It's cloudy when I set off for the park about 7:30am. The drive will take approximately 1.5 hours (or 92 miles). Most of it will be on I-15, then it's south on Hwy 169 basically to the Park.
It's a rolling "desert-y" drive. Love the cactus on the side of the road and I absolutely love the drive through the Virgin River Canyon (I think it's best on the drive north from NV.)
The drive turns very green and verdant on 169 thru the Moapa Valley. Lots of green, cows, and horses. What an oasis in the middle of the desert.
Before I know it I'm turning right and heading into the Park. What a change in landscape!
Park gate is closed so get my own pass and continue. Unfortunately I didn't realize that at the gate was also the trail head for Elephant Rock. Oops! I'm not turning back now.
I try stopping at the Visitor's Center but it's closed as they are an hour behind in time :( So I head into the main part of the park.
It's a colorful rocky landscape that I'm passing through on a two-lane windy road.
I pass the Mouse Tanks just because I heard it wasn't the best place in the park. Perhaps if there's time on my way out.
The next stop is Rainbow Vista; I'll be stopping later as I want to get to the Fire Wave and
White Dome Trails before it gets too crowded.
There are 2 large "Parking" stops, I'm just not sure what they are for but I take a look around at Parking 1.
The 3rd "Parking" spot is the Fire Wave, time to explore the 1.5 mile trail. It starts thru the desert. I find this wonderful white flower sticky out of a plant.
I'm not sure if it's that plants flower or not. But as I continue to walk, I see more of them with the same plant. I know the answer now :)
I also find a beetle.
Lots of birds sounds and I'm lucky to find the one make the best call! He is sure singing his heart out. I stop and listen for a short bit.
There are blooming vetch and several cactus too!
I finally reach a loop and head down. Lots of tracks heading uphill in the sand so I follow. It's the wrong way but the trail is below. However, the good news is that I've found the Fire Wave. And it's awesome!
Fantastic!!
Next stop is White Dome. This is a 1.25 mile trail. Starts out heading past two big rocks and then comes to a rocky down hill section. I pick my way down (this is the "hardest" part of the trail and I'm glad I went clockwise to get this over first and the easy way, downhill).
At the bottom is part of an old movie set.
Then it's down into a small wash w/ rocks on both sides
which leads into a short slot canyon.
The sides are the walks are let's say interesting.
At the end of the slot, I can continue straight on Pinnacles Trail or turn right and continue on the loop. I do wander just a bit on the Pinnacles and then continue the loop.
It's on the return that I have 2 butterfly sightings - probably the same bug. Didn't get a good look, thinking probably Milbert's Tortoiseshell.
The back side of the loop is beautiful and a very easy hike.
Loved it!!
Time to head back to Rainbow Vista.
Definitely more people walking around the trail head.
I start off on the main trail and then veer right thinking that it all ends up in the same place. Nope, I'm heading to the Fire Canyon Overlook. Oops, might as well continue.
Lots of lizards moving about this trail.
Hey! There's an arch!
Soon I reach the overlook which I share with what appears to be some boy scout troop.
Back at the parking lot, I continue my drive down the road stopping for lunch across from the Mouse Tanks (and it's parking is packed).
I eat under a shelter with picnic tables. Only one family to the far left (BBQ'ng) and 2 older guys at the table to the far right.
Pretty peaceful.
There's a big Raven hanging around looking for scraps near the 2 guys. The guys knew it was there but decided to leave a backpack and what looks like a few granola bars at the picnic table while they go back to their truck.
They were gone for several minutes and during that time, the Raven flew to the table, picked through the bars and took off with one. Not sure how the guys didn't notice. The kids behind me were watching and talking about.
I probably should have said something but ... I have an evil streak I guess.
Well, the Raven came back and took another bar.
One of the guys came back to the table confused when the 2 bars were missing. I think he figured it out when the Raven came back. :)
After lunch I head out to the main road and continue west.
My first stop is supposed to be Atahl Rock but it looks crowded so I continue around the loop to Arch Rock. I park and start looking for this arch. I even wander down a wash. The rocky landscape is pretty but no arch. But I did see this very large lizard crawling down the side of a rock.
I decide to give in and head back to my car and back to Atahl Rock. Ohhh! I see a sign that says Arch Rock and look up and Da,Da! It's a small one. I turn around to get my photo.
I head back to Atahl Rock and now there are plenty of parking. I start over to the rock, up the stairs to the petroglyphs.
So lucky to have it all to myself.
One last stop before it's time to head home, the Beehives. It's a bit farther to the west. When I arrive, there are many people there. But I find one "beehive" that's in the clear!
Now it's time to head back east and then to St George.
As I'm nearing the Visitors Center when I see a bunch of people standing on the side of the road. I look to my left and yea, Bighorn Sheep!!!
Great ending to an awesome day!!
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