Explore the Site
| Click "Read more" under selected posts to explore the terrain. |
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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. Check with the office before using the 4WD roads, as some are no longer passable.
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 too hot in late April this year, although spring temperatures can vary widely year-to-year. ~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
Rhyolite Townsite
21 July, 2006 - 05:00 — Matt
Rhyolite is an almost-ghost of a mining town, featuring an unusual mix of historical buildings and contemporary outdoor sculpture. It's off NV HWY 374, one of the routes in and out of Death Valley.
Sculpture at Rhyolite Townsite
