Kraft Mountain Loop Trail - Desert Hiking

Kraft Mountain Loop Trail

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Another perfect day for desert hiking! Today Ronnie and I hiked the 3.1 mile loop around Kraft Mountain. Although the parking lot was filling quickly, we managed to find parking at the Sandstone Road trailhead. We hiked counter-clockwise as the ascent is less gradual in that direction. There were many boulderers arriving and already many in the boulder area. Many hikers out with their dogs were enjoying the day as well. Enjoy some photos taken of our hike.

The start of our hike. We hiked counter-clockwise and started our hike (East) from the Sandstone Road trailhead. Left: Ronnie with the pink Kraft Mountain in the background. 

Entering the Kraft Boulders area

Entering the La Madre Mountain Wilderness Area

Along the trail

Beautiful formations

  

Along the trail
We came up the trail that leads to Turtlehead Peak

There were two, short, steep, sections that required rock scrambling (Class 2). For someone with two knees replaced with Titanium, Ronnie crushed these sections!

White Domes Trail - Desert Hiking

Slot Canyon of White Domes Trail
Valley Of Fire State Park, Nevada

The last hike Ronnie and I did at Valley Of Fire SP, was the White Domes trail. What a great trail this is. It's a 1.1 mile loop which is moderately trafficked and has many stunning views!! Like Mouse's Tank, the White Domes day use area has picnic tables and bathrooms. There are also several boulders for the kids to scramble upon.

Other Valley Of Fire SP hikes:

Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank

Rainbow Vista Trail

 From the trailhead at the parking lot, cross over a crest and admire the terrain below! Beautiful sandstone formations line the trail down to the desert floor with the White Domes on your far left.

At the desert floor you'll reach an open area. This 'amphitheater' is surrounded by formations. Also in this open area are the "fake ruins" (right) of a 1965 production The Professionals. Valley Of Fire SP is a popular filming location for commercials, films, TV shows and photo shoots.  

 The trail continues and immediately drops into the Kaolin Wash. The walk along the wash is short and you're immediately at the opening of the slot canyon. 

Entrance of Slot Canyon

As you step into the slot canyon the walls quickly become narrow. But the canyon is only 200 feet long. Stepping out of the slot canyon you are on the wash again. But the trail continues up to your right, between large sandstone formations. 

The well-marked trail winds its way between formations of yellow, pink and beige. 















Found a small arch

Pink, yellow and beige formations

Another arch

The trail curves to the right and you'll know when the trailhead is near. There are a couple of cement steps which leads you around the corner of a large formation, and up along the side of White Domes road to the picnic and parking area. This hike is short, but there are so many views, colors and formations in this short hike! Highly, highly recommend!

Rainbow Vista Trail - Desert Hiking

Pano taken from Rainbow Vista trailhead

Valley Of Fire State Park, Nevada

The second trail we hiked was the Rainbow Vista trail. Right off the bat (at the trailhead) you'll see rock formations of gorgeous colors! Past reviews have this trail as poorly marked, but I didn't find that so. 

Other Valley Of Fire hikes: 
Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank
White Domes

Looks like an elephant head on the right side of this photo

Can you see him?

Looking down the trail of the outcrop

Very windy at the top of the outcrop!

But you have to agree.....

......gorgeous views!

Dogs are allowed on the trail so long as
they are kept on leash no longer than 6 feet.

The end of Rainbow Vista Trail
Overlooking Fire Canyon

Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank - Desert Hiking

Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank

Valley Of Fire State Park, Nevada

Located just a little over an hour drive from Las Vegas, Ronnie and I did a day trip out to Valley Of Fire State Park in Overton, NV. Before hiking Mouse's Tank, Rainbow Vista and White Domes trails, we stopped at the Visitor Center/Rangers Station in hopes of purchasing a color Trail Map of the park. Unfortunately, they had run out of those but were handing out an 8x10" copies of printed maps. Being the weekend and great weather, the park was packed! Enjoy some photos of our first day hike at the Valley Of Fire State Park - the Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank.

Balancing Rock

The trail (more of a walk) to Balancing Rock is heavily trafficked out and back. It starts at the Visitor Center. This photo was taken from our car as we rode past it.

Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse's Tank

The Petroglyph Canyon Trail begins off White Domes Road, and is also called Mouse’s Tank Road. It's about a mile up from the park's Visitor Center and a picnic area is located on the opposite side of the road. The picnic area is covered and has parking and several picnic tables. A sign at the start shows examples of Petroglyphs and their possible translations. 

It is advised to stay on the trail and not touch the Petroglyphs as they can be easily damaged and cannot be repaired or replaced. 

Surprisingly, this photo (left) and the next 4 photos turned out okay for being taken with my iPhone on zoom, as well as using the "Crop" function on my photo editor.

The trail is moderately trafficked and is an easy hike on level terrain. Left: Ronnie

Gorgeous rock formations everywhere

 you turn along this trail!

Mouse's Tank

The end of the trail - Mouse's Tank is a natural basin in the rock where water collects after each rainfall. It is named for the Southern Paiute Indian renegade "Little Mouse" who used Valley Of Fire in the 1890's as a hideout after being accused of killing prospectors in the area. 

Pano of canyon from above Mouse's Tank

Desert Sand - it's like walking at the beach, but there's no ocean!

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam and Black Canyon from the 

Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

The High Scaler

Art Deco Guardian Angels

Views from Dam

Lotsa rock!

The Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge