  Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2920 Registered: 01-2005 |
Did something today I've wanted to do for some time. Thanks to a buddy of mine who made this trip once before, we got together and climbed a mountain peak in the McCullough Range, south of Las Vegas. The tallest peak, Black Mountain, sits at 5080 feet above sea level, but we opted for a slightly smaller peak next to it that houses a vast array of communications equipment, which we dubbed "antenna hill". It really has no name. The trail was five miles long. It took us two hours to get to the top. We sat there for about 45 minutes just drinking in the spectacular scenery -- the entire valley before us with the Las Vegas Strip very evident. Back down was about 90 minutes, but it was much easier than the climb up. Anyway, thought you might enjoy a couple of pics I snapped along the way. I'm no Lowell, but from up there you just can't take a bad photo. Here's Antenna Hill as we got into the final 300 yards.  Here's the view of the Las Vegas Valley, looking north. The mountains in the distance are the Sheep Range.  Finally, here's a cropped view of the Las Vegas Strip from there. As you can see, the weather was ideal, clear and nudging 70 degrees at 10 in the morning.  | ||
Downriviera Member Username: Downriviera Post Number: 175 Registered: 02-2008 |
Very cool. I get out to Vegas for trade shows sometimes, I always look for things to do to get me out of the casinos. Been to Red Rock canyon, did the Hoover Damn hard hat tour, which I hear they don't do anymore post 9/11. I might try this climb next time. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 4910 Registered: 12-2005 |
Nice photos but it really looks better at night with all those lights. | ||
Lilacgirl Member Username: Lilacgirl Post Number: 262 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ray a friend of mine lives right by the antennas. It is a very pretty view from there...I got lost over there once. =) Downriviera, have you been to Valley of Fire? I like it a bit more than Red Rock. Both are beautiful though. (Message edited by lilacgirl on March 27, 2008) | ||
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks Post Number: 1120 Registered: 11-2006 |
I thank you for sharing your pictures. The second one just blew me away. You must've been awestruck. Makes me feel overwhelmed. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 1537 Registered: 12-2005 |
As Ray's photos indicate, the scenery in the mountains around Las Vegas is very beautiful. Here are some photos I took of Red Rock Canyon in 2004. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2923 Registered: 01-2005 |
Jim, you're right about the view at night, but at my age there ain't no way I'm going to tackle that gravel trail in darkness. Kathinozarks, yes, once at the top I just sat there for a half hour drinking in the view. Had a pair of binoculars with me, which made it even more spectacular. Well worth the aching legs I have this evening! Downriviera, if you think of it, drop me a note here before your next trip to Vegas and I'll send you a map to the trail's entrance. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2924 Registered: 01-2005 |
Mikeg, those are about the prettiest pictures I've seen of Red Rock. How'd you get the sky so blue; a little photoshop maybe? Gamma correction? Really deep blue! | ||
Eriedearie Member Username: Eriedearie Post Number: 1156 Registered: 08-2007 |
Beautiful pictures guys! | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 1538 Registered: 12-2005 |
Ray, No color corrections at all - the secret to getting a deep blue sky is to use a polarizing filter on the lens. It cuts thru any haze and delivers a saturated blue color on the negative that is most pronounced when you are aiming 90 degrees to the sun. It isn't as effective when aiming towards or away from the sun. | ||
Wsu98 Member Username: Wsu98 Post Number: 18 Registered: 03-2007 |
Ray Great pictures You were in my neighborhood; I live right by all those antennas. I have wanted to climb up there since we moved in. I will have to do it before the summer hits us. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2926 Registered: 01-2005 |
Thanks, Mike. I used to shoot b&w film a lot with a wratten A filter -- deep red -- that would turn the sky black. Was a nice gimmick, useless for color film. Wsu98, want directions to the trail head? EZ to find. | ||
Chuckjav Member Username: Chuckjav Post Number: 475 Registered: 09-2007 |
Ray1936, Very nice photographs; my sincere congratulations on 70 degrees at 10am - we can't get out of the 30s in SW Ohio. Doggone Global Warming. | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 3783 Registered: 11-2005 |
Hey somebody stole all the trees and grass. | ||
Wsu98 Member Username: Wsu98 Post Number: 19 Registered: 03-2007 |
ray i would appreciate it if you would give me directions to the trailhead. thanks pam i have to cut my grass this weekend. i would relly like to go to the desert landscape but I am renting. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2927 Registered: 01-2005 |
WSU, south on Eastern from anywhere. Take the Anthem split to the left where it splits off from Eastern. Drive about three miles to Somersworth, which is to your left. It's about a half mile past the Walgreens. Turn left on Somersworth and go about a mile to Shadow Canyon Drive. Turn right on to Shadow Canyon. Look for a bright yellow gate across an asphalt path (parking area is right next to it.) That's the start of the trail. Do give a trip report! -- Ray (Message edited by ray1936 on March 28, 2008) | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 2807 Registered: 10-2003 |
Beautiful photos, Ray! Thanks for sharing them. And Mikeg, too!! One of these days we're gonna get to Vegas and check it out!! Hey, Lilacgirl! Nice to see you here. Hope all is well. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 882 Registered: 11-2007 |
Here, a half mile past the Walgreens, leads to another Walgreens. - Me "When you hit the fork in the road, take it" - Yogi Berra" "Hey Mac, which way to Redbud? --How'd you know my name is Mac? --I just guessed. --Then why don't you guess your way to Redbud? - Funny Farm "Turn right, where the old Peterson barn used to be" - Funny Farm ( to Chevy Chase) | ||
Pamequus Member Username: Pamequus Post Number: 159 Registered: 07-2005 |
Hey PAM...are we related? Once again you expressed my thoughts exactly. Interesting to look at but give me some trees, some green..... | ||
Jiminnm Member Username: Jiminnm Post Number: 1627 Registered: 02-2005 |
Bigb23, my mother still gives those directions (turn where the old store was). | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 3817 Registered: 11-2005 |
quote: Great Pams think alike? | ||
Cris Member Username: Cris Post Number: 505 Registered: 10-2003 |
Nice pictures. I like Vegas too. The desert out there is like another world compared to Michigan, isn't it! | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2946 Registered: 01-2005 |
Yeah, it sure is, Cris. But Michigan in the summer, especially near the Great Lakes (or in Oakland county lake country) is very special also. I guess that's why we go back every summer. | ||
Downriviera Member Username: Downriviera Post Number: 214 Registered: 02-2008 |
The first thing I do when I hit Vegas is go to In N Out Burger. Nothing better. http://www.in-n-out.com/ | ||
Wsu98 Member Username: Wsu98 Post Number: 20 Registered: 03-2007 |
Ray I will do the hike first chance I get. I am so busy at work I can't even get a free day right now. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2948 Registered: 01-2005 |
I've mentioned In-n-out Burger before. For what it's worth, the local paper, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, does a "Best of Las Vegas" thing every spring. The 2008 results just came out, and In-n-out Burger ran away with the "Best Hamburger" category. I hit the nearest one at least once a week. Wsu98, I understand. I was once in the rat race myself. But my glory days are now here!  | ||
Downriviera Member Username: Downriviera Post Number: 215 Registered: 02-2008 |
Ray1936, If you are into Thai food, this place in Vegas is the best in USA. My girlfriend is from Thailand and she said its the best she's had outside of Bangkok. http://www.saipinchutima.com/ | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2951 Registered: 01-2005 |
Thx for the tip, Riv, but I'm not much into exotic stuff. I'll pass that link on to a few friends who love it, though. | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1658 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thanks for the pictures of the desert. Now I don't mind the Michigan Winter so much. |
