Red Rock Canyon is a stone of a different color. This tiny area of solitude and beauty, only minutes from the Strip, is threatened with overdevelopment by the BLM. Proposed are miles of new roads, including one along the tops of the cliffs; new trails, including one which will probably be open to motorcycles; and other developments, including a visitor center and more campgrounds. We question the sanity of trying to put so much into so small an area. The side canyons will lose much of their charm if the quiet is broken and the litter, which was bad when we were there, is increased. This is an area worth exploring further by the DPS and certainly worth saving from the bulldozer. The Las Vegas Group is waging a campaign against further development and urges you to write to Senator Alan Bible, United States Senate, Committee on Appropriations, Washington, D.C. 20510, with copies to Nolan F. Keil, State Director, BLM, 300 Booth St, Room 3008, Federal Building, Reno, Nevada, 89502, and Dennis Hess, Director, Las Vegas District, BLM, 1859 N. Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89108.

Request that the Recreation Management Plan for the Red Rock Canyon Recreation Lands be revised as follows:
1. Eliminate the Crestline Scenic Drive from the plan.
2. Eliminate picnic grounds and campgrounds at all canyon mouths and at Ram's Head.
3. Begin immediate construction of the Visitor Center.
4. Increase policing personnel immediately and give them enforcement power.
5. Eliminate off-road vehicle use in the recreation area.
6. Eliminate construction of segment B of the Red Rock Scenic Drive and substitute improvement of the existing Willow Springs Road.

HAYFORD and STIRLING   -   Paul Nelson

For the first time in this leader's. experience, women climbers outnumbered the men on a DPS trip. In view of the "Woman's Lib" movement, I really did not know whether to be honored or get all shook. But I managed to keep my cool, and we started for the roadhead for Hayford. This road has recently been blocked off at the edge of the mountains by the U.S. Wildlife Services. Because of this the climb was longer than the schedule had advertised. After 7 miles, 4000 feet, and 5 hours, our group of 7 made the summit with the ladies doing just as well or better than the men. We left the summit at 2:00 and were back to the cars at 6:00. The highlight of the day was the sighting at close range of a herd of bighorn sheep, one ran, six ewes, and four young lambs. Because of a little car trouble, it was almost dark by the time we got back to the meeting place. We decided to camp near there rather than trying to find the Stirling roadhead. A good thing too, as even in daylight we had trouble finding the best road.

The Sheep Range is a very beautiful desert mountain area and is still almost a wilderness area. The Fish and Wildlife Service wants to keep motor vehicles out and does not even allow overnight backpacking. It has been proposed as a wilderness area and as such, back country campsites and springs would be developed and overnight hiking allowed. I believe that we should support this, as the range would then be accessible to hikers and not to the noisy motorcycles that disturb so much of the desert. I encourage all DPS members to visit this area (Ed note: Fat chance of that). It is no further a drive than one to Mammoth and certainly not as crowded.

Sunday's climb of Stirling was longer than necessary because of road finding problems. We finally got started about 9 and after 3-1/2 hours and 3000 feet we arrived at the summit. The weather was cool and clear and there was a fine view of the peaks in the Death Valley area. This too is a beautiful area although not as green or wooded as the Sheep Range. We were down from the peak and back at the main highway by 4. I would advise anyone leading this climb in the future to scout the roadhead, as the topo is not much help. The roads have changed some since it was made. We could have
 
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