You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Last Chance Canyon is part of Red Rock<br />
Canyon State Park and features steep<br />
canyon walls, challenging rock obstacles,<br />
and many places to explore and see the<br />
past. Red Rock Canyon State Park has over<br />
147 archeological sites and various wildlife<br />
including desert tortoise, Mohave ground<br />
squirrel, Prairie Falcons, Golden Eagles,<br />
and various desert plants. Petroglyphs and<br />
aboriginal tool stone quarries can also be<br />
found.<br />
In the 1860s Red Rock Canyon<br />
became a travel route for shipments of<br />
supplies for regional mines especially<br />
during the 1890s when there was a rush<br />
to mine placer gold from the dry washes.<br />
After time, the mining activity died down<br />
but saw a resurgence during the Great<br />
Depression. During this period, long-term<br />
residency near the mines increased. A few<br />
of the main points of interest in the park<br />
are Dutch Cleanser Mines, Bickel Camp,<br />
Holland Camp, Holly Ash Mines, Cudahay<br />
Camp, and Burro Schmidt Tunnel. Burro<br />
Schmidt Tunnel was not made by nature,<br />
but instead by William “Burro” Schmidt<br />
who spent 38 years digging the half-milelong<br />
tunnel.<br />
Once reaching the trailhead, we all<br />
lined up to enter Last Chance Canyon<br />
and start on our adventure. As the trail<br />
progresses, a series of obstacles and loose<br />
rock come into view. Now the trail starts<br />
to come to life. The high canyon walls and<br />
weaving of the trail keep you focused and<br />
on your toes.<br />
The first major obstacle that you<br />
approach is the V-notch. This is an area<br />
not for the faint of heart. As you drive up<br />
onto the notch, you have to slowly ride the<br />
walls bringing your Jeep up high enough<br />
on the wall to almost walk under it. If not<br />
careful, the Jeep could slip down the wall<br />
into the notch, causing damage. There is<br />
a bypass for this section so if you are not<br />
comfortable you can continue on the trail.<br />
As the trail progresses the rocks continue<br />
to get larger and remain loose making the<br />
trail change as it is driven.<br />
The next obstacle you encounter is<br />
a step-up shelf. There are two lines on<br />
this shelf depending on the build of the<br />
vehicle and the skill of the driver. With<br />
great spotting, a stock vehicle is more than<br />
capable of getting through one section of<br />
this obstacle. This trail is not just traversed<br />
by Jeeps, but also motorcycles and sideby-sides<br />
so be sure that you do not block<br />
the trail should you need to stop for any<br />
reason.<br />
28 S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE - APRIL <strong>2021</strong> - www.ssorm.com
Change language