Backpacking thread

[Lorenzo]

You must be registered for see images attach

Completed bridge mountain! By most accounts it’s one of the best hikes in southern Nevada. It’s a rock scramble/climb to get up. It looks steep and is indeed, but unbelievably you do not need any gear. I definitely overcame some fear going up.

 

[Dback Jon]

Looks awesome. Good job.

 

[Absolute Zero]

You must be registered for see images attach

Completed bridge mountain! By most accounts it’s one of the best hikes in southern Nevada. It’s a rock scramble/climb to get up. It looks steep and is indeed, but unbelievably you do not need any gear. I definitely overcame some fear going up.

Looks Awesome, what kind of view is there from up there?

 

[Absolute Zero]

Did a few miles in Forest Park in Jacksonville this morning. Its amazing that even on a 3 day weekend, still not much time for a big hike.

Anyway, Forest Park is great, its got about 12 different trails, creeks, and lots of elevation changes. Here are some wildflowers. Not quite the superblooms that are happening elsewhere, but pretty nice...

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Lorenzo]

Looks Awesome, what kind of view is there from up there?

Amazing views of the entire Las Vegas area from the summit and close enough that you can make out the big casinos and other major neighborhoods and landmarks (even lake mead). but the mountain itself has its own draw. It’s a multicolored sandstone formation that connects to limestone “spring mountain range.” There is a hidden Forrest inside the mountain of tall ponderosa pine trees. It has a natural arch with a bridge to walk over the arch, which is where it gets its namesake. It has several pools of water (called tinaja’s) that actually hold water for long periods. During the winter it can snow and ice as the altitude varies from 6-7K ft. The saddle up to base of the the mountain has a canyon on each side with about a 1K foot drop. Here’s some pictures that don’t do it justice.

 

[Lorenzo]

Did a few miles in Forest Park in Jacksonville this morning. Its amazing that even on a 3 day weekend, still not much time for a big hike.

Anyway, Forest Park is great, its got about 12 different trails, creeks, and lots of elevation changes. Here are some wildflowers. Not quite the superblooms that are happening elsewhere, but pretty nice...

You must be registered for see images attach

Lovely, great job getting out there!

 

[Absolute Zero]

Amazing views of the entire Las Vegas area from the summit and close enough that you can make out the big casinos and other major neighborhoods and landmarks (even lake mead). but the mountain itself has its own draw. It’s a multicolored sandstone formation that connects to limestone “spring mountain range.” There is a hidden Forrest inside the mountain of tall ponderosa pine trees. It has a natural arch with a bridge to walk over the arch, which is where it gets its namesake. It has several pools of water (called tinaja’s) that actually hold water for long periods. During the winter it can snow and ice as the altitude varies from 6-7K ft. The saddle up to base of the the mountain has a canyon on each side with about a 1K foot drop. Here’s some pictures that don’t do it justice.

Sounds amazing. Is this a day hike or overnighter?That forest and those pools sound pretty cool.

I love it when you can see the vegetation change as you get higher up. Bonus points if you can take a dip in a stream or pool.

 

[Lorenzo]

Sounds amazing. Is this a day hike or overnighter?That forest and those pools sound pretty cool.

I love it when you can see the vegetation change as you get higher up. Bonus points if you can take a dip in a stream or pool.

You can do it as a day hike which is what I did. But I would much rather camp there if I do it again to take some of the sting off the legs. You definitely want to pack light though. I Can only imagine how beautiful it is at sunset, night, and sun rise. The total mileage is 13-15ish miles round trip with about 4K feet of total gain depending on which of the two main routes you take. You can take some mileage off of it if you have a jeep or ATV as there are several miles spent going up and down a mountain road from the trailheads. It took me from 9AM to 6:30PM with about an hour or so at the summit and another extended cool off under the arch on the way down.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Just found this not too far from where I live, haven't tried yet but it looks like fun...

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Lorenzo]

Just found this not too far from where I live, haven't tried yet but it looks like fun...

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

that sounds like fun. quite the elevation and a long distance. I got a nice morning hike in. Fletcher Peak in Mt. Charleston, Nevada. about 10.3K feet above sea level at the summit from about 8K at the trailhead, almost 7 miles total distance. I'm still waiting for more snow to melt off of Mount Charleston so that I can hike up there. I can't believe how cold it is up there only 30ish mins from Vegas.

 

[Absolute Zero]

that sounds like fun. quite the elevation and a long distance. I got a nice morning hike in. Fletcher Peak in Mt. Charleston, Nevada. about 10.3K feet above sea level at the summit from about 8K at the trailhead, almost 7 miles total distance. I'm still waiting for more snow to melt off of Mount Charleston so that I can hike up there. I can't believe how cold it is up there only 30ish mins from Vegas.

Great outing! I didn't get out myself.

Sounds like here. 66 degrees today and we still have snow on Mt. Ashland.

 

[Yuma]

Amazing views of the entire Las Vegas area from the summit and close enough that you can make out the big casinos and other major neighborhoods and landmarks (even lake mead). but the mountain itself has its own draw. It’s a multicolored sandstone formation that connects to limestone “spring mountain range.” There is a hidden Forrest inside the mountain of tall ponderosa pine trees. It has a natural arch with a bridge to walk over the arch, which is where it gets its namesake. It has several pools of water (called tinaja’s) that actually hold water for long periods. During the winter it can snow and ice as the altitude varies from 6-7K ft. The saddle up to base of the the mountain has a canyon on each side with about a 1K foot drop. Here’s some pictures that don’t do it justice.

I lived in Nevada for over a decade and never heard of this. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Lorenzo]

I lived in Nevada for over a decade and never heard of this. Thanks for sharing!

Yeah i didn’t even know about bridge mountain until this year.

You may have already seen it, but if you ever go to Vegas you can look to the west side of the city and there’s a range of multicolored sandstone mountains. There are many mountains and canyons there to hike and climb on. There’s quite a few YouTube vids out there of bridge mountain and some of the other ones. It’s pretty cool that there are water tanks and springs that flow through there.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

The entire theme of the San Diego County Fair this year is "Get Out There" with a heavy focus on camping, nature, hiking, and anything to do with the outdoors. So much fun. We've gone the first two weekends and are already looking forward to the next two weekends. Many fairgoers dress up like they're hiking or camping, and it's been a ton of fun.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Lorenzo]

Some of my recent hikes. Windy peak, hidden peak, and Little Zion, all at red rock canyon/mountain springs Nevada. Also Mugu peak at Point Mugu, California.

 

[Folster]

It's been almost a year, and I've been putting off making this post. The wife and I hiked Havasupai last May after a 3 year delay due to Covid. We originally booked in 2020, but our trip was postponed until 2023.

We hiked in and out and I highly recommend it to those capable.

My pack was about 40 lbs while my wife's was a little over 30.

We hiked in early on Thursday the 25th after staying the night at the closest hotel outside Seligman. As you can see the hike to the campground is 10 miles. The initial 1.5 mile descent into the canyon is really steep and rugged. My wife and I are on the right.

You must be registered for see images attach

After passing through the village on the way to the camp we come over the hill and are greeted to this breathtaking view of Havasu Falls on our right.

You must be registered for see images attach

After finding a camp spot we came back to enjoy the falls.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

We set out early the next day for the Colorado River confluence, a 16 mile round trip in and out of the creek. To start the hike you have to descend down the side of Mooney Falls clinging to chains and wet ladders. My buddy's wife who was also sick, bailed and decided to stay at camp.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

It's like the Garden of Eden and since we were in a Canyon we were shaded from the sun for most of our hike.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Folster]

We made it to the confluence late morning and ran into some rafters. Unfortunately the Colorado was flowing high so we couldn't wade out into the confluence in fear of being swept away.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

We saw some wildlife along the way. Here was a chuckwalla snacking on flowers and a big horn sheep mom with a little lamb.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

On the way back to camp we stopped at Beaver Falls for a dip.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

We made it back to Mooney Falls mid afternoon and made the climb back up.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Folster]

Day 3 we checked out the other Falls near the village.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

Day 4 we left early and made the 10 mile hike up and out. The last 1.5 miles up and out of the canyon was brutal. I swear my calves gained and inch in size over the trip.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

It was an incredible once in a lifetime experience.

 

[Dback Jon]

Awesome pictures. Looks like you had an incredible time

 

[Yuma]

Thank you so much for posting!

 

[Lorenzo]

Awesome and good on you! All of those falls are beautiful! Definitely going to look into this one.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Wow...amazing. Definitely one that I want to do someday.