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      6 Ice Box Canyon

      Ice Box Canyon is always picturesque, especially from January through March when you’ll probably see the seasonal show of cascades, deep pockets of water, and possibly waterfalls among the colorful sandstone bluffs.

      Of course, the moisture that makes those months so agreeable also brings the danger of flash flooding. On any canyon hike, get an up-to-date weather forecast before hitting the trail.

      Although it’s up to you how far you travel within the canyon, officially it is a two-and-one-half mile roundtrip with an elevation gain of a few hundred feet. You will encounter rocky and slippery terrain, so hiking boots with good treads and ankle support, never a bad idea, are especially in order here.

      From the trailhead take the signed path and within minutes you will reach Red Rock Wash, a major drainage. The wash is about sixty yards across and during or directly after rain, can become a raging torrent. If rain threatens, yet the wash looks dry, do not be tempted to cross, for you might not be able to return safely if the weather isn’t bluffing.

      As you make your way across the drainage, look for the sandstone steps on the far side, which will take you up onto the natural bench. Travel along the obvious trail and after about two-tenths miles from the trailhead you will come to a signed junction. The trail to the right is called the Spring Mountain Youth Camp Trail, though the camp is now located elsewhere. It leads hikers over to the Lost Creek area. The one going left is Dale’s Trail which leads to the Pine Creek area. For the Ice Box Canyon hike head straight, toward the mouth of the canyon.

      As you continue you will find a plant community of scrub oak, desert willow, pinyon pine, and manzanita. There are quite a few social trails along the way, which can be confusing, but staying on the most-worn path and continuing up canyon will take you where you need to go. Some spur trails lead to the base of the steep cliffs and are used primarily by rock climbers. There are more than seventy climbing routes in this canyon alone, and more than two thousand in the park.

      You might see white-tailed antelope squirrels, cottontails, jackrabbits, kit foxes, coyotes, or even a bobcat on this hike. Once inside the canyon look along the walls and you might see desert bighorn sheep. Birds here include Gambel’s quail, mourning doves, white-throated swifts, and cactus wrens.

      After 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

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