From Henderson Nevada
To Red Rock Canyon
And return to
Henderson
Distance traveled: 33
miles + 13 mile scenic trail
Today
I explored the Red Rock Canyon. I was up
and out early wanting to once again start the day in the remaining
coolness of the night. By 8 am I was well on my way across the city of Las Vegas to the west side and then up into the hills.
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| On the Way to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area |
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| display at the Visitor Centre |
Once
at Red Rock Canyon I spent a long time at the visitor centre learning more
about the vegetation and wildlife that can survive in the harsh environment. At the end of a walk way out into the desert there
also was an amazing panoramic view of the canyon!
Then
I was off on the 13 mile loop drive around the perimeter of the canyon. As usual I was following the park speed signs
and was amazed at how many people felt the need to pass me. Such a beautiful scenic drive and it is only
13 miles long! I long to ask these
people, ‘why the hurry?’ There is so
much beauty to experience and you are just rushing to the end point of your
journey.
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| A desert wash brings a stripe of vibrant greenery to the desert |
I
drove along savoring each new scene and stopped at every overlook. It was a delight! What amazing scenery! I was immersed in feeling the connection with
the desert, appreciating the life giving aspect of the washes and learning about
“Tinajas”.
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| Animals depend on these Tinajas for drinking water |
Life in the desert revolves
around water. Where there is this
precious commodity, water, there is life!
It is a lesson people sometimes fail to appreciate in the face of
technology that brings fresh water to the taps in our homes.
We have lost the intimate connection with
this vital life sustaining substance. We
take it for granted and abuse this precious liquid. What will it take for us to really face the
consequences of our choices? In the desert,
there is not forgiveness for a lack of respect towards water. Vegetation and creatures live and reproduce
and die by the available water level at any given time. Their connection to water is very real and
fundamental.
WASH -
A narrow, constricting dry bed of an intermittent stream, as at the bottom of
a canyon, typically dry but subject to rapid flow during flash flooding.
Tinajas – A natural depression in the rock that
usually holds water in a desert or dry area.
Spring – A spring is the result of
an aquifer being filled to the point that the water overflows onto the land
surface.
|
 |
| huge chunks of quarried sandstone |
I
enjoyed the historic stop at the Sandstone Quarry Overlook. Amazing huge chunks of sandstone were mined
here.
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| Wind on High Point Overview |
At High Point Overview I was
exposed to the full force of the winds that blow constantly across the desert
contributing to the dry and arid air.
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| Well marked trail at the beginning..... |
Along
the way I also did some hiking. The
first one was Willow Springs trail, a 1.5 mile round trip. At first the trail was very clear, marked
with well-placed stones. And then the
markings disappeared. I circled around a
little looking for further markings but never found them. So I turned around and returned to the
car. Ever present in my mind the
disaster of getting turned around and lost in such wild and inhospitable
landscape. Even with 3 bottle of water
in my back pack I felt the helplessness that one must face in such an
environment.
 |
| the spring along Lost Creek Trail |
At
the next trail, the Lost Creek Canyon trail, I had much greater success at
following the well placed markers. I
found the spring and enjoyed the burst of lush vegetation around it. I was amazed at the cliff climbers I saw off
in the distance!
The heat of the day was
starting to build but the ever present wind was still able to keep me from
feeling the effects as strongly as would have been the case without the breeze.
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| Mystery desert bird |
Near
the end of the trail I was greeting with by a multitude of singing birds. Tiny things that flitted from bush to bush, I
have no idea what kind of bird they are, maybe a birder reading my blog will
give me the answer!?
It
was almost 12 noon when I started my final hike on Pine Creek Trail. I had hopes of reaching the homestead (a
three mile round trip) but also realized that it might be further than I was
prepared for, considering that I am a novice at desert hiking.
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| Ponderosa Pines growing on Pine Creek Trail |
I decided that when I finished one bottle of
water regardless of how far I had gone I would turn around and start the return
trip. That is what I did. I did not reach the remains of the homestead,
but I did enjoy the experience and got to see the Ponderosa pine trees that grow where there is an underground flowing creek to sustain them. I
arrived back at the car with my “safety bottle” untouched…and that is a good
thing. I am really learning to respect
the desert; in one hour of hiking under the mid-day sun I finished two bottles
of water. This is not a place to be
complacent or lose focus!
I finished the last stretch of the 13 mile drive with a stop at a picnic overlook that revealed the panorama of the whole canyon. What a glorious place to eat my lunch and reflect on the amazing adventure this morning has been.
I finished the last stretch of the 13 mile drive with a stop at a picnic overlook that revealed the panorama of the whole canyon. What a glorious place to eat my lunch and reflect on the amazing adventure this morning has been.
Information
on Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area:
A
map of red rock canyon trail drive:
|
It
was mid-afternoon by the time I got back to my friend’s house. We enjoyed a lovely swim in the pool and
watched the glow of the setting sun on the mountain peaks in the distance.
In
the evening we enjoyed a last meal together as the morning would be hectic with
me packing up for the next part of my adventure and my friends getting ready
for work and appointments. What an incredible couple of days I have experienced
here in Las Vegas Nevada.
Renate Dundys Marrello
2014 – 08 – 18
Picture
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154657038010341.1073741928.709160340&type=1&l=980f2aff5c
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