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Vancouver
Canada
291 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 10:58 AM
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| I'm heading to Las Vegas for a conference in a couple days. There's a fair amount of free time scheduled, and I'm perhaps optimistically thinking that I might try to sneak off the strip for a little fresh air. I've never been in the area. Can anyone recommend something short and sweet near to town? If Las Vegas has a grouse grind, that's what I'm looking for. |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
89 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 12:02 PM
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| Red Rock Canyon is pretty cool. |
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 Kootenay Bud
2695 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 12:49 PM
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| Turtle Mountain in Red Rocks. Otherwise, Vegas is pretty flat - speaking geographically. |
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65 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 7:42 PM
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Take Charleston Boulevard west out of Vegas. Maybe 5-10 miles west and you will hit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. There are over 30 short walks/hikes in this National conservation area and it appears to be in fairly good native desert preservation (not that I know much about desert ecology) White Rock Loop trail is about 6.5 miles and is a good short hike. Maybe 275m elevation gain. Take lots of water and wear a hat. There are other shorter trails with more elevation. If you are a climber there is lots of opportunity in this area for short climbs.
The trails are really variable in condition. There is a visitor center with washrooms. Be prepared for crowds. Start early in the day if you can cause it will be dry and hot.
It is really accessible especially with the Vegas freeway system. The trails are not very taxing but if it is hot......
If you have more time head into Utah. Only about 3 hours to Zion National park and you are hiking on world class trails. |
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Vancouver
Canada
291 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 7:47 PM
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| Thanks all, Red Rocks sounds like the place to go. I've heard great things about Zion but I think that will have to wait for another trip. I'm looking forward to seeing some brand new land for me. |
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65 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 7:54 PM
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| Turtlehead Peak is a 2000 foot elevation gain and 2.5 miles (one way) in The Red Rock conservation area. |
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Hope, BC
Canada
7130 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2012 : 8:51 PM
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If it were me I'd be definately be going to see the Carole Lombard Airplane Crash Site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUZA8yjgZyE
Seen lots of videos and websites discussing the area and crash, very interesting to me. |
Edited by - AcesHigh on 05/01/2012 10:22 PM |
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Kootenay Bud
2695 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 06:20 AM
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Turtlehead Mountain.
Coupla hours to the top. Trail is good but braided. |
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294 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 08:50 AM
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| Turtlehead Mountain, hmmm. I might have to try this one. I will be driving from Flagstaff to the Boundary Peak trailhead in western Nevada. This might be a nice leg-stretcher for me. Thanks for the suggestion. |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 8:49 PM
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Bootleg canyon overlook. You head toward Lake Meade on I-215. Once in Boulder City,
turn left at the Taco Bell. I think it is Cactus Lane. Or just ask the nice folks there how to get to Bootleg Canyon. You drive up to the top and do this at the end of the day right before dusk. You hike a short trail to a knoll with a park bench on it. Lake Meade sets behind you over your shoulder. the sun will set over Mt. Charleston and Lake Meade will fade away, slowly. Then, at your feet, the lights of Vegas turn on. Pretty soon, it is dark and you have the whole glowing city laid out at your feet. Incoming flights turn on their landing lights over your right shoulder as they make their approach to Mc'Carren.
You look over the darkness of Lake Meade and see the lights of the cabin cruisers and party boats. Above, the airplanes line up in single file; you can see their lights for miles back until they fade into obscurity. If you have a pair of binoculars, it is well worth it.
I find this place very very relaxing. Over your shoulder is the Lake Meade Wilderness area.
A place uninhabited. In front of you, sets Viva Las Vegas.
A short walk during the day over the Tillman Bridge is way cool. You can get some great pictures of Hoover Dam as the sun sets. The dam takes on a mauve hue...hehe
You park at the dam and walk up 200 steps to the bridge. Don't wear a hat. the wind
ALWAYS always always howls, up there. Amazing view of the spillway and black canyon.
Also, near Lake Meade. walk the railroad tunnels to the dam. You can walk from the Alan Bible visitor's center through several old railroad tunnels rails to trails to the Hoover Dam. Then, ask the locals where the park is that has about 50 bighorn sheep in it.
It is located half way up the hill from Lake Meade on the road back to boulder City.
You will see 50 or more bighorn sheep there. Each evening, before dark, they come down to rest in the cool, green grass and bed down. Then, before dark, the leaders grunt and head over to the trail and stare into the mountains. this signals the rest of the herd to get off their rumps and wait. when the main rams start breathing heavy and using lots of head movements, the rest of the herd is now ready to go. the rams head up the trail and the others follow. the park empties out. Ask around at the local gas stations. Many of the locals will give up this secret of boulder city.
Oh, at the Alan bible visitor center, check out the teddy bear cholla and other exotic southern lowland desert plants.
Another place is Mary Jane Falls located in Kyle Canyon. sorta on the way to Redrock Canyon.
However, this is forested land that walks up a short switchback to a waterfalls; Mary Jane
falls. Probably named by some stoners in the seventies...hehe not sure.
If the city becomes overwhelming, take a Lake Meade dinner cruise. A three hour tour....
Will you have high clearance vehicle?
that would open up a TON!! of destinations.
Even a short trip to Cali. Or visit some old silver mines and borax mines.
what vehicle if any will you have?
there is a bodacious hot springs near Railroad spike casino near Lake Meade. You drive under the freeway.
HOpe this adds a little choice to your visit.
Oh, if you go to REDROCK, don't leave when the sun sets. Instead, head to the western edge of the park on the paved park road and you will come to a bend where you will see others parked; waiting for the sun.....to set and the lights of Vegas to come on.
Cheers! jerry |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13592 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 8:50 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by sandy
Turtlehead Mountain.
Coupla hours to the top. Trail is good but braided.
Love this picture, with 12 views.. it now shows up in top 10 images viewed.
K |
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 | Mr. B
Intermediate Member
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Popkum, B.C.
Canada
639 Posts |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6867 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 10:14 PM
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RM
Missed you here, glad to have you back  |
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Topic |
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Suggestions for leg-stretchers near Las Vegas?
