During my
latest holiday in Las Vegas, I drove all the way up Charleston Boulevard to
take in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The day pass is a small
$7 entrance fee that's good for 24 hours and includes the Red Rock Visitor's
Center, which I skipped because I've already been there in May 2012.
To see
pictures of the Visitor's Center, go here: http://leftfieldwander.blogspot.com/2012/05/red-rock-canyon-visitor-center.html
This time, I
went on the 13-mile scenic drive, which took me a little longer than two hours
to complete (starting at 11:30 a.m., according to the time printed on my
receipt, and ending at 1:46 p.m., when I pulled back onto West Charleston
Boulevard, aka State Route 159). The drive included stops at various lookout
points that provided magnificent views of the earth-colored rocks and
multi-colored shrubbery and sand valleys.
When I first
began the drive, I was the only one on the well-paved, smooth-riding road, so I
took my time, feeling no pressure behind me. However, when I reached the first
overlook (Calico 1), there were about 75 cars parked at the overlook and
alongside the road.
Taking a chance,
I drove into the parking lot, and as luck may have it, a car pulled out of a
prime spot right at the edge of the overlook. I must say that the vistas are
magnificent. Not as magnificent as say the Grand Canyon, which in my experience
is unequalled, or Zion Canyon, which is jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring.
But the canyon
is so beautiful, with so many geologic layers ranging from gray stone to Hawaii
plantation dirt red, and every color in between.
At every
overlook, there were cars, cars, and more cars. Many of those on the drive tour
brought out hiking backpacks (there are 18 hiking trails in the conservation
area, ranging from easy walks at strenuous ascents up the mountainsides), and I
could see many of them below, looking as tiny as ants on the rocks.
Speaking of
living creatures, I did spot a jackrabbit, but in the few seconds it took to
whip my camera around and boot it up, it disappeared over a small rise. Also,
there were signs saying "Tortoise Crossing," but I had no luck seeing
any that day.
I took so many
pictures that my battery ran out. Good timing, as I'd just taken a panorama
shot and would be heading back afterwards. I did replace the battery when I got
back to my room at the Luxor and was delighted to see that I didn't lose the
last panorama.
Of special
interest is the outhouse. It looks nice and well-kept from the outside, but
it’s just a glorified hole in the ground. There is a porcelain toilet seat
inside, but when you look down the hole, well you just don’t want to breathe in
while you’re doing it.
But enough
talk ... Here are a few of the pictures I shot that day:
Click on Picture for a Larger Image |
Click on Picture for a Larger Image |
The pictures
just don't give a true sense of the magnificence because they're flat and
two-dimensional. You have to be there to truly appreciate the canyon experience.
2 comments:
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