La Madre Springs

Date: 3/24/2007
Distance: 4.1
Elevation: 1081
Location: Red Rock Canyon
Who Tagged Along: Amy, Cami, Taryn

This was a great afternoon hike. We started by off roading a short distance. We then got out of the truck and loaded up. We soon passed a young couple that were coming out of a large wash. They told us that there were some Big Horn Sheep not far up the wash, so we decided to go for a detour.

Quick break while in the wash

Sure enough, about 10 minutes later we looked up and some 5 or 6 Big Horn sheep on the side of the wash. They were sunning themselves and giving us the cold shoulder.

It is hard to seem them, but there are two standing in the middle of the picture....I promise.

Cami enjoyed seeing them once she was able to figure out where they were. How do you explain to a 3 year old distances and elevations?

We then headed back to the trail to resume our trek to the springs.

The trail followed some white sandstone hills appropriately named the White Hills. There is a long loop that goes around them we may try someday in the future.

The White Hills

After about a 2 mile hike with a descent ascent (especially lugging 35 extra pounds - no not my belly, Cami) , we made it to the springs. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much water was in the spring. Often times, there isn't much in the desert and it seems to be very seasonal.

According to some signs, the springs have been flowing for hundreds of years and make their way out of the La Madre mountains. Many people in the past have used the springs, most recently several homesteaders. They had even dammed up the springs to form a small pool.

The thing that amazes me is that the even found them. They must have spent a ton of time wondering around the hills.

After stopping and taking a snack break, we headed for home, singing primary songs as we went.

Snack Break

Cami and Me at the Springs

North Las Vegas Dike

Date: 3/10/2007
Distance: 7.25
Elevation: 250
Location: North Las Vegas BLM Land

Who Tagged Along: Solo

There was a lot to do today so I decided to get up early and explore the BLM lands north of our home. I was glad that I went.

One of the first things I saw as I entered the desert was a Jack Rabbit. I am not sure who scared the other most. I couldn't believe how big his ears were.

So I didn't really take this picture, but I did learn once I got home that a Jack Rabbit really isn't a rabbit, but is actually a hare....interesting.

Not long after I heard a rumbling and looked up to see a very large Air Force cargo plan leaving the base and flying almost right overhead. I thought that was cool until I saw the 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 jets quickly catching up to the large plane.

I soon realized that it was the Thunderbirds (Air Force's Aerial acrobatics group) leaving their home base for some unknown destination. The cargo plane is used to carry all the extra things they use. I just wish they had done some cool tricks for me to watch.

The rest of the hike proved unexciting but peaceful as I made my way up to and along the dike north of town. The dike is used to control water and prevent flooding when it does rain.

Once there, I turned around and was very impressed with the view of the city. I have been surprised by home much I like the desert. While it may not be as beautiful as forests or lush mountain meadows, it has its own beauty.

On top of the dike looking down it

View towards the north and the BLM and air force practice range

Anniversary Narrows

Date: 3/3/2007
Distance: 5.0
Elevation: 420
Location: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Who Tagged Along: Amy, Cami, Taryn

This is probably the coolest hike we have been on to date. We started out by hiking 1.5 miles along an old mine road. The road heads into a pocket of hills and ends by descending into the Lovell wash.

As we hiked up the wash, we could see many different mines and even ventured 20 ft into one of them were it ended and another shaft headed upwards at a 40 degree angle.Along with the mines, there was some left over mining tracks, debris and other things. Others on the trails told us the mines were used to look for gems such as opals.

The wash continued for a little way and then entered into the narrows. Going into the narrows, I carried Cami on my back, which made jumping over pools of water and climbing over rocks very interesting.

At places, the narrows closed to within 5 feet with sheer vertical walls...very cool.

We hiked to the end were it opened back up into the wash and took a snack break. On the way back, Cami got to hike back. It was fun to watch her jump from rock to rock and over the pools of water. Of course I was holding her hand to cushion and control her landing. In many spots, she simply jumped and relied on me to make sure it went OK. She is a regular little mountain goat at heart, she just needs a little more coordination.

We all really enjoyed the narrows and the rest of our hike. Our only regret was not bringing flashlights with us so we could go into some of the other mines.

Cami and I towards the beginning of the narrows

My girls coming down -this gives a good view of the narrows

Amy and Taryn coming down

Cami is a little mountain goat!

Pine Creek Canyon

Date: 2/19/2007
Distance: 2.2
Elevation: 400
Location: Red Rock Canyon
Who Tagged Along: Amy, Cami, Taryn

This is another hike in Red Rock Canyon. It was very beautiful and we loved the trail because it was less improved (more true hiking) than some of the ones we did the week before. But that means I got to carry Cami most of the way since she has a hard time with larger rocks.

The hike takes you down from the parking lot and across the desert into the canyon. The trail continues for a while and then make a loop. There were lots of side trails that led to climbs and other places. We started the hike late (around 2:00) so we didn't get to stay for long due to the cold.

Nice view of Pine Creek Canyon

Me and Cami on the way in. You can see that we are already in the mountains shadow.

Amy and Tarn on the trail

First Creek Canyon

Date: 2/19/2007
Distance: 3.5
Elevation: 300
Location: Red Rock Canyon
Who Tagged Along: Amy, Cami, Taryn


This was the second hike of the day for the group. It starts out by crossing the desert for a distance. Eventually, we ended up following a small stream into the canyon.


Once you hit the canyon, the trail becomes unimproved, which made it much more difficult for Cami. Unfortunately, it was raining in the canyon and the girls were getting really cold so we were forced to turn back.

View of the Canyon. You can see the rain coming down in the Canyon

Can you find Taryn? This is about as far as we got.

The girls were cold and I think everyone was tired.

Keystone Thrust

Date: 2/19/2007

Distance: 2.2

Elevation: 400

Location: Red Rock Canyon

Who Tagged Along: Amy, Cami, Taryn

This was a fun hike up in Red Rock Canyon. It starts at the White Rock Spring parking lot and takes you up the benches and down around a large hill. Hidden behind it is the Keystone thrust, a very interesting and beautiful rock formation.

They thrust lies on a fault line and was created by the thrusting upwards of the crust.

We hiked as far as we could until we hit a drop off. Cami wanted me to make sure that I was careful because there was a cliff (I am not sure where she learned the word cliff), so we took a break and had a picnic lunch until it started to get cold.

We were also very excited to see some animal tracks. Cami had all sorts of fun ideas as to what it was. I wasn't sure what animal had left it and Amy had all sorts of nervous guesses. We were all chagrined when someone else on the hike said that it was from a large ........dog. OOPS. It is a good thing I don't have to rely on my tracking skills.

Amy and Cami coming down to the cliff

Amy and Cami hiking along. We had lunch up by the large boulder.

Johnson's Arch

Date: 2/17/2007
Distance: 1.5
Elevation: 0
Location: Near Snow Canyon

Who Tagged Along:
Amy, Cami, Taryn, Grandma, Mark, Mary Esther, Madison, Melissa, Marceli, Josh, Rebekah, Rachel, Jared, Anna


This was a fun little hike we did with Amy's family. The hike takes you from the parking lot, across the desert and into a privately owned canyon. About half way down the canyon, there is a natural arch. Unfortunately we didn't get any good pictures of the arch.

Up until last year, the owners of the land didn't let people in and wouldn't sell it to the state. They recently changed their position and even put in a nice trail.

Rock formations along the trail

Amy and Cami Hiking towards the Canyon

One of the washes along the trail

Cami really enjoyed the hike

Me and my buddy Taryn. She had the best ride!

Cami borrowed a hiking stick from her cousin. It was really funny to watch her hike along with it. She did a great job!