Friday, March 5, 2010

Valley of Fire Hike

Sue and I decided that we needed to take a vacation day on Thursday and get out and get some extra exercise. When we woke up it was pouring rain in St. George. Luckily we were going to hike in the Nevada desert about 85 miles south of our home in Utah.

The "Valley of Fire" Nevada State Park is about 40 miles north of Las Vegas just outside of the Moapa Indian Reservation.

A friend of ours told us about this area just the other day. We have heard that this area has been called "God's sandbox", and after visiting the park and hiking many miles of this gorgeous back country, it is apparent why. There are vast wide open red rock vistas with many stunning rock outcroppings. Very similar to Sedona, Az., but with none of the touristy distractions to get in the way. We hiked, climbed rocks, ventured through sand and narrow slot canyons...we even saw an elephant in the desert....see if you can find him in the pictures below.

Sue and I do a lot of hiking but this one rates at the very top of the list. We want to go back before the summer heat sinks in to do some more climbing in the red rocks above "Mouse's tank" hike...it was amazing, narrow canyon, lots of petroglyphs, and amazing rocks to climb in and around.

These photos will give you a glimpse of the area, but they really don't do it justice. One word..."breathtaking" 

6 comments:

tt moreno said...

those are some cool archways!

who took the pic of you two together? or did you put it on auto and run really fast?

Ray and Sue said...

Some really nice guy who was hiking along behind us...wasn't that nice of him.

It was such a nice day. My doggone small camera completely broke after just three pictures (I threw it out today) and these were all taken by my Blackberry...not bad huh!

Your mom is becoming quite the little hiker/climber isn't she :)

Annie said...

That place has always intrigued me "valley of fire", every time I drive by it.

Kari said...

Looks like fun! I can't imagine how hot it must get there in July and August. Valley of Fire... sounds hot.

Dana Kelvington said...

OK guys! When is it our turn to go hiking with you. Stop hogging all the good hikes. We have never been on that hike so you will have to tell us how to find it.


Very inspiring!!!

Ray and Sue said...

We want to go back....there are a couple we didn't do and they are definitely worth a repeat....we better do them before mid June though. Awesome place...AWESOME!!!!

Sue & Ray's Zion Paradise

Sue & Ray's Zion Paradise