VegasHikers

Hike: Monument Arch - Up and back
Trailhead: Black Velvet Canyon - marked
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,700 feet
Elevation peak: none
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Difficulty: 4
Danger level: 5
Class: 4
How easy to follow: 3

Hiking Classes

Know and understand the following classes of our hikes. Be sure you are comfortable with the posted class before signing up. Most hikes posted with classes 4 and 5 typically only have small sections that are at that level, but it’s important to know you must be prepared to face those areas. Class 1: Walking with a low chance of injury. Class 2: Simple scrambling with the possibility of occasional use of the hands. Little potential danger is encountered. Class 3: Scrambling with increased exposure. A rope can be carried but is usually not required. Falls are not always fatal. Class 4: Simple climbing with exposure.

Disclaimer:

Hiking Las Vegas Meetup leaders are not guides. 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 leaders 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 leaders of this Meetup group.

A scramble I try to post each week for those who would like to see if they can climb in the beautiful sandstone of Red Spring Peak. Beginners who successfully complete this whole route two times and complete two or more Red Spring, Seal Head, Kraft or Calico hikes with me are eligible to receive the Vegas Hikers Scrambling Skills pin.

More experienced scramblers are welcome, but this route is geared for intermediate beginners or adventurous first-time scramblers. We may skip some of the west side of the route if we are progressing slowly and will take the hike beyond the 2 1/2 hour allotment.

You should bring at least 1 liter of water, a light snack for the peak, sunscreen, hat/sunglasses, gloves for hot rocks, etc. Dress for the weather; light layers are best for cold days. Sticky soled shoes are best for climbing on sandstone.

Hike: Red Spring Peak - Intermediate Beginner Level
Trailhead: Red Spring Park parking lot
Distance: could be 1.8 miles, more or less
Elevation gain: 840 feet
Elevation peak: 4,304 feet
Time: 2 hours (+/-)
Class: 3 (requires using hands to help raise or lower yourself)
Pace: SLOW / Moderate with short breaks as required
Children/Dogs: No

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.

In addition to the electronic liability waiver information above, on advice of counsel, I now require each hiker to sign a written liability waiver, which I will provide at the meetup location. If you are unwilling to provide me this waiver, please do not request to go on my hikes.

I try to always carry a Spot GEN3 emergency notification device on my hikes to get help in the shortest amount of time in the event of any emergency requiring SAR or medical help, even without cell or data cell phone coverage.

I request that each hiker carry emergency instructions with them on each hike. This information should be easy to find in their packs and include their name, emergency contact person(s) and phone numbers and maybe even primary care physician and pertinent medical info like prescription medications being taken, allergies, etc.

Please note the earlier start time. This is a physically demanding hike mixing cardio and Class III climbs. Technical experience is necessary. Bring water and a light snack, wear approach shoes and layers.

The below description is the standard route. We will possibly add a few different transitions and a final descent we don't normally use depending on our speed and location near sunset.

You must indicate that you read the entire hike description by answering the question asked when signing up for the hike.

Sign up is through the wait list.

Helmets are always welcome. Be sure to use one that doesn't block your sight.

Always care "in case of emergency" numbers with you.

This is a scramble, not a trail hike and is considered Class 3. If you have not scrambled before, this route is not appropriate.

Part of this hike is based on Rick W's "As the Crow Flies" route.

We'll start at the Red Springs Picnic area and begin our ascent. Part of the climb contains some areas that require you to push or pull your way up to the top. On a clear day, you can see the entire Las Vegas Valley.

The initial descent will take us to the West side of Red Springs, with a full view of the Park and the 13-mile loop. We'll traverse below the ridge along a craggy track. There will also be a few climbs and some steep scrambles.

Towards Calico II, we'll loop back towards Guardian Angel pass, via an alternate "high" route. There are many opportunities to scramble up the sides of rocks and around boulders. Some places require intermediate scrambling skills and there is some exposure. You must be able to pull your body weight up and lower yourself down using your arms.

If we haven't hiked together or if I can't determine your scrambling experience from your VegasHikers profile, send me a note with a description of the climbing you've done and the people you did it with. This is needed before I can put you on the "going" list.

No guests - everyone must be a member of VegasHikers. It only takes a few moments to sign up and it's FREE.

YOU MUST BE ON THE "GOING" LIST IN ORDER TO GO ON THIS HIKE. Cancellations within 60 minutes prior to the hike time will be marked as no-shows.

We'll meet at the Red Springs (Calico Basin) parking area. To get there go west on Charleston towards the park. The turn to Calico basin is about 2 miles before the park entrance. Turn right and follow the road all the way down to the Red Springs parking lot.

Frequently asked questions. (https://4142298.xyz/VegasHikers/pages/Frequently_Asked_Questions/)

Distance: ~ 3.5 miles loop.

Elevation gain: ~ 1600 ft.

High point: ~4244

Low point: ~3600

Difficulty: moderate-difficult (elevation gain, distance, class 3 scrambling)

Pace: ~ 1 Miles Per Hour

Children: no.

Dogs: no.

Time: ~3.0 hours

Bring: At least two liters of water. Snacks.

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. You further agree that you assume the risk of negligence by 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 and/or attending 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.