- Chutes and Ladders - 900th hikeNeeds location
THIS IS JANIE'S 900TH HIKE!
REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN UP - NO EXCEPTIONS
• You must have done one of my Tier 2 or higher hikes or be able to describe your scrambling experience (places and people), OR have a "Scrambling Skills" pin from a VegasHikers Organizer.
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.
If you have already provided a waiver to me, you do not need to provide another one.***
HIKE DESCRIPTION
The route goes up to the right of Slab Rift through a long chute and then heads into the heart of Calico I. From there we'll go through the "midnight" slot and then up through "Jacob's Ladder" to the top of the ridge. From there we'll head back down through a series of chutes and ladders.
I've seen some wildlife in this area. We saw a ringed-tailed cat as well as the common antelope chipmunks, roadrunner, and lizards. You can look at my wildlife gallery for some of my favorite pictures of animals I've seen.
http://richardwaltjen.com/galleries-2/animal-gallery/Not for beginners or those afraid of heights. There are some places that 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.
• 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 on by message or text on the night before the hike.
STATS
• Distance: ~ 2 miles loop.
• Elevation gain: ~ 850 ft.
• High point: 4266
• Low point: 3650
• Difficulty: moderate
• Pace: ~ 1 Miles Per Hour
• Children: no.
• Dogs: no.
• Time: 3.5 hours max.
• Bring: At least two liters of water. SnacksINFORMATION LINKS
Scrambling Tiers
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rickw-scrambling-tiers.pdfPassages
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Passages.pdfPin Program
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pin-Collection.pdf - Ike*s Peak 4.3 mile (southwest) 2~groups8600 Todd Allen Creek St, Las Vegas, NV
photos 2024 2023 2022 • 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 the mountain bend on an old mining road. We ascend to follow a mountain ridge trail to Ike's Peak and back again. Hiking shoes: YES, tennis shoes: NO.
I am a retired systems analyst / computer geek. I still dabble with making hobby web pages mostly for desktop. My latest include non-app phone+desktop pages:
Quick Access TV News • Song Loop Player • Web Streaming Plus • Click-to-Play Radio
2-GROUPS NOTE • This hike started with Trail-Seekers. Now, most RSVPs are often by members of the larger VegasHikers. If you belong to both Meetup 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 the Trail-Seekers Meetup group 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 -- 89178DIRECTIONS -- 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 or next to the water detention basin.
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 visitorsUse Meetup message system to contact organizer with any questions.
IF WEATHER FORECAST IS BAD, this hike may be moved to SUNDAY. - Red Cap from Calico BasinNeeds location
REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN UP - NO EXCEPTIONS
• YOU MUST SIGN 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.
If you have already provided a waiver to me, you do not need to provide another one.AND
• You must have done one of my Tier 3 or higher hikes with me.
***
HIKE DESCRIPTION
At one time this hike was jokingly referred to as "the 3-hour tour." It's longer than 3 hours.
Red Cap is the furthest peak from Calico Basin in the Calico Hills. From there you get a great view of the City and the Park. The climb can be tough because it has a lot of scrambling and elevation gain. Along the way there are lots of different types of rocks to see and maybe some wildlife. Check out my wildlife gallery for some of my favorite pictures of animals I've seen.
http://richardwaltjen.com/galleries-2/animal-gallery/The normal route to Red Cap involves driving along the 13-mile loop to the Sandstone Quarry trail head and then hiking and climbing to the top. It's about 1.5 miles hike with some elevation gain that can get the heart pounding. We won't be going that way.
Instead, we'll be leaving from Calico Basin and hiking up through the canyon to the Calico Tanks. We'll linger there for a while and then go down towards Sandstone Quarry and up to Red Cap. Then we'll return using the "express" route.
If I don't know you or if I can't determine your scrambling experience from your profile, then be prepared to detail your scrambling experience. Details means a description of the climbing you've done and the people you did it with. Trail hiking experience is not sufficient.
Not for beginners or those afraid of heights. There are many places that 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.
• 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.
STATS
Distance: ~ 4.5 miles loop.
Elevation gain: ~ 1800 ft.
High point: ~ 4930
Low point: ~ 3700 ft.
Difficulty: moderate - difficult (Class 3-4 scrambling, elevation gain)
Pace: ~ 2 Miles Per Hour.
Children: no.
Dogs: no.
Time: 5.5 hours max.
Bring: At least two liters of water. Snacks.INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Scrambling Tiers
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rickw-scrambling-tiers.pdfPassages
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Passages.pdfPin Program
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pin-Collection.pdf