TIKABOO HIKE, JULY 22, 1995

Everyone in the world is invited to a free public hike to Tikaboo 
Peak, an 8000-foot mountain overlooking the secret Groom Lake air 
base (and offering a fine view in other directions as well).  We 
will meet at 9:00 am, Saturday, July 22, at milepoint LN 32.2 on 
US-93, about 86 miles north of Las Vegas.  The hike is sponsored
by the Area 51 Research Center.

This is a repeat of the May 13 hike, which was uneventful but 
suffered from dismal weather.  Barring thunderstorms, the weather 
this time should be ideal.  At this elevation, the high 
temperature will probably be in the comfortable 70-90 degree 
range.  The base itself is 25 miles to the west, and only a few 
hangars are visible with the naked eye, but a telescope can bring 
out most of what could be seen from the closer Freedom Ridge 
viewpoint, which is now closed.  The terrain on the Tikaboo trail 
is pleasantly forested and offers a satisfying hike even without 
the view.  (Tikaboo Peak is in the Pahranagat Range near Badger 
Mountain, south of NV-375.  Location: 115d22'W longitude, 37d21'W 
latitude.  Shown on the Badger Spring, NV, 7-1/2 min. USGS topo. 
map.)

This is planned as a day trip, but some of us may be backpacking 
to the top and spending Saturday night there.  If you join us, you 
should be prepared for possible temps in the 40s.  If inclement 
weather threatens, we will camp at the base instead of the summit, 
but we will probably attempt the day hike regardless of the 
weather. 

WARNING:  This is a strenuous two hour hike (and one hour back).  
It should not be attempted by people who are not in good physical 
shape.  Experienced hikers or people who get regular aerobic 
exercise you should have no trouble, but this is not a hike for 
couch potatoes.  The vertical distance traveled is about 1000 feet 
and the hiking distance is less than two miles, but at 7000-8000 
feet every step can be exhausting for those who are used to sea 
level.

If you are coming from Las Vegas, you need to leave town around 7 
am to arrive at the meeting point in time, and you probably won't 
get back until 6 or 7 pm.  To reach the meeting point from Las 
Vegas, go north on I-15 (Salt Lake City direction) for about 20 
miles to the US-93 exit, then go north on US-93 for 66.8 miles to 
milepoint LN 32.2. (Mileposts are marked every mile by small white 
signs on the side of the road.)  The meeting point is at a minor 
dirt road (marked only by a stop sign) between the Lower and Upper 
Pahranagat Lakes in the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge.  This 
location is about 0.3 mile past the well-marked entrance to the 
refuge headquarters.  If you arrive later than 9 am, you can try 
to catch up with us by following the dirt road west from here and 
watching for yellow flags at any intersection.  (The "No Vehicles" 
signs at the entrance are deceptive and do not refer to the main 
dirt road.)

After meeting at the highway, we will drive west on a good dirt 
road (suitable for any vehicle if you don't mind a lot of bumps) 
about 25 miles to Badger Spring.  4WD vehicles can proceed about 
0.5 mi beyond this point; otherwise you can carpool or walk to the 
trailhead.

Several of the world-famous Groom Lake Interceptors are expected 
to attend, including Agent X, Psychospy, The Minister and Tom & 
Jeri.  This location is public land many miles from the military 
border, so encounters with authorities are unlikely.  Feel free to 
bring a camera, although you can't capture any of the secret base 
without a telephoto lens.

CAMPING:  If you plan to spend the night at the summit, you need 
to be prepared for nighttime temperatures in the 40s: We suggest a 
medium-duty sleeping bag, ground cloth, thermal underwear, wool 
cap and sweater.  Some people may prefer to camp at their cars 
near the trailhead, where it will be warmer and less windy and 
requires no backpacking.  (Note: Backpacking requires great 
endurance; it is only for those who are in top form.)  For Friday 
night, there is a free and scenic campground (no services) along 
the shore of Upper Pahranagat Lake (a lake with real water!) about 
a half mile north of the meeting point on US-93.  The Tikaboo 
trailhead near Badger Spring also makes a good camping spot, but 
unless you have the "Area 51 Viewer's Guide," you may want to save 
this location for Saturday night when you know where it is.  

OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS.  The meeting point is 55 miles from Rachel, 
so a visit there may be difficult.  There are two motels in Alamo 
(both at 702-725-3371) about 5 miles north of the meeting point.  
Free swimming is available at the BLM (unfenced) portion of Ash 
Springs (natural bath-water temperature, about 13 miles north of 
the meeting point across from the Texaco gas station).  If you are 
coming from Southern California, the casino hotels at Stateline 
are a reasonable place to stay.  Rooms on Friday and Saturday 
nights are about $32 (including two free tickets on the world's 
highest roller coaster), but reservations are important (800-367-
7383).

BRING.  Hikers need to be prepared for extremes in temperature:  
Bring both shorts in case it is hot and a windbreaker and hat in 
case it is windy at the summit.  You'll also need long pants and a 
warm jacket if you plan to spend the night.  Good sun protection, 
including sun screen, is important.  Sturdy hiking shoes are 
essential, and you need to bring at least 3 quarts of liquid for 
the hike--and more if you plan to spend the night.  You also need 
to bring enough food for however long you wish to stay, although 
Oscar Meyer Wieners will be provided for roasting over the fire.  
Telescopes are essential for viewing the base, but there should be 
enough of them among the group that not everyone needs to bring 
one.

DISCLAIMER.  You are responsible for your own safety on this 
outing.  Organizers of this hike accept no liability whatsoever 
for any loss or injury.

Cellular phones work fine at the highway meeting point, at the 
summit and scattered areas in-between.  We will have one with us, 
so if you have any problems on the day of hike, call that phone at 
702-493-6126 (July 22 only!).

No reservations are necessary for this hike, but it would be 
useful if we knew how many people to expect.  If you can, please 
let us know you are coming by sending an email message to 
psychospy@aol.com or calling Glenn Campbell at 702-729-2648.

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