Things to do in Las Vegas?

[weatherman]

A second for Mt Charleston! Closest "big peak" hiking- within an hour. Don't run out of gas like we almost did, though. Red Rocks if you have half a day, Mt Charleston if you have a whole day. Less driving and more hiking. Enjoy.
Weatherman

 

[Kevin Rooney]

All things considered, I say you save the airfare, use money saved to invest in that new gear that you know you really want and stay amoung the green, cool northeastern mtns. Hot, dry, barren land... in-laws...

I don't think you get out enough, bubba. That hot, dry, barren land sometimes looks like this:



and this -



and this. One would be hard-pressed to find wildflowers of this magnitude except in the "barren" mountains of the Southwest.

 

[DrewKnight]

Really gorgeous pictures, Kevin

When did you hit that? I have been in LVNV in fall, winter and early spring (I once drove out of LV in a snowstorm -- nothing like seeing snow on saguaro cactuses!), but I haven't hit the wildflowers yet. Is it a yearly occurrence there?

Over 20 years of visiting Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, I have been lucky enough to time spring visits twice after sufficient rains that the desert "bloomed" (similar to your shots, though heavier on the lantana). Both times it was "cold" and rainy for at least part of our visit, which kind of dampened the swimming and sunning, but the blooming more than made up for it.

 

[TCD]

Later in Spring (May) the wildflowers in Red Rock canyon can be gorgeous. Pics are on my other computer, or I'd post one.

Also in Red Rocks take in the smaller side canyons. Red Rock "canyon" is really a big washed out horseshoe shaped bowl, with many smaller canyons draining into it from all around. The main wash is a flat to rolling desert experience, but the smaller side canyons are very cool, real canyons. Pine Creek canyon has running streams, waterfalls, and thick forest. There are tight cliff walls all around. Most of these canyons have trails into them extending from the loop road. The formal trails sometimes end, but informal rock climber's approach trails continue. If you are careful, you can hike up rock climbers descent trails to the tops of some of the formations, as long as you are VERY careful not to scramble up something you cannot scramble back down. Grab a copy of any of the rock climbers guidebooks, or stop in a shop and scroll through one, to pick up climbs with "walk off" descents. Whiskey Peak, the Rose Tower, the Mescalito, and several other REALLY SPECTACULAR formations can be summited by hikers. For non climbers, this is an opportnuity to get to some spots that usually only climbers get to experience. (Again, the caveats: don't get lost, and don't climb up something you can't climb down.)

TCD

 

[bubba]

I don't think you get out enough, bubba.

Yeah, I know. I don't drive enough already!

Your pictures do add beauty to that "barren" landscape I associate with the southwest. Admittedly, all those that travel there and hike, have great things to say about it. I'm just not naturally drawn to it. HYOH!!

 

[HIATIS]

Last November PEAK_BGR and I stayed in Vegas due to my work. We went out a few days ahead of schedule and hiked both in Death Valley and the Red Rocks. It was great. I must admit that over the last couple of years I've done alot more hiking out of state than in New York. We climbed Telescope Peak in Death Valley, felt raindrops(in a place it barely ever rains), were in the midst of a sand storm in the dunes, saw an oasis, brought home more rocks and pinecones than you can imagine and saw snow! An amazing trip I would highly recommend. In the Red Rocks I followed Spencer off trail and we rock scrambled. A few times I think Spencer forgot that his legs are over a foot longer than mine. Needless to say I had a couple small adrenaline moments. Not so sure if I am into rock hugging

Spencer climbed every day I was in conferences too. Sorry I can't even begin to remember where.

We are already signed up to go back this November. Can't wait. Knee should be all better by then.

 

[RoySwkr]

Well, Doc, Grand Canyon is probably the biggest cavity you'll ever see

Red Rocks and Valley of Fire have canyon hiking some of which is suitable for families

Angels Landing in Zion is probably as spectacular as you'll get

Bryce is worth the drive for family, hiking on graded trails

 

[chipc]

good news

Make sure you take Celine Dion with you, maybe drop her off in a salt mine and then blow up the door. Thanks.


Jay

Might have already happened! I believe Celine's Vegas run ended last December.

 

[WhiteMTHike]

Another plus to hiking in Red Rock Canyon is you'll work up a good appetite for those Vegas buffets.

 

[dentonfabrics]

Well, one thing you can do while you're in Vegas is check in to see whats new on the VFTT board. Because after all, at this minute, I'm writing this from the Business Center at the Orleans Casino in Vegas. (Now how pathetic is that?!!) I've still got a couple of hours before my plane leaves....

But anyway, all of the suggestions here are very good but did anyone mention the Valley of Fire State Park? On this trip, I went to Joshua Tree NP (thanks for the good info Marty!), Red Rock and Valley of Fire and Valley of Fire is incredibly underrated. It's about 45 minutes up Rt 95 and there's great camping and hiking there.

And the hike you want to do in Red Rock is Turtlehead Peak. 5 miles r/t, I'll guess around 2K gain and great views of Vegas from the summit. Also, another allstar hike is Fortification Hill right over the state line in Arizona. Email me for info about that.

Also suggest getting the book 50 Hikes in Las Vegas by Branch Whitney. Check out his website www.hikinglasvegas.com.

Y'know....I think I"m gonna let it all ride on Wisconsin tonight. Gotta run...



bob

 

[DaveSunRa]

Another vote for Mt. Charleston . Great bang for the buck as far as driving time from LV to a big mountian. I believe it's something like 18 hiking miles roundtrip with a summit just a few feet short of 12,000 ft.

Great views of Death Valley from the summit.

 

[woodstrider]

Things to do in Las Vegas...

leave asap. Head out to some of the greatest wilderness areas within driving distance of the city...like Zion NP, GCNP, and too many other places to list.

 

[TCD]

Depending on your plans and preferences, look up the Blueberry Hill Diner, on Flamingo. Great breakfast, open 24 hours. Great way to get FULLY fueled (read: bloated) for an early start on the day's epic.