Jill's Journal: Fewer than 20 miles from the spectacle that is Las Vegas is the tranquility that is Red Rock Canyon. This National Conservation Area is known primarily for its hiking, which we fully intended to do. But oddly, on the day we had scheduled to visit, the temperature in the whole Las Vegas area dropped from the 108 degrees of the day prior (and the day after) to 61 degrees with winds and rain. We opted to just enjoy the 13-mile scenic loop drive instead.
And really, pictures don’t do it justice. In spite of the overcast day, the red rock was extremely striking. The towering cliffs can stretch up to 3,000 feet above the desert floor. This is a beautiful place – eerily silent and wild, especially when considering how close it is in proximity to the bright lights and crush of people that is Vegas.
We had hoped to spot one of the herds of wild burros that call the canyon home, but we never did. However, we did see plenty of evidence that they really were there. :)
