Indecision-Wilson
Loop (Red Rock, NV)
pics by Harlan
W.S. In the 1997 edition
of "Hiking Las Vegas," Branch Whitney had written, "the real
adventurous, who are in excellent shape, can go west past the limestone peak,
NW around the end of First Creek, and NE up to Mount Wilson..." One of
my hiking friends said, in 2005, "this is clearly nonsense. insane." So we had to do it! With some leisurely breaks, it took 8h 45m. Thanks to Barb and Mike for good company. I was the baby of the group. This was Barb’s 7th day in a row, of hiking or running long distance; she had scouted the route just W of Indecision earlier in the week. |
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We went clockwise, 11 miles and ~5000’ accumulated gain, 8.75h with leisurely rests. |
This Google Earth synthetic view shows the route over Indecision (L), the limestone ridge in back, and down over Wilson (R), out the First Creek drainage. |
If the sun had risen when we started, we would have seen this view! Route is up Indecision (I), across the limestone ridge in back, and down Wilson (W) to exit via the First Creek (1st) drainage. Photo is from an earlier trip. |
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Leaving summit of Indecision. I asked that this not be my last picture of them. |
There is a gulf between the sandstone limestone peak to the W, but it wasn’t that bad. |
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The limestone ridge was rugged, |
is at L. |
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Big drop to R. |
After stumbling down the ridge connecting to and very steep talus covered with snow— this was the first place I felt comfortable taking a photo. |
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Almost done with the crap… |
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And magically,
we’re on |
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Down through Hidden Bowl. |
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Two sheep watch from above… |
…and two prance off below. |
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Barb and Mike smirk at my old-school way out of Hidden Bowl. |
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Water is abundant, even in this dry winter. |
Down the bunny hole. |
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Don’t know why they are up there! |
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