Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

RED ROCK CANYON 287
believed were weapons of the wolf god Shinarav, can be viewed in the Chinle Formation
at the base of the Red Rock Cliffs. About 100 million years ago, massive
fault action began dramatically shifting the rock landscape here, forming spectacular
limestone and sandstone cliffs and rugged canyons punctuated by waterfalls,
shallow streams, and serene oasis pools. Especially notable is the Keystone Thrust
Fault, dating back about 65 million years when two of the earth’s crustal plates
collided, forcing older limestone and dolomite plates from the ancient seas over
younger red and white sandstones. Over the years, water and wind have been evercreative
sculptors, continuing to redefine this strikingly beautiful landscape.
Red Rock’s valley is home to more than 45 species of mammals, about 100
species of birds, 30 reptiles and amphibians, and an abundance of plant life.
Ascending the slopes from the valley, you’ll see cactus and creosote bushes, aromatic
purple sage, yellow-flowering blackbrush, yucca and Joshua trees, and, at
higher elevations, clusters of forest-green piñon, juniper, and ponderosa pines.
In spring, the desert blooms with extraordinary wildflowers.
Archaeological studies of Red Rock have turned up pottery fragments, stone
tools, pictographs (rock drawings), and petroglyphs (rock etchings), along with
other ancient artifacts. They show that humans have been in this region since
about 3000 B.C. (some experts say as early as 10,000 B.C.). You can still see
remains of early inhabitants on hiking expeditions in the park. (As for habitation
of Red Rock, the same Anasazi-to-Paiutes-to-white-settlers progression
related in the Valley of Fire section above occurred here.)
In the latter part of the 19th century, Red Rock was a mining site and later a
sandstone quarry that provided materials for many buildings in Los Angeles, San
Francisco, and early Las Vegas. By the end of World War II, as Las Vegas developed,
many people became aware of the importance of preserving the canyon.
In 1967 the Secretary of the Interior designated 62,000 acres as Red Rock
Canyon Recreation Lands under the auspices of the Bureau of Land Management,
and later legislation banned all development except hiking trails and limited
recreational facilities. In 1990, Red Rock Canyon became a National
Conservation Area, further elevating its protected status. Its current acreage is
197,000.
WHAT TO SEE & DO
Begin with a stop at the visitor center; not only is there a $5 per-vehicle fee to
pay, but you can pick up a variety of helpful literature: history, guides, hiking
trail maps, and lists of local flora and fauna. You can also view exhibits that tell
the history of the canyon and depict its plant and animal life. You’ll see a fascinating
video here about Nevada’s thousands of wild horses and burros, protected
by an act of Congress since 1971. Furthermore, you can obtain permits for hiking
and backpacking. Call ahead to find out about ranger-guided tours as well
as informative guided hikes offered by groups like the Sierra Club and the
Audubon Society. And, if you’re traveling with children, ask about the free
Junior Ranger Discovery Book filled with fun family activities. Books and videotapes
are on sale here, including a guidebook identifying more than 100 toprated
climbing sites.
The easiest thing to do is to drive the 13-mile scenic loop . It really is a
loop and it only goes one way, so once you start you are committed to driving
the whole thing. You can stop the car to admire any number of fabulous views
and sights along the way, or have a picnic, or take a walk or hike. As you drive,
observe how dramatically the milky-white limestone alternates with iron-rich