Vegas!!! Who doesn’t love Vegas with all the nonstop partying? Vegas creates a magical grown up playground where most of your dreams can come true. It is definitely an experience everyone should have at least once. BUT...the strip is not all Vegas has to offer. There are people who actually live there. I am one of them. I want to be your resident guide to Vegas off the strip. I will try and highlight things you will definitely enjoy. Why not a hike? Have you ever seen those mountains giving an incredible backdrop to the strip? Well the grand majority can be hiked. You need to add a day hike to your Vegas extravaganza. You cannot beat the views from the tops of these mountains. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is probably the most popular hiking destination for tourist. It is only 25 mins from the strip. There are several hiking paths, but there is a fee to enter park. Who wants to do that? There are paths just outside of the gates that are fantastic. They are also FREE! Calico Basin I have hiked this path a few times. It will give you some great view of the red rocks and the strip. You can put Calico Basin into maps on your phone and it will take you to the road. Calico Basin is the exit right before the actual park. It is clearly marked by a street sign. Once you turn right on the street it curves a bit, and ahead you will usually see cars lined on the side of the streets. Parking is free as well and your car should be fine. The path to trail is straight ahead. You will see an open gate as you head down the path. The trail is unmarked, but from the start the path is very defined. You will follow the trail until it starts to veer into the actually rocks. Scrambling is needed for this hike. Now you can go as long or as short as you like. This hike goes from moderate to advance in the latter section. There are incredible views not that far up. You will see people rock climbing or even people doing tightrope walking. Crazy! In order to get this view you will scramble up a lot of rocks. Some upper body strength is definitely needed. You will go about an hour until you reach the saddle. Which is a curved section shaped like a horse's saddle. Once there you will see a crevice to your right. Time to use that upper body strength. Make your way up to the top. You cannot beat these views. The length of the hike depends mostly on you. I would plan for up to 2-3 hours. Not that it takes that long to do the hike. You are going to stop for breaks and pictures. Once you get to the top you will want to spend some time taking it all in, and perhaps have a snack. Tips for the hike:
1. Water! It is a desert after all. The sun is extremely strong. 2. Sunblock. Above reason. 3. Snacks. Might as well kick back and take in the view for awhile. You worked hard to get up there. 4. Arrive early. You want to beat the crowds and the heat. This is a great day hike. It will give you a taste of the beautiful red rocks. You get to see Vegas from a different perspective, and take in nature at it’s finest. There is a whole other world off the strip. If you have any questions just leave me a comment. I hope you enjoy it!
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AuthorTraveling makes my heart happy. My mission is to use words and pictures to inspire you to get out there and take in the beauty of our world. Archives
December 2019
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