After Las Vegas The Natural World after the Trade Shows

Michael Heizer's 1969-70 land art piece Double Negative is cut into the edge of Mormon Mesa overlooking the scenic Virgin River valley. Hard to photograph, I found it to be an "interactive" piece that one needs to walk around, climb down into, view at both sunrise and sunset, etc. to appreciate its variations, scale, and bravado. Tried to see Heizer's even more monumental City, also in the region, but Heizer has deliberately made it inaccessible, pending completion, with a gated road and obscuring berms.

    
Michael Heizer's Double Negative

Buffington Pockets shares the features of Valley of Fire: twisted red rocks and ancient petroglyths. Valley of Fire is a state park accessible by car while Buffington Pockets is a power toy playground requiring 4WD, so check out Valley of Fire, first. If you are in the Buffington area (Moapa Valley), check out the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge, a warm springs oasis home to the endangered Moapa Dace.

Buffington Pockets

The mouth of Grapevine Canyon, a dirt road drive from the highway and a short hike in, contains the densest petroglyth panels I have seen.

Petroglyths at Grapevine Canyon

Mojave National Preserve, about 1.5 hours southwest of LV, features a rich variety of desert environments. Paved and bladed roads make much of the hiking, camping, sightseeing, and wildlife accessible without an SUV. At this time of year, I found the desert in bloom, the Joshua trees in flower, and the desert tortoises active.

Kelso Dunes

My list of places to visit on future LV trips:

In addition to Ash Meadows, other areas of interest in the Amargosa River area are Oasis Valley, Amargosa Canyon, and Shoshone/Tecopah

Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area

Muddy River / Meadow Valley Wash

Springs Preserve

China Ranch

Mojave National Preserve's Piute Gorge.

Please share your experiences in these places or suggest additional locations for Future Expeditions by commenting to this page.

Desert National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Mojave north of LV, with three 4WD access points off Highways 93 and 95. Visitors are on their own and should be well researched and equipped for the backcountry. This year's forays were scouting trips for future expeditions.

Recovering Yucca Forest - Mormon Well Road

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis of lakes along Highway 93 about 80 miles north of LV. Birding, camping, and native rock art are its principal offerings, but it also contains a 4WD access into the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Check with the office before using the 4WD roads, as some are no longer passable.

Upper Lake

2+ hours outside of LV, on the way to Death Valley, is the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Springs fueled by the underground Amargosa River create oases and provide habitat for endangered species of desert pupfish. The lush vegetation and tropical-colored fish are a striking contrast to the surrounding alkaline uplands of the Mojave desert.

Point of Rocks Spring

Death Valley National Park has a severe and subtle beauty that takes at least a couple of days to appreciate. Go during the cooler weather when you can hike around. It was already too hot in late April this year, although spring temperatures can vary widely year-to-year. ~3 hours from LV.

Mesquite Dunes near Stovepipe Wells

Zion's spectacular geography delivers drives, hiking, and camping of all varieties and challenges. ~3 hrs. out of LV on a drive that crosses the desert and ascends up onto the Colorado plateau via the Virgin River Canyon.

Heading Into Zion Narrows