Great hikes around Red Rocks?

My parents are heading down to Vegas in January, and having heard me rave about Red Rocks for years they want to take a day to explore out there. They aren't climbers, and despite me having made half a dozen trips there I can't think of any great day hikes that would be fun for a couple of fit 59 year-olds. Any advice on where to send 'em?

Thanks!

Peter,

I've been accused of trying to kill people on my personal favorite hikes/scrambles, so I've learned to get in a newcomer/non-climbers' shoes in Red Rock, so I may be of some help. : )

My favorites to "send" my friends (non-climber types) that are looking for a casual hike, especially if they have little ones they are bringing, or are up there in years, or have a medical condition.

Fun, beautiful, popular, easy, straightforward trails that they can't get lost or terribly hurt on:

• Moenkopi Loop from the visitors center.
• La Madre Springs from Willow Springs parking lot. A year round spring (water feature!)

Recommended!! I've brought, and sent many people there, and they all loved it.

• Lost Creek Children's Discovery trail, also from Willow Springs/Lost Creek parking area. Short, but beautiful, and ends at a seasonal waterfall/cave. Another favorite of new Red Rock visitors.
• Pine Creek Canyon to the Homestead(an old foundation) People like to hang out there by the meadows, and creek.

Above hikes are all accessed from the "Red Rock Loop Road"

Peter, you probably know this already, but they can get a good map of the hiking trails from the entrance booth.

They could do all these great hikes in a day if they are up for it! It'll give them a little taste of what Red Rock has to offer.

I'll keep in touch if I come up with others.

Gigette

Gigette Miller wrote:... * La Madre Springs from Willow Springs parking lot. A year round spring (water feature!) Recommended!! I've brought, and sent many people there, and they all loved it....

This is particularly good if you do the "White Rock Loop" version which includes some very pretty pinyon-juniper forest. The loop is about 6 miles.

That is a great hike, Larry, but a couple of "new-comers" I sent on that hike (6 mile White Rock/La Madre Springs Loop) got a little lost.
Peter is the best judge of his folks though. : )

G

I'll second a recommendation for La Madre Springs.

Another hike which would fit the bill is Calico Tanks in Sandstone Quarry. It's about two miles round-trip and heads through the eerie sculpted sandstone to a giant pool of water, that I believe is full year-round.

Other stuff around town that I've enjoyed taking my parents to include:

Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson. Includes tour of the factory plus you can wander amongst the giant desert botanical garden.

Gilcrease Orchard in North Las Vegas, pick your own vegetables.

Floyd Lamb State Park in North Las Vegas. Nice historic park with several lakes.

Wow, thanks everyone. I'll pass this info on to them. I was pretty surprised when they said they were heading to Vegas for a few days, since they're not the "lounge around by the pool and go gambling all day" kind of vacationers, hence asking for advice about some hikes.