02- 14-09 Ash Meadows

With the both of us feeling slightly under the weather, we decided to take it easy. About an hour and a half away from Vegas is Ash Meadows. It is a National Wildlife Refuge established in 1984 that encompasses over 23,000 acres of spring fed wetlands. This Refuge protects several endangered species, some only known to exist here. Water known as fossil water, which comes from over a 100 miles away through a vast underground aquifer, brings this Refuge it's beauty. Springs, small streams, sandy dunes, mesquite and ash grooves make up the landscape of this area. Over 10,000 gallons per minute flow here year round and the water temperatures can reach 90 degrees.

We checked out Devil's Hole, which is pretty much a deep hole in the side of the mountain. Water rises from deep below the valley floor and forms a pool at the base of Devil's Hole. I saw a Discovery channel special on this place some years back and believe it leads to large underground water filled caverns. The entire Population of the endangered Devil's Hole pup fish live here and our said to have been isolated in these waters for 10 to 20 thousand years. Access to the hole it's self is fenced off but there is a great observation platform in which to take pictures from. Another trail leads around the bend and up to a much more ominous looking hole. It is also encaged which is probably a good thing do to the fact it looks like something someone may accidentally stumble into. I swear I heard what sounded like people speaking Chinese coming from it's depths. Jen on the other hand, suggested it was more then likely in my head as the result of a tumble I took down the side of the rock covered hill.

On our way to Ash Meadows we stopped at the Pahrump valley museum. It has a great collection of memorabilia, including the prehistoric settlers to the present day. A very friendly and helpful staff as well as an impressive Abraham Lincoln collection. Very fitting since yesterday was his 200th birthday.

On our way home via US95 at about 70mph, my eagle eyes noticed several bighorn sheep about 100yrds off the road amongst some cliffs.

Mount Wilson Back Country Byway

For a little less brown and a lot more green, we headed to eastern Nevada to check out the Mount Wilson byway. This mountain is actually a volcanic caldera. It is a 66 mile dirt road winding high into the mountains near the Nevada and Utah border. In the lower elevations, pinyon and juniper pines line the sides of the narrow, goat trail like road. Higher elevations have aspen and ponderosa pines which create an almost Rocky Mountains feel. The weather was frequently rainy, which some how made it that much more beautiful. We also got to see a large group of elk which crossed our path a short distance away.

After the descent into the valley, we headed to Camp Valley. There were no signs of an actual camp, but this was once used by Native Americans. It was lush greenery with a good size creek that ran along the road. Beautiful pools developed here and there, making it's exploration a must.

As the road traveled through the valley, we passed old cabins and the Rice family cemetery. I really have no idea who the Rice family was, but would be quite interested in learning. Most of the tombstones are dated from the early to late 1800's. This is one of my favorite grave sites so far.

A few miles before the road became paved was the Eagle Valley Reservoir. The valley area was believed to have been occupied as far back as 5,500 BC and then settled by Mormons in 1864. Echo canyon was dammed up during 1969 and 1970 for flood control and water storage. Eagle Valley reservoir is a 64 acre state park, stocked with trout, several camp sites and very scenic.

Ghost town Rhyolite, Nv.

About 2hrs north of Las Vegas is the ghost town of Rhyolite,Nv.. It is inside Nevada on the California border near Death valley. Established in 1904 during the gold rush of 1904-1907, Rhyolite's population was once several thousand. In the financial panic of 1907, Rhyolite took a turn for the worse and people began to leave. In 1916 mining began to slow and the population decreased more with each year. By 1924 Rhyolite was deserted. Some buildings are still standing, others lay in ruins. This makes for a almost movie like depiction of a ghost town.

One of the more famous buildings is the Glass Bottle House. It is made from 10,000 bottles and completed in 1906. The house now serves as a visitor center of sorts, staffed by volunteers.

As you turn into Rhyolite off of highway 374, check out the Goldwell open air museum. It is off to the left of the road, you will not miss it. It definitely stands out in the desert surroundings. A remarkable display of outdoor sculptures.

02-07-09 Is that rain????

On Saturday a bizarre substance fell from the heavens. We desert folk would soon be told this was, rain. So I headed up to Red Rock Canyon. I was hoping get some shots of the water cascading down the cliffs.


Here is a couple of videos










Some photos







Off the scenic loop, I went through Willow Springs to Rocky Gap road. This road begins where the pavement ends. Two wheel drives used to make it through here but, with all the wash outs, I recommend four wheel drives only. I climbed in elevation to about 5000ft and found, snow!!!