About one year ago, March 27, 2022, my partner-in-adventure, Cindy, and I visited Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (subsequently referred to as RRCNCA or RRC) near Las Vegas, Nevada. Coming from a primarily verdant location in Oregon, we tend to be fascinated by the  formations and color of the Aztec Sandstone. The color is due to the occurrence of iron oxide in the structure of the sandstone. I won't go into the process of the formation of these rocks, but I will say it took a long time to create the dramatic shapes and colors presented there. Since my main focus is to provide a visual representation of the adventure we took in traversing these cliffs and canyons, I will display some of my photographs from our journey. You can see more by checking out "My Gallery".

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation AreaThis photo is of the main attraction at RRCNC, the red rock formation taken from the visitor center.

This is a photo taken near the visitor center. It shows the primary attraction at RRC. As you get closer, the immensity of the formation becomes apparent.

RRCNCA trail from an entry point.You can see the trail from the left as it winds around the rock formations.

The above photo shows the trail (left side) winding around the front of the RRCNCA formation. 

This photo exhibits the tortured face of the sandstone rocks. This photo was taken from the trail.

The conservation area is not just about the red sandstone. This photo was taken facing west.

Red sandstone formationsStriations, red colors mixed with desert "varnish" make for fascinating images. Fascinating formations and colors mixed with desert "varnish".

Negotiating the trails at RRCNCA.Not all of the trail is easy to navigate, but with a little effort and ingenuity it can be done. Cindy negotiating the trails at Red Rock Canyon NCA.

Abstract or real?The fantastic shapes and colors of the sandstone formations entranced us around every bend in the trail. The shapes, contours, and color of the sandstone fascinated us.

Chuckwalla HideawayI found these two hiding from the sun, and probably tourists like me. I found these chuckwallas (my best guess) hiding in a rock shelter from the sun and probably tourists like me. 

Context and immensity.Sometimes it's hard to realize the immensity of an area in a photograph, so I took this photo of Cindy near where the trail started downward.

Cindy provides context for the immensity of the rock formations. She is standing at the point where the trail starts downward.

Banded and CarvedWind and water are major creators among the sandstone formations. Wind and water create bands of colors, and rounded and jagged rock formations on the way up to Ash canyon Trail.

Land of many colorsI was enchanted by this rock formation leading into the canyon below.  

            I was enchanted by this rock formation leading into the canyon below.

Ash Canyon entrance.Little did we know what we were getting into. This is the entrance to Ash Canyon Trail and Kraft Mountain Basin

The Canyon Wash is the trailLooks easy, doesn't it? Looks can be deceiving.

The Ash Canyon wash is the trail. It will not always be as easy as this looks.

The BakeryI doubt this is the official name, but these rock formations reminded me of dough and bread.

I call this rock formation, "The Bakery". Hopefully the reason is apparent.

Peppermint WallAgain, probably not the official name, but I couldn't resist. The "Peppermint Wall" (Probably not official name).

Getting serious This is the beginning of the not-so-easy section.

This seductive section of rocks is the first warning we might be entering a more difficult section of the trail.

The JudgesI couldn't resist naming some of the rock formations. Perhaps others have named them before, but I like to think not. I named these rock formations, "The Judges". Perhaps they have been named before, but I like to think not.

The Challenges BeginIt was incremental, but it could have been a warning.

The challenges are incremental, but they could have served as a warning

Seductive WarningsThis beautiful section of the trail suggest what lies ahead.

This beautiful section of the trail suggests what lies ahead.

First and LastThis is the first obstacle to require special effort, it was the last obstacle we were able to negotiate without the calvary.

This is the first obstacle we encountered, and the last we could negotiate without the "calvary". The gravel base slopes below the rocks, making the descent and ascent more challenging. I was able to get down, but soon realized that the next descent (a few feet behind me) was much more difficult. My estimate was the it was a 8-10 foot straight drop to the wash/trail below. We were hesitantly considering retracing our steps when our rescuers, Ashley Sylvester (Ash) and Alena Michel, arrived. If you look closely, you can see Ash's head, as he rounded the corner of the trail, in the notch between the rock formations.

After a brief introduction and a distressed explanation of our circumstances, we learned that Ash had climbing skills and was familiar with rock climbing in the area. The timing of their arrival felt more than a little magical. Ash set to work rapidly after understanding our predicament. He offered his hand to help me back up the section I had just descended. I accepted his overture, but not being totally aware of the physics involved, I released my grip about halfway up the rock face. Ash immediately staggered backward with a surprised expression. I soon realized my technique was unlikely to be sanctioned by most climbers. I sheepishly apologized. It was probably not the best way to treat someone who was about to rescue me. Fortunately, not only did he possess the skills to help us, he was a nice guy. Finally, we decided to search another route down. After a brief reconnaissance, he returned to explain that he had found a better way down, acknowledging it was still a bit of a scramble.

Trail???I took several photos of sections that required the assistance of a couple of great people. I think this is the one that we chose to avoid because of the steepness of the descent.

This photo is of the rock scramble that we circumnavigated with the assistance of our Ash and Alena. We considered the descent too steep for us.

Magic Elevator This scramble resulted in Cindy riding on the shoulders of one of our rescuers down the slope to the left. The image is seared in my mind. I truly regret not getting a photo.

 This was one of the scrambles we needed assistance with. I am so disappointed I didn't photograph Cindy's descent down the slick rock on the right side of the photograph.  She actually rode on Ash's shoulders. He was skilled in climbing and it came in handy. Bravo! (I was actually too busy contemplating my own technique for the descent. I'm glad that wasn't photographed.) On another scramble, I was considering how to get down safely, not so much for myself, but my camera and lens. I was carrying a large SLR Canon camera and a 70-200 mm Canon lens with a 1.4x extender attached to a harness on my chest. Probably not the best activity to carry that kind of equipment. Fortunately, Alena offered to help me. I lowered my gear to her by the camera strap. That made the slide down to the wash much easier and less stressful. Thanks, Alena!

I carried the camera and lens in the event we encountered desert bighorn sheep. The sheep eluded me at RCC, but I had a phenomenal experience photographing them at Valley of Fire. I will create a blog post of that experience soon. I did not have my landscape lens with me. I will next time.

Rescuers, trail spirits, Samaritans, or whatever superlative you might use, we are grateful for our experience with Ash and Alena. In our opinion they are great people. Thanks for spending your time and energy with us in Ash Canyon.

Premature CelebrationThis photo was taken by our wonderful rescuers. We were laughing it up that we had managed to get through the tough section. We soon learned it was a tough section.

This photo was taken by our wonderful rescuers. It's a premature celebration of our successful negotiation of our first scramble. We had contemplated reversing our hike, but when we met two great "Samaritans" (one with climbing knowledge and experience), we changed our minds. We actually encountered a few other challenging scrambles, but with the help of our new guides, we were able to get back to civilization safely. Overall, Ash Canyon was the most memorable experience of our Red Rock Canyon adventure. All of RCC was beautiful, but the challenge of scrambling over huge boulders left us exhilarated and holds a special place in our memories. I can definitely recommend RRCNCA. There are some difficult parts of this trail which is on the periphery of RCC, but those younger and more agile than we are (which includes most people) can navigate the challenges. This last trail requires some scrambling up or down boulders, as you can see from the photos. To label the "trail" moderately difficult or really difficult trail depends on your perspective. Our perspective is that portions were really difficult, but worth it. When I have these experiences, I fervently wish I was younger. It would be such fun!

The photos in the blog are for sale. I have other photos for sale in "My Gallery" of theis area and other locations and wildlife as well. You can check out prices and sizes by clicking on "Photos". You can also see the prices of the blog photos by clicking on the photo.