TIKABOO HIKE APRIL 19, 1996

Everyone in the world is invited to a free public hike of 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, Friday, April 19, 1996, 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 date coincides with the E.T. Highway unveiling - to fill the 
day between the Fox extravaganza on Thursday and Rachel Day (the 
town's annual celebration) on Saturday.  Weather at this time of 
year could be pleasant or volatile.  There probably won't be any 
snow, but wind at the top could be a problem.  We will be holding 
other Tikaboo hikes on May 4 and a Saturday in July, when weather 
will probably be better.

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 
smokers or 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 evening.  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, but 
there is no guarantee you will find us.

After meeting at the highway, we will drive west on a good dirt 
road (suitable for any vehicle) about 25 miles to Badger Spring.  
4WD vehicles can proceed about 0.5 mi beyond this point.

Several of the world-famous Groom Lake Interceptors are expected 
to attend.  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.

BRING.  Hikers should expect mild temperatures on the hike but 
possibly brutal winds at the top.  Sturdy hiking shoes are 
essential, and you need to bring at least 3 quarts of liquid for 
the hike. 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 and at the 
summit but not in-between.  We will have one with us, so if you 
have any problems on the day of hike, try that phone at 
702-592-9020 (that day only!).

If you plan to come on this hike, you should contact the Research 
Center the day before at 702-729-2648 in case anything changes.  
Cancellation is a possibility if the weather is bad or interest 
evaporates.

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