This One Hiking Spot In Nevada Will Give You An Unforgettable Experience
By Jennifer Young
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Published February 01, 2016
Red Rock Canyon was designated as Nevada’s first National Conservation Area. This incredible area is located approximately 15 miles west of Las Vegas, and it can easily be seen from the Las Vegas Strip. More than two million people visit Red Rock Canyon each year, primarily because it offers an abundance of recreational activities to its visitors, including rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking and hiking.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon
Speaking of hiking, Red Rock Canyon has an extensive trail system that’s popular among hikers from all over the world. Listed below are five of the area’s most popular hiking trails.
1. Ice Box Canyon Trail
If you begin hiking this trail from the parking lot, it'll lead you down across the wash and up the other side toward the canyon. The trail will then lead you up the side of the canyon for approximately 1/4 of a mile before dropping you into the bottom of the canyon. The official trail ends at the large ponderosa pine tree in the bottom of the canyon. The length of this trail is 2.5 miles round trip and it's rated moderately strenuous.
2. Dale's Trail
This trail can be accessed from either Ice Box Canyon Trail or Pine Creek Trail. It follows the terrain at the base of the escarpment and connects the two trails mentioned above. The length of this trail is 4.4 miles round trip and it's rated moderate.
3. Pine Creek Canyon Trail
This trail is intersected twice by Dale's Trail and by the Fire Ecology Trail. It then forks near the old Wilson homestead foundation. This part of the trail is a loop, which makes it much easier to follow to the left where it goes downhill, across a stream, then uphill to the intersection of the Arnight Trail. Upon making it to this part of the trail, you'll want to continue up the canyon, cross the wash, and return to the main trail on the opposite side of the homestead. The length of this trail is 2.9 miles round trip and it's rated moderate.
4. Turtlehead Peak Trail
From Sandstone Quarry, this trail heads north over a narrow rise, in and out of a wash. It then continues for a short distance along the northwest side of Turtlehead Peak. While hiking this trail, you'll scramble up a ravine and follow the steep ridge to the very top. The length of this trail is 5 miles round trip and it's rated very strenuous.
5. Calico Tanks Trail
Also from Sandstone Quarry, this trail heads north from its junction with the Turtlehead Peak Trail to just past the Agave roasting pit site. The trail then veers up a side canyon to the right and follows ascending rock terraces to a large natural water tank. The length of this trail is 2.5 miles round trip and it's rated moderately strenuous. Rock scrambling and route finding skills are highly recommended if you plan to hike this trail.
For an incredible scenic view of Red Rock Canyon, check out the video below.
VIDEO
Have you ever visited Red Rock Canyon, or hiked its trail system (or plan to)? Let us know in the comments below!
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