"Pardon me. Who is Queen of the Rocks?" The editor on the spectacular white checkerboard slab on Yellow Knolls Trail.
Turtlehead in Red Rock Canyon Park, Nevada, our destination, one fine morning at 6:05am.
A short while later, we have a daunting perspective of the peak.
We’ve always tried to keep out of the deserts in summer for obvious reasons. However, in autumn and winter and early spring, the desert is a place of beauty, tranquility, wonder and challenges. Last year, we were able to enjoy two autumns, our favorite hiking period because of good weather and coloring. The initial autumn occurred in Argentina during March and April while the latter was in Eastern Europe during October and parts of November. We haven’t been in a desert at temperatures above 80 degrees in a long while. Good planning.
All good things do end. Because of a desire to be away in autumn later this year and that we undertook too short a trip in Nepal recently, a local trip to Idaho, Northern Nevada and Utah made the most sense for this period. However, to get to those locations, one has to pass through the great Mojave Desert. And while passing through, it’s worth a pause to take in a few hikes during mid-June near Las Vegas and especially to see Gill and Clive Midgen. Surely, the temperatures are not peaking just yet. Our first hike at Red Rock Park to Turtle Peak was its usual testing self and is always a wonderful hike. In order to minimize the heat, we began the ascent soon after the gates opened—we arrived before the 6am entry period. Good plan and it succeeded.
The following day, we again woke before 5am to walk to Griffith Peak, the sister mountain of Charleston. It (the hike) was the main reason we selected Las Vegas as a destination point on the way north. Mount Charleston is an icon of Nevada. Off we went and because of weather conditions, we had to turn back after two hours of tough hiking. Too hot! Of course, that’s the obvious reason. Actually, chest-high snow blocked our progress. There you have it. Turned away in early summer because of too much snow. Nature is far too smart for simple folk. We have not been able to hike in this region during winter because of cold and snow. We avoid southern Nevada in the impossibly hot summer months which leaves a window of opportunity for this icon to November, we suppose.
The next day, we followed the same routine regarding waking and the car journey. This time we commenced in a canyon and actually felt chilly. What a glorious feeling then knowing we had 2-3 hours before the temperature would reach well in excess of 100 degrees. The adage of man planning and God laughing seemed to work quite well although it wasn’t that funny.
Jen stands on the peak of the 'Turtle', a tough and slippery hike.
There she goes again, heading high toward Griffith Peak alongside Mount Charleston.
Invariably, the most exciting hiking periods involve free rock climbing, effectively, supplementing the hikes.
You kidding? Nevada in mid-June on Mount Charleston range. We crossed the snow earlier, at the gorge. (Jen on right).
Although she may be smiling, the slope was dangerous; it's a lot worse than it looks.
Particularly taken in with this early morning scene on another Red Rock hike as the sun lights up a few spots. The backdrop reminded us of the Amphitheatre of the Drakensberg in South Africa. The mountain reaches for the sky vertically and has a certain symmetry. Love it.
Airplane routine. Makes me long for when I was nineteen. Not for youth, way past that. Rather for strong bones and muscles without the aches.
Some show off in their own way, usually less crass than others. We did climb this wall which should not be construed in the same manner as we had Mom doing (climbing walls) when we were teenagers.
The editor's on a roll as she plays on the mini-arch above the boulder-top. This is where we'd love to bring the grandkids. Imagine how they'd enjoy it. We behave like kids on these rocks or we hope we do.
A remarkable position overlooking the white checkerboard slabs just outside St. George.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
"Give me a break. This slithering serpent began with a lecture about an apple and I lost it completely. Flattened the bugger with a 'Granny Smith'. Payback!"
"See! She does have a soft side."
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