![]() ![]() 7-mile-loop stroll to a waterfall (its flow varying seasonally) at Lost Creek to much longer and more strenuous treks. You can begin from the Visitor Center or drive into the loop, park your car, and start from points therein. Every trail is incredible-glance over your options and decide what you might be looking for. If you’re up to it, however, we can’t stress enough that the way to really see the canyon is by hiking. Farther along, the mountains become solid limestone with canyons running between them, which lead to an evergreen forest-a surprising sight in the desert. ![]() As you drive, observe how dramatically the milky-white limestone alternates with iron-rich red rocks. You can stop the car to admire a number of fabulous views and sights along the way, have a picnic, or hike. It really is a loop, and it only goes one way, so once you start, you are committed to driving the entire thing. The easiest thing to do is to drive the 13-mile scenic loop (or give it a go on your bike for a moderately difficult ride). In spring, the desert blooms with extraordinary wildflowers. Ascending the slopes from the valley, you’ll see cactus and creosote bushes, aromatic purple sage, yellow-flowering blackbrush, yucca and Joshua trees, and, at higher elevations, clusters of forest-green pinyon, juniper, and ponderosa pines. Red Rock’s valley is home to more than 45 species of mammals, about 100 species of birds, 30 reptiles and amphibians, and an abundance of plant life. As time progressed, iron oxide and calcium carbonate infiltrated the sand, consolidating it into cross-bedded rock.Ībout 100 million years ago, massive fault action began dramatically shifting the rock landscape here, forming spectacular limestone and sandstone cliffs and rugged canyons punctuated by waterfalls, shallow streams, and serene oasis pools. Some 45 million years later, the region was buried beneath thousands of feet of windblown sand. ![]() As the waters receded, sea creatures died, and the calcium in their bodies combined with sea minerals to form limestone cliffs studded with ancient fossils. Massive fault action and volcanic eruptions caused this seabed to begin rising some 225 million years ago. Cliffs cut by deep canyons tower 2,000 feet above the valley floor.ĭuring most of its history, Red Rock Canyon was below a warm, shallow sea. And formations, such as Calico Hill, are brilliantly white where groundwater has leached out oxidized iron. Orange and green lichens add further contrast, as do spring-fed areas of lush foliage. Over eons, the forces of nature have formed Red Rock’s sandstone monoliths into arches, natural bridges, and massive sculptures painted in a stunning palette of gray-white limestone and dolomite, black mineral deposits, and oxidized minerals in earth-toned sienna hues ranging from pink to crimson and burgundy. The geological history of these ancient stones goes back some 600 million years. The center is open daily from 8am to 4:30pm. It features outdoor exhibits on the flora and fauna found in the canyon and you can also pick up information on trails and the driving route. Just off NV 159, you’ll see the turnoff for the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, (tel 702/515-5350), which marks the actual entrance to the park. There are picnic areas along the drive and in nearby Spring Mountain Ranch State Park (tel 702/594-7529 5 miles south, which also offers plays in an outdoor theater during the summer. Especially notable is 7,068-foot Mount Wilson, the highest sandstone peak among the bluffs for information on climbing, contact the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center at tel 702/515-5350. The National Conservation Area offers hiking trails and internationally acclaimed rock-climbing opportunities. There are many interesting sights and trail heads along the drive itself. You can drive the panoramic 13-mile Scenic Drive (daily 6am–dusk, $7 per vehicle) or explore more in-depth on foot, making it perfect for athletes and armchair types alike. Less than 20 miles away-but a world apart-this is a magnificent, unspoiled vista that should cleanse and refresh you (and if you must, a morning visit should leave you enough time for an afternoon’s gambling). If you need a break from the casinos of Vegas, Red Rock Canyon is balm for your overstimulated soul. ![]()
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