One of the things I’ve wanted to do since I’ve been in Las Vegas is take advantage of the surroundings.  When people think of Vegas, they immediately think of neon and gambling and hookers.  People don’t realize what a playground this area is for people who love the outdoors.

Just thirty minutes from the strip is an area called Red Rocks.  The preserve is a massive natural area with soaring mountains, freshwater tanks, and an abundance of wildlife including mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and more snakes than I care to consider.  It is a hiker’s paradise and a world class rock climbing destination.  Managed by the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM), affectionately recognized as the Park Service that allows visitors to exist on their own devices, the area is still wild beyond the trailheads.

I chose a trail called “Turtlehead Peak” which their webpage describes in the following manner:

From Sandstone Quarry the trail heads north over a narrow rise, in and out of a wash, then continues for a short distance along the northwest side of Turtlehead Peak. Scramble up a ravine to the saddle and follow the steep ridge to the top. The trail is intermittent and composed of loose rock. (5 miles round trip, very strenuous).

They weren’t lying.  The trail had places of being near vertical, that is, if you could find the trail.  I’m in reasonably good shape, but the trail was truly difficult and steep.  I was working to get to the top, but it was well worth it.  After about an hour and a half and stepping over little patches of snow, I reached the summit.  Topping out around 6,400 feet, the views were amazing.  The strip looked like it was a million miles away, and it was the first time since I have been in Nevada that I heard true silence.

A far cry from my office in Caesars Palace amid the activity of the center of Las Vegas this was a pleasant alternative.  A wonderful escape to an almost pristine world, and one that I will likely be taking advantage of having in my backyard.  

During my two hour descent, there was a flood of traffic heading up.  The most surprising of which was a group of approximate 50 Japanese senior citizens.  They were all moving slowly, but they were pretty well outfitted.  Most were carrying treking poles and were wearing expensive hiking boots.  Many were toting expedition grade backpacks and looked like they were heading out on the Appalachian Trail, not a day hike.  I was descending with a guy I met at the top, and we both just kind of shook our heads at the sight.  I wanted to take a picture, but that seemed cruel. Hopefully they enjoyed their day as much as I did.