Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada 6/3/2016 by Janice Chang

#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!

#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.  

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#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

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#6 Arch Rock

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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!

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#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.

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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!

 

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#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.

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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!