OUT THERE

HIKES

Red Rock Canyon: A three-mile moderate hike Monday through the trails around Blue Diamond up to an overlook where there might be burro sightings. Nature journaling, a program to help you learn keep a journal, will be offered Tuesday. It will include a short, easy hike at Lost Creek. Also on Tuesday, explore a ridge behind the community of Blue Diamond on this five-mile moderate hike that offers open with a 600-foot gain. On Saturday, there will be five- to six-mile moderate hike to Gateway Canyon. Also on Saturday is a five-mile moderate hike to the Liberty Bell Arch to an overlook of the Colorado River and a short rock scramble to the top of the sandstone formations at the north end of the Calico Hills; Jan. 20 will feature a hike to a stand of Teddy Bear Cholla in Lake Mead NRA. Walk a portion of the railroad bed used to haul supplies to Hoover Dam during its construction. Seven miles, strenuous with a 913-foot elevation gain (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).

Sierra Club: On Jan. 20, explore the area at China Ranch near Tecopa, Calif. This hike will travel through narrow canyons and unusual geologic formations. Some scrambling is possible (875-4549 or hardyhikers@embarqail.com. If you have a long distance phone number, please use the e-mail).

BIKES

Bagel Ride: Leave from Aspen Creek Cycling, 1550 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Wednesday at 7 a.m. for a 22-mile ride. For more information, visit www.greenvalleycyclists.org or e-mail ronvolk@yahoo.com.

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.

Red Rock Canyon: No experience is necessary for this six-mile introductory mountain bike ride on Jan. 6, starting from the Late Night parking lot. Helmets are required. Ages 10 and over (515-5367).

BARTA: A group of basin and range trail advocates will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday to develop, protect and maintain trails, educate users on trail usage, sponsor a chapter of the National Mounain Bike Patrol, and have noncompetitive events. Visit www.barta.com; e-mail bike4four@cox.net; or call 837-6522.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Red Rock Canyon: Saturday events include a program about what animals do to stay warm during the cold winter. Hear stories and complete a craft project to take home. Less than one-mile, easy. Ages 6-12, limited space. Observe flora, fauna or geology of Red Rock and the surrounding Mojave Desert during this presentation at the visitor center. Ongoing from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Also a 1/2-mile, easy walk at Corn Creek. The spring feeds three ponds at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge and is a major bird watching area and prime habitat for aquatic and land plants and animals (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.archaeonevada.org.