Forum Index > Trip Reports > Las Vegas: Wilson, VoF, Black. Dec 11-13, 2018
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
neek
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Sep 2011
Posts: 2329 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle, WA
neek
Member
PostThu Dec 13, 2018 9:51 pm 
This is a report for my short trip to Las Vegas this week. For some reason we're seeing a lot from this area lately. Something to do with the local weather perhaps? It turns out there's more to do in Las Vegas than donate to the casino industry. You just have to head out of town; pretty much any direction will work. With only 2.5 days to work with, I didn't venture too far from the beaten path, but still found plenty of solitude and great hiking. Day 1: Mount Wilson (Red Rocks) and nearby peaks Mount Wilson via the standard First Creek route is a fantastic scramble, and I hear other routes are good too. I didn't try to follow the overly detailed summitpost description, just followed the creek along the paths that looked most-used and then the generous cairnage up the canyon. There is some class 3 bouldering, but nothing scary. There was a slab crossing, however, that would have been bad if wet. At 5800 ft I emerged from the canyon and took a 90 degree turn to NE on easier terrain, still following the well-traveled path. Finally in direct sun, it was t-shirt time, and I was soon at the summit, looking down at Sin City, thinking how foolish I was to be grunting my way up here when I could be down there feeding quarters into slot machines.
Mt Wilson route. 12.5 mi, 4800 ft.
Mt Wilson route. 12.5 mi, 4800 ft.
1. Mount Wilson in the morning
1. Mount Wilson in the morning
2. Mount Wilson through desert foliage
2. Mount Wilson through desert foliage
3. Heading up First Creek Canyon
3. Heading up First Creek Canyon
4. A picturesque look back
4. A picturesque look back
5. Slabs
5. Slabs
6. Holes
6. Holes
7. Not quite sure which direction I'm looking
7. Not quite sure which direction I'm looking
8. Horns
8. Horns
9. Purple prickly pear
9. Purple prickly pear
10. Hi
10. Hi
11. Summit shot
11. Summit shot
29. Summit shot
29. Summit shot
There was still plenty of daylight left so I headed west to the ridge that runs behind Wilson to see how far I could get along it. It's mostly easy travel, with some scrambling getting up to the first high point. Just try not to step on a cactus.
12. Next destination, First Creek Overlook Peak (according to the register)
12. Next destination, First Creek Overlook Peak (according to the register)
13. First Creek Canyon
13. First Creek Canyon
14. Wilson
14. Wilson
16. Next destination
16. Next destination
18. Curly stalk
18. Curly stalk
19. Yucca stalk
19. Yucca stalk
21. Charleston Peak in the distance
21. Charleston Peak in the distance
22. Rainbow Mountain
22. Rainbow Mountain
It was eventually time to head back the way I came.
23. Rock with warts
23. Rock with warts
24. Evening color
24. Evening color
25. Pool
25. Pool
26. Sunset
26. Sunset
27. Last look at Wilson
27. Last look at Wilson
28. Moon
28. Moon
I got back to the car at 5pm and it was almost completely dark. Didn't see another person the entire day, although heard some rock climbers shouting in the distance a few times. Day 2: Valley of Fire State Park I had heard a lot about this park on nwhikers and it seemed interesting. Indeed, what fantastic colors and formations! You'll swear you're in southern Utah. There are many miles of trails, with endless off-trail wandering options. It would be easy to climb up something you couldn't get down though, so be careful on the rougher terrain. Part 1: Exploration near Mouse's tank The trail to this little pool is less than a mile, but you can keep going and find yourself in a maze of red sandstone. It would be easy to get lost back here. Great fun, and no people.
Mouse's Tank wanderings. 4 mi, 1300 ft
Mouse's Tank wanderings. 4 mi, 1300 ft
30. Mouse's Tank
30. Mouse's Tank
31
31
32
32
33. Sheep
33. Sheep
34. I found my way to Peak 2270, but it doesn't look easily climbable
34. I found my way to Peak 2270, but it doesn't look easily climbable
35. How about Peak 2405, illuminated here in the distance?
35. How about Peak 2405, illuminated here in the distance?
36. Uh, no
36. Uh, no
37. No easy way up this thing
37. No easy way up this thing
38. Plant with tiny spines on the leaves
38. Plant with tiny spines on the leaves
39. Too far to jump
39. Too far to jump
40. Only way out of here is back through the hole
40. Only way out of here is back through the hole
41
41
42
42
43
43
44
44
45. These sandy layers remind me of a topo map
45. These sandy layers remind me of a topo map
46
46
47. Hanging plant
47. Hanging plant
Part 2: Explorations near White Domes At the end of the White Domes road is a loop trail, and also more wandering opportunity. I scrambled up the dome that towers above the parking lot, wondering how many people below were saying "look at that idiot". Then explored a bit, trying to shake a big group of old people who seemed to be following me.
White Dome wanderings. 3.5 mi, 1000 ft
White Dome wanderings. 3.5 mi, 1000 ft
48. Had to climb White Dome. One short class 3 chimney
48. Had to climb White Dome. One short class 3 chimney
49
49
50
50
51
51
52. Going back down
52. Going back down
I started down the White Domes trail but there were too many people so I quickly left it and made up my own route. More incredible terrain, with different colors of sandstone and small arches all over.
53
53
54. Arch, one of many
54. Arch, one of many
55. Colors
55. Colors
56
56
57
57
58
58
59
59
60
60
61.  In the background (left) you can see a conglomerate layer on top of the sandstone.  In the foreground I believe is what remains after most of it washes away
61. In the background (left) you can see a conglomerate layer on top of the sandstone. In the foreground I believe is what remains after most of it washes away
62
62
63. Someone wanted to use up a leftover road sign I guess
63. Someone wanted to use up a leftover road sign I guess
64
64
Part 3. Elephant Arch There was still a little time left before sunset, so I did a short loop at the eastern edge of the park. Elephant Arch really does resemble an elephant, from pretty much any angle.
Elephant Arch loop. 1.5 mi, 400 ft
Elephant Arch loop. 1.5 mi, 400 ft
65. Cool lighting effect--looks like the eye of some evil beast
65. Cool lighting effect--looks like the eye of some evil beast
66
66
67
67
68
68
I left much unexplored terrain in the Valley of Fire and will definitely return some day. Day 3: Black Mountain This 7 mile loop hike is just half an hour SE of the airport and was a good morning option for the day of my return flight.
Black Mountain loop.  6.75 mi, 2100 ft
Black Mountain loop. 6.75 mi, 2100 ft
69
69
70
70
71
71
72
72
73
73
I was done with the hike at 9am, which left plenty of time before my flight to hang out at Sunset Park and get attacked by geese. Everything worked out perfectly on this trip--the weather, the hike selections, the travel logistics. Total cost for plane, car, and lodging was $270, which seems hard to believe. If you travel light and solo, Spirit seems to be the way to go ($80 round trip). The rental car guy tried exceptionally hard to upsell insurance--apparently people who visit Vegas aren't good at math--but I finally prevailed. The airbnb room was a bit odd, but interesting. I might just have to make a tradition out of this.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Gimpilator
infinity/21M



Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics
Location: Edmonds, WA
Gimpilator
infinity/21M
PostFri Dec 14, 2018 8:08 am 
Great way to make use of a few free days. up.gif Valley of Fire can be crowded at times, but still incredibly beautiful. I've scared myself more than once trying to climb up some of those obscure rock piles.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
John Morrow
Member
Member


Joined: 03 Apr 2007
Posts: 1526 | TRs | Pics
Location: Roslyn
John Morrow
Member
PostFri Dec 14, 2018 9:37 am 
neek wrote:
7. Not quite sure which direction I'm looking
7. Not quite sure which direction I'm looking
Up Thanks for the excellent beta on Wilson! Fun few days looks like. John

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” ― MLK Jr.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
OutOfOffice
Member
Member


Joined: 02 Jun 2015
Posts: 91 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle
OutOfOffice
Member
PostFri Dec 14, 2018 12:32 pm 
These are cool and all, but some photos of you gambling your life savings and chain smoking cigarettes would be preferable. In all reality, looks like a great trip. $80 round trip?! Not bad.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Sculpin
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Apr 2015
Posts: 1376 | TRs | Pics
Sculpin
Member
PostFri Dec 14, 2018 1:03 pm 
Yep, the sekrit's out at NWHikers on the winter trip to Vegas. There is nothing like it because Vegas is almost at sea level and so even warmer than places farther south like Tucson. VoF is a small park - mobbed by locals on the weekends and foreign tourists all year - but there is plenty of room to roam off by yourself and find your own private arch. Just don't set off into the rocks with the idea that you will loop back a different way. Because you probably will not be looping back a different way!
neek wrote:
Everything worked out perfectly on this trip--the weather, the hike selections, the travel logistics. Total cost for plane, car, and lodging was $270, which seems hard to believe. If you travel light and solo, Spirit seems to be the way to go ($80 round trip).
Good to hear it worked out. The amazing thing is that the cost has gone down over the last 35 years that I have been doing it. No way you could have done it for $270 back in the 1980s.

Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Stefan-K
Member
Member


Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 522 | TRs | Pics
Location: seattle
Stefan-K
Member
PostSat Dec 15, 2018 12:58 am 
man your pics and all are selling this tradition-to-be way more successfully than that upgrade promoting car rental sales dude... but then again with all those rock formations emanating dry desert warmth my resistance is close to zero. Your next trip should be free courtesy of the Las Vegas dirtbag tourist promotion committee...

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trip Reports > Las Vegas: Wilson, VoF, Black. Dec 11-13, 2018
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum