can you still get to Trenchtown? I climbed there in 1999, and had a blast. Some of the most aesthetic limestone I have ever seen. What's the deal now with access?

thanks!
mike

Mike,

I'm not familiar with that area/name. Lone Mountain area, or by Mt. Potosi? I'll ask a couple of my partners that climb sport, as I imagine it is mainly a sport crag/area because it's limestone. Right?
There shouldn't be any problem with access; this is Nevada ;]

Thanks Gigette.

This was an area developed by McQuade I believe (the topo we had was from the same Rock and Ice article that first showed topos for Charleston), that you had to drive through an active quarry to get to. Via-ferrata style development in a tight limestone slot canyon with fun sport routes. Very unique. Would love to know its status...something tells me it may be no more.

Mike, I found some info. on 'Sin City Crags' in the Lone Mountain area which includes 'Trench Town' that you are inquiring about in a guide book I had lying around.

In the guide book Las Vegas Limestone, by Roxanna Brock
it mentions that Trench Town, Water World, and Fire Wall has weekend access only,(when the quarry is closed), and that the access changes often. If you have trouble reaching the canyon via quarry road, you can call the B.L.M.
(702)647-5000.

It's possible that the quarry is no longer active. The B.L.M. should know whether it is or not.

You may want to purchase the guide book, as it has a lot of info. (directions, maps, routes etc..) on the area you are interested in, and other Limestone crags in Southern Nevada/ Las Vegas.

Kick ass Gigette! I knew you'd be my ace in the hole. Thanks for the lead!

Cheers!

Tea, Sorry to bring bad news. Far as I know the quarry is still active and they blasted the shit out of the access road that went back to Trenchtown and Waterworld. Means quite a long approach (mile and a half maybe) - over loose ground or come in from the top - also long approach - though a quad,if you were an experienced rider, would get you there. I wouldn't try taking my Tacoma 4x4 in there from the top...

In any case, need someone who knows the roads to get there. It's all different.

Tom Beck

Thanks Tom. I figured...as it was kinda squirly when we went. Shit...we almost got T-boned by a huge dump truck then! I'll have to do some recon next time I am down there. Too bad...it was a cool place.

Cool link to the lost old school vegas resorts (under implosions). Interesting ending comment: "Who's next The Stardust is scheduled for winter 2007. The Riviera, Sahara and Tropicana on the block and Phil Ruffin has plans for the Frontier." How times change...

Times are changing. I got a little depressed last night when I found out the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland has been revamped. Those F***ers! Some things are better left alone.

C'mon gigette..those Pirates needed a break. Everyone knows they aren't robots!. Those are REAL dudes, and they have been working non-stop since '62 without a single break...thanks to some creative lawyer speak in their contracts with Disney, those Bastards!

The dog holding the key in his mouth deserves a break, but those old school pirates need to stay. The new generation of pirates just aren't as strong or as brave. They can't perform unless they are wearing the latest design of garb, and their arm hook, and peg leg always has be the latest, greatest design in order for them to get the job done. And let's not even get into the booty issue.

I'll never go to Disneyland ever again unless they bring back the ol-pirates.

Tea,
Couple days ago I got locked to the computer and got out for a training hike late. Ended up going on the approach to Trenchtown/Waterworld. You can approach now with a vehicle out the top end of the Quarry.

OK, here goes. Get yourself to Ann Road junction with the 215 Centennial Parkway. Stoplight there. Turn West on Ann Road . First intersection is an access for the Gravel trucks. Turn north past a road maintenance station and turn west again at the first dirt road. Go past a single house with horse stables, driving about .5 miles to second set of power line pylons. A little recon here will find you a dirt crossing across the water retention basins. Turn south on the power line access road and follow it to the gravel pit. Maybe a mile.
Here's where things get a bit prickly. Coming off the power line road a the best spot cross the soft embankment and get down to the upper road going through the gravel pit. They were not actively working there 3 days ago. You will see a speed sign – 15 miles per hour. Turn west on the gravel pit road and climb out of the end of the pit. Voila! You are on the access to Trenchtown.

Now the bad news...What goes down must come up. Getting back up the embankment is not that steep in high clearance 4x4, but the Caterpillars have pulverized the substrate about 4 inches deep in most places – so deep soft sand. Pick your spot carefully.

Now getting up through the end of the pit. The road might be about 10 to 12% grade with a couple steeper spots and soft to about 3 inches in places I would not try it in a stock truck.
I met some guys in a modified Quad set up for free riding and they said there was jeep out in the Trenchtown area just abandoned. They also said it was one helluva ride! Lots of water erosion. And they were not smiling.

Yo Thomas!
Great info! Thanks!

Cheers
t

Any new beta on the approach?

Anyone been to firewall lately? Is it still BEE infested?