Southern Nevada - February 2026 - Part Two

 

please remember you can click on a photo to see a larger version & highlighted text are links to additional information

Please click here for Part One

 

Continuing Our Search

 

“Let’s look at the map,” I answered when the Lady asked if there was another way into the hidden valley we had seen from a high point we’d climbed. “We can try this,” I pointed out on the map, “If we can get over the pass on this road, that will put us closer.”

 

The road over was better than expected and we located our possible starting point. Mid morning we were ready to hike.

 

 

 

 

 

The ridge we needed to climb to reach this valley hidden away was always in sight ahead of us as we hiked. Wildflowers were starting here also.

 

Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)

 

 

 

 

 

An abandoned closed road led steeply over the ridge.

 

 

 

 

 

The view at the top revealed the hidden valley below.

 

 

 

 

 

The view north along the ridgeline.

 

 

 

 

 

The ridgeline is also the boundary of the Muddy Mountains Wilderness. Motor vehicle use is illegal inside Wilderness. We started down into the valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We investigated the spectacular outcrops of sandstone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were looking for a natural arch hidden away somewhere out in this valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We both looked for a possible way to climb - without protection - up under the arch. There was no way up we'd attempt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a long relaxing break, we resumed weaving in and out of these outcrops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made a wide loop through the south end of the valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The colorful sandstone was, again, the star of the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We returned to the ridge top and then back to the truck where we made camp for the night.

 

 

 

 

 

We continued out the primitive road, driving to the south. Climbing a steep rocky grade we needed to lock the rear differential. It was a long slow drive out to pavement. We did not encounter another vehicle.

 

We returned to favorite campsite high up in a wash. With the camper’s top raised and all made cozy, we hiked up the wash reentering the Wilderness Area.

 

 

 

 

 

We hiked under the walls of silt and mudstone we had returned to look for what we consider to be treasure.

 

 

 

 

 

Blocks of rock layers fall from these walls. Layers of rock that hold fossil tracks from ancient mammals that once roamed here.

 

Ancient horses

 

 

 

 

 

Ancient horses and possibly bison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horse

 

 

 

 

 

And birds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further up is a marvelous canyon to climb through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In our wanderings the next morning we came upon a new flower for us, not quite in bloom - Silverleaf Sunray (Enceliopsis argophylla)

 

 

 

 

 

We ended our short adventure in southern Nevada the same way we started, with our chairs out to take in the changing light and the end of another day - alone in our place of refuge.

 

 

 

 

We returned to Death Valley.

Southern Nevada - February 2026 - Part One

 

please remember you can click on a photo to see a larger version & highlighted text are links to additional information

 

Seeking Refuge

 

“Are we going to be okay?” This is a question the Lady repeatedly asks, especially once we are back at the house and more exposed to the moral depravity of the person the voters in this country installed as their president. The gut wrenching lawlessness, hate, and evil demonstrated by Trump, his enablers, and supporters is malignant to anyone with an ounce of moral decency. I cannot lie to the love of my life and exhausted by the constant uphill battle of trying to grasp onto some distant hope, my answer to the Lady’s question is now - “No, I don’t think so.”

 

The safest place we know is the backcountry, and as far from people as we can get. It is here that we seek refuge.

 

Taking a break in the middle of our Death Valley trip, we traveled over into southern Nevada. After a nasty section of road crawling along in four low, our chairs were set up in a place we could hold on to a feeling of being safe and at home.

 

 

 

 

 

We were in a wonderland of sandstone. We anticipated the sun the next morning as we wandered and explored.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tinajas in the deepening canyon still held water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sandstone amazed us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the rock told stories from ancient times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent the day hiking, wandering, learning the lay of the land. There is very little smooth ground out here. Our first objective was the top of the peak in the upper center of the photo below.

 

 

 

 

 

Route finding was a fun challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we climbed the vistas were outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

The up continued.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The peak is capped with older, very rough, limestone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And soon the Lady stood on top.

 

 

 

 

 

The vantage point at the summit allowed us to plan our route for the remainder of the day but also our route for the next day’s adventure. We began our descent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sister summit to top out on. The Lady could not resist.

 

 

 

 

 

Down off the limestone cap, we again marveled at everything sandstone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The night was quiet except for the chorus offered up to the heavens by the song dogs.

 

The next morning we headed toward the west.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We continued up a drainage that also held water in tinajas.

 

 

 

 

 

We came upon the rapidly spreading invasive Sahara Mustard (Brassica tournefortii)

 

 

 

 

 

Jim Boone, on his birdandhike website, mentions Colorock Quarry.

 

The road into the area has deteriorated to the point of being almost undriveable. Ours was a cross country route into Colorock Quarry that required navigation skills and scrambling up and over a high pass.

 

The sandstone changed around every corner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our climb began.

 

 

 

 

 

Pleased we had both survived the down climb, we approached the remains of the cabin at the short-lived quarry site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLM once had primitive campsites in a nearby sandstone alcove. It appears to also be called Colorock Quarry.

 

 

 

 

 

The road in is steep, rutted, and badly eroded. We would not drive it; a reason we made the long cross country hike into here.

 

 

 

 

 

We thoroughly enjoyed our explorations here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We found a more roundabout but easier way to recross the pass to return to camp. We also made a wide loop that allowed us to explore more of the area.

 

 

 

 

 

We were thrilled as we rounded a bend and saw this unexpected natural arch.

 

 

 

 

This was a highlight of our entire adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

The sandstone continued to delight.

 

 

 

 

 

The Lady went to work with her phone camera, documenting our discoveries - lithic scatter from tool making, petroglyphs, and pictographs. I did also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It had been a magnificent day full of exploration, discoveries, and beautiful rock. All that was left was finding our way back to our home on wheels in this place of refuge.

 

 

 

 

 

Freckled Milkvetch (Astragalus lentiginosus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The evening brought a full moon, more songs of coyotes, and glorious solitude. Our adventure continues. Please click here for Part Two.