Arch climb up the muddy mtns

[Rented mule]

Greetings!
http://usera.imagecave.com/mochajo/002.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/mochajo/001.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/mochajo/008.jpg
Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is an amazing place, for sure!
Whether you are on a tour bus, or scrambling in the many backcountry
places, this little majestic park just doesn't know when to stop giving!
I hiked up the Muddy Mtns, which are actually just outside the park boundry on the south border. They jut up off the desert floor very abruptly. 1200 ft of scrambling on some sandpaper frozen mud.

here is the link for more pictures of the scramble and the "ARCH"

http://usera.imagecave.com/mochajo/

From up top, I could see all the way across the Overton Arm of Lake Meade into the Virgins. Also, clear off in the distance, Moapa Peak.
The mountains go on and on once on top. Also, the hot springs is nice,too.

Hope you like the pictures.
Elevation gain 1240 ft. Total trip out and back 4.2 miles. I have the gps for the arch, as well if interested.

What a blast! Cheers!

[Brewhaha]

Love the cactus shot. I'll have to add this place to my list of "to-do's". Thanks for sharing.

[goofball]

we went up a nice canyon in teh muddy mtn's awhile back. looks like you came from teh north side (?). we were on the south side and went up to where we could look down into vof. very pretty. thanks for more pics !

btw - ever bene in the bowl of fire ?

[Rented mule]

Thanks, Brew! :mrgreen:
I couldn't resist snapping a picture. Glad you liked it. Valley of Fire is a great equalizer for the Vegas scene. I try and take guests from Vegas there for a little change. You won't be disappointed. I like to hike, soak in the hot springs, and then head over to Little Band O' Paiute's firework's
stand when it gets dark and set off some fireworks for the end to a perfect outing.

You bet, Goofball! Bowl of fire is an amazing place and most importantly, no rangers, no rules, no park fees. One of the shrinking free feeling places in the wilderness area that is still lacking that full park status; though worthy of it. Ever been to the Anniversary Narrows/ Anniversary Mine in that area. Great great outing for kids. Nice pictures! Thanks for sharing! The Muddies are amazing! The pockets, located outside the park southwesterly, with all the mining equip and swirled orange and white tiger striping is something to behold, as well. Road splits coming from Fireworks/casino on I-15 after a few miles. Taking the unpaved road
through the stony wash leads to the pockets. high clearance needed for the stony wash. Ever been up in there? cheers! jerry

[goofball]

Ever been up in there? cheers! jerry

not yet. always gawk as we drive by, and found it on gooogle earth just for soem more visuals. looks mellower than v o f but still looks pretty cool.

[Jaxx]

That anniversary mine and narrows looks like a fun place to take the kiddies when we visit the grandparents in Vegas. How far of a drive is it out of town?

[Rented mule]

Good day, Jaxx! You bet! It's located at a turnoff on the lake meade Lakeshore drive that goes from the entrance station near the beaches
if you go through boulder city. Or, you could drive down the cutoff from Vegas and get to the entrance station. Fee required for the Lake Meade area. However, if you are coming in from the Overton way, you can go in and back out again for free. But, natl park pass will get you in, anyway.
It's located around mile post 16. There is a turnoff to the left before you start climbing the hills and going toward MP 19 and Bowl of Fire. There is a sandy wash with a sign Anniversary Mine almost immediately after you turn off. Take this rocky road to the left for 3/4 mile to a parking area.
Hike down the jeep trail into the wash and marvel at the mine area.
Anticlines, gypsum, and lots of amazing geo looking layered rock.
Then, the narrows, all very easy to do, looks like crackers stacked one on top of the other. Deep ledges almost look like a huge parking garage.
You can choose one and walk up the incline for quite a way.
Sometimes, little potholes of water exist. Mostly not.
Popular site usually has some people there, as well. Very nice kiddie
outing. The mine shafts are there to peek at, too.
Then, drive to MP 23 and have a picnic at the redrock pullout with some flat walking trails called "Redstone". It even has toilet. fun place with some window rocks for kids. Scrambler's paradise.
another turnout has a short, steep walk to look over Bowl of Fire.

[Jaxx]

Sounds awesome. Thanks for all the details. We are going to try to get down there this springs. Thanks again!