Red Rock Canyon National
Conservation Area, Nevada
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Pine Creek Canyon Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada |
March 15, 2020
Today I was planning an outing to Anniversary Narrows with a Las Vegas hiking club; but after yesterday's debacle on the White Rock trails in Arizona, where I came close to breaking some fingers on my left hand, I decided not to risk the requisite moderate scrambles with just one strong hand to help me. I really had been looking forward to that outing, too.
So it's off to Red Rock Canyon instead. Albeit a native Nevadan, I am first
visiting this place at the age of 77! Go figure. At about 9 o'clock,
I drive right up to the entrance station, where my Old-Age Pass sees me
through. Ten minutes later, though, as I exit the Visitor Center, the line at
the entrance gate is twenty-cars long.
From all the choices of trails, I have some ideas in mind. At the top of the
list is the Calico Tanks Trail; but because it also features some hands-on
climbing sections, I opt to forgo that one as well. Instead, I head up to the
Keystone Thrust Trail, where the parking lot already is full. Making use of an
overflow area, I start up the path; but within five minutes I turn back, because the
route ahead looks — well, uninteresting.
Continuing on the scenic drive, I stop at the Petroglyph Wall and find three minor panels of etchings and paintings; this is good.
Not everyone finds this panel
Next on the loop is Ice Box Canyon; but the big parking lot there is full as well, and there are signposts warning of citations for parking in unauthorized places. I don't need one of those, so I will press on; and I am not the only driver with similar apprehensions.
Finally, near the end of the scenic loop is a big lot that actually has some space for my car. This is supposed to be a hiking trip, so off I go; what will be, will be.
Getting started ⇔
That looks like a pay-per-view excursion
The rocks do have spectacular colorations
Heading into the canyon
At a seeming trail junction
The route starts upward in earnest from here.
I guess I'll be doing some scrambling after all
The trail, obscure in places, is well-marked with red paint spots strategically placed upon rocks.
Although I have climbed but a few hundred feet, the gradient has been pretty steep and the trail is becoming ever more rough. With no seeming reward up the way from here, I decide to terminate my progress.
Looking back down the trail
The red blotches keep me on track
A red mark seemingly off the trail causes me to turn right onto a spur, toward Pine Creek; this is what I find:
Serendipity
Back in the thick of it
Several times, my sweatshirt becomes caught on one of the bushes, causing me to stop and extricate myself from the snare. Another short spur begets another pleasant setting.
Always pleasant at creekside
The canyon wall across the way
Perhaps this is the loop junction
The rocks do have striking colors
Another nice spot
There is one object that was bypassed earlier.
An old homestead
Nature at work
Nice rock
Nice cave
The parking lot comes into distant view:
More than half a mile to go
A final look back
Almost there
§: Well, I did it and I'm glad — a bit of exercise to justify
my trip up here. Some of the scenery was pretty nice as well.
I did not, however, experience anything resembling a loop trail above the
old homestead. I also want a hike to have some sort of destination,
such as a lake, waterfall, or viewpoint; this walk had none of those.
I must say also that, despite all the hype that is generated for this area,
I am disappointed. Many of the vaunted trails appear to be little more than
flat walks across open desert; and the ubiquitous crowding is not helpful.
In fact, as I exited the Scenic Loop at 1:30 p.m., the entrance gate had been
closed, presumably until more space became available in the parking lots.
When I return to this place, I definitely will do the Calico Tanks Trail, which rates to be delightful; also, Ice Box Canyon should prove interesting. Whether I tackle a more difficult route such as Turtlehead Peak remains to be seen. The challenging Kraft Mountain Loop in nearby Calico Basin is a possibility as well.
As for you — don't even think about coming here in the summertime.
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