W7N/CK-058

This remote peak is in the north part of the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, and was a nice hike up. Since I don't have a high clearance, 4 wheel drive car, I parked at the start of the dirt road leading to the peak. On Google maps this is the start of Harris Springs Road. It was easy to find, about 7 miles from US 95. From here I followed the road down to the large wash.

Looking back at the steep road down into the wash. That slope would be difficult to drive.

In the wash it was easy to follow the path to where it exits the other side, in a narrow canyon. The USGS maps have the road marked as a jeep trail. Here the road starts a long, gentle ascent to where it reaches a primitive campground, which had some fire pits. There is another steep drop, and the road turns to the left and crosses another wash at the base of the mountain.

One of the fire rings. The peak is the point on the right.

After crossing this second wash, the bushwhacking begins. The slope up from here is a steep class 2 climb, with a few small cliffs. The cliffs are small enough to climb up, or just go around them. It is an unrelenting and steep climb up to the point marked 5842 on the quad. After this point, the slope mellows out, and it is a more pleasant walk.

A short distance up, looking back at the canyon I hiked in on.

It was overcast as I was hiking up, with a nice breeze. I could see rain on some of the higher peaks, but it didn't rain on me while I was out. Once I got up to the summit ridge I turned right and followed it up to the peak.

The peak is getting closer.

I was surprised to find a register in a cairn at the summit, so I signed it. I was only the third or fourth person to climb the peak, since the register was left. The were great views in all directions, with relatively steep drop offs, good for the antenna. I set up, and got on 30 meters. There was a good cell signal on the summit, so I was able to spot myself. I only got one contact there, and was starting to get worried. However, when I moved up to 20 I quickly got a small pileup and enough contacts to get the points for the peak.

Looking down to Las Vegas.

I was able to make one more contact on 40 before I tried VHF. Here I stared on 440, and had a quick QSO with someone walking in a park with his HT. I also got one simplex contact on 2 meters, despite the idiotic repeater on the frequency. As I was calling to see if there was anyone else on VHF, I noticed some rain clouds were getting closer. I decided to pack up and head down. It could have been a treacherous descent if it had been raining.

Waiting for someone to answer my CQ.

 The descent took about the same amount of time as the ascent, because of the steep slope. I made it back to the primitive campsite without getting stuck at the top of a cliff. From here it was an easy walk along the road back to my car.  Somehow I managed to avoid getting rained on at all, which was nice.

Trailhead: Parking area at Harris Springs Road an NV 157. If you have high clearance and four wheel drive, you can drive into the primitive campsite.
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Take the road down to the wash, then out the other side up the canyon. At the campsite, go down to the wash, the follow the ridge up to the summit.
Red Tape: None.

Panorama to the north.

W7N/CK-050 Mountain Spring Benchmark

I had a free morning, so I decided to head up to the Red Rock Canyon Area for another SOTA activation. Mountain Spring Benchmark looked like a relatively easy four pointer. The trailhead is a small dirt area on NV 160 just before the town of Mountain Springs. There was already one car here, so I just parked behind it, and set off up the trail.

Plenty of space for cars at the trail head.

There are a few different roads leading off. The middle one is the correct one. It climbs up a ridge, to a communication tower. Here there is a gate in the road, and a trail that continues on the other side. Follow this trail up to the summit. The trail ascends at a pleasant grade, and I made good time up the hill. There were great views to the south and west, the other side of the ridge that you can't see from Las Vegas.

That peak is W7N/CK-054. Town of Mountain Springs in the trees.

When the trail reaches the crest of the ridge, it makes a sharp turn to the left, and follows the ridge line up to the summit. There was a cairn and some sticks marking the turn, it was easy to find and know which way to go. Around this point I passed the guy who had parked at the base. I was expecting that he'd catch me on the summit while I was operating, but I never saw him again.

First view into the Las Vegas basin.

At a few points along the ridge the trail was hard to follow, but it was easy to keep going in the right direction. At the summit I signed the register and got set up. There was a great cell signal, and great views down to Las Vegas. I started on 30 meters, like I usually do, but didn't get many contacts. Moving up to 20 got me the rest of the required contacts. I also got a few on 40. I tried calling on 17, but there wasn't anyone there.

Looking north, towards Mt Charleston.

I then tried VHF, since there was great line of sight to the city. The second person who answered my CQ told me that some idiot had put up a remote base with an input on 146.52, so to be careful that the contacts I made were actually simplex. When I asked him to tell me what a remote base was, he described a repeater. I was able to confirm the two contacts I made were simplex, and valid for SOTA. After cursing at the repeater operator a bit, I decided that it was getting hot and I was ready to hike down.

I like the desert, but I don't like how spiky everything is.

The descent was quick, retracing my steps. I passed a few people heading up, and there were a number of cars in the lot when I got back.

Trailhead: Mountain Springs Trailhead. Google Maps has a landmark here.
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Take the middle road, which leads up to the communication tower. Go around the gate, and follow the trail up the spur to the main ridge. Turn left, and continue following the trail along the ridge up to the summit.
Red Tape: None.

Looking south to Potosi Mountain, another SOTA peak.

W7N/CK-123 Blue Diamond Hill

This summit is on the east edge of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and had never been activated before. Following the suggestions of the other hikers on Peakbagger, I started at the Fossil Canyon Trailhead, on the east side of NV 159.

Parking area on the outside of the arch.

I parked near the road, on the outside of the arch. From here I followed the road to the corral, which was filled with horses, probably waiting for their next tour. A foot trail leaves from the left side of the road and heads around the base of the mountain. After a short distance this trail rejoins the wide road, and continues around the mountain. The trail crosses a stream bed, then gets much narrower. This is the start of the Bomb Voyage Trail, which I took up to the top.

Looking up the canyon at the start of the Bomb Voyage Trail.

This trail switchbacks up the hill, avoiding the cliffs. Without the trail it would be difficult to find a non-technical route to the summit. The trail is well graded, and appears to be used by horses and bikers. It was hot, but not humid, so the climb up wasn't as bad as I had feared it might be.

On the way up.

After climbing around one shoulder I got a nice view of Las Vegas and The Strip. Much nicer in nature than the city, I think. There were also great views to the west of Red Rock Canyon and the colorful cliffs. The trail became more indistinct on the top of the ridge, but I had no trouble following some trail to the summit. The last section is on wide dirt roads, and is easy to follow.

Summit on the left, with a windsock.

I hiked up to the high point, then descended back down to one of the picnic tables just below the summit. This was a convenient and comfortable operating location. I set up my loop and got on the air. As I was calling CQ, I noticed that the battery voltage was low. I then remembered that I hadn't charged the internal batteries since the last time I used the radio. Luckily, they lasted long enough for me to complete the activation.

Looking towards the Strip.

I operated on 30, 20, and 40 meters, and made three contacts on each. I was surprised at the low number of contacts, I figured Friday afternoon was a good time for an activation. I had LTE service on top, and for most of the hike. After finishing on HF, I called on VHF, but didn't get any takers. Everyone in Vegas must have been at work still.

Looking west to the red rocks.

I had thought I would bake in the sun, but shortly after I got to the top some clouds blew in and provided some shade. There was also a nice breeze to keep me cool. After finishing with the operating, I packed up and retraced my steps back to the car. The descent was uneventful, and I made it back in a bit less time than it had taken to ascend.

Trailhead: Fossil Ridge Trailhead.
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Walk up the road to the corral. Take the trail on the left that goes past the corral until it rejoins the dirt road. Follow this to the stream bed, then start the ascent. Take the trail on the left up the hill, marked as the Bomb Voyage Trail on maps.
Red Tape: None.

Almost back to the car.

W4C/EP-007 Shepherd Mountain

Shepherd Mountain is the lowest SOTA peak in the W4C association, and an easy peak to activate. The peak is on land owned by the Mt Shepherd Retreat Center, part of the United Methodist Church. Before activating, call the office to make sure it is OK to hike up. I called on Saturday morning, a few hours before heading over, and had no problem getting permission. I was told to bring water and a cell phone, which I was going to do anyway, and to have a nice hike.

Start of the trail.

The trailhead is between the office building and the dumpster. The first part of the trail, down to the lake is wide and well groomed, with clear sides. At the bottom of the hill, it crosses a small bridge, and goes by the big cross on the shore of the lake. From here it begins to climb up to the summit. Follow the signs for the lookout or tower.

On the way up. It was hot (90's) and humid.

The tread was faint in places, but not difficult to follow. There were some switchbacks making the ascent easier. It has been a few years since I've gone hiking in the east, and I had forgotten how lush and humid it can get. After about 20 minutes of hiking, I reached the lookout tower at the top. According to peakbagger, the other summit with the communication towers is slightly higher, but both are well in the AZ.

Lookout tower. Probably very good views from the top.

I setup on a small log near a fire ring by the lookout tower. I started on 30 meters, and got enough contacts to get the points. Twenty was not as fruitful, nor was 40. While calling CQ on 40 I noticed some spots asking me to go down to 60 so the locals could work me. This was the first time I've ever been asked to got to 60 meters. I QSYed, and made another half dozen contacts with NC and TN stations. I hadn't melted in the humidity yet, so I figured I'd give 17 a try. AB6SO and KI6DS responded after a few CQs. I assume they were operating from their usual place in the Baylands Park in Palo Alto, CA, and I had no problem copying their QRP signals.

Me with my operating position.

I made one contact on 2 meters, though he had trouble hearing my signal. I did find one tick crawling on my pants, making me glad I had worn them. Since I had some afternoon plans, I packed up and hiked down. It was nice to get into the air conditioned car again!

Almost back at the lake.

Trailhead: Parking lot, Mt Shepherd Retreat Center.
Website: SOTA Site. Mt Shepherd Retreat Center
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Follow the trail to the summit. The signs pointing towards the tower are the ones to follow.
Red Tape: Call to get permission before hiking.