29.05 Red Rock Canyon, Nevada: Turtlehead Peak: a terrific day.
The target: Turtlehead Peak. After seven hikes , we returned to a park that is quite special, Red Rock Canyon preserve. One of the reasons for a revisit is that we are trying to remain aligned with less harsh weather. Two issues raised ugly heads: Predicted rain and the continuing winds for one part and wash-away of roads and bridges in Death Valley, the other. It gave us good reason to return to this delightful park and undertake the only hike rated as strenuous. It is a 'shortish' but superb experience, climbing 2,200 feet over 5-miles return with most of the elevation gain over the latter 1.5 miles (or less), outward bound. Add in the threat of rain and high, cold winds and it made for a tough few hours. In fact, we were fortunate that the wind was blowing towards the mountain face. Whenever both feet left the ground, during springs and jumps, one could feel the body being blown to the side. The chance of 'flying' off the mountain became a reality. Having rai...
