Anniversary Narrows Peak

March 31, 2023 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

MUDDY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS

Activity: Day Hike, Scrambling, Peak Bagging, 4×4

6 hiking miles, 3074′ elevation, 1700′ elevation gain, rated Moderate

Date 3-20-23

I set out with the goal of completing the Anniversary Narrows and Anniversary Peak Loop an over 8 mile hike in the Lake Meade National Recreation Area. Since I have a Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro I attempted to do a portion of the distance in my rig.

The trail in is 4×4 High Clearance Recommended and I started the loop clockwise in the Lowell Wash. The trail led to a narrow decline just big enough for my rig. There was a sizable drop off on one side. I followed the trail down to a dry wash, but unfortunately the exit had been wiped out at the bottom of the trail by a flood leaving too big of a drop off to safely maneuver.

Now what? I was alone without a spotter. If I had a spotter it might have been possible to jockey around and turn back up the trail, but without one it was more of a risk that I wanted to take. So I slowly backed up in reverse 1000′ or so up the narrow trail being mindful of the drop off.

At this point I thought that I would 4 Wheel counter clockwise back the way that I came and then up the other side of the loop. It was a short distance before I was on foot.

Most of the hike was in a dry wash filled with rough rocks to work around and over. Much of the way there were steep sides to this wash. There really wasn’t a trail. In fact any trail was short lived. It was really working through an area. The GPS was being checked constantly to insure I was in the correct fork of the wash and even once I was beyond it that I was headed in the correct direction.

Once out of the wash the terrain was pretty unworldly and quite wonderful. It appeared like you were in a Star Wars Movie or something. The rock was unusual, pocked with holes, some of the rock formations were a deep red. I believe a portion of this hike was through an area known as the ‘Bowl of Fire’ it really was quite spectacular.

Next on the list was a scramble. A real honest to goodness scramble, so if you like scrambling then you will love this hike. First you climbed up one ravine and then you realize you are maybe half way because the course is still up, up, up! I kept checking the GPS. There certainly was no easy way, but I can attest that there unquestionably were more difficult ways. I think that I found some of the latter getting off course. That course be mindful is just a route that someone else had blazed at some point laying GPS bread crumbs. I would call what I did heavy scrambling, not quite rock climbing, but assuredly an adventure.

At the time I did not realize I was Peak Bagging, but then it made oh so much more sense once I figured that out. What I had read did not emphasize the summit really. The summit was pretty serious. A bit of a breeze across a narrow, exposed, rocky ridgeline, and at least from what I could see from this vantage point pretty much straight down on three sides. The views… Oh my gosh! Stupendous views of the Bowl of Fire, the wonderful different colored mountains, Lake Meade in the distance and the Muddy Mountain Wilderness all just fantastic.

There was an ammo box to sign in, a summit register, and I read an entry saying there is no backside down unless you have a rope and climbing gear and that is the way that I would surmise it as well. So after taking it all in I headed back the way that I came. Which of course was not much easier going down than it was coming up. Although I do believe- I was a little more on track this time.

What I missed out on by not doing the loop was the mine and the slot canyon. So maybe another time, but it was a super hike/scramble none the less. Really beautiful country.

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**“Adventure: the pursuit of life.” – Jenny Radcliffe**

Thanks for joining me in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which by the way was beautiful just to drive through if you get the chance even if you are not heading out for a hike. I found myself ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ in a lovely area, scrambling up to a lonely peak and a rugged summit. Nature has a way of taking your mind off of the work-a-day world and the stress of modern life even if it is just to replace it with, Where in the Hell is the trail?! And there is not way that this is a moderate hike!!! Let me emphasis that part. The only way this could be a Moderate hike is that much of the hike is flat and the rest is quite steep so perhaps that equals it out, but when you get to the hard part… it is HARD! If you go up to the menu you will see that the Las Vegas Area is but one wonderful place that PBTA ventures to love nature. The menu is categorized mostly by areas of this great West of ours. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. I invite you to stay with me by following a few easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you like my hat in the picture pick one up along along with one of my top quality shirts with the PBTA logo and mantra at SHOP APPAREL. Other than that get off the couch and “Take a Hike”!

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursing Balance Through Adventure

Summerland

Fossil Ridge

January 24, 2023 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

Location: Near Red Rock, outside of Las Vegas, Nevada

Time: Early Winter

Activity: Day Hike

Fossil Ridge day hike was a solo adventure that I did in Nevada the day after Christmas 2018. It was under 5 miles with a climb in elevation of under 1,000 feet. The hike was rated moderate. It was a gorgeous day, and a good way to try and work off some of the treats from the holiday. The location is near Red Rock, which to me is almost spiritual it is so beautiful, and a must do anytime I am near Vegas. Usually I am hiking on the opposite side of the road that runs through the area, and closer to the mountains and to Red Rock, but this perspective was very special as you have the full expanse of that view. The Fossil Ridge Loop day hike worked its way along the cliff of a canyon which was very interesting. The other thing I really liked about the hike was at times I felt like I was hiking through a cactus garden.

Here the trail is along a cliff with the canyon below. This picture doesn’t really show the steepness, because it doesn’t capture the depth perception. When I stood on the side of the cliff peering over the side the updraft below my hat off and back about 15 feet.

It was in this area that I spied a pretty good sized jack rabbit.

A very enjoyable little hike.

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Bootleg Canyon Loop

November 25, 2021 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

Boulder City

Activity: Day Hike

4 miles, 900’ elevation gain, 2 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: 11-24-21

This area is a play land for Mountain Biking. It has terrain for all skill levels from Beginner to Expert. If you follow this trek outline on the map there are certainly portions that would be approaching that Expert level. That being said, it is also a hiking area, just be aware, of your surroundings and keep your eyes peeled, and your ears alert.

This short loop should be hiked counter clockwise as it is steeper with loose material. Going up is always easier especially on this type of footing than sliding down. The route encompasses multiple trails starting with BC, Snake Back, and Side Winder, on the backside it drops down on to Red Mountain Access Road. That is very boring, so my suggestion is get off on to a side trail at East Leg which is another rugged winding narrow trail that brings you back to the basin of trails at the trailhead.

The area and the terrain is very cool, the problem I have with it is there is a big communication network tower on the top with overhead power lines. The views of the surrounding desert and mountains is super, the only problem with the views is it also encompasses the urbanization down below being Boulder City. What I am always trying to do when ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ is get away from it all. The more wilderness the better. Off the backside is a great view of the strip. While that is still urbanization it is the Las Vegas Strip so, that is different.

The backside of the mountain had a nice view of the Las Vegas Strip off in the distance.

If you think a small thing can’t make a big difference, try hiking with a pebble in your boot.

High Winds buffeted the peak so that I needed to watch my footing on the narrow rugged trail.

Thanks for joining me ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ above Boulder City checking out views of the famed Las Vegas Strip from the top. For more adventures in nature please do the following: LIKE, FOLLOW, COMMENT and SHARE. If you go to the above menu you will see plenty of wonderful spots that PBTA travels to throughout the West. If you go to SHOP APPAREL you will see Adventure Wear adorned with PBTA logo that also serves as the mantra for the healing you can receive from nature adventure.

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First Creek Canyon Trail

December 28, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

RED ROCK NATIONAL CONSERVANCY AREA

Activity: Day Hike

Distance: >4 miles, 377’ elevation change, 2 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: 12-27-20

This area is stunningly beautiful even from Red Rock Canyon Road the 159, but venturing on First Creek Canyon Trail gives you the time to really balance the scales between a busy life filled with all the noise of existing in this modern world to the peace and tranquillity that nature on a scale as grand as Red Rock Canyon can. Red Rock to me is almost spiritual. The multi colored rock face of these mountains jut up out of the desert like a cathedral of stone. As you approach for a better view you certainly get the impression that church is in session, ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’.

This hike has a dirt parking area off to the side on Red Rock Canyon Road and not far from the entrance to Red Rock. Most of the hike is easy and fairly flat, the trail is gravel and hard pack dirt going across the desert toward the mountains. As you approach the foothills it kicks into the moderate portion of this hike. The trail has some soft sand sections, but is mostly rocky with just the smallest amount of scrambling. 3/4 of the way toward the mountains is where there is a creek to the side of the trail. In December, which is not the rainy season, there were some pools of water, but mostly the creek and the waterfall were dry. The last portions of the First Creek Canyon Trail becomes more difficult to follow as is it rocky and hikers at this point seem to be doing their own thing and there are little trails and paths all over.

Hiking past this point jumps to HARD, with what looks like a lot of scrambling and the canyon becomes tighter and higher. This is a rock climbers haven and I saw two different partner climbers on what looks like a difficult face. If you were to continue hiking up the canyon it would finally lead to the peak of Mt. Wilson. This sounds intriguing to me, but I had only planned for the First Creek Canyon Trail. Another time perhaps…

“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it” -William Shakespeare

Thanks for following me into this amazing canyon which epitomizes what this blog is all about ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure‘. You can’t come out of a place like this and not be awe struck, and feel that it hasn’t given you a bit of a reset. For more awe please COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. You can find more fun experiences in nature by going to the Menu above showing the different locations that PBTA travels to. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be followed independently. Did you not get what you wanted for Christmas? Like my hat? I have them for sale along with other top quality adventure gear at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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PBTA 1000 Followers Contest Winner!!!

November 27, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

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Turtlehead Peak

July 14, 2020 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

RED ROCK CANYON NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA

Activity: Peak Bagging, Day Hike

Distance 4.6 miles, 1988’ elevation change, duration 3.25 hours, rated HARD

Date: 11-26-2019

If I have said this once, I have said this a million times, well… I have said this quite often, Red Rock is one of my favorite places, for me it is almost spiritual. Anyone that comes to Vegas and doesn’t at least drive through the scenic loop is a looser. Plus the longer you are away from the tables the less of a chance that Vegas will get their hands on the rest of your money.

This is my second time to enjoy Turtlehead Peak. The first time was with my sister years ago when I couldn’t find the trail that I was wanting to show her. So what they heck lets do this one. It was hard, it was strenuous, it was long, and it was awesome, well… except for the part that the scree leaves you with one step back for every three steps forward and that gave her a hernia. So, it is probably not a beginner type of hike.

I did this hike just before Thanksgiving. A couple in their thirties said they were tired, but they conquered the top. They continued that they never want to be on this mountain again. From now on they said they will stick to moderate hikes. But most folks on the trail seem to have enjoyed it especially the views from the top in both directions.

I was pushing my pace as I knew that I was racing the sun, after getting a late start, on one of the shorter days of the year. I got to the top after getting off trail just for a bit in 1.75 hours, spent about ten minutes at the top and then 1.5 down, arriving back to the parking lot at sundown.

It was chilly coming down and my hands were cold. There was remnants of the snow from the last week‘s storm on the backside of the mountain. When I arrived back at my car it said the temperature was 35. It certainly didn’t feel that cold, but perhaps I was super heated from the hike, that is other than my hands. But once back in town it was mid forties, since it was a low altitude.

The route starts out rather flat, but as you get closer it gets steeper until the trail is scratched out of a rocky hillside and in places the trail is difficult to follow and encompasses some rock scrambling. One saving grace is there are spray painted dots ever so often to let you know you are still on the trail. If you go some distance and don’t see a dot then you are probably not on the trail, but it appears from the looks of things there is more than one way to get to the top.

Just before Thanksgiving the high more shaded area had a trace of snow.

**Looking down on Red Rock from Turtlehead Summit**

**The Sun’s last rays of the day on Turtlehead Peak.**

**“Can we climb this mountain? I don’t know. Higher now than ever before**. **I know we can make it if we take it slow. Let’s take it easy. Easy now, watch it go.” -The Killers**

**Summit of Turtlehead Peak with the Vegas Strip in the distance.**

Thanks for joining me Peak Bagging Turtlehead at Red Rock Canyon while ”Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“. Please leave a quick COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and don’t forget to FOLLOW. Explore the many opportunities to stretch your legs, fill your lungs with air, get that heart beating a little quicker, and achieve some of those profound ah hah moments, by following in the footsteps of PBTA’s in the above menu of places to go. Keep in mind that each of the locations is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Need clothing for hot weather, or cold? Checkout SHOP APPAREL for many of your adventure needs, it’s not only first rate merch with the PBTA Logo it also helps support this endeavor.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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La Madre Cabin Trail

July 1, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

RED ROCK CANYON NATIONAL CONSERVANCY

Activity: Day Hike, Spelunking (sorta…)

Distance 5.2 miles, 1597’ elevation change, duration 5 hours, rated Hard

Date: November 19, 2019

This hike has so many wonderful facets to it. I loved this hike and highly recommend it.

First of all to me Red Rock Canyon is a must do for anyone going to Vegas. There are more than bright lights, and slot machines to Las Vegas and if you have never at least driven the Red Rock Loop then you are really missing out. Once you have enjoyed that thrilling scenery than the next steps are to get out and do some hiking, work up to exploring, and finally add a peak or two. To me Red Rock is almost spiritual, that is how profound of an experience it is.

The landscape changes through out the hike, from the rugged, wild and harsh beauty of the Red Rock and it’s unforgiving terrain, to a place with brush, vegetation and even some Juniper and Pine trees.

La Madre Springs is a hike all in itself and most people on this trail only know about that. The spring adds vegetation and is what makes this part of Red Rock different and so interesting, a “treasured island in a sea of desert“. During the hike you will cross the stream a few times and there are places where there are even reeds, something that you don’t see everyday in a desert environment. There are wonderful vistas through out the adventure opening up to views of the surrounding hills and mountains. This really is a stupendous hike.

The trail starts out big broad double track road which gets rougher as you go, and finally switches to trail. It is well maintained and well traveled up to the La Madre Springs and then becomes a little more difficult to follow on the way up to a little water fall. Past the water fall your travels will take you through ever increasingly steep and overgrown trail that is not always easy to follow, but certainly worth the effort as you will get to checkout something very special, that being an Old Miner’s Cabin and if you seek further adventure than up the steep hill from there is an old abandon mine and even more wondrous vistas that the additional height avails to you.

The rustic ruins of the Old Miner’s Cabin will spur thoughts of a life of solitude, a simpler time, certainly back breaking work, but with the romance of possibility… the chance of gold and silver in them thar hills, and thus the opportunity for untold fortune and incredible wealth. An existence in this place would be filled with hardship of the elements- blistering, unrelenting heat in the Summer, and snow and ice during a portion of the winter. In fact the area got snow the night after my hike. As legend goes this cabin was used not only by prospectors, but cowboys and even outlaws.

There are a few different faint trails heading up above the cabin. I was able to find the abandon old mine, and there was a yellow flag marking the spot. It’s not that the flag is easy to see from any distance, but once you do then you know that you have discovered the opening to the mine. I suggest that you have a head lamp if you care to break the rules, that are clearly marked Do Not Enter, and explore this unsafe, dangerous place. If you do throw caution to the wind then you will work your way into a dark, dank mine. Most of the tunnel is wide open, but another portion you will need to get down on all fours and even drag yourself through a tight spot. The mine is not huge, but it is interesting. Take heed in the entire area surrounding the mine as I also discovered a vertical mine shaft that you certainly would not want to stumble into. To explore the vertical shaft you would need climbing gear and you certainly would not want to do that alone.

Back of Old Miner’s Cabin looking up towards the abandon mine.

Trail behind the Old Miner’s Cabin heading towards the abandoned mine.

**”Only by much searching and mining, are gold and diamonds obtained, and man can find every truth connected with his being, if he will dig deep into the mine of his soul.” – James Allen**

Exercise, fresh air, expansive vistas, changing landscape, beauty and intrigue, an old cabin, a small waterfall, a spring forming a little oasis in the desert, a spooky old mine what better way to be “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“? Thanks for coming along. Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, and SHARE. Checkout the menu above for the many different areas that PBTA ventures to. Each website is not only a separate area in the West, but a individual site and thus each needs to be Followed independently. You will also want to review the fine PBTA adventure wear, which is a great way to help support these sites at SHOP APPAREL.

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If It DOESN’T Hurt It ISN’T Worth It

May 30, 2020 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

FRENCHMAN MOUNTAIN

LAS VEGAS

Activity: Peak Bagging, Trail Blazing, Scrambling

Distance 3.6 miles, altitude 4,052 Feet, Prominence 1,972 Feet, 2,139 Feet elevation gain, 7.5 hour duration, rated Difficult

Date: November 15, 2019

The finale of our “If It Doesn’t Hurt It Isn’t Worth It – 3 Peaks in 3 Days Las Vegas Tour was called Frenchman. It was the shortest in both length and elevation, but it was probably the toughest. (The other two Peaks were: Arrow Canyon Range High Point and Griffith Peak.)

Frenchman Mountain is the highest peak that you see in the area of the Las Vegas Basin. The nice, cute, young lady that is the Entertainment Director at my Mom’s Senior Luxury Apartments, who likes to hike, (We hiked together once, but she ran all the way down, turns out she is a trail runner, and I was worried because I didn’t know that she was going to do that, and I was afraid that she might have taken a wrong trail… so I hiked with her only once, lol), said she heard of Frenchman and that it was ”straight up”. Frenchman Mountain Trail is famous in the Vegas area for being Bad Ass, and indeed it was crazy steep because I could see the road from the summit, but we did not take the road. Oh no… we went straight up the side of the mountain. We were scrambling on Class 2 rock, also known as bouldering, most of the way. (The classification for hiking a steep incline where you might need to use your hands). That turned into some actually rock climbing, you know like three points of contact with the rock as you looked for your next hand hold. This is known as Class 3 climbing, (Climbing a steep incline with modest exposure where you are using your hands, but not necessarily needing a rope, a short fall is possible.) We were never far off the ground, but you certainly would not want to fall just the same. My Peak Bagging Buddy, Mountaineer Keith Christensen was pushing my comfort zone.

I wrecked my knee playing racketball, and it has bothered me for the past 18 months. I Injured it playing against the 4 time and current Senior Nevada Olympic Champion, whom recently got the Silver Medal in the Senior Olympics. The Champ was an Air Force Fighter Pilot Squadron Leader and also flew the U2. In other words he is a National Treasure, and he may no longer be young and nimble, but regardless he is a very special man and to compete I had to throw everything I had at him including the kitchen sink. My only chance was being younger, more agile and faster than he. Throwing said sink at him cost me my knee.

I was feeling that knee problem at the summit of Frenchman Mountain, plus I was worried that climbing down would be worse than going up. So I was contemplating telling my Peak Bagging Buddy, you can climb down the rock face and boulders I am taking the road and you can drive a few miles to that trailhead. But instead I thought to myself what the heck. I am here to do this with my friend so screw it, let’s do this thing!

Oh, did I mention on the summit was a tower that was in a razor wire fenced in area that just so happen had the last 10’ that we, as Peak Baggers, needed? And in gaining those last 10 feet we not only had to trespass, but hang our ass out over a drop that was hundreds of feet as we eased around the fence?

As one might expect the views were tremendous of Las Vegas, the Strip, and in the other direction lonely desert all the way out to Lake Mead and Arizona.

While we climbed down the mountain it turns out that the Thunderbirds, taking off from nearby Nellis Air Force Base, were preparing for tomorrows Air Show over Vegas so that was an added treat watching them tear a hole in the sky from above them.

As it turned out the climb was not as bad going down as I thought because from above you could see the hand holds better. So all in all it was a cool experience, and I became a Peak Bagger.

Looking out at Las Vegas on our way up Frenchman’s Mountain.

Excuse me Keith, this doesn’t look like a trail?

**Here is a shot of Frenchman Mt Trail. Famous for being a Bad Ass hike, but did we take the trail? Oh no… we went straight up the side of the frick’n mountain.**

This is the highest spot on Frenchman’s Mountain. But I can only show my boots, because I wouldn’t want to incriminate myself with visual proof of exactly where that might be behind the razor wire.

**Pizza delivery on the top of a mountain?! Lol, that is Keith’s left over dinner. We needed all the carbs we could get after the scramble up the mountainside.**

**Lookin out towards Lake Mead from Frenchman**.

Looking back up at Frenchman Mountain. The radio towers mark the high point for the Las Vegas Basin.

**“If you obey all the rules, you missed all the fun.” – Katherine Hepburn**

3 Peaks in 3 Days, the If It Doesn’t Hurt It’s Not Worth It Las Vegas Tour. Thanks for joining me and Mountaineer Keith Christensen as for a few days of Peak Bagging we found a piece of that balance between the mundane existence of every day life and the Wild Abandonment of Adventure on the Top of a Mountain. It’s called Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Las Vegas Hiking. There is always more to come so stay tuned: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW AND SHARE. Help support PBTA, buy a hat or a shirt. They are the best and they will add to your adventure see SHOP APPAREL . Checkout the menu because PBTA is always on the move, plenty of places in the West to experience. They are all separate sites and each needs to be followed Independently.

Happy Trails,

Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Griffith Peak

May 27, 2020 Roger Jenkins 2 Comments

SPRING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

Date: November 14, 2019

Altitude: 11,066 Feet, distance: 8.7 miles, 3,451 foot elevation change, 7 hours duration, rated: Hard

The hike to the summit of Griffith Peak is a workout right out of the box. There is plenty to look at along the trail: jagged ominous rock cliffs, dramatic views of forest, the surrounding lofty ridge line provides a striking backdrop, there is a cave to wonder about, left over ice which was surprising to me at this time of year, and the sound of rushing water in the distance as it makes it’s way down the canyon, and on the rather sparse summit were gnarled trees standing in defiance against the rugged climate.

Griffith Peak is about an hour from Las Vegas, but there is a world of difference as far as climate and ecosystem. It is about as different as an island is in the ocean. Think of it as an island smack dab in the middle of the desert, it can be referred to as a “Sky Island”. Griffith Peak is near Mount Charleston, which is the mountain that you see from Las Vegas with the snow on it most of the year. This diversity is one thing that makes the Las Vegas Area such a great place for outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking and backcountry camping. Much of the year you have great outdoor activities at Red Rock, Lake Meade, Valley of Fire and other fantastic spots and when the weather turns to scorching then head for the mountains of the Mount Charleston area.

The day before my Peak Bagging Buddy, Keith Christensen, and I climbed Arrow Canyon Range High Point. This was day two of a three day Peak Bagging Adventure, and it was a very different type of hike. This one was much higher, with more distance, and at the top- down right chilly especially compared with the desert down below, which was pretty warm even in mid November. I will say that this hike had nice trails with switch backs, and beautiful scenery. It was not the trail blazing with loose rock underfoot like we experienced the day before, so it didn’t seem as difficult in comparison. However, there was no getting around that it was a long ways and a lot of altitude. The time went quickly as we talked a mile a minute all the way up and all the way down. Well, except when my mountaineer friend, fearless as he is, would stand right on an exposed cliff with a long drop and gaze out over the landscape with his toes practically hanging over the edge. “I am not going to have a conversation with you until you step back from the ledge.”

One rather peculiar thing I will mention was although I could certainly feel the altitude it did not bother me as much as when I climbed Mount San Jacinto. When we spoke about this on the summit Keith surprised me by enlightening me that Griffith Peak, the third highest peak in Southern Nevada, is a little higher, (and thus became the highest peak I have climbed). I am not sure why I did not feel the altitude as much. Could it be because we had summited another peak the day before and thus I was becoming climatized or maybe it was just the good company and the constant jabbering had taken my mind off of any struggle?

Looking at North Ridge, Mummy Mt and Mummy’s Toe

I imagine this is left over from the glory days of mining.

On the way down, the spec down there is my Peak Bagging Partner. Guess I better stop taking pictures and get a move on.

“There is something almost primal about standing atop a tall mountain, as if you have satisfied some deep and ancient part of human nature which drives us to explore our world and to reach new heights.” -Wash

Another day, another peak, you just gotta luv it! Thanks for joining my Peak Bagging Buddy Keith Christensen and I as we were “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“ on Griffith Peak. We have yet another peak to take on- all part of our Peak Bagging 3 Day Adventure as we restore some balance in our lives, just what PBTA is all about. Don’t miss the next exciting episode, and you won’t if you just FOLLOW, LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE. Got Gear? See SHOP APPAREL . Want other places to explore? See the menu above for the many locations PBTA travels to, each is a separate site and thus needs to be followed independently. If these past couple posts have PEAKED your interested checkout the link in the menu above for my PEAK BAGGING accomplishments, and if you really want to be impressed than look on that site for my “Buddies” and click on Keith Christensen.

Happy Trails,

Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Peak Bagging Arrow Canyon

May 22, 2020 Roger Jenkins 3 Comments

Near Las Vegas, lonely inhospitable mountain peak out in the middle of the frick’n desert…

Activity: Peak Bagging, Trail Blazing,

Date: November 13, 2019

Distance: 6.5 miles, altitude: 5,226 feet, Prominence: 2,426 feet, 7 hour duration, rated Difficult

“If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not worth it.” – Keith Christensen, Mountaineer. Arrow Canyon Range High Point is for Peak Baggers, its hard, its suppose to be, thats the point.

In Las Vegas I met up with a friend Keith Christensen. He is a multi-titlest North American Hobie 16 Champion and Alter Cup Champion. Most of my life I have been racing sailboats mostly small fast catamarans, Hobie Cats, but also Nacras, A-Cats, and Prindles. I have also done some big boat racing. I have numerous sailing championships two of which are National Titles, and I love sailing! Keith and I have known each other via sailing for a long time.

Keith and I teamed up for my last Sailing World Championship, now its been like 7 years ago. He came in as an alternate at the last minute when another friend had to drop out just prior to the event start, due to an previously unknown heart ailment. Keith had not been sailing in years, as his passion had turned to Peak Bagging, and despite just jumping on the boat we still made the event finals. He races dirt bikes, and 10 Speeds, still… Keith is a little younger than I am, and is quite passionate about the things that he does even though he has a very California kick back attitude. Among these many facets, Keith Christensen is also a mountaineer, and is a self proclaimed Peak Bagger.

What is a Peak Bagger you might ask? Well, I suppose that is a climber an outdoorsman who is out for a challenge, exercise, to be active, maybe to be in the Wilderness, to take in nature and the scenery, the sport of it all, could be to test his or her metal. I would ponder that it is all or at least a combination of many of those things and more, but according to Peakbagger.com, “He climbs a peak to get to the summit, because it is there, because it needs to be climbed.“ The “Because it is there” expression was coined from a quote by the famous Mount Everest Explorer George Mallory while speaking to a New York Times reporter in 1923.

I was soon to discover just what a Peak Bagger Keith Christensen is. I knew he climbed peaks and when he sent me his resume ahead of time, I fully expected to see like 15 peaks or something, which would have been impressive, but no… Hundreds! So, I was quite apprehensive about trying to bag peaks with him. I am an adventurer, but going more for the nature aspect of it and the scenery, although I will say the harder it is, the more I respect it, and the more that it means. I am intrigued by peaks, but it is not my main thing.

So, Keith drove from Long Beach, California to hike with me in Vegas. We did three peaks in three days. Peaks he needed to add to his collection. The first, Arrow Canyon Range High Point, was a lonely peak out in the desert about an hour or so from Las Vegas. The last portion of our drive was on dirt roads for 30 minutes to finally arrive at the spot.

This was not a fun hike, nor a scenic hike, well except for from the top there was a nice views in every direction of desert and far away mountains. This was a hike that was trail blazing, meaning no trail. Loose rock… three steps forward one step sliding back. The going was tough, the rock was sharp, the brush had thorns, everything wanted to reach out and bite you.

I was fine going up. I stayed up with him, made the summit and there was a register. Usually when I see registers they are multiple booklets and mostly full with no place left to sign, dozens and dozens of entries from just that month. Well, this place had 2/year, and they were all people Keith knew, Peak Baggers. You don’t come to this place unless you are a Peak Bagger. It is pretty much a “Because it is there” type of accomplishment. The way down I found more difficult. Even the large rocks that you stepped on adjusted with each step. Keith was much quicker than I, as I concentrated painstakingly on each and every step.

Keith Christensen, Hobie Cat Sailing Champion, Bicycle Racer, and Peak Bagging Mountaineer

That look says it all. Are we posing for pictures here or are we climbing mountains?

Up we go… not the most difficult section, but representative of our hike.

From the Top

Lonely Peak somewhere out in the desert.

**“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson**

Keith and I want to thank you for joining us while we were Pursuing Balance Through Adventure – Las Vegas Area Hiking and Peak Bagging a lonely, desolate, desert peak in the middle of no where. Not for the faint of heart, and it wasn’t supposed to be, after all it’s an adventure and the best way to gain that balance in life so sought after. This is day one of a three day Peak Bagging Adventure with Mountaineer Keith Christensen don’t miss the next step, because one missed step could send you down a steep ravine in this business. Please COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. Also checkout SHOP APPAREL for adventure hats, shirts, beanies and more. The menu above will send you to more PBTA locations for your adventure pleasure. Each one is independent and thus needs to be Followed independently.

Happy Trails,

Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

“If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not worth it.” – Keith Christensen, Mountaineer. Arrow Canyon Range High Point is for Peak Baggers, its hard, its suppose to be, thats the point.

Pursuing Homosexuality Thru Adventure