Levi Cole: August 2008

Exploring caves is fun.

My friends Ben and Justin where coming to visit for a while and we thought it would be fun find some caves that I heard about in Red Rock. Unfortunately I am not going to say the exact location of the caves because over the years they have received much damage from visitors. There is a lot of trash and spray paint all over the walls and floor. So, in order to preserve what is left of them I don't want to be responsible for sending many other people there.

I will say that if you are planning a trip to Red Rock, their location can be found elsewhere on the Internet and judging by the amount of spray paint on the walls there are quite a few people from Las Vegas that know about them as well. Enough of my rambling though, lets get to the trip.

The trail to the caves

There was a very nice trail that took us most of the way there. The trail is actually where they take people horse back riding around the area.

View Back Toward The Road (almost to the caves)

Closer To The Cave

It was all an easy trail up till about this point. We knew the caves where around that area. But we didn't know exactly where. But, whats the point of exploring if you know where your going. Unfortunately the exploring let us up a cliff. It wasn't anything you need rope to climb, but it wasn't completely safe ether.

Justin Before we climbed

On The Way Up

(Ben, Me, Justin, Natalie) Close To The Entrance of one of the Caves

We finally found both caves. The photos are a mix between both. One of the was basically one large room. While the other drops down several times and had many rooms. It only went back and down though so it was impossible to get lost.

Entrance To Cave

Ben, Me, Natalie Eating Lunch in Cave

Inside cave

One interesting thing we found was that when you hold a black light up to the rocks in the cave, little speckles glow on them.

That image is also a good example of how dark it is in a cave without lights.

You can see what I mean about the spray paint. It really detracts from the cave. We did manage to get all of our cave exploring in before the sun went down.

Right outside the cave

I hope you enjoyed the post and Photos. As always, Comments are welcome. So is subscribing to this blog.

My Ranting Note:

If you do visit a cave or anything in nature I stress once again as I have before, Please take you trash with you. And try your best not to F#!k up the place with a can of spray paint, no matter how much self control you have to exhibit at the time! Thank you.

I recently hiked Marry Jane Falls trail on Mt Charleston in Nevada.

Top of Marry Jane falls Trail

Mary Jane Falls is a hiking trail on MT Charleston in Nevada, it's not to far from Vegas. It's only a 25 to 30 minute drive from where I live. It is interesting to see the desert scenery change into Pine trees and forest on the way up. The best part about Mt Charleston is the fact that it's never to hot.

Mary Jane falls is a nice day hike if you want a decent workout.

According to http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/MaryJaneFalls_4120.asp

Highlights:	Steep switchbacks & rock steps to year-round cascading falls, escape from desert
Near:	Las Vegas, NV
Scenery:
Distance:	3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:	1200 ft
Hike Time:	2 hours
Difficulty:	Moderate
Trail Condition:	Well maintained trail
HikeType:	Out and Back

Summary:

Short but very strenuous hike utilizing switchbacks and stone steps (rip-rap) on a very well marked and heavily used trail. Keep your dogs leashed and under control since a lot of hikers seem to bring their dogs on this one. With a very steep trail, loose rock, and netting in place for erosion control, you definitely don't want to cut across this trail. Older children can make this hike, but be sure they are used to climbing and high altitude. There is a nice size cave along the N cliff, to the left of the falls on the left; with an easy to follow path leading to the mouth of the cave. From the base of the falls you can see Big Falls to the WSW, and Charleston Peak in the background (snow covered until mid/late Spring). This is a pretty trail with ponderosa pines, white fir, aspen, and mountain mahogany. Look for deer and fox in the aspens at sunrise and sunset, near the beginning /end of trail. Hike early to avoid the crowds at Mary Jane Falls.

Trailhead: I-15 N from Las Vegas to 95 N towards Reno, W on SR 157 (Mt. Charleston - Kyle Canyon) continue past the hotel, 2 miles W of USFS ranger station, to Echo Road. This is where the road curves sharply to the left to head up into old town and the lodge. Instead, continue to the right (almost straight) as it becomes Echo Road. Turn left at the fork (signed) onto the gravel road and park at the trailhead. There are RR at this parking area and it is also the trailhead for Big Falls. MJ Falls is a good trail for the visitor who wants an escape from the casinos and from the desert floor - - it is a short hike and the drive up and back is very scenic. Pack a lunch to enjoy at MJ Falls, but don't expect heavy water flow over the falls unless it is early spring. LOTS of people use this trail so please pack out any trash you see along the trail, there is a dumpster at the parking area to put it in. (Lat:36.26776 Lon:-115.66295)

You do want to make sure you are in decent shape for this hike as like the summery said is all up hill. That is until you come down. The scenery was beautiful, There was still a little of snow on the higher mountains making the view breath taking.

I ended up going with my entire family. (Wife, Mom, dad, sister and her friend)

Mom on the trail

Wife on the trail

Dad in front of one of the falls

It took us a little while to find the trail head but we knew it when we saw it namely because of the other cars and trucks in the parking area. The summery wasn't joking when it said Marry Jane was a popular trail. It wasn't crowded to the point of not being fun. As a matter of fact most people coming down, that we passed on the way up, were very cheerful and gave nothing but encouragement to other people on their way up. That may not happen all the time, but the smiley faces were up lifting.

Getting Ready At the Parking Area (My sister is the skinny girl in the middle of the Photo)

Me and Dad making sure we know where we are going at the trailhead

Me Along the Trail

Once we got to the top we were treated with an excellent view, as well as the falls. Although I wouldn't call them falls myself, I would call them trickles. The water does trickle 50 ft though.

View From The Top

The Falls

The coolest thing how ever was the ice. The snow and ice that had fallen off the mountain as spring hit, gathered in little mounds. The water trickling down on to the snow and ice cut through it, making very interesting formations. Its one of those things that words won't describe well.......but I have photos.

Ice Formation

Ice Wall

The next thing we decided to check out was the cave the you read about in the summery. I wouldn't call it much of a cave but more of a shelter. It went back a good 15 ft or so. It was interesting non the less.

Inside the Cave

View of the out side from the inside

Natalie Right Outside Cave

The way down was quick and fun. All in all I found this to be an interesting and fun hike. I hope you enjoyed the post. I'll be posting on another hike soon.

Comments and suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

And remember,
The blog is for you, so suggestions are important in making the site more enjoyable for you.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Caves at Red Rock Nevada

Friday, August 1, 2008

Mary Jane Falls