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Hogback Ridge
Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
September 29, 2012
Distance: 2.5 km (1.6 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 135 m (443 ft)
With only couple of hours to spare in the morning, Dinah and I drove to Red Rocks and took in a minor ridge. Very minor. Although Hogback Ridge rises merely 135 m above the trailhead, its central location provides a good vantage point to view many of the peaks in Red Rocks. To hike it, take the White Rock Road from halfway around the Scenic Loop Road and start up the Keystone Thrust Trail. Afterwards, we stopped at the info centre to see the desert tortoises.
Hogback Ridge is a short hike from the trailhead
Surprisingly, this was our second attempt. When we tried it in April we were unprepared for cold,
wet weather. But even if had brought rain jackets and warm clothes, the views were whited out.
The trail winds around to the back of the ridge
Lizards such as this one, scampered out of our way
The backside is a gentle grade
Looking back: El Padre Mountain on the right
Pincushion cactus
Heading to the summit
On the summit
It was worth stopping at the Red Rock Canyon visitor's centre to see the desert tortoises
Two enter a burrow