OUT THERE

HIKES

Lake Mead: A hike to Cottonwood Springs will take place on Monday. This four-mile moderate hike leads through a wash, ending at an old sentry cottonwood tree, which is the "gatekeeper" to Pinto Valley (293-8990).

Red Rock Canyon: On Monday, a classic hike up to Calico Tanks, then up to an overlook for a 360-degree view of Red Rock and out to Las Vegas. The hike is a moderate 2.5 miles with some scrambling. Saturday will feature an easy/moderate hike to the Keystone Thrust trail and a moderate four-mile hike to Pine Creek. A strenuous, six-mile hike to the top of Black Mountain will take place March 2 with views of Lake Mead, the Las Vegas Valley and the Spring Mountains. Also on March 2 is a moderate three-mile hike to Cave 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 for an 8:30 a.m. departure (228-0773).

Las Vegas Highlanders: A five-mile loop in the valley of Aztec Sandstone in the Hidden Valley-Muddy Mountain Wilderness. Discover national springs, petroglyphs, pictographs and arrowhead chipping. Moderate to strenuous (onecoolhike@yahoo.com).

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 Boulevard, 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, meets at 9 a.m. the second Saturday of the month at Carter Power Sports, 6725 S. Decatur Blvd. All motorcycles are welcome (795-2000).

Red Rock Canyon: No experience is necessary for this six-mile introductory mountain bike ride on March 2, starting from the late night parking lot. Helmets are required. Ages 10 and over (515-5367).

OTHER PROGRAMS

Red Rock Canyon: 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. Saturday. No sign-up is required .Also on Saturday a easy, 1/2-mile walk to Corn Creek, a prime bird-watching area and habitat for aquatic and land plants and animals (515-5367).

The Las Vegas Astronomical Society will host a Star Party at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center. No sign-up is required (515-5367).

The Las Vegas Sail and Power Squadron offers a public boating course to interested boaters. Classes are from 7 to 9 p.m. March 13, 20 and 27. Topics include boat handling, rules of the road, docking and anchoring, required and recommended equipment, marine radiotelephone and trailering. There is no charge for instruction, however a small fee for materials will be charged for each registered student. Call 255-3590 for more information or to register.

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.archaeonevada.org.