Red Spring, Red Rock Canyon - 10/28/14

Today we drove to Las Vegas to do some shopping. On the way back, we stopped at Red Spring located on Rte 159 a couple of miles before the Scenic Loop Drive at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. While we have driven the Scenic Loop and hiked some of the trails in Red Rock, we had not visited this location.

I love this view of the sandstone rock formations here in the late afternoon.

 

A quick walk through the picnic area next to the parking lot brings you to the start of the 1/2 mile boardwalk loop trail to the Calico Basin.

The cliff wall as seen by from the boardwalk.

There is also a trail on the perimeter of the fence on the right that leads to the rocky cliffs.

Some rock scramblers...

Along the boardwalk are interpretive signs describing the wildlife, plant life, and geology of the area.

Views of the meadow (Calico Basin).

Petroglyphs (rock paintings) estimated to be 5,000 years old can be seen from the boardwalk trail.

Pictographs (rock carvings) also created by Native Americans thousands of years ago.

The Red Spring emerges from a short tunnel under this large rock.

Dusk at Red Spring.

This is a popular location to see some of the beautiful rock formations at Red Rock Canyon. There is no fee to access this area. We particularly liked seeing the artwork of Native Americans in this location...very accessible.

Website:  www.nv.blm.gov/redrockcanyon