VegasHikers

Charleston Series | Prequel: Echo Trail, Little Falls & Cathedral Rock

Sat, May 16 · 7:30 AM PDT

Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino (East Parking Garage - 3rd Floor), 4949 N Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, nv, US

Please read the entire hike description.

New participants must complete this eWAIVER before I can move them to Going. If you've previously completed one from a different event with me as the host, no additional waiver is needed.

Got questions? Text Liz at 702-496-2455

Please provide a separate answer to all 3 questions when you RSVP:
Q1. Did you read the entire hike description?
Q2. What is your cell number?
Q3. Do you understand that after you RSVP to the Waitlist, you must complete and submit the eWAIVER (unless you have already done so) in order to be moved to the Going list?
Please respond in this format: 1. Yes; 2. xxx-xxx-xxxx; 3. Yes

So far, 174 hikers have used this training series to reach Charleston Peak for the first time—will you be next?

Welcome to the 13th Annual Charleston Series. The hikes get progressively harder each week in mileage, elevation gain, and altitude, designed to train up for long-distance high-altitude hikes. Guidance and tips will be provided on pace, breathing, gear, food/liquid, trail etiquette, and preparations.

A VH pin is available for those who participate in the series and reach the summit of Charleston Peak.

Prequel hikes (Explorer's Deck) are slightly lower elevation options to prepare for high-elevation ahead of the Main hikes (Founder's Deck).

A secondary benefit of this program is that carpooling and hiking with many of the same people each week enables you to develop friendships and trust in each other, which you will need as the hikes get harder. Tailgating afterward is an additional feature of the Main hikes.

Co-Hosts: Liz is the current organizer of the Charleston Series, co-creator of the Fitness Series and has 800 hikes with VegasHikers (VH) and 100 with the 52 Peak Club (52PC). Jim is the creator of the Charleston Series and has 1,500 hikes with VH and 400 with the 52PC.

📌 This up and back hike will start at Echo parking lot, go up Echo Trail, take a detour up to Little Falls, come back down, and continue the ascent to the top of Cathedral Rock.

Please note, this 5.6 mile adventurous route is considerably longer with more elevation gain than the 2.8 mile direct route from Cathedral Rock parking lot because it's part of a series to train up for Charleston Peak.

This event is cross-posted with 52 Peak Club Explorer's Deck.

HIKE QUICK STATS:

• Trailhead: Echo
• Distance: 5.6 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,370 feet
• Altitude: 7,600 feet to 8,600 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
• Class: All class 1 trail with some easy class 2 scrambling
• Exposure: None
• Pace: Slow to Moderate
• Duration: 5.5 hours (driving and hiking)

GEAR:
Hiking boots or trail shoes are required
Trekking poles and gloves are optional but very helpful
You should always carry a windbreaker or rain jacket, warm gloves and hat for any hikes in the Mt Charleston area.

OTHER:
No guests, children/minors, canines, or event crashers, please!
Everyone starts on the Waitlist. You must be on the Going list to attend.
All attendees must be members of VegasHikers. It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up, and it's FREE.

CARPOOLS:
Meet in Santa Fe Casino East parking garage 3rd floor, turn left, section 3F. We will form carpools for the drive to the trailhead (carpooling is mandatory for this hike).

FAQs:
Do I need to attend every hike? No
Do I need to be in good shape to start the series? Yes, you should be reasonably fit, and the Prequel hikes are designed to improve your fitness and acclimate you for the Main hikes.
Do I need to carpool? Yes, it's socially responsible, and for most hikes, parking is very limited.

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Tentative Schedule for Charleston Training Series:
5/9 - Stanley B Spring, Mine & Beyond (Explorers)
5/16 - Echo Trail, Little Falls & Cathedral Rock (Explorers)
5/23 - Lower Bristlecone & Bonanza Trail (Explorers)
5/30 - Fletcher Canyon & Eagle's Nest (Explorers, 2 cards)
6/6 - Raintree & Wildhorse Canyon (Explorers)
6/13 - Divide Peak (Explorers - Big Falls substitute)
6/20 - Fletcher Peak (Founders)
6/27 - Bonanza Peak (need HCV's) (Founders)
7/4 - Mummy's Toe & Deer Creek Canyon (Founders)
7/11 - Griffith Peak & Cabin BBQ (Founders)
7/18 - Mummy Mtn (Founders)
7/25 - Helicopter Pad & Lee Peak (Explorers)
8/1 - Charleston Peak & Cabin BBQ (National Summit Day) (Founders)

Jim will also be posting mid-week hikes (Wed or Thu) throughout May, Jun and Jul for those interested in additional acclimating and stamina.

Disclaimer:
Organizers are not tour guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.

Packrat Route

Sat, May 16 · 8:00 AM PDT

Location not specified yet

REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN UP-NO EXCEPTIONS

• You must have hiked with me on a Tier 4 hike or have a "Scrambling Skills" pin from a VegasHikers Organizer.

AND

• YOU MUST SIGN A WRITTEN WAIVER TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. The link to the written waiver is here:
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/written-waiver.pdf

You will not be moved to the "going" list without providing a signed waiver to the email address on the waiver.

If you have already provided a waiver to me, you do not need to provide another one.

Rick W's Hiking Page-What's Your Backup Plan?

***

HIKE DESCRIPTION

This is the hike we did on Markus's birthday (AKA "the P2P Route"). It includes the Amberat slot, Super Model slot, the Cleavage and Slot Subsequent. We'll go through 5 slots on the way up and 3 slots on the way down. They all have their own challenges and surprises.

We'll start off on a pretty normal route, but soon deviate and from there. We'll climb up a slab or two, dodge a few cactii, and go up in an area that few people even think of climbing. When we hit the slots, you'll probably need to pass your pack along, so be prepared to remove your pack numerous times (P2P). Once we reach the top of the rock, we'll traverse a little and descend through more slots.

This area is rich with evidence of wildlife. There is always the chance that we'll see some. I've seen a Ringed Tail Cat in this area as well as Tortoises, Chuckwallas and lots of rabbits and lizards. I've also seen and heard Red Tailed Hawks in this area. You can see some of my favorite pictures of animals I've seen in my wildlife gallery .
http://richardwaltjen.com/galleries-2/animal-gallery/
Of course, we'll also be able to view the rocks and all the colors and patterns in them.

• Helmets are always welcome. Be sure to use one that doesn't block your sight.

• Always carry "in case of emergency" numbers with you.

• No guests will be allowed without my prior approval.

YOU MUST BE ON THE "GOING" LIST IN ORDER TO GO ON THIS HIKE. CRASHING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.

Meet Location will be sent by text or message on the day prior to the hike.

PASSAGES
• Option to go through Dylan's Passage

STATS
• Distance: ~ 2 miles loop.
• Elevation gain: ~ 1000 ft.
• High point: 4603
• Low point: 3600
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Pace: ~ 1 Miles Per Hour
• Children: no.
• Dogs: no.
• Time: 4 hours max.
• Bring: At least two liters of water. Snack

INFORMATION LINKS

Scrambling Tiers
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rickw-scrambling-tiers.pdf

Passages
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Passages.pdf

Pin Program
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pin-Collection.pdf

South Oak Creek Loop

Sat, May 16 · 8:00 AM PDT

Red Rock Casino, 11011 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135, Las Vegas, NV, US

Welcome! Everyone, especially newcomers, is encouraged to join!

Enjoy a 4.7-mile hike beginning at South Oak Creek, a scenic route with a mix of gentle climbs, descents, and a few switchbacks that loops back to the trailhead. (Optional: a short ascent of Potato Knoll for those interested.)

HIKE QUICK STATS:

• Trailhead: South Oak Creek
• Distance: 4.1 - 4.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: ≈524 ft
• Difficulty/pace: Easy to moderate (depending on the group’s overall pace)
• Class: 1
• Exposure: none
• Duration: ≈4 hours (includes driving)
• No guests, children/minors, canines, or event crashers, please!
• All attendees must be members of VegasHikers. It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up, and it's FREE.

GEAR:

• Backpack
• Hiking boots or trail shoes are required
• Trekking poles are optional but very helpful
• 2L of water, sun protection, snacks & electrolytes

CARPOOLS:
We will meet at the Red Rock Hotel, West parking garage, 4th floor, section 4D, near the ramp to form carpools.

WEATHER INFO:
Check the current weather HERE to determine what to wear. Staying prepared starts with checking the weather—bring layers, sun protection, or rain gear accordingly.

If you are interested in this event, please follow the sign-up instructions below!

Everyone starts on the Waitlist. Newcomers are welcome!

NOTE: Everyone must RSVP first. If you have not hiked with me before, you must also complete a waiver. After you RSVP, please click on this word WAIVER to open the form, follow the instructions highlighted at the top, and send it to the e-mail address listed on the waiver. Only after both steps are complete will you be moved to the 'Going' list.

Got questions? Text Paul 702-628-0454

DISCLAIMER
Please be aware that your Meetup organizers are not tour guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.