Author Topic: Visiting Red Rock Canyon  (Read 2337 times)

Tessa Joy

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Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« on: July 29, 2011, 03:00:05 PM »
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Las Vegas is well know for the Strip and its casinos, nightclubs, hotels, etc.  However, there's another place that isn't quite as well known, but still worth visiting: Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock is on the western outskirts of Las Vegas, near Summerlin and Blue Diamond. I have an annual pass and visit there about once monthly. It's very scenic; a great place for hiking, picnics, rock climbing, or just sitting down and enjoying nature.  Though still in the desert, I noticed more greenery at Red Rock than Death Valley.

The drive is a 13 mile scenic one-way loop, and the scenery changes from beginning to end.  At the beginning is the Calico Hills area, which is probably why this place is called Red Rock.  This area features really interesting red rock formations, with some bushes interwined.  I hiked the Calico Hills trail (most recently in June) and noticed many yellow wild flowers.

Another trail I really like to hike is Sandstone Quarry. I really enjoyed how rock formations came up to the hiking trail without being too steep, so I could climb up on the rocks and get great views.  This is a less strenuous trail, though the hiking path is covered with smaller rocks.  If you're looking for more of a leisurely hike, this trail is worth checking out.  There was a light rain, which created a really nice scent and enjoyable sensation, since this was in July.  

I also really enjoyed hiking the Icebox Canyon trail.  If you go at certain times of the year, there's a waterfall.  I went in February of last year, and saw a beautiful three level waterfall.  

Toward the end of the scenic loop, there's more greenery, including an area with many pine trees.  That's something I appreciate about Red Rock Canyon, how it combines the desert atmosphere with different types of vegetation not always found in deserts.     At the beginning of each hiking path, there's a sign saying the difficulty levels, with paths ranked as easy, moderate, or difficult.  Since many of the paths fork in different directions, be very observant of your surroundings and remember your path.  
Here's a link to more information: http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/nv/field_offices/las_vegas_field_office/red_rock/keystone_spring_summer/keystone_2011.Par.15516.File.dat/NEW%20RRC%20Keystone%20vFINAL.pdf.


« Last Edit: July 30, 2011, 09:15:56 PM by Tessa Joy »

Mikey

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2011, 04:49:06 PM »
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Thanks for the link Tessa. It looks like a great place to get away from it all.

Cal_Jeff

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2011, 05:17:15 PM »
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Thank you, Tessa, for this quite interesting report. I especially liked the part about the Calico Hills. Just from the name alone, it sounds like a fascinating area to explore.

Tessa Joy

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2011, 05:39:59 PM »
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Yes, by your screen name, I'm guessing you would enjoy Calico Hills.  I'm glad you found the field report interesting.

Thank you, Tessa, for this quite interesting report. I especially liked the part about the Calico Hills. Just from the name alone, it sounds like a fascinating area to explore.

Cal_Jeff

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2011, 05:48:17 PM »
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Yes, by your screen name, I'm guessing you would enjoy Calico Hills.  I'm glad you found the field report interesting.

 ;D

Offline georoc01

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2011, 08:22:55 PM »
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So from Red Rocks southern end of the Scenic Drive, how long does it take to get to the CR?

Tessa Joy

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2011, 08:30:59 PM »
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I haven't driven from there to the CR yet, but I'm guessing about an hour. 

Offline arrowhead

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2011, 09:16:18 PM »
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Ahhh yes Tessa... Red Rock Canyon... Been there many a time...
My last trip there was to Ice Box Canyon, but I've also been to
the other areas you mentioned. As popular as Las Vegas is for
tourism, thankfully Red Rock Canyon is not over-run with visitors!
I remember about 5 years ago, in the last stretch of the road
before leaving Red Rock, there were a few wild burros that hung
out by the road. Last couple of times I was there, they weren't
around.
---Ron

Offline bones

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2011, 09:15:21 AM »
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Tessa while your in the general area of LV have you visited Canyon of Fire to the east?

Been by but not the time to really see much myself.

Tessa Joy

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2011, 03:18:59 PM »
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Bones, I think you're referring to the Valley of Fire and I've visited there once years ago.  I remember the panoramic views.  I don't go there often because it's further from Las Vegas than Red Rock.

Tessa Joy

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2011, 03:21:21 PM »
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When I go there on weekdays, it's not crowded.  However, when I went on a Sunday in March, it was crowded. 
 
Ahhh yes Tessa... Red Rock Canyon... Been there many a time...
My last trip there was to Ice Box Canyon, but I've also been to
the other areas you mentioned. As popular as Las Vegas is for
tourism, thankfully Red Rock Canyon is not over-run with visitors!
I remember about 5 years ago, in the last stretch of the road
before leaving Red Rock, there were a few wild burros that hung
out by the road. Last couple of times I was there, they weren't
around.
---Ron


Offline arrowhead

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2011, 12:34:23 AM »
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Bones, I think you're referring to the Valley of Fire and I've visited there once years ago.  I remember the panoramic views.  I don't go there often because it's further from Las Vegas than Red Rock.

I've been to Valley of Fire State Park twice. Enjoyed it both times. Lots of nice hikes. My favorite was Petroglyph Canyon. Lots of Native American rock art. If I recall, it is a little more than an hour to the east of Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyon is much closer.
---Ron
aka "Arrowhead"

Offline bones

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2011, 09:08:57 AM »
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Got a local place called Devil's Kitchen, a few find it much like Bryce Canyon NP. Much the same kind of features.


Offline Dr. Who

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Re: Visiting Red Rock Canyon
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2011, 12:55:06 PM »
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Nice report on Red Rock Canyon, Tessa.  I've driven the scenic loop many times when I wanted to get away from the Vegas strip for awhile.  On most of my past Vegas trips, the temps were well over 100, so I didn't do any hiking.  :D   I love the scenery out there, as well as at the Valley of Fire.