About us
WELCOME!
VegasHikers is the premier hiking group in the Desert Southwest! We take more hikes to more places and have the friendliest, most welcoming organizers of any group around. We feature hikes for all skill levels, road trips, camping, and social gatherings. We have events at a huge variety of times, places, and days. We even hike at night! With dozens of organizers and an average of more than an event a day, you're sure to find activities to suit your fancy.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS.
Our organizers are not tour guides, we're not rangers. Going out with us is the same as going out with a few friends. Expect the same risks, take the same precautions. As organizers, we will do our best to give accurate descriptions of the hikes we post. If you're a beginning hiker, a hike's elevation and distance may not mean much to you. Likewise, difficulty ratings are subjective, and a hike that is "easy" to one person may be "moderate" to another. Err on the side of caution. You're much better off going on a hike that's too easy for you than a hike that's too hard or too dangerous for you. As you go on more hikes with us, you'll become more familiar with our ratings and our descriptions, and you'll learn more about your own limits. Ultimately, it's up to you to keep yourself safe out there. You're an adult. Hike within your abilities.
DUES/FEES
There are no membership dues to be a part of this group. It does take money to pay for this site, fill up first aid kits, and keep organizers prepared, so we gladly take donations any time they're offered.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Our group can be defined by five terms, which help guide every decision we make. They are as follows:
- All are welcome
- We hike together
- We come prepared
- We're all adults
- We appreciate the outdoors
Upcoming events
31
Utah Series: Taylor Creek (Group 1)
Location not specified yet** This event is full and RSVP's are closed **
Questions or Comments: text Jim at 702-515-9824.
When you RSVP, please answer each of the 4 questions separately:
Q1. What is your cell number?
Q2. Are you willing to drive and take 3 passengers? It is all paved road, 300 miles RT.
Q3. Do you understand that EVERYONE must carpool due to limited parking at the trailhead?
Q4. Do you have a National Park pass you can bring?
Please respond in this format: 1. xxx-xxx-xxxx, 2. Yes (or) No, 3. Yes, 4. Yes (or) NoCarpooling is mandatory; each passenger must pay $20 to their driver for gas.
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE HIKE DESCRIPTION! New participants will be required to sign a Waiver at the meetup location similar to the Disclaimer below.
There is a strict group size limit of 12 for this hike in the Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park. Due to the popularity of this hike, we will have two separate groups. The leader of each group is tbd.
📌 We will hike the beautiful Middle Fork of Taylor Creek to a stunning double alcove (see photo). There will be numerous water crossings but it's unlikely that you'll get anything other than the bottom of your shoes wet.
Trailhead: Taylor Creek Trail (Kolob Canyon, UT)
Distance: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
Altitude: 5,500 to 6,600 feet
Class: Class 1 trail with easy creek crossings
Exposure: None
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Pace: Slow to Moderate ⁞ Conversational
Duration: 8 hours (driving and hiking)If you chose to stop for lunch on the way back, add time to the duration.
The North Las Vegas meetup location near Aliante Casino will be sent by text to the number you provide when you RSVP. We will carpool to the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center at I-15N Exit 40 to check-in and use the restrooms. From there we will caravan to the trailhead. If TH parking is full, there is an overflow lot a quarter mile further up the road.
If you have a National Park Pass, please bring it along with photo ID. We will need at least one per car.
Nevada is Pacific Time; Utah is Mountain Time, one hour ahead.
Follow us on Facebook! VegasHikers FB page
Tentative Schedule:
8/15 - Scout Canyon Loop
8/22 - Up Trail Canyon / Down Fletcher Canyon
8/29 - Taylor Creek (UT)
9/5 - Little Zion via Mountain Springs (holiday weekend)
9/12 - North Loop Trail Fall Colors
9/18-20 - Big Pine Lakes (CA) - this event is full
9/26 - South Loop Trail Fall Colors
10/3 - Candy Cliffs / Yant Flats (UT)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.8 attendeesUtah Series: Taylor Creek (Group 2)
Location not specified yet** This event is full and RSVP's are closed **
Questions or Comments: text Jim at 702-515-9824.
When you RSVP, please answer each of the 4 questions separately:
Q1. What is your cell number?
Q2. Are you willing to drive and take 3 passengers? It is all paved road, 300 miles RT.
Q3. Do you understand that EVERYONE must carpool due to limited parking at the trailhead?
Q4. Do you have a National Park pass you can bring?
Please respond in this format: 1. xxx-xxx-xxxx, 2. Yes (or) No, 3. Yes, 4. Yes (or) NoCarpooling is mandatory; each passenger must pay $20 to their driver for gas.
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE HIKE DESCRIPTION! New participants will be required to sign a Waiver at the meetup location similar to the Disclaimer below.
There is a strict group size limit of 12 for this hike in the Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park. Due to the popularity of this hike, we will have two separate groups. The leader of each group is tbd.
📌 We will hike the beautiful Middle Fork of Taylor Creek to a stunning double alcove (see photo). There will be numerous water crossings but it's unlikely that you'll get anything other than the bottom of your shoes wet.
Trailhead: Taylor Creek Trail (Kolob Canyon, UT)
Distance: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
Altitude: 5,500 to 6,600 feet
Class: Class 1 trail with easy creek crossings
Exposure: None
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Pace: Slow to Moderate ⁞ Conversational
Duration: 8 hours (driving and hiking)If you chose to stop for lunch on the way back, add time to the duration.
The North Las Vegas meetup location near Aliante Casino will be sent by text to the number you provide when you RSVP. We will carpool to the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center at I-15N Exit 40 to check-in and use the restrooms. From there we will caravan to the trailhead. If TH parking is full, there is an overflow lot a quarter mile further up the road.
If you have a National Park Pass, please bring it along with photo ID. We will need at least one per car.
Nevada is Pacific Time; Utah is Mountain Time, one hour ahead.
Follow us on Facebook! VegasHikers FB page
Tentative Schedule:
8/15 - Scout Canyon Loop
8/22 - Up Trail Canyon / Down Fletcher Canyon
8/29 - Taylor Creek (UT)
9/5 - Little Zion via Mountain Springs (holiday weekend)
9/12 - North Loop Trail Fall Colors
9/18-20 - Big Pine Lakes (CA) - this event is full
9/26 - South Loop Trail Fall Colors
10/3 - Candy Cliffs / Yant Flats (UT)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.8 attendees
Seal Head Rock (Beginner Scramble)
Location not specified yetREQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN UP - NO EXCEPTIONS
• 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.pdfYou 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 one to me, you do not need to provide another one.
***
HIKE DESCRIPTION
DEPENDING ON THE GROUP, I MAY ADD SOME PORTIONS TO THIS ROUTE THAT ARE NOT ON THE ORIGINAL.
Seal Head Rock is a large boulder that looks like a Seal's Head. Although it has been used by climbers for a long time, Sean gave it the name. This is a new route that I created that goes to that rock. It's a relatively easy scrambling route that takes a different path up and down some rocks that are less traveled. It's a little easier than some of the hikes that go to the same place.
We'll start out on a trail and head around to the entrance to a very familiar canyon. Then we'll veer off and take a different route up to the top of a low ridge and travel along it for a small distance until we reach Seal Head Rock. We'll stop there for a break and then return using a different route down that goes over and under some boulders. On the return route we'll go through "Kristy's Chute."
This hike starts out with trail, but is mostly rock scrambling. It has some good challenges for those who are new to scrambling. It's mostly just using your hands to keep balanced, but there are some places where you might need to use your hands for forward movement. There also are a few instances of exposure, but not too bad.
This climb is steep and will get your heart pounding. It's pretty short, but it can be challenging for beginners. Don't underestimate the hill or overestimate your ability. Beginning scrambling is not the same as beginning hiking. But as long as you can handle a steep climb, then you can handle this.
Check out my wildlife gallery for some pictures of wildlife I've seen.
http://richardwaltjen.com/galleries-2/animal-gallery/• 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.
To prevent crashing, the meet location will be sent via email or text.
PASSAGES
- Kristy's Chute
- Sick Passage-option
STATS
Distance: ~ 2 miles loop.
Elevation gain: ~ 700 ft.
High point: 4315
Low point: 3600
Difficulty: easy-moderate
Pace: ~ 1 Miles Per Hour.
Children: no.
Dogs: no.
Time: 2 hours max.INFORMATION LINKS
Scrambling Tiers
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rickw-scrambling-tiers.pdfPassages
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Passages.pdfPin Program
http://richardwaltjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pin-Collection.pdf13 attendees
Past events
18135
