Trail Report with pics - http://justgoodtrails.com/waiting/view_topic.php?id=689&a...

The closest legal, fun trail to Las Vegas is Rocky Gap. It's also known as Potato Ridge, though I don't know why. It's in the Spring Mountains just west of the Vegas Valley. The eastern terminus is in the Red Rock National Conservation Area. The Western terminus is in Lovell Canyon, a dead end road heading north from the highway towards Pahrump. Most locals start the trail off from Lovell Canyon. Most tourists start from inside the Red Rock NCA. It's a long way before they hit the rock garden and discover that they may gotten in a bit deeper than they wanted.

We know what we wanted. A short trail that can be made challenging by taking the optional lines. (less info)