Juniper Peak (6 of Diamonds) - February 15, 2014

Yeah!  Here's to staying less than one month behind!!  It is really hard to stay up to date on these hiking summaries when I'm hiking both weekend days and working all week days.  But, I really wouldn't have it any other way.

Anyway, way back on February 15, 2014, a merry band of hikers (a large band that is...more like a symphony orchestra) set out for Juniper Peak to celebrate one of our own reaching each of the 52 peaks in the 52 peak club.  I'd hiked with this gal several times and she is also the aunt of one of my co-workers, so I was not going to miss out on this!  (Plus, I hadn't yet been to Juniper Peak)

via SummitPost.org

Juniper is a fun peak that I would recommend even to people that haven't done a ton of hiking, but are in decent physical shape.  The hike is 6 miles round trip and involves a little over 2100 feet of elevation increase.  The hike begins at either Pine Creek Trailhead or Oak Creek Trailhead and heads back into a canyon that is just to the right/north of rainbow mountain.  As you head back into this canyon, Juniper Peak is the peak that forms the north wall of this canyon.  After hiking along a trail and a wash, you eventually arrive at a creamy, sandstone slab.  It is steep, and it is quite long.

You gain quite a bit of elevation here and you gain it quickly.  Once up the slab, we had some fun scrambling and then started heading up the red sandstone ramp to the peak.

The only part of this hike that I didn't really care for was the final ascent portion up this loose gully.  I hate the feeling that each rock on which you put your weight might move under you and slide down the hill, taking you down and, possibly, anyone behind you. 

in reality, I mostly didn't care for descending the loose gully

Because this was Cory's 52nd peak, this was a BIG group of hikers (actually, it was about four, medium-sized groups of hikers) and a BIG celebration.  

via Gonsalves Photography

This is probably one of my favorite group pictures from all of the hikes I'd done up to this point.  I love the variety of colors and the excitement of everyone on the summit.  

Adam and I were very excited to get back to the trailhead and get home because we needed to pack for a pretty exciting trip to Flagstaff, AZ and the Grand Canyon!! (more on that soon =))

Gunsight Notch (4 of Diamonds) - February 1, 2014

So, I'm still very much playing catch-up, but I've been busy enjoying this AWESOME Vegas winter!  So, now that we're finally having a rainy weekend, I'm going to try to write a few blog posts about some awesome hikes with some even more awesome people.

For example, a few weeks ago, we set out to do a lovely little hike called Gunsight Notch for which I would earn the 4 of Diamonds.  I was literally the only person out of our band of five hikers that needed the card, but my friends are such troopers, they came with me anyway!

This hike was really full of a series of treats.  We started out by walking through a bit of Pine Creek Canyon where we saw several beautiful ponds.  The fifth member of our merry band has an amazing eye for beautiful photographs.  I'm pretty sure every image in this blog post came from his lens.

As a result of this pic, I've become quite fond of water reflection images

Also along the way through Pine Creek Canyon we encountered a "wishing wall."  Basically, this wall has a series of shallow holes eroded into it where people place smaller rocks while making a wish.  It's obviously a pretty complicated concept.....and pretty scientific =)

This part of the hike was relatively flat, so I had lots of energy to climb around and goof off.  But, that didn't last long.

Not long after the picture above was taken, we started a long trek up what can only be described as a the long, steep, solid rock of hell.  

Yes, the bottom of this little valley/bowl is where we started and we just walked up and up and up this steep solid rock.  Don't get me wrong, it was beautiful.  However, I was not sad when we finally reached the top and we were a short scramble to the peak.

Of course, once we got to the top, we had to go back down.  I was excited to learn that we did NOT have to walk back down the long, steep, solid rock of hell.  Instead, we descended through the notch that gives this hike its name (I think).

It got a little dicey a couple minutes after this.  If you can believe it, the slot actually got more narrow before we were out of it.

Despite the hellish incline, it was a beautiful hike, especially through Pine Creek Canyon, with some of my favorite hiking pals.  Plus, I earned my 22nd card!!!!

Rainbow Mountain (King of Clubs) - January 26, 2014

I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about whether I should continue posting to my blog.  But, as I was reading past posts about hikes and running races, I realized how nice it is to preserve these adventures and share them with my friends and family.

As a result of my hiatus, I'm obviously a bit behind.  Big picture example of how far behind I am:  This post is about my 21st card with Hiking Las Vegas and, as I'm typing this, I currently have 27 cards!!  Never fear, I will catch up.  

This is probably one of the hikes of which I'm most proud: Rainbow Peak for the King of Clubs

via Summit Post

Rainbow Mountain is one of the most prominent peaks in Red Rock Canyon NCA.  To reach the peak, we hiked, scrambled, and climbed four ropes for several hours.  The peak of Rainbow Mountain sits at an elevation of approximately 6,800 feet, making it the 5th highest point in Red Rock!  After all that, you won't be surprised when I tell you that I get a pretty big smile across my face every time I look out the window at work and smile.

So, I mentioned ropes....  In the picture below, you can see one of my friends climbing the very first rope, while I waited my turn.  It was a serious climb up approximately 50 feet.  I was super nervous when we came back down because I was really tired from hiking all the way up and nearly all the way down.  Fortunately, I have amazingly resourceful friends and one of them rigged a harness type thing out of webbing and I learned to rappel.  It was a little on the terrifying side, but also thrilling.  I am so grateful for the amazing people with whom I hike; I've learned so much and I always have a blast!!

Once we got up that first rope, the fun was just beginning.  At the top of the rope, we had a super steep sandstone slab to walk up.  

Let's just say it wasn't exactly a walk in the park walking up this slab.

After the slab, we scrambled and we scrambled and we scrambled.  Sometimes it was class 2, other times it was class 3, sometimes it even approached class 4.

Oh yeah, and there was a little exposure...

And did I mention ropes?  After the first rope, climbing the remaining ropes was a piece of cake...ish....  It's downclimbing that gets me a bit stressed and required a bit of concentration.

But, once I get on solid footing, I'm always ready to look up and smile for that kodak moment!

It seriously was a beautiful and challenging hike.  The weather was perfect and the day was made even better by an amazing group of people.  I really cannot say enough how much I appreciate these supportive and encouraging people!  I'm in awe of them every day and I am grateful that they let me tag along to experience these journeys and further develop my hiking abilities

Bryce Canyon National Park (Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend)

Let's just start my acknowledging that 3 day weekends are the bomb.com.  I know that's a no-brainer, but 3-day weekends are just such beautiful things, especially when you live in place like Las Vegas, where there are virtually an unlimited number of outdoor adventures that are just an easy car ride away.

During this most recent 3-day weekend, Adam and I, along with a couple of our friends, traveled to Utah to visit another National Park that is within driving distance of Las Vegas: Bryce Canyon National Park.

yay! another stamp in my National Park Passport =)

I think there are two primary things that are recognizable about Bryce.  First, we have the brilliant red and orange rock, which looked even more spectacular against the clean, white snow.  Second, this place is covered in hoodoos, which are like narrow spire-like towers of rock that just rise out of the desert floor.  They are spectacular.

Now, we didn't drive all that way to just look at it.  Of course, we needed to get down and hike in it!  There are a lot of really well maintained trails of all lengths.  We didn't have a ton of time, so we selected a 3 mile loop hike that took us down into the amphitheater from Sunrise Point down the Queens Garden Trail through a magnificent desert wonderland.

The trail was really remarkable.  There were a series of switchbacks that led you further and further into the natural amphitheater.  In addition, there were countless overlooks that just took your breath away (and provided opportunities for shadow pictures).

V-O-L-S! Go Vols Go!!!

Once we got to the bottom, we began walking through a forest of hoodoos and incredibly tall evergreen trees.  

We coninued along until we came to a fork for the Navajo Trail.  This trail is normally a loop on its own that starts and finishes at Sunset Point (not to be confused with Sunrise Point, where we started our hike).  However, the part that walks through "Wall Street" was closed due to falling rock.  We climbed out of the canyon on the "Two Bridges Side" of the Navajo Trail.  We hiked back to the rim of the canyon at Sunset Point and the view was still inspiring.

We completed our loop by hiking the Rim Trail from Sunset Point back to Sunrise Point, where we left our cars.

Overall, it was a great hike.  It was just under 3 miles (2.9 miles) with about 550 ft in elevation change. I would highly recommend going to Bryce in the winter.  First, the red rock and the white snow...wow.  Second, it is far less crowded.

I think I've learned some things in the last year - Crabby Appleton (Card #20)

A little over a year ago, on January 5, 2013, I attempted my first hike with Hiking Las Vegas.  It was Oak Creek Overlook for the 4 of Clubs.  I say attempted, because I did not make it to the peak =(  Now, to be fair, I was getting over a nasty respiratory flu and was having terrible times with congestion and breathing.  

However, I just really had no idea what I was getting myself into.  The type of hiking that the people in this group were doing was unlike anything I'd ever done or seen done in my life.  I thought hiking was just walking on a trail and stopping to look at trees and waterfalls.  Yeah.....that may be hiking, but it isn't Hiking Las Vegas.  

The day I first hiked with Hiking Las Vegas was an incredible learning experience.  And, I haven't stopped learning since.  Every time I go out and I use my scrambling and rope skills and reach a new peak, I am so thankful for all the people who have taught me the hiking skills and continue to instill me with this new education.

Okay, I do have a point, I promise.  Last weekend, I hiked to Crabby Appleton Peak for the 5 of Diamonds.  This was a hike that, from the pictures, has intimidated me for the last year.  It starts with a long approach hike through the desert and then up a shoot that isn't technical, but it is pretty steep, so it takes a lot out of you.  Once you reach the saddle, the real fun begins:

First, we scrambled up this short crack in the rocks, using a rope that one of the organizers installed himself!

Once up that short, tricky spot, it was time to walk this incredible ridge line.  It was wider than it looks (these pictures were taken from the top), but the drops are approximately 800+ feet on each side.  Very intimidating.

As if the ridge wasn't intimidating enough, there was still one more obstacle between me and the peak. You reach a point on the ridge line that is blocked by a giant boulder.  At this point, you're faced with two options.  Option A, you can do a scramble up the boulder that would be super easy if it was 3 feet off the ground....however, it is 800+ feet off the ground....so, I declined that option.  Instead, I opted to use another rope and "hand-line" around the obstacle.

After I got off the rope, we walked up the ridge until we arrived at the peak.  The day was gorgeous.  We just laid in the sun while waiting for the other groups to join us.  It was so wonderful to have all of my hiking friends in the same place.  It was such a good day fitness-wise and mental health wise.

Of course, getting to the peak is only half of the hike.  Getting back down is often more intimidating to me than climbing up.  Especially, the rope around the obstacle.  But, I did it with flying colors, if I do say so myself =)

 

and when I got to the other side, I looked at what I had done, and exclaimed "It's almost like I learned something in the last year!!"  ... and I really have =)

I don't think many, if any, of my hiking friends read this blog.  But, just in case you do, I want you all to know how much you've changed my life for the better.  I've learned countless lessons from every person with whom I've hiked.  You are such important people in my life and I am grateful for all the moments we've spent together and all the adventures to come!!

The Park & Hidden Peak

As much as I complain about the Vegas weather in the summer, the winters truly make up for the pain that the summers cause.  This weekend we had two beautiful days of weather with blue skies and highs in the mid-60s.  Thankfully, I was able to take full advantage of this weather by exploring a new to me area of the Vegas wilderness to which I hadn't been in the past (The Park & Hidden Peak) and re-visiting one of my favorite spots (Windy Peak).  Whats more, I got to do all of this with some of my awesome friends.

Saturday, I started out with my pals from Hiking Las Vegas at 7:00am.  Our final destination was Hidden Peak in Red Rock Canyon NCA for the 7 of Diamonds.  There are at least two routes to this peak.  We took the "back" route.  To get to the start of the hike, we drove from Las Vegas toward Pahrump, NV and, ultimately, drove the 3.1 miles down Rainbow Spring Road until we couldn't drive any further.

Warning:  you'll definitely need a high clearance vehicle back here and 4-wheel drive is probably a good idea.

Once we parked the car, we started our adventure.  Our first surprise was a thick sheet of ice covering the road/trail for the first tenth of a mile.  Apparently, there is normally a stream running down the middle of this road, but thanks to a series of very cold days/nights a few weeks ago and the fact that this is in the shade, the stream is now ice.

My hiking friends double as figure skaters, obviously

Once we got past the ice, we followed the somewhat faint trail, a series of cairns, and the GPS waypoints through the limestone and fir trees over a ridge, etc.  After about 2.5 miles, we arrived at the most beautiful place I've ever been inside Red Rock:  The Park (aka Little Zion).

This place was incredible.  We were hiking on a limestone trail and then *poof* we were walking on beautiful sandstone.  "The Park" or "Little Zion" is a sandstone plateau located at 6000 feet of elevation with tall evergreen trees and, when you get to the edge, breathtaking views with fantastic drop-offs.

You can sort of see the stark line where the gray limestone suddenly turns in to creamy sandstone.

I really enjoyed walking around this area.  I can't wait to take more of my friends to this sandstone oasis in the sky.

We also discussed that this would be a great backpacking trip to test gear before longer backpacking trips.  Because the park is located above 5000 ft, you can get a BLM backcountry permit.

After frolicking at The Park, it was time to head to our real objective.  We started along a sandstone ridge and before long, we were treated to this:

From there, the peak was just an incline away.  It was steep at points and I was definitely breathing heavily when I got to the peak.  Once we all got there, I ate snacks (including honey stinger waffles - yum!), took pictures, and just hung out with some awesome people.  

Hiking to The Park and Hidden Peak will definitely go down as one of my favorite hikes in Las Vegas.    I really wish I could take everyone I know here.  

I do NOT recommend going out on this hike unless you're either with someone who knows the trail or you feel really comfortable navigating in the backcountry using a description (either from here or Branch Whitney's Book), a GPS unit, and GPS waypoints. 

Blue Skies, White Rocks - White Rock Springs Peak

**Please jump over to Kim's blog at Busy-Bod.com and check out my Guest Post for some yummy treats to serve to your friends in family during your favorite college bowl game (Go Hawkeyes!!).  Kim is a busy, yet healthy and active, third-year law students.  She gave me the opportunity to guest post on her site while she is enduring the maddening ordeal known as law school finals**

This Saturday I spent a lovely afternoon hiking in Red Rock with some of my very favorite people in the entire world.  I seriously love the Slow Poke Hikes that this awesome lady leads with the Hiking Las Vegas Group.

It was another beautifully clear day in Las Vegas; a perfect day to spend out doors burning some calories in nature

It was another beautifully clear day in Las Vegas.  The sky was seriously that blue.  I don't use filters.  I don't have a fancy cameras.  98% of the photos you see on this blog are taken with my (or Adam's) iPhone.  Occasionally, I use my Fujifilm XP (we purchased it to have a waterproof / shock proof option).

We started out at the White Rock trailhead and pretty much headed straight up the mountain.  Our goal was one of the peaks in the center of the White Rock loop.  The trail isn't necessarily obvious, but it is well cairned.

Cairns are man-made stacks of rocks that often mark the path.

In addition to a beautiful day doing one of my favorite activities, the day was also perfect because I was out there with my wonderful husband!! (who else would indulge my constant requests for pictures?)

I couldn't get enough of the views of Calico Hills in the background!

We were purposely bringing up the rear to make sure everyone was together and feeling good.  This also provided us with lots of opportunities for goofy photo shoots.  For example, doesn't it look like I"m living dangerously in the below picture? Well....the drop-off was really only about 3 feet (at most).  I'm kind of a big wimp when it comes to exposure.  I'm working on it, but I'm kind of attached to breathing and my bones not being broken.

We also saw snow!!  As far as images of snow go, this one is pretty underwhelming.  However, given the rarity with which I get to enjoy snow, it was really fun to see even this much snow with Christmas right around the corner.

As far as hikes with Hiking Las Vegas go, this one was pretty short - probably a little under 3 miles round trip.  For reaching the peak, we were eligible to get the 3 of Hearts.

my 18th card!!

After a little snack break (and more photo shoots), it was time to head back to the cars.  I don't really have any idea how long it took us to get to the top.  I was having so much fun that I didn't really pay attention to my watch.

on the peak

As a final note, I just want to say that there are certain people in this group that make a day like this so enjoyable (I'm pretty sure they know who they are).  They're not in a hurry; they take time to enjoy the surroundings; they cultivate an environment where you support and encourage those around you.  I've certainly been fortunate enough to be one of the people giving encouragement, but I've also been the person in the group that needed the encouragement.   We all have our good days, our bad days; our days when we need support and encouragement in our fitness journeys and our days when we need to serve as inspiration and help others grow in their fitness journeys.  I sometimes get a bit frustrated with the non-inclusive and non-supportive rhetoric that pervades certain cliques within this hiking group.  As I mentioned before, I just received my 18th card, but I'm really conflicted when it comes to whether I want to attempt to complete the remaining peaks.  For now, I'm choosing to focus on the enjoyment I receive from the fellowship of the members with whom I hike.  Thank you to all of you with whom I've hiked in the past that have made my journey thus far so enjoyable.

(sorry for the rant, but can any of you relate? advice?)

Images from last weekend - Mimosas, Zarkana & Donuts! OH MY!

Once again, I'm a little behind....I'm noticing a trend.  In reality, I'm more behind than you even realize.  I actually did a triathlon almost exactly a month ago and have you seen a race recap?  Nope =(  which is really a shame because Adam was there and took some really fantastic pictures.  Anyway, I'm going to try to get better.  Only time will tell.

I guess I haven't really been in the mood to blog because my body hasn't really been in the mood to run or do much of anything, really.  This thing with my hip and the problems with my right arch haven't really gone away, so I've been trying to take it easy.  I'm still running a Thanksgiving

(Plus, my parents arrived last night for Thanksgiving and we've been spending a lot of time cleaning.  a lot.  seriously, my apartment looked like the bedroom of a 16-year old girl who is "going through something.")

All that being said, I did manage to have a really fun weekend (even though it seems like it was so long ago).  It rained all weekend, so this is one weekend recap where you will not see pictures of mountains.  Instead, mimosas.

Brunch is always a good idea

To cheer ourselves up on the dreary, rainy Saturday we beelined for Firefly for brunchie tapas and brunchie drinks.  Anyone familiar with the Las Vegas food scene may be concerned because there was this whole salmonella thing going on with Firefly, but rest-assured, that was going on at a different location.  Plus, the only meat I really ever order is the bacon in the bacon-wrapped dates.  During brunch, Firefly has this awesome special:  For $20, you can get all-you-can-drink brunch drinks and wells until 2pm!!  Heaven.  Come to think of it, I always wash my Firefly brunch down with plenty of alcohol and alcohol kills pathogens.  It's just science.  (okay, in reality, there have been studies that only "suggest" this, but I wouldn't recommend it as a method to avoid/cure food poisoning)

After brunch, we just ran errands in the rain and then relaxed at home so we'd be rested for another Saturday night of exciting plans!

Attending a Cirque du Soleil show on the Strip has definitely been at the top of my Vegas bucket list since before I even moved here.  So, when I decided to do the 30-30-30 thing, I knew that a Cirque show would definitely be one of the items.

There are somewhere around a half dozen Cirque shows that have taken up residency at the various MGM casinos on the Strip.  I wouldn't say that I want to see all of them (I'm not really into Criss Angel, and yes, he has a Cirque show at the Luxor! ugh. I'm also not sure how interested I am in seeing the Michael Jackson inspired Cirque show)  That being said, Zarkana at the Aria was definitely on my list to see.

Sadly, once the show started, there were no pictures allowed.  I guess that makes sense.  One wrong flash and suddenly Mr. Trapeze Artist misses his target.  I will say though, the theatre was beautiful and I really don't think there could be a bad seat in the house.  We got our seats through a "locals" discount, so, I had somewhat low expectations going in, but was *very* pleased when I saw this view.

no zoom!

I was also a big fan of the organ music,  It was a common theme in this show.

The show was spectacular, nerve-wracking, and breath-taking.  Some of the stunts/acts/performances seriously had me holding my breath and partly covering my eyes because I was terrified that I would one of the brilliant performers would fall and get injured.  Thankfully, no one did and I walked away being incredibly amazed by those talented people.  If I'm being honest, I felt like an uncoordinated oaf after the show after seeing what their bodies were capable of, especially compared to my own.

It was another late Saturday night; the show didn't start until 9:30pm.  

Even though it wasn't raining on Sunday, the sogginess of the ground, our weariness from the late night, and the extreme need to clean the apartment before the arrival of my parents convinced us that hiking all day Sunday was not a good idea...getting old sucks.  Instead, we consoled ourselves with an OMG heavenly breakfast.

This place is all the rage in Vegas, and for good reason.  

Maple. Bacon. Donut.
Maybe I should call this blog "Running and Donuts"?

My one piece of advice:  Either go early or order online (yes, you can do that! Isn't that awesome?!??!!)  I'm looking forward to introducing my parents to Pink Box Doughnuts during their trip to Vegas.  You'll be seeing many more doughnut pics on the blog soon.  Sorry I'm not sorry.

After collecting breakfast, we spent the rest of the day cleaning, watching football, and then I spent some time messing with the layout and heading of my blog.  I think I'm changing the name to, obviously, "Running and" - more on that later once I've had more time to actually think it through =)