#1 – VF Entrance Sign – See the bluish green tinge
on the sagebrush indicates that the plants are still alive.
The last day of our family vacation, 6/3/2016, Ben
and I went hiking at Valley of Fire State Park – It’s a well-deserved
togetherness, without the hassle of crowds (the Strip) and 5 nights long bedtime stories: Grandson, Forest’s Thomas the
Tank Engine Collections.
After dropping the Cole’s family at the
airport around 8:00 a.m., we took I-15 N about thirty-five miles from the
Strip, then headed twenty miles east on Highway 169. The blank and barren desert gave way to
scenic landscapes around us. We drove curved
Valley of Fire Road through west entrance with $10 fee. National Parks Senior pass was not honored
because it’s a state park. The park derives
its name from red sandstone formations formed from great sand dues during the
age of dinosaurs, some 150 millions years ago.
Follow the map and enjoy the drive with me!
Follow the map and enjoy the drive with me!
#3 Beehive -
the first stop. Some 150 millions years
ago during the age of dinosaurs, the complex uplifting, faulting, and erosion
have created the present vista. We got
out of the car to take this photo. It’s
so hot! Ben and I were not prepared in
gears for hiking not even walking in this merciless heat.
#4 Petrified Wood – picture taken at the visitor center
Within the expansive views of this red-stone park,
there weren’t any car visibly traveling in this direction. I noticed that we only saw one tired looking visitor
who just came back the trail looking for petrified logs washed into the area
from the ancient forest about 225 millions years ago.
The guy took this photo at the entrance of Petrified
Wood Loop for us – the only one, Ben and me together. He found the petrified wood, “it’s all fenced
in, not that impressive,” he said. But
we opted out due to the trail sign indicated “. 3 mile loop.” Under this oppressive heat, I wondered if I
could make it back even though I was curious about the petrified tree stumps. I retreated back in the car sipping one
gallon of water I packed at the resort -
“I must conserve if I want to make the whole 10+ miles of
driving/hiking.”
#5 Atlatl Rock
I dashed from parking lot #3 to the base of the
rock, not in any shady area where I could take comfort, leading up to the
stairs at Atlatl Rock. After seeing the
petroglyphs at the top of the stairs, again, I opted out to dash back to the
car when Ben ventured out to follow the path that led him capture this beautiful
arch photo
. https://picasaweb.google.com/112480790564624696310/6300693886349920817?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKv49srus7f74wE&feat=directlink
#6 Arch Rock
Petroglyphs
These interesting symbols reminds me of my
Gaithersburg Chinese School teaching days when I tried to enlighten the little
curious minds about the primitive similarity and difference between the
petroglyphs of Native Americans and ancient Chinese written scripts/pictures
carved on the turtle back and stone-caves.
#7 Sergeant John J Clark Memorial
I saw a white cross not far from the visitor
center. Ben took the picture with
assortment of photo gadgets he carried.
This is a white brick monument for Captain John J. Clark, a retired New
York Infantry, died in June 1915, at the age of 67,ugh, from thirst!
#8 Heat Warning! I was not kidding about the extreme heat and hiking warnings posted at
the Visitor Center. It’s 110 degrees F. (43.3 degrees C.)
today.
#9 – signs on the way to Fire Canyon
The area is home to a variety of different
wildlife. I only saw signs posted and
the desert bighorn sheep herd having lunch in the low valley among the
sagebrushes. Nevada state law
protects the rare species of tortoise.
#10 Rainbow Vista
On the way to Fire Canyon, I was anxious to see cars in this spectacular desert
park. I tried to call my son and daughter about our whereabouts, but the cellphone wouldn't work. "Ugh, what shall I do? Am I getting claustrophobia in the park?" It seemed to look
like the end of the Fire Canyon Road to me. My imagination was running wild with
these distinct stone shapes. The anxiety level was racing fast! No, look at
the car before us when we’re completely soaking in the geological beauty of the
park in the companionship of lone vehicle. Yes, there's some one in the park besides us!
#11 White Domes Loops
The brilliant contrast colors from the
sandstone formations gave me the opportunity to learn from Ben to take pictures
of him. He did not complain at
least. The Nature is the artist here. It
would take 45 minutes hikes to trek the White Domes, we read the map: “Fire Wave –
hikers takes about one hour; not recommended in high temperatures.” So, we
headed back to Fire Canyon Road to wrap up the road trip before we could take
the red-eye flight back to DC.
We were rewarded with one-of-a-kind beauty around
this Mojave Desert.
#12 Seven-Sisters
I shrank among one of the seven sisters! I was careful not to damage the brittle red-sandstone. The desert is extremely fragile!
I shrank among one of the seven sisters! I was careful not to damage the brittle red-sandstone. The desert is extremely fragile!
#13 Elephant Rock
We were a little tired and hungry after 6 hours in
the park. Already it’s almost 5:00 p.m.
We nearly approached the East Entrance on the main road (Valley of Fire
Fire Highway). Ben was not going to
miss the “must-see” elephant rock. He
parked the car and I circled around the covered pavilion across the
slickrocks. The sign indicated .4 mile
RT (Round Trip.) By looking at the open,
smooth, wind-polished rocks, I figured that I could probably make it back
because the intensity of the sunlight decreased markedly. Otherwise, alone not being discovered here,
no one would mark a stone or anything for me if something unusual happened to me!
I started to run fast along the human-made stone marked trails (cairns). I felt like I was walking at the Great Falls leading up to Billy Goat trails. Yes, hot, but not too bad with the 5:00 p.m. sunshine. The rocks could be quite bumpy and twisted the ankles if you did not have the firm grip. I did not see rattlesnakes, foxes, lizards or bobcats of any wild animals. I was desperate to get there. Anyhow, before I had the opportunity to figure out what the Elephant Rock looked like, I was there in 15 minutes in front of the Stone Animal. Use your imagination to patch up the pieces together of long neck, body, back, ribs, bones and tusk for a complete skeleton; there you’ll have it. I came out the trail safely and stood on the main road to call Ben who was taking other photos waiting for me at the East Entrance. Serious, this is photographers' heaven, not many visitors and cars to clutter up the landscapes. The site is located just 50 feet off of Valley of Fire Highway, yet most people drive right by it, unless they know what they are looking for.
I started to run fast along the human-made stone marked trails (cairns). I felt like I was walking at the Great Falls leading up to Billy Goat trails. Yes, hot, but not too bad with the 5:00 p.m. sunshine. The rocks could be quite bumpy and twisted the ankles if you did not have the firm grip. I did not see rattlesnakes, foxes, lizards or bobcats of any wild animals. I was desperate to get there. Anyhow, before I had the opportunity to figure out what the Elephant Rock looked like, I was there in 15 minutes in front of the Stone Animal. Use your imagination to patch up the pieces together of long neck, body, back, ribs, bones and tusk for a complete skeleton; there you’ll have it. I came out the trail safely and stood on the main road to call Ben who was taking other photos waiting for me at the East Entrance. Serious, this is photographers' heaven, not many visitors and cars to clutter up the landscapes. The site is located just 50 feet off of Valley of Fire Highway, yet most people drive right by it, unless they know what they are looking for.
Yes, I did hike .2 mile at Valley of Fire State
Park, Nevada. The drive was gorgeous! What a wonderful experience!
My next adventure with Ben or with my grandson,
Forest, if I can: Camping and sitting by
the open slickrock to see the sunset and waiting for the twinkle, twinkle
little stars to come out around the majestic views of rocks. I am sure it’s not going to be this hot!
