
What we’re about
WELCOME!
VegasHikers is the premier hiking group in the Desert Southwest! We take more hikes to more places and have the friendliest, most welcoming organizers of any group around. We feature hikes for all skill levels, road trips, camping, and social gatherings. We have events at a huge variety of times, places, and days. We even hike at night! With dozens of organizers and an average of more than an event a day, you're sure to find activities to suit your fancy.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS.
Our organizers are not tour guides, we're not rangers. Going out with us is the same as going out with a few friends. Expect the same risks, take the same precautions. As organizers, we will do our best to give accurate descriptions of the hikes we post. If you're a beginning hiker, a hike's elevation and distance may not mean much to you. Likewise, difficulty ratings are subjective, and a hike that is "easy" to one person may be "moderate" to another. Err on the side of caution. You're much better off going on a hike that's too easy for you than a hike that's too hard or too dangerous for you. As you go on more hikes with us, you'll become more familiar with our ratings and our descriptions, and you'll learn more about your own limits. Ultimately, it's up to you to keep yourself safe out there. You're an adult. Hike within your abilities.
DUES/FEES
There are no membership dues to be a part of this group. It does take money to pay for this site, fill up first aid kits, and keep organizers prepared, so we gladly take donations any time they're offered.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Our group can be defined by five terms, which help guide every decision we make. They are as follows:
- All are welcome
- We hike together
- We come prepared
- We're all adults
- We appreciate the outdoors
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Chimney Chute LoopNeeds location
REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN UP - NO EXCEPTIONS
• You must have done one of my Tier 3 or higher hikes with me.
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 includes a steep uphill climb through a very narrow slot with a lot of obstacles that will challenge even the best climbers. The route also has "Gaby's Passage," a small cave to climb through as a passage from one portion of the hike to another.
We'll return by crossing over the V2 route and head down through one of David Salcido's famous drop slots, which will require special technique. Afterward we'll visit an arch before finishing up. The route will take you through places that you haven't been and go over, under, and through obstacles that you haven't seen before. There are many advanced obstacles on this route. Be prepared to remove your pack.
On this route I've seen a tortoise, owls, hawks, along with the normal crows 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 many places that require advanced 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: ~ 2.5 miles loop.
Elevation gain: ~ 1200 ft.
High point: 4486
Low point: 3700
Difficulty: moderate - difficult (Class 3-4 scrambling, elevation gain)
Pace: ~ 1 Miles Per Hour.
Children: no.
Dogs: no.
Time: 3.5 hours max.
Bring: At least two liters of water. Snacks.PASSAGES
• Gaby's Passage
• Snake HoleINFORMATION 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 2025 2024 to 2020 • 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 a mountain bend on an old mining road. We ascend to a mountain ridge trail to Ike's Peak and back again (option: loop +½ mile). Hiking shoes: YES, tennis shoes: NO.
Las Vegas weather and by month • 10-day forecast • historical averages
I am a retired systems analyst / computer geek. I still dabble with making (mostly desktop) hobby web pages - the latest include non-app desktop and/or phone pages:
Poplinks (+ YouTube demo ) • TV News Plus • SongLoop • Radio Jukebox
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 and NOT near the flood control basin dam.
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 SATURDAY. - Scrambling Skills: Intermediate Level (Imagination Trench) (Jim's Birthday)Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, Las Vegas, NV
Please read the entire hike description. New participants will be required to sign a Waiver similar to the Disclaimer below.
When you RSVP, please answer the question:
Q1. During the hike, do you agree to stay behind the Host and follow the same route as the Host?
Please respond in this format: 1. YesThis is a Rick W route that becomes a favorite of everyone who does it. It is almost all class 2, 3 and 3+ scrambling with some exposure consisting of trenches, gullies, slots, chutes and arches with names like Stairway to Heaven, Lo Jack Crack, Top of the World, and The Flume. There is some brush early and late in the hike so be forewarned.
HIKE QUICK STATS:
Trailhead: Sandstone Quarry
Distance: 4.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Class: 2, 3, 3+
Exposure: some
Difficulty: strenuous
Duration: 4.5 hours
Pace: moderate
Gear:
approach shoes - required
trekking poles - not allowed
gloves - optionalNo pets or children. You must be on the Going list to attend.
All attendees must be members of VegasHikers. It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up & it's FREE.Rather than tailgating after the hike, you are welcome to join me at Yard House (Red Rock Casino).
A "Scrambling Skills" pin is now available to anyone who completes at least one each of Beginner Level, Advanced Beginner Level, Beginner Intermediate Level and Intermediate Level "Scrambling Skills" hikes.
Directions: from Hwy 215, take the exit for W Charleston Blvd and go east to the Red Rock Hotel & Casino. We will meet in the West garage (visible from Hwy 215) on the 4th floor section 4D and form carpools for the drive to the trailhead.
It is prime season so as a courtesy to all the other guests of the park, I am requiring everyone to carpool. Please do not ask if you can drive alone and meet at the trailhead.
If you have a Red Rock park pass, please bring it along with photo ID.
Questions: text Jim at 702-515-9824.
Check out the latest issue of the VegasHikers Magazine
Follow us on Facebook! VegasHikers FB pageDisclaimer:
Please be aware that your Meetup organizers are not tour guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members can not be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.