A couple of weeks ago I had an open Friday afternoon and new camera, so I headed to the Red Rock Loop. My mission for the day: Stop at all the major turnouts and take pictures.
Stop #1: Calico Hills Overlook
The first thing I learned was that even on a weekday, a significant
number of people visit Red Rock. There was a line to get in. There were people everywhere. (Maybe not like on the Strip, but still.)
Back in the days when I was ditching high school, there was
no one at Red Rock in the middle of the day on a Friday. Also, the Loop was two
ways and you didn't have to pay to get in--but I digress.
Trails have been worn all over the desert in this area,
where the landscape dwarfs the people. See if you can spot the hiker in this picture, and you'll see what I mean.
Stop #2: Sandstone Quarry
Right after I got out of the car and started snapping
pictures, I heard a conversation between two women.
"But where's the trailhead? How do we get to the Calico
Tanks?"
"Is it this way?" (Said while walking in the
wrong direction completely.)
"The trailhead for Calico Tanks is over there," I
said, pointing to other end of the parking lot.
A few minutes later, when I was wandering around the
trailhead, I heard, "Oh, look, there's our friend! Which trail do we
take?"
"It's that trail right there," I said, pointing to
the only trail option available. "Just bear to the right whenever you have
a choice on which way to go. There's signage." Since I didn't hear
anything about lost hikers that day, I assume they were fine (although I
seriously doubt they ever found the Calico Tanks).
Stop #3: Red Rock Loop High Point Overlook
It's bizarre to see the city from anywhere at Red Rock--outside of the tops of the hills and mountains--but you can plainly see the
sprawl of Las Vegas in the distance. Appalling.
Stop #4: White Rock and Keystone Thrust Trails
I thought maybe the dirt road at this stop would deter
people, but apparently everyone disregards that clause in their rental
agreement.
For some reason, while cell reception at the High Point
Overlook was terrible, next to the Yuccas in the dirt lot, I could
converse with my boss just fine. Gotta love technology.
Stop #5: Willow Springs Area/Lost Creek Trails
This area is full of trails, including several that are
great for families, especially the Lost Creek Children's Discovery Trail. This is also the
only place on the Loop with picnic tables.
Look for wildlife here--where you have springs in the
desert, you have critters. I've seen chuckars, quail, and a herd of big horn
sheep in this area. I once walked up to a group of people on a trail here who claimed to have spotted a mountain lion. You'll find lots of petroglphys here also.
Stop #6: Ice Box Canyon
By this time, the clouds were moving in, and my new camera
and I were starting to have some minor disagreements. (We overcame our differences.)
Ice Box is a great trail with plenty of rock scrambling, but
on this day I merely explored the trailhead, where I found several cairns.
You'll find these all over Red Rock, along with rock labyrinths.
Stop #7: Red Rock Wash Overlook
You've got cliffs and cholla cacti behind you, a wild untamed wash below you, and
construction in the distance. A big truck nearly ran me off the road after this
stop.
Stop #8: Pine Creek Canyon
Pine Creek is my favorite place to hike in Red Rock: there's a stream, the ruins
of a homestead, loads of pine trees (naturally), and two fabulous canyons for bouldering.
I also saw a convo of those little scooter cars leaving the parking lot. I'd seen them back at Ice Box, too, and they look like fun.
It was back off to town after that, off to First Friday and to ponder on how to learn more about my camera.
When’s the last time
you were on the Loop?
_______
All pictures by Terrisa Meeks
