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IntrepidXJ
04-16-2012, 08:03 PM
Las Vegas Trip 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO (http://adventr.co/2012/03/valley-of-fire/)

After another night at our hotel in Las Vegas we were up early and on our way out of the city and over to Valley of Fire State Park. I was looking forward to visiting this amazing little area and we were planning on spending the full day here. Even though a full day was nowhere near enough time to explore the whole park, we managed to see a lot and took many photos.

The sun came up just as we were nearing the entrance to the park. I loved the way the light was striking the mountains as we drove through this area, so I had to quickly stop and compose a shot.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5333/6923433116_c539c7fa9a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6923433116/)
Golden Morning (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6923433116/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Driving into the golden morning light.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/6906305388_a3b862baba_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6906305388/)
Fire Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6906305388/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6923188042_3a00508de0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6923188042/)
Road Light (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6923188042/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

After finally arriving at the park I quickly went searching for some arches near the entrance...

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5341/6932122974_9b2876c721_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932122974/)
Arch & Tiny Moon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932122974/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

...including the famous Windstone Arch.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/7072686935_8753bd6b61_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072686935/)
Windstone Arch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072686935/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

As we drove further into the park we came across this old bighorn sheep along the road.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5111/6923450658_07a9b724c1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6923450658/)
Old Bighorn (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6923450658/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

A closer look from the side.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/7069523463_8c5d5c74bf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7069523463/)
Tasty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7069523463/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Our next stop was at Atlatl Rock. The main petroglyph panel was half in the sun and half in the shadows, so we decided to visit again later in the day. I did take a quick photo of the stairway up to the main panel before leaving.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/6929364874_783849f1ce_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6929364874/)
Atlatl Rock Stairs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6929364874/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Here's an interesting petroglyph of a foot found on the main panel.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7075456315_29578ab6b2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7075456315/)
Hanging Foot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7075456315/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Our next stop was at Arch Rock just a little ways down the road.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/7069543655_6fb02e5466_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7069543655/)
Arch Rock (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7069543655/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

After looping through the campground we stopped by the Visitor's Center where I took this photo of 'The Scream'

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6926567270_4cbbd79ca7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926567270/)
The Scream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926567270/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

When we were done at the Visitor's Center we took the short hike to Mouse's Tank through Petroglyph Canyon. I knew there were some petroglyphs along the way, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that there quite a few here. It seemed that everywhere I looked there were new petroglyphs to be found!

Look closely for the turtle or tortoise in the photo below.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7115/6932473850_2a1936de66_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932473850/)
Turtle Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932473850/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7276/6932153716_cb92c0285d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932153716/)
Daisy Chain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932153716/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

That looks like one tall ladder in the middle of this panel.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/7078577037_6a47b78d24_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7078577037/)
Tall Ladder Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7078577037/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

This alcove was just packed with petroglyphs all over the place. Click on the photo for a larger view to see them all.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5324/6932512492_129bd678dd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932512492/)
Petroglyph Cove (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932512492/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/6932550172_86b50b0473_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932550172/)
Elk Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932550172/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

There were a few petroglyphs located on this small arch. You can see some others in the background, too.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5198/6932575644_da5f94d7cf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932575644/)
Petroglyphs on an Arch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6932575644/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Hiking back to the car through Petroglyph Canyon.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6923589086_578d96412b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6923589086/)
Petroglyph Canyon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6923589086/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Before leaving the area we spotted this panel of petroglyphs nearby which led us to a few other panels.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/6936492414_8b2ab29b79_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6936492414/)
Roadside Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6936492414/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5315/6928901624_03d962082a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6928901624/)
Bird Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6928901624/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7106/7072684823_7139157467_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072684823/)
Men & Spirals (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072684823/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/6936515290_d202556769_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6936515290/)
Upper Panels (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6936515290/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Back on the road again...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/7077821483_8aa24ca0f4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7077821483/)
Road Through a Canyon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7077821483/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Great colors and scenery no matter where you look.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/7077791521_a289911d9f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7077791521/)
Valley of Fire View (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7077791521/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/7072672625_fb1a084a74_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072672625/)
Striped Rock (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072672625/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

We stopped for a quick hike through Pink Canyon.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5039/6931767936_c4c145a27d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6931767936/)
Pink Canyon View (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6931767936/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/6926550124_767f7c6146_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926550124/)
Pink Canyon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926550124/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

We climbed out of the wash to visit the Fire Wave. We didn't stick around long since I was planning on returning here for sunset.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5235/7066439267_f7af5706be_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7066439267/)
Swirls (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7066439267/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

After leaving the park for some lunch in nearby Overton we were soon back again and ready to explore some more.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5470/6926241776_9110695449_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926241776/)
Park Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926241776/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

On our drive back into the park I made the short hike up to Elephant Arch.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5459/6926525932_1a38e43c03_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926525932/)
Elephant Arch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926525932/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Then we stopped by The Cabins.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/7072331149_9607b9d614_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072331149/)
The Cabins (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072331149/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

I even found another petroglyph panel near The Cabins.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/7072611361_74c6f9574e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072611361/)
Cabin Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072611361/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

This rock nearby sure looks like a large goldfish to me.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6926511846_6b449ab499_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926511846/)
Goldfish Rock (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926511846/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Then it was back to Atlatl Rock to search for more petroglyphs...and there were a lot of them!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/7066342609_18084ed4fe_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7066342609/)
Atlatl Boulder (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7066342609/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/7082618073_43e324cb54_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7082618073/)
Medicine Wheels Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7082618073/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

On our way to the White Dome Trail I stopped to search for Crazy Hill. The colors here are just amazing! They would probably look even better if these photos were taken under the harsh afternoon sun.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7077946429_c9b132cc3d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7077946429/)
Crazy Colors (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7077946429/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6931977974_2235f94f65_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6931977974/)
Color Stripes (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6931977974/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

We finally made it to the White Dome Trail and hiked down through the slot canyon.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/6931841506_5556c25384_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6931841506/)
White Domes Slot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6931841506/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

At the end of the slot canyon was this small area of colorful sandstone.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/7072293633_4a98161528_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072293633/)
Small Slot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7072293633/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

After finishing the White Dome Loop it was back to the Fire Wave to catch the sunset.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/6926611880_72461ed070_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926611880/)
Fire Wave Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/6926611880/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

The last light of the day touches the very tip of the Fire Wave.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7078/7075535003_c37a64cf89_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7075535003/)
Sun-Tipped Wave (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/7075535003/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

We had a great day exploring Valley of Fire and I can't wait to get back there again in the future!

>> Valley of Fire Photo Gallery (http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyRf7DY)

Sandstone Addiction
04-16-2012, 08:43 PM
Outstanding photos! I always enjoy your reports. :2thumbs:

IntrepidXJ
04-16-2012, 08:58 PM
Outstanding photos! I always enjoy your reports. :2thumbs:

Thanks :)

zzyzx
04-17-2012, 03:20 AM
Outstanding photos! I always enjoy your reports.

+1 :hail2thechief:

accadacca
04-17-2012, 03:47 PM
Killer man! :naughty:

DWayne27
04-17-2012, 08:49 PM
Excellent. I am now officially putting Valley of Fire on my list. And fantastic photography

JFstego
05-25-2012, 03:41 PM
Great report and pictures! We made a quick stop at the VoF on our way from Paria Plateau two weeks ago. Unfortunately, we only had a few hours before the flight. Definitely plan to go back there. Thanks for sharing.