Sheepbone-Quarry Canyon Loop, Lake Mead, Nevada

Top of the new year and a great way to get 2017 started — canyoneering! The night before, Laura and I enjoyed one of the best buffets we've ever had, played the casino a bit, and watched a movie before heading home early to avoid the New Year's Eve strip prices. The next morning we headed to the desert near Lake Mead for this loop. Sheepbone Canyon has a series of climbs fixed with ropes — in fair condition but needing replacement soon, with webbing that has abrasion and cuts that should be replaced in 2017. Sheepbone climbs ~600ft through almost volcanic mineralized rock to a saddle, then descends into Quarry Canyon. Along the way you will encounter a few bones and an adolescent sheep's leg with fur — presumably the name source. A couple of bones here and a leg of a sheep. The descent down Quarry finishes back at the desert floor. A great loop for a winter morning near Las Vegas.