DESTINATION Generic 43 Photosets
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| partners | | So I've been in Las Vegas for about a 2 weeks. I started off my adventures in the new city with Mt. Charleston (basically the only place close by to escape the heat)! Mt. Charleston was great, but apparently everyone in Las Vegas goes there on the weekends for the very same reason we did.
To my surprise this past weekend something rare happened... IT RAINED!  My boyfriend was in town for the weekend and we wanted to get out and embrace the cooler temperatures so we hit up Red Rock Canyon, figuring the rain would scare the majority of the spectators away from the busy area. Being our first time to this area, we explored it the "touristy way"  stopping at every pull-off to find where we would like to come back and hike more (most likely in the fall when it is cooler).
Red Spring was the first stop. It's not quite in the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, so you don't have to pay!  There is a big area with picnic tables right off of the parking lot and then a boardwalk trail leads you on a short walk (about a 1/2 mile) where you pass by 3 springs and some petroglyphs. We spent just enough time here to catch a few drops of rain and then crossed Red Spring off our list and headed to the Red Rock State Park.
$7 got us in, so to get our money's worth we had to stop at the Visitor Center. There we found Mojave Max and his wife Maxine (see photoset). The visitor center had plenty of educational material. I'd assume local schools take field trips here. Anyway... the scenery!!! We took the scenic drive and stopped where weather permitted us to get out and walk around a bit. The rain was welcomed and did not dampen our day.
Calico I trail is worth stopping at as it has great views of the Calico Hills and also some sport climbing areas. We had some fun going off the trail here. Then the rain came and we got back in the car to the next destination.
Lost Creek was another area we explored on this trip. This has a boardwalk trail that leads you to some pictographs and an agave roasting pit site. Off of the boardwalk you can find a small waterfall (seasonal, but happened to be flowing while we were there). As my boyfriend would say, "it smelt like a zoo" but was neat to see. Lots of people were enjoying the waterfall so we didn't stay long.
I'm anxious to come back and check out the Ice Box Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Keystone Thrust and a few others. I hear this place is very crowed on the weekend so it will probably be a while before I am back. I'm still trying to find that perfect place near Vegas to escape the heat and be one with nature. Until next time.... |
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| It is easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top. - Henry Ward Beecher |
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