Looking for suggestions for some day hikes

horsin144 · Post by **horsin144** » Oct 31 2006 6:02 pm

I am from NY and will be in Vegas for a work convention! I took an extra week and am looking for suggestions to fill it. I have never been very far from NY and am really looking forward to this trip! I don't mind driving distance to get to places. I already have reservations for 2 nights at the lodge in Havasu Falls, but have 4 other days to fill. Has to be day trips( nothing too awful tough)and I can't bring in camping gear. Any help or guidance would be great!

horsin144 · Post by **horsin144** » Oct 31 2006 6:10 pm

I probably should have mentioned that it will be November 17-21 that I have open, the 15 and 16 are at Havasu.

Al_HikesAZ · Post by **Al_HikesAZ** » Nov 01 2006 10:27 am

In response to horsin144's reply:
Have you clicked on the map of AZ on the home page? The map is an interactive index to hikes by Region. If you click on the Northwest Region of AZ, where Havasu Falls is located, you can get a list of nearby hikes with ratings and comments.

Have you looked at Traildex? Under Hike Indexes is the TrailDex tool that let's you search for hikes by various parameters.

I'll start by admitting that I am not familiar with that NW corner of AZ or with Las Vegas hikes.

If I were in your shoes, I would consider some of the dayhikes at the Grand Canyon, these would be my first choice even with the driving time from Peach Springs (140 miles 2.5 hrs) and $25 cost of entry to the Canyon. This would also mean a 280 mile 5 hr drive back to Las Vegas.

If you fly home out of Las Vegas, you might want to head back that way for some hikes. There must be some dayhikes around Mt. Charleston or Lake Mead.

If you definitely want to hike in Arizona and driving distance and time is a concern, look at some of the hikes by Williams Arizona. (80 miles 1.5hr drive from Peach Springs).

Otherwise, some great hikes around Flagstaff (110 miles 2hrs from Peach Springs) and even Sedona (140 miles 2.5hrs from Peach Springs). But from Sedona you would have a 300 mile 4.5hr drive back to Vegas.

treehunter · Post by **treehunter** » Nov 01 2006 4:04 pm

Without driving a long distance, the public lands in that corner of Arizona are all BLM. You might check out the Chloride area in the Cerbat Mountains, I think there are some trails off Big Wash Rd, although I have never been there. You might start at this BLM sight and check out both the Kingman office and the Arizona Strip office.

http://www.blm.gov/az/rec.htm

If you are willing to drive a ways, I think Zion National Park is closer than Sedona or Grand Canyon N.P. It's beautiful and well worth seeing with lots of trails.

horsin144 · Post by **horsin144** » Nov 01 2006 5:59 pm

I guess that I am looking for someone to say Go Here it is beautiful! Again I will be at Havasupai reservation and will be looking to fill in time there. I want to see the most I can in such a short time! Is there any specific site(s) that is not to tough and a day trip. How about when I am the village of Supai? Is it a realistic day trip in November to hike to the Colorodo? What about a scenic hike with Indian Ruins? Any one specific stick out? Any guidance would be appreciated! By the way I aught to state that I will be all alone, probably not the best move but it is the only way I would be able to see anything. You know business and pleasure!

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » Nov 01 2006 6:36 pm

You may want to check out the area around Las Vegas, Red Rocks.

IGO · Post by **IGO** » Nov 01 2006 9:15 pm

horsin144 wrote:I am from NY and will be in Vegas for a work convention! I took an extra week and am looking for suggestions to fill it. I have never been very far from NY and am really looking forward to this trip! I don't mind driving distance to get to places. I already have reservations for 2 nights at the lodge in Havasu Falls, but have 4 other days to fill. Has to be day trips( nothing too awful tough)and I can't bring in camping gear. Any help or guidance would be great!

Hey. I don't get over here very often but a bud from arizonahikers.com sent me as I'm a prolific poster on Arizona hiking forums but live in Las Vegas. LOL.
Take a look at http://www.thirdrockfrom.org and see if anything appeals to you. Within 3 to 40 miles of the strip is some of the finest day hiking you will ever know and november is one of the finest months to do it. email me from my website if you want as I might not be able to find this post again. Cheers.

IGO · Post by **IGO** » Nov 01 2006 9:20 pm

In response to horsin144's reply:
Ah heck. Write me at igo @ thirdrockfrom . org and I'll tell ya a dozen :go here. It's wonferfuls". I live to hike and explore beautiful places.

hikeaz · Post by **hikeaz** » Nov 02 2006 8:04 am

Why not kill two birds with one stone and do this terrific hike AND be the first to do the write-up.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=422

(Schenectady born)

horsin144 · Post by **horsin144** » Nov 02 2006 6:43 pm

You know I was looking at the Arizona Hot Springs and was thinking of that. I was thinking a nice hot soak may be in order for the sore muscles I am sure to have! I think that I will try this one, take lots of pictures and give you all my yankee opinion!

I have a fishing camp up by Plattsburgh, drive through your old stomping grounds. How will canyon hiking compare to the Adirondacks?

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Nov 02 2006 10:11 pm

horsin144 wrote:
I have a fishing camp up by Plattsburgh, drive through your old stomping grounds. How will canyon hiking compare to the Adirondacks?

I much prefer AZ. The views are bigger and more open, and I love the desert colors and plants. I always feel soggy in the Adirondacks.

jkern15674 · Post by **jkern15674** » Nov 07 2006 5:17 am

When in Supai all off trail hiking is technically not allowed. But off the books beaver canyon is one of the most spectacular canyons in the grand canyon. It can be easily done as a day hike from the campsite. Although the first upclimb is a bi#ch. There are no "ruins" that I know of but alot of caves to explore.

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Nov 07 2006 6:30 am

From the Lodge in Supai Village, by the time you hike to Navajo Falls, check that out, then hike to Havasu Falls, check that out, then hike all the way through the campground and climb down the ladders to Mooney Falls, by now you are probably more than 4 miles from the Lodge. From the bottom of the ladders at Mooney you'd face almost an entire day's hiking, including a total of 24 creek crossings to go to the Colorado River and back. I'd say that if you go further down past Mooney you might want to look at the very first sidecanyon on your left. It's a really neat one, has a trail into it, very pretty, easy to find. Going further than that, all the way down to Beaver Falls, in my opinion if you do that you wouldn't have enough time to spend at Navajo, Havasu or Mooney Falls. I'm assuming it's your first trip there, so I'd advise you not plan to go much further than that side canyon on the left just below Mooney. And you haven't told us what your level of expertise is: I have seen many a person be stopped by the ladders. Whatever you do, don't go down them facing outward! Face the wall. Just DO it, other people will help you if you have any problems.

What sort of footwear are you bringing? Trailrunners? Tevas? Hiking boots? Hiking boots or trailrunners for the hike down from the rim to Supai Village. Trailrunners or Tevas (with extra socks available in your pack, plus moleskin and adhesive tape to dress any abrasions due to sand) for the hike from Supai to Mooney and below.

horsin144 · Post by **horsin144** » Nov 08 2006 9:01 pm

Thanks for the great info. I have only hiked in the Adirondacks. I am a little intimidated from the stories of the height, but I have been jumping into the river at camp about 50 feet off a bluff. Took a while the first time, but can never get enough once that first jump was done. My friend was telling me about a lady that was plastered to the side ledge just heading out of the NP at Angel Falls. I laughed my a@S off, but wouldn't it be funnier if that was me +)

What snakes and creatures do I have to worry about?

I actually was thinking of not bringing my boots and going with sneaks and water shoes. I shouldn't say this but I have never had problems with my sneaks. Not sure the brand, but they are a real light hiking sneaker. I am as often as possible barefoot.

This is my first time flying, I turned 40 last week, first time I have left the kids and I am so excited!

Just to pass along, the lodge has openings for the 15-19th of November as they had a big cancellation. Any takers?

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Nov 09 2006 4:41 am

If you are used to hiking in your sneakers they'll be fine. I wear low gaitors to keep dirt and gravel out of my shoes when I'm hiking, just a personal preference. (I used to be that hiker who had to stop all the time while my friends hiked on, because I was always getting rocks in my shoes. Sloppy walker, I guess!) I also always bring Tevas, but water shoes of any kind will work if it's swimming weather. In some places the bottoms of those pools are a bit rough, so I swim with the shoes on, but I noticed a lot of people are barefoot as well. Sounds like you are a swimmer! There are a few rocks to jump off, just see where the others are jumping.

If this warm weather holds you'll be able to swim for sure! There is a nice pool right at the base of Navajo Falls. Then the ones just below Havasu Falls. Then all along the creek below Mooney Falls. The large pool at the base of Mooney is swimmable, but the falls creates a lot of wind and turbulence, so I usually go down the creek just a little ways, there are many pools.

Have you hiked out here in AZ at all? A hat and sunscreen, a t-shirt, not tank top, go a long way to keeping you from sunburn, which IMO causes exhaustion! Even in cooler weather you can get burnt. And carry a couple liters of water and munch salty snacks for the hike down, and possibly three liters for the hike up. And don't forget to DRINK the water and EAT the snacks!

As for critters: The Indians have hundreds of dogs wandering around. They won't bother you. Although rattlesnakes live around there your chances of seeing one are pretty slight. You're not camping so you don't have to worry about the cute chipmunk pack thieves!

horsin144 · Post by **horsin144** » Nov 09 2006 5:52 am

I have never been out of New York State. I have 2 days at the Havasu Lodge and they have openings for another 2. Would you spend four of my seven day adventure at Havasu, or would you try and get to more places? I was kind of thinking of staying longer there, slow down, and truly relax. But then I want to see as much as I can see. How long do you think I should stay at Havasu?

I will be in Vegas for a week and will be able to sneak off from my work at 2pm each day, so I will see a little around there. Igo said that Arizona Hot Springs would be nice. I was going to go there at the tail end of my trip, as it is close to Vegas where I have to fly back out from. I figured a good warm soak would be needed towards the end! Anyone have any other ideas for a day trip.

Lizard · Post by **Lizard** » Nov 09 2006 8:13 am

I've had this hike on my list for awhile. Planning to do it during my next Vegas roadtrip. It looks like a nice n easy slot canyon hike:

http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/LAME/An ... v_Mine.htm

The website for this also list a bunch of other LV area hikes for your perusal.

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Nov 09 2006 1:13 pm

My personal preference would be if I were staying in the Lodge, not more than 2 or 3 nights. Since the lodge is in the village you have to hike everywhere to get to the falls, etc. The village is interesting for only a short while.

Camping, I wish I had time to stay a week, relax, swim, hike to the river, etc. The longest I've stayed is 3 nights. If you get a good semi-private campsite next to the creek it can be very relaxing.

So I'd say, check out some of the other hikes people have posted here, like the hot springs, etc.! And I keep hearing there is great hiking right outside of Vegas.

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Nov 09 2006 2:09 pm

horsin144 wrote:I have never been out of New York State.

One thing you should be prepared for is that even in cool temperatures, the low desert humidity sucks the water right out of you. At lower rates of exertion, you won't notice that you're sweating because it evaporates immediately. You also lose a lot through respiration, even at rest. No matter what you're doing, stay hydrated.

Anyway, you're in for a real treat. NY has some good hiking, but those big AZ views are addictive.

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Nov 09 2006 4:15 pm

horsin144 wrote:I have never been out of New York State.

Really!? Never ever? Massachusetts? Vermont? Connecticut? Pennsylvania? Never?

Anyway, I'm from PA and I've visited your fine state many times, my favorite area being the huge cliffs at New Paltz (the Gunks). But...I moved out here 5 years ago just to see something different. I love it here and I'm very passionate about Arizona. I hope your trip is enjoyable, though I can't imagine it won't be. You'll be wanting to move here too!

Looking for suggestions for some day hikes

Looking for suggestions for some day hikes

Re: Looking for suggestions for some day hikes

Re: Looking for suggestions for some day hikes