Best Strategy to Hike the Peaks

You have joined the 52 Peak Club and wondering what is the best strategy to earn the cards. There are a lot of factors, but I will try and generalize so anyone can benefit from my suggestions.

There are three hiking areas that have peaks where you earn a card when you hike to those peaks with the 52 Peak Club. They are Mt. Charleston, Red Rock and Lake Mead.
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Mt Charleston Peaks/Cards:
There are 14 Mt. Charleston Peaks where you earn cards. These peaks are normally only offered in the summer. It's way too cold and too much snow in late autumn, winter, and early spring.

Strategy: Do all the Charleston Peaks in the summer. If you don't, you will have to wait until next summer. If you join the 52 Peak Club in the summer, do as many Charleston Peaks as you can. 

Charleston Peaks are tougher overall due to the elevation and the length. 
If you see McFarland Peak on the schedule, sign up for it. This hike is not posted often.

Start with the easier Charleston Peaks, like Bonanza Peak, Fletcher Peak and Mack's Peak.
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​Do not wear good rock scrambling shoes; the rock will ruin them.

Red Rock Peaks/Cards:
There are 34 Red Rock cards, the most of the three hiking areas. If you a new to rock scrambling, start with the lower value cards: Kraft Mtn (2H), Calico Tank Peak (2C), White Rock Springs Peak (3H) and Gray Cap (3C).
Red Rock hiking season begins in mid-September and goes through mid May normally.  There are times during the winter that we do not hike in Red Rock because of snow and ice.
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Strategy: Sign up for the following hikes: First Creek Peak, Global Peak, Holiday Peak, Terrace Canyon Peak, and Lost Creek Peak. These hikes are not posted often.
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Also to become more comfortable on class 4 rock, start rock climbing.  ​
Good approach shoes are a must.
​Work on your balance.

Lake Mead Peaks/Cards:
There are only four Lake Mead Peaks that you earn a card. These peaks are the easiest peaks due to lower elevation and minimal scrambling (Exception is Frenchman Mtn which does have class 3 scrambling.)
Lake Mead hikes are posted during the winter months. 
They are not posted in the summer - too hot!

Note: Hamblin Mtn and Anniversary Narrows Peak are the same card.
Do not wear good rock scrambling shoes; the rock will ruin them.

Other Strategies:
Get to know the hike leaders.
If you have a 4WD vehicle, offer to drive. Some trailheads need a 4WD to drive to them.

Don't do too many hikes in a row. This can burn you out and you are more likely to get injured.

Download the Meetup app on your phone and as soon as you get a notification about a hike, sign up if you can do the hike and need the card.
If you hike once a week, you will do all the peaks (52) in one year.

Helpful Links:
List of all the peaks.
​FAQs
To join the 52 Peak Club