Spring fling: Taking advantage of the oudoors in the Summerlin area
There is a short window of milder temperatures to take advantage of before summer hits the Las Vegas Valley.
For the Harmen family of the northwest, when spring comes around, it’s all about the outdoors. View recently spoke with them near the summit of Lone Mountain, a trail best attempted by mountain goats.
“It used to be a Thanksgiving Day tradition for us to climb this,” said Christine Harmen as she stopped to catch her breath. “This is the first time in a while that we’ve done it.”
“It was my fault, I wanted to climb it,” said her daughter, Kennedy, 9.
Christine’s teenage son and daughter were already at the top.
The family also likes to go on walks, ride their bicycles and walk their dogs. Summerlin residents have the advantage of miles of hiking trails.
“We like to be outside until it gets too hot. Then we start swimming,” Christine said.
JW MARRIOTT POOL
Speaking of swimming, the JW Marriott, 221 N. Rampart Blvd., offers access to its 11,000-square-foot pool area with memberships and family passes. Individual memberships are $125 per month or $350 for the season. A family pass is $225 per month or $650 for the season.
A day pass for non-hotel guests is $8 for children 6 to 15 and $15 for patrons 16 or older. Children 15 or younger must be accompanied by an adult, with a maximum of three children per adult. Memberships and one-day admission can be purchased at the pool towel hut near the pool’s entrance gate.
For more information, visit marriott.com/lasjw or call 702-869-7777.
RED ROCK CANYON
People flock to Red Rock Canyon while the weather is mild. The Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association has a number of events scheduled for spring.
On April 14, it plans the Calico Hills East Trail Geology and Nature Hike, where you can join a geologist for a 2-mile hike from the Visitor Center, 1000 Scenic Loop Drive. Along the way, hear about geological features, plants and animals that inhabit the area. The hike travels east along the La Madre Fault and the cross-bedded Jurassic Aztec sandstone out to the East Point. It is rated moderately strenuous and is for those 10 or older. Space is limited, and registration is required.
On April 16, the Take It Outside and Let’s Move by Discovering Nature program is planned for all ages. There will be a table full of fun nature items to discover with your own hands. Take a ranger-led or self-guided nature walk rated easy. No registration is required.
On April 20, the association plans to present Wildflowers V: Calico Basin Hike. This picturesque, 3-mile hike includes colorful formations, springs, birds, reptiles and plants. The hike is rated easy to moderate and is for those 10 or older. Space is limited, and reservations are required.
For more information or to register for hikes, call 702-515-5367. To find other planned hikes, visit redrockcanyonlv.org/lasvegas/events.
Red Rock Canyon hours are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. through September. The Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Holiday hours vary.
YMCA PROGRAMS
The city of Las Vegas’ Durango Hills Community Center, operated by the YMCA of Southern Nevada at 3521 N. Durango Drive, offers outdoor pickleball courts.
The courts opened in December. Previously, pickleball players used the indoor basketball courts. The new courts are lit and are available for public use on a first-come, first-served basis from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
When the heat arrives, YMCA activities ramp up indoors. The one-time joining fee is $75 for a family and $50 for individuals. Monthly fees are $61 for a family, and for individuals, $35 for adults, $31 for seniors and $26 for youths.
“For countless families, summertime means Y time,” said Mike Lubbe, YMCA of Southern Nevada president and CEO. “… People want safe, affordable options. We’re happy to be a solution.”
The YMCA’s Active Older Adults program is in full swing as the weather has warmed up. It’s doing more outdoor excursions, including trips to the Springs Preserve, a walking club and lunches out.
For more information, visit lasvegasymca.org.
RED ROCK RESORT
Kids Quest, providing supervised child care, is open daily at Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.
From April 17-20, it is set to feature a special Ancient Egyptian Party with games, arts and crafts, group activities and more with an ancient Egyptian theme. Among them are Toilet Paper Mummies, Scarab Stomp, Find Pharaoh’s Treasure Quest Relay, Walk Like an Egyptian Sing Off and Build a Pyramid with Legos.
Prices range from $8 to $9.50 per hour, depending on the child’s age and the day.
For more information, visit kidsquest.com.
J.R. PONY PARTIES
J.R. Pony Parties, 1753 Fairhaven St., is offering a Farm Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 14-18, June 9-13 and 23-27 and July 7-11 and 22-26 for children in grades one through five. The cost is $200, with a sibling discount available.
Children will feed and groom animals, clean stalls, learn how to take up their pony and ride. Activities such as a scavenger hunt, a bug safari and arts and crafts also are planned.
To register, call 702-340-3814 or 702-631-4141.
Contact Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 702-387-2949.
