OUT THERE

HIKES

Red Rock Canyon: A moderate to strenuous five-mile hike to Cottonwood Valley will take place Monday. A strenuous eight-mile hike with some scrambling at North Peak is scheduled for Tuesday. On Friday, there will be a three-mile strenuous hike to the top of the lower peak in the White Rock Hills. Saturday's events will include a strenuous 111/2-mile hike at Grand Circle, a three-four mile moderate hike to Fossil Ridge to look for fossils and wildlife, and a combined hike and spring wildflower discovery series to look for wildflowers on an easy-moderate four-mile hike at Pine Creek. A strenuous four-mile scramble from Sandstone Quarry up to Red Cap, over to Calico Tanks, then to the Boy Scout Overlook will take place April 27. Also on April 27 is a moderate three-mile hike to Oak Creek Canyon (515-5367).

Around the Bend Friends: This group of people over 50, interested in hiking and related social activities, plans a three- to four-hour moderate hike each Saturday at Red Rock. They meet at the Best Buy parking lot at West Charleston Boulevard and the Las Vegas Beltway in Summerlin for an 8:30 a.m. departure (228-0773).

BIKES

Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club: Tuesday at 6:15 a.m. Meet at Einstein's Bagels, 9031 W. Sahara Ave., for an easy-paced ride to Red Rock (e-mail dgcasey@cox.net or call 379-3737). A 6:15 a.m. moderate to fast 15- to 20-mile road ride on Wednesday. Meet at the NuVision Cyclery on West Lake Mead Blvd., between Rampart Boulevard and Scholar Lane (228-1333). There will be a 30-plus-mile, moderate and hilly ride Wednesday and Thursday at 7 a.m., and a 30- to 50-plus -mile grade ride on Saturday at 7 a.m. Meet behind Starbucks on West Charleston Boulevard and Town Center Drive. Friday at 6:15 a.m., meet at Einstein's Bagels, 9031 W. Sahara Ave., for an easy-paced ride to Red Rock (e-mail dgcasey@cox.net or call 379-3737). Bring plenty of water for all rides.

The Desert Riders Club of Nevada: The Las Vegas Desert Riders Club of Nevada, a local chapter of the Honda Rider's Club of America, will have its Laughlin River Run on Saturday. Participants will meet at 8 a.m. at Railroad Pass Casino, 2800 S. Boulder Highway in Henderson (795-2000).

OTHER PROGRAMS

Junior Ranger Program: Children of all ages, along with their families, are invited to the first National Junior Ranger Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Lake Mead Alan Bible Visitor Center. The event will include guided walks to learn about desert animals and plants, an information fair highlighting park projects and careers, a Junior Ranger Activity Guide and a reading corner (293-8990).

Red Rock Up Close: Take a close look at the flora, fauna or geology of Red Rock and the surrounding Mojave Desert during a presentation at the visitor center, ongoing from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday. No sign-up is required (515-5367).

On Saturday, the Las Vegas Astronomical Society will present a Power Point presentation and have member telescopes to view objects in the night sky at Red Rock Canyon. Bring telescope binoculars if you have them, chairs for comfort and snacks. The event is ongoing from 7 to 11 p.m. and the gate will close at 8:30 p.m. No sign-up is required (515-5367).

Archaeo-Nevada Society along with the Bureau of Land Management invites volunteers to help with Red Rock Conservation projects. Contact Gary Vetter at vettergl@aol.com or visit www.archaeoevada.org.