about one mile the trail descends steeply into the boulder-filled drainage, which will serve as your route if you choose to continue. But this makes a good turnaround point if you have children along or others unprepared for some difficult rock scrambling. Those up to the task will not only get a good workout but also drink great gulps of the canyon’s beauty.
It is a jumble of color with different-textured rocks from rough and jagged to slippery and water worn. There is no ideal route and you will have to find what works best for you. Be aware that many rock scramblers fall to their deaths each year. The most useful rule to avoid being one such is remembering that it’s easier to go up a given slope than to descend safely. Before going up, figure out how to come down.
Excellent rock scrambling skills can get you into Ice Box Canyon’s upper reaches. A hiker is seen on a high cliff.
Ice Box Canyon At A Glance
Best season: October–April.
Length: 2.6 miles roundtrip.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Elevation gain: Three hundred feet.
Trailhead elevation: 4,285 feet.
Warnings: Rock scrambling in canyon. Flash flooding.
Jurisdiction: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Directions: From Red Rock Canyon’s main entrance, take the 13-mile Scenic Drive about 8 miles to the well-signed trailhead, located on the right.
7 Pine Creek Canyon
Pine Creek Canyon has much to offer a desert hiker, including a seasonally flowing creek, the remains of a homestead from the 1920s, dense vegetation, and plenty of opportunities to explore the upper canyon.
Children who can handle the distance will like this hike, but there are drop-offs in one segment. I wouldn’t recommend allowing them into the upper reaches, because that requires too much rock scrambling.
From the parking area follow the well-defined trail south, down the bank and into Pine Creek Wash. Here the plants include blackbrush, Mojave yucca, and cholla cactus. The trail then heads west toward the escarpment, and soon scrub oak, willow, and juniper join the habitat.
Look closely within the juniper trees and you will find plenty of desert mistletoe, a parasite with scale-like leaves and berries. Although the plant sucks nutrients and water from the host plant, sometimes killing it, the berries are a treat for some birds, especially the phainopepla.
To the south you will see the tops of trees marking Pine Creek itself. It’s worth taking one of the many spur trails that lead over to its banks. Here you will find a riparian habitat mostly made up of willow and cottonwood trees. The creek area also supports old-growth ponderosa pines, pretty rare at this elevation.
Pine Creek is a seasonal stream, but waters vegetation that lasts all year.
Back on the main route, continue west toward the prominent red-capped monolith named Mescalito, which separates the canyon upstream. Along the way look for whitetail antelope ground squirrels, cottontails, jackrabbits, and wild burros. On the cliffs you might even see desert bighorns.
About three-quarter miles from the trailhead look on the left, for an unsigned, yet well worn spur trail. This will take you up a small rise where you will find the foundation of an old homestead. Back in 1920, Horace and Glenda Wilson settled in this scenic spot. They built a two-story house with fireplace, and planted an apple orchard and garden.
In 1928 they sold the property to businessman Leigh Hunt. They stayed on as caretakers for eight more years, then moved to Las Vegas. Once abandoned, the house fell victim to vandalism. In 1976 the Nevada Division of State Parks acquired the place.
There is still a lone apple tree in the grassy meadow west of the foundation, but it doesn’t seem to bear fruit. An obvious path heads south through the meadow and over to the creek. If there has been rain recently, the path pools with water and it will be hard to avoid getting your feet wet. Don’t wander off the trail, as there are very fragile plants throughout this area.
Once you have explored the homestead, return to the main trail. If you have kids along, an old hollow tree, on the left side of the trail, is perfect for a child to stand in. Continue on and soon you will come to a signed left turn. This marks the start of the hike’s loop portion, which is only nine-tenths miles.
After you go left to begin this loop, it crosses the Pine Creek drainage and then makes a gradual ascent up its south side. After about one-tenth mile the trail forks and for this hike you will go right. (To the left is the Arnight Trail, a moderate hike which connects to the Oak Creek Canyon Trail at the parking area, a walk of one and seven-tenths miles from this junction.)
As you continue up the trail you will be in one of the most vegetated areas of the hike. Canyon grapes are very prolific here. As you reach the highest elevation of the hike you will be at almost the same level as the tops of the ponderosa trees. There are some drop-offs along this area so watch your footing. In a couple of places the trail is hard to follow so you might need to do some route finding.
The trail soon loses elevation and then loops around to the north where it crosses back over the creek and hooks up to the main trail for your return to the trailhead.
Those who can handle some demanding rock scrambling can travel up the forks on either side of Mescalito. Both are worth exploring but the south fork is easier to negotiate.
The monolith called Mescalito towers over a meadow in Pine Creek Canyon.
Pine Creek Canyon At A Glance
Best season: October–April.
Length: Three miles with optional extension.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Elevation gain/loss: Three hundred feet.
Trailhead elevation: 4,053 feet.
Warning: Washes subject to flash floods.
Jurisdiction: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Directions: From Red Rock Canyon’s main entrance, take the 13-mile Scenic Drive 10.2 miles to the well-signed parking area and trailhead, on the right.
Low clouds at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
8 First Creek Canyon
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