I thought I was in for a sedentary week attending a convention in Las Vegas, NV. Not being the Vegas type, I figured I would be bored and certainly didn't think I would have any hiking opportunities. Boy was I wrong!

As I was browsing through a Las Vegas bookstore, I came upon a book "Hiking Las Vegas." I thought this was some tongue and cheek title about going from one casino to the next. What the book made me realize was that Las Vegas is one of the best kept outdoor secrets in the country! It has year-round hiking in three distinct areas. Mt. Charleston has peaks that soar almost 12,000 feet into the air. Red Rock Canyon has some of the best rock scrambling in the country. Lake Mead with its mild winter climate is the perfect place to hike in the winter.

"As I drove into Red Rock Canyon, I knew I found paradise. From brilliant red sandstone foothills to massive 3,000-foot sandstone cliffs, I could hardly wait..."

Being an experienced hiker, I picked the Bridge Mountain hike in Red Rock Canyon. As I drove into Red Rock Canyon, I knew I found paradise. From brilliant red sandstone foothills to massive 3,000-foot sandstone cliffs, I could hardly wait. I starting hiking at 7 am along the Rocky Gap Road. A 4WD could make it up the road, but I walked the road to the North Peak Wash, where the hike really begins. Scrambling up the multi-colored wash was a blast. I'm glad I am in good shape, because in less than a half-mile I scrambled over 1,000-feet to the ridgeline. At the top the terrain changes from the typical limestone to sandstone. And I mean acres of sandstone!

I followed the book's directions and started traversing around Ice Box Canyon. The views along the traverse were fantastic. The floor of Ice Box Canyon must lie at least 1,000 feet below. Looking out to the east I could see Las Vegas, which couldn't be more than 20 miles away. Finally, I got my first look at Bridge Mountain. It's huge dome-shape peak that looks like it doesn't want to be climbed.

As I started the "traditional" approach to Bridge, there were cairns and black slash marks to help guide me. The route takes you down a couple class III chutes before reaching the bench that goes over to the base of Bridge Mountain. Now, from the bench, Bridge Mountain looks like a technical climb. The book reassures readers that it's only a class III climb - I wasn't so sure. As I got closer, the crack that looked so intimidating began to look doable. It's class III with some exposure.

"After a steep friction climb, I saw the "hidden forest." In the middle of this huge sandstone mountain lies dozens of 100-foot tall ponderosa pines..."

Soon after the crack, I came to a huge 30-foot natural arch. A giant ponderosa pines leans against the inside wall of the arch. The light was just right, and I got some great pictures. After a steep friction climb, I saw the "hidden forest." In the middle of this huge sandstone mountain lies dozens of 100-foot tall ponderosa pines. It was photo time again.

Once around the hidden forest, I started up a low angle ramp that leads to the top of the dome-shaped peak. It was a thigh-burner and it did have some exposure. The views from the peak took my breath away. All of Red Rock Canyon laid in front of me. Beyond, Las Vegas sparkled in the sun. Off to the south were more peaks, some higher, that looked as tough, if not tougher, than Bridge.

It took me 3 hours to get to the peak, and I had worked up quite an appetite. As I ate, I read the summit register. What amazed me was roughly 100 people a year do this hike and according to the book this is a popular hike. Wow! Mt. Whitney sees more people in a day than Bridge Mountain sees in a year. The book states that some of the other peaks see less than 20 people a year. If you are looking for a true hiking experience, the mountains just outside of Vegas is the place. It truly is the best-kept outdoor secret in the country.

— Branch Whitney, MountainZone.com Pubster