - North Loop Trail Fall Colors
9/15 - tbd
9/18-20 - Big Pine Lakes (CA) - this event is full
9/26 - South Loop Trail Fall Colors (Liz' group Telescope Peak)
10/3 - Lovell Canyon (Marcus' group Grand Canyon R2R)
10/10 - Candy Cliffs / Yant Flats (UT)

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.