Death Valley  -- Hottest, Driest, Lowest: DV is a land of extremes. It is one of the hottest places on the surface of the Earth with summer temperatures averaging well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and often spiking to over 130 degrees. It encompasses the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at 282 feet below the level of the sea, and it is also the driest place in North America with an average rainfall of only 1.96 inches a year. – Death Valley is also a land of subtle beauties: Morning light creeping across the eroded badlands of Zabriskie Point to strike Manly Beacon, the setting sun and lengthening shadows on the Sand Dunes at Stovepipe Wells, and the colors of myriad wildflowers on the golden hills above Harmony Borax on a warm spring day. -- Death Valley is a treasure trove of scientific information about the ancient Earth and about the forces still working to shape our modern world. It is home to plants, animals, and human beings that have adapted themselves to take advantage of its rare and hard-won area. Death Valley is a story of western expansion, wealth, greed, suffering and triumph.

Red Rock Canyon, "Red Rock" is located Just 10 miles west of the 'strip", and is a maze of canyons and mountains, ledges, ramps, chutes and gullies, that lead to peaks where few have ever stood. When you're deep in the heart of Red Rock you'll think you're on another planet. The mountains rise to various heights, and form a great, colorful escarpment. Red Rock was formed along a fault zone with some peaks reaching past 8,000 feet. There are huge cliffs and ravines composed of bands of grey, white and red rock, all heavily, artfully eroded. The wide empty plains beneath the hills are studded with Joshua trees and other desert plants. Interestingly, wild burrows are permitted to roam free.

Griffith Peak, Griffith Peak is the 3rd highest mountain in southern Nevada (11,056 feet). It stands out as one of the major peaks of the Spring Mountain Range and is readily visible from most parts of Las Vegas. Griffith Peak has the best views of any peak in the Mt. Charleston area. On a clear day you can see Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, and Lake Mead. Griffith is a great day-hike for those not willing or able to tackle the more committing Mt. Charleston effort.

Mummy Mountain, "MM" is the second highest peak (11,542) in the Mt. Charleston area. It's called Mummy Mountain because if you look at it right, it is supposed to resemble an Egyptian Mummy in a state of repose.  All I know is there is an area of scree/talus on the way up that will - shall we say -- test your mettle.

Mt. Charleston,  At 11,918 feet, Charleston Peak is the highest mountain in the southern Spring Mountain Area, and is the eighth highest peak in Nevada. The temperature on the mountain is usually 25-30 degrees cooler than that of Las Vegas, making it a nice place to go during the heat of July and August. Short, steep-walled canyons penetrate the range, which is characterized by some 18,000 acres of bristlecone pine, (the largest such stand in the Intermountain West). With more than 40 miles of trails, Mt. Charleston offers practically endless variety, - but, the elevation changes and virtual absence of flat terrain make for strenuous hiking.

Angel's Landing, a 6,000 foot peak in Zion National Park (Utah) - it ascends 1,700 feet over a distance of 2.5 miles to the summit. The summit is ringed on three sides by a river below, with amazing views in all directions along the canyon. The trail is rated strenuous and is not recommended for anyone fearful of heights. The last half mile of the Angels Landing Trail ascends along the ridge to the summit, and is marked only by rock cairns, occasional steps carved in the rock, and chains which have been fixed for safety at some particularly steep points. At other points, the ridge is only a few feet wide, with steep, thousand-foot drop-offs at either side. To say: "caution is advisable", is an understatement.