Mike Breiding's Epic Road Trips: 21 February ~2018~

Las Vegas Nevada

Kraft Mountain Loop Redeux

Our Last Hike in the Red Rock National Conservation Area

Wednesday - 21 February 2018: The Last Hike
Kraft Mountain Loop Redeux in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

We had another chilly and partly cloudy start for our last hike in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. After some discussion it was decided the four of us would start out by hiking the Kraft Mountain Loop. This was my first hike here on the day I arrived. I really enjoyed it but felt rushed and I wanted to hike it at a more leisurely pace.
Since Betsy was still having mobility problems with her knee and Donna was not too keen on scrambling or bouldering it was decided we would all start the hike and if anyone wanted to turn back they would do so and hike elsewhere. As it turned out none of us had any problem negotiating the terrain and it turned out to be a fun hike for all of us.

OK. Are you ready? Let's head up the Canyon!

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Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

I had seen similar signs earlier but had missed this one. It is still hard to believe some people won't clean up after their dogs. Pathetic.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

It was much quieter this time around without the choked full parking lot and hordes of people bouldering.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

As before, the views were stunning and I started snappin' away.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Into the Canyon we go.

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Turtlehead Peak was seldom out of sight.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

I wasn't the only one snappin' away.

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A trio of Happy Hikers.

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Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

The hike was even better the second time around and we all enjoyed the beautiful colors of the canyon walls and big boulders which choked the canyon here and there.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Here is another one I wished I could take home with us.

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Stepping carefully and using poles helps negotiate the tricky spots.

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Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Here Betsy is used as a scale bar to show the size of some of the boulders which have fallen into the canyon.

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Here Betsy enjoys the view of Turtlehead Peak.

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Here is one of the fun parts of the hike!

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None of us usually get the opportunity to climb giant boulders blocking canyons and it made for some memorable hiking.

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The clouds were clearing and the red rock was beautifully showcased against the deep blue sky.

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Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Miss Winky and the Red Rocks.

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Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Betsy the Magnificent!
Betsy was doing really well considering she was still healing from a broken collar bone and fractured tibial plateau which she sustained in a cycling accident back in November.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Do you see that irregular white trace on the rock face? Now look to the right of it and you will see the source. The white material is climbing chalk which is used to absorb sweat and oil from the climbers hands. This improves the friction which helps keep your hands on the rocks.
Hopefully this white intrusion will wash off when the rains finally come.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

A closer look at the climber and all the chalk marks.

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Towards the end of the hike the canyon opens up a bit and allows for some good views of the interesting rock formations.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Ashok is thinking: " I see a picture there..."

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Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Well, looky here! Could we be seeing the results of a thrust fault?

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Beauteous!!

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At this point we left the canyon floor and worked our way up to the saddle.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

One last look down into the canyon and then it was back down to the parking area.

Photo by Mike Breiding - Click for larger image

Who would guess that back in those mountains was such a place of wonder and beauty? What a hike!

When we got back to the condo we rested up, cleaned up and then headed out to meet my cousin Tim and his wife Ann for dinner. Tim had suggested the Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar which turned out to be a good choice.
Betsy and I split the Thai Noodles which were delicious. I am not often impressed when eating out but I have to say the Lazy Dog was a pleasant surprise. Check out their menu.

We had a leisurely and enjoyable dinner and after about 50 years of being out of touch Tim and I had a lot of catching up to do.

Regrettably I neglected to get a photo taken of the 6 of us. I always forget that little detail when I am out in public.

So, there you have it. The first visit to Las Vegas and the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.

Until next time...
Mike and Betsy.

 

 

 

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