Las Vegas

Corn Creek Desert National Wildlife Range

This is a flat land with desert flora. A small stream from the mountains supplies moisture for tree growth. Trails crisscross the terrain.

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs

A undeveloped national monument with paths among the rugged barren limestone bed holding buried fossils. Tule Springs is formed by underground mountain runoff coming to the surface which results in a large pond and stream running of into the desert.

 

Mallards and Wood Ducks enjoying the water at Tule Springs

Hoover Dam

Above the dam, looking at Lake Mead (Colorado River)

Below the dam

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

A U-shaped canyon with numerous side canyons extending into the mountains

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Birds in Red Rock Canyon

                                      Sparrow                                                                                                      Woodhouse's Scrub Jays

Valley of Fire State Park

Beehive Rocks near the west entrance

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Valley of Fire State Park is nonpareil of state parks we have seen. Had not Nevada claimed it as a state park it would certainly be a US National Park. In more ways than one it is unique. Look at photo 2 of a multicolored rocks. The rock's colors exhibit the marinate of minerals in the sandstone. Reds and browns from iron, greens from nickel, blues from copper, yellows from sulfur and whites/tans from silicon dioxide are some examples. 

Follow all the photos to the end and you will be taken to the many other parts of the sweeping park.

The group of photos below are from the White Dome Area.

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Fire Wave

Not quit as showy and smooth as The Wave in Arizona, but still colorful.

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Rainbow Trail and Vista

This trail winds through one of the most colorful parts of the park with wild vistas of colored rocks.

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The day we were there the sky was a kaleidoscopic event, changing minute by minute from cloudy and rainy to fluffy clouds to bright sunshine. Each sky producing different variegated colors in the rocks.

 

 

 

 

 

End of Rainbow Vista

 

 

 

The trails took us right into the rock formations. People were even climbing on the rocks. Many paths were easy, but some have drop offs or tall rocks only a mountain goat could manage. The photo on the left is an example.

Arch Rock Area

Petrified Logs

Fire Canyon

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Another rugged trail in photo 3

Mouse's Tank Trail Petroglyphs

Along Mouse's Tank Trail

The tank is a small pool near the end of the trail.

Other sites in Valley of Fire State Park

The End

If you made it all the way here, you deserve congratulations or maybe you don't have anything better to do.