Discover the scenic & the unusual out beyond the bright lights
Mojave National Preserve
19 April, 2008 - 23:09 — Matt
Mojave National Preserve, about 1.5 hours southwest of LV, features a rich variety of desert environments. Paved and bladed roads make much of the hiking, camping, sightseeing, and wildlife accessible without an SUV. At this time of year, I found the desert in bloom, the Joshua trees in flower, and the desert tortoises active.
Kelso Dunes
Desert National Wildlife Refuge
7 May, 2007 - 21:09 — Matt
Desert National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Mojave north of LV, with three 4WD access points off Highways 93 and 95. Visitors are on their own and should be well researched and equipped for the backcountry. This year's forays were scouting trips for future expeditions.
Recovering Yucca Forest - Mormon Well Road
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
30 April, 2007 - 17:01 — Matt
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis of lakes along Highway 93 about 80 miles north of LV. Birding, camping, and native rock art are its principal offerings, but it also contains a 4WD access into the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.
Upper Lake
Las Vegas Dunes Recreation Area
25 April, 2007 - 21:58 — Matt
The "Dunes" are more like badlands and the "Recreation Area" is a power toy playground.
Power Toy Tracks
Red Rock Canyon
25 August, 2006 - 02:06 — MattRed Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is <1 hr. outside of Las Vegas. It features a scenic loop drive and hikes of various lengths and challenges.
View Coming Out of Icebox Canyon
Valley of Fire
16 August, 2006 - 05:00 — MattValley of Fire State Park is ~1 hr. outside of LV, with scenic drives and short hikes featuring unique scenery and native American petroglyphs. Popular Hollywood 'alien planet' landscape. Spectacular at sunrise/sunset.
Ash Meadows
11 August, 2006 - 05:00 — Matt
2+ hours outside of LV, on the way to Death Valley, is the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Springs fueled by the underground Amargosa River create oases and provide habitat for endangered species of desert pupfish. The lush vegetation and tropical-colored fish are a striking contrast to the surrounding alkaline uplands of the Mojave desert.
Point of Rocks Spring
Death Valley
6 August, 2006 - 05:00 — Matt
Death Valley National Park has a severe and subtle beauty that takes at least a couple of days to appreciate. Go during the cooler weather when you can hike around; it was already getting too hot in late April. ~3 hours from LV.
Mesquite Dunes near Stovepipe Wells
Zion National Park
1 August, 2006 - 05:00 — Matt
Zion's spectacular geography delivers drives, hiking, and camping of all varieties and challenges. ~3 hrs. out of LV on a drive that crosses the desert and ascends up onto the Colorado plateau via the Virgin River Canyon.
Heading Into Zion Narrows
Hoover Dam
26 July, 2006 - 05:00 — MattHoover Dam is worth a look if you're in that part of Lake Mead NRA. But be warned: the tourist traffic is heavy, the post-911 tour is minimal, and the declining lake doesn't produce the dynamic flow shown on the official site.
The River (Not So) Wild
