The Red Rock Canyon is just a few miles outside of Las Vegas, and as you’d expect, it gets many visitors being so close to a metropolitan area. But on a recent trip to the VA hospital I found my GPS complaining about the traffic through LV and encouraged my taking the route through Red Rock Canyon instead of the freeway route through town. Slightly longer but mostly free of traffic so I took it. According to the GPS it only takes 4 minutes longer via the canyon’s route 159. Map…
Didn’t need to be home at any certain time so decided to stop by the canyon. Since I had my National Park visitors pass (purchased 16 years ago for $7, now the same pass is $85), they waved me right through when I got to the gate. I could see already that it was going to be fairly crowded but what the hell, it’s an outdoor attraction so likely won’t be too bad. There the red hills are off in the distance.
And here we get to the first overlook…after passing through the NP entrance kiosk where I showed them my NP pass. BTW, this is one of the few NPs I’ve ever been to that had tire destroying spikes at the entrance. So you can’t back out if you make a wrong turn onto their roadway. But at the kiosk you just tell them you screwed up and they’ll let you loop around and head out the exit. Still, disconcerting they’d have something like that at all in the first place. Probably has to do with the number of visitors they get. Can’t have cars backing up on the main roadway where the speed limit is 55 MPH, the tire spikes force them to go to the kiosk and loop around.
Anyway, here’s the first overlook. I did pass the NP info building but this was during Covid-19 so I didn’t stop in as it was likely closed anyway.
There are hiking trails all over the place. I hadn’t prepared to hike, so I contented myself with just gazing at the red rocks from the many overlooks. I did walk down one trail a ways though and took some pictures.
I can just imagine the pioneers laughing at us gawkers traveling all the way here just to look at rocks because they’re red. But then again, it was pioneers who named it the Red Rock Canyon so they were probably impressed enough with them since they gave the area a name.
I traveled to the next overlook and the red rocks seem to peter out in this section, giving way to large sandstone bumps in the earth. And seemingly lifting the red rocks on their mighty shoulders. First it’s red below, then it’s red above. If you ever visit, you’ll see it.
And then a bit further along the roadway, and a look back at where the majority of the red rocks poke out of the ground.
And across from the canyon, sort of looking SE, another of the many desolate valleys you can find in this desert area.
The NP roadway serpentine’s its way around the western foothills in this N-S valley after leaving the red rock area. There are many canyons named ‘creek’ this and ‘tree’ that along the way which from the looks of some of the roads, have people still living in them. But none of the roadways looked interesting or inviting so I stayed on the NP service blacktop roadway as I headed south.
And eventually, the road ends up back on highway 159, but before that I pass a couple small points of interest, plus the small town of Blue Diamond. I plan on touring that little town someday, not sure why I’ve not done so yet, maybe they have a Starbucks. Well, whatever, leaving it as a treat to myself someday.
Once off the NP road and back on the main road the 159, it ‘T’s with 160, the highway that eventually gets to Pahrump. The road has steep inclines and declines as it crosses the mountain chain here. On the LV side where I was, the steep road goes to a pass where there are several old homes and business and that’s where we’re going now. The settlement is pretty old, called Mountain Springs. They’ve finally…finally finished the road work on NV160 out front that I swear went on for 6 years so it’s all nice new roadbed and blacktop with 4 lanes, and extra passing lanes for making safe turns. I drove it in the RV several times over the years in all kinds of weather, even light snowfall, and the improvements are very much welcome. Glad to see NV-160 is in excellent condition now.
Anyway, it was the same day I’d visited Red Rock Canyon and the weather was still excellent plus it was close to snack time so I stopped in. I’ve stopped at the Mountain Springs Saloon 2-3 times over the years but this was my first trek the 25 feet or so to the grotto behind the bar building. Seems they even have a coy pond. They even have a small stage and seating area for bands and meetings.
Here’s a spring I think. Tumbling down that man made rock fall creek bed. Maybe it’s a spring…hard to tell.
And there is a taco stand. I wasn’t hungry so didn’t try the food. But it sure smelled good.
And this is looking back at the rear of the bar, there are some tiny businesses set up in that building in the foreground but they’re closed due to Covid. The parking lot is off that direction. To the right off in the distance are some homes, and there’s even a small canyon beyond with more homes. Like a small mountain community without the millions of pine trees I’m used to seeing in the Pacific Northwest.
After enjoying the grotto for an hour, it was time to head home. At the parking lot, I found that even stuffed bears know well enough to wear a mask these days…
And that’s the end of that days adventure. Started at Pahrump, headed over to the Los Vegas VA Hospital for a consultation with the osteo doctor, then taking a detour to avoid downtown traffic to Red Rock Canyon, stopping there for an hour or two while enjoying the sites, then onto Mountain Springs for a leisurely visit to the coy pond, then back to Pahrump.
So that’s it for today. Hope you enjoyed visiting Red Rock and Mountain Spring.
Thanks for reading!
The drive thru Red Rock Canyon looks a lot more relaxing than the traffic on the strip. Even without the hiking boots it would be a worthy choice. The Saloon also a fun place for a beer along the way.
Any new info on the knee?
It is kinda fun visiting the red rocks. Each time I’ve visited, my knee was not into hiking, though this last trip I did venture down a steep, gravel strewn dirt trail for 100 yards or so. That was enough. I did have my elastic knee brace on so that helped. My last visit to the hospital, 10 days ago, I got the shot and every day my knee feels better. Haven’t felt the need for the knee brace at all the last few days. Feeling pretty comfortable without the brace, no dull ache either. Seems the over priced goo is going to help in my case.
Yah, I like that old saloon. I couldn’t go inside the bar part, but they have an open window access to the bar tender from the added on section in back that has the pool tables so I ordered from there and carried my drink into the grotto with me. Sat at a table and enjoyed the weather while watching the coy.
No More Masks! VA gave me Corona Vaccinations last month. Put the certificates and copies in 4″ x 3″ plastic enclosures purchased on Amazon. 10 for $6. Although sometimes wearing a mask is required when going out. I made the comment to someone that now we can be like the Mennonites and Amish and not wear a mask. (My grandparents were German and Pennsylvania German). ((Pa. Dutch)).
And it’s time to go to the gym. Medicare plan pays for that.
After going to Good’s hardware and Shady Maple grocery store we ate at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. On the way only encountered 1 buggy. Although 2 farm tractors were traveling route 23 the other direction. If you ever get over this way, Shady Maple Smorgasbord gives a 25% discount to vets on Wednesdays. 10% to seniors. Which amazed me. Because Yoder’s and Dutchway ignore vets. So Lunch was $10.50 and $12.60.
And the Smorgasbord had some tasty food. Several red meats. Brisket, steak, beef hot dogs, others. Seafood- oyster stew, chunky chowder, crab claws, crispy shrimp, broiled cod, etc. Chicken. Veggies galore, desserts, drinks. Couldn’t complain. Yummy tummy.
Morgantown (on the way) is building a casino. So we drove by to check the progress. Not too far along. Other casinos are farther away. So it’s be nice to have this one to visit when it gets finished.
Stay safe, Jim.
Several years ago I stayed for 3-4 months near Elkhart, IN and there’s a group of Amish? there but I didn’t interact with them much. Did stop by one of their country stores, bought some jam. That’s about it. Other then seeing them in town occasionally, out in the fields working, or on the road in their horse drawn carriages, never interacted with them much. And I intended to visit one of their restaurants but never made it. About the same situation when I stayed in Fairfield, IA.
Morgantown ya say? Great place for a casino I’d wager. Hah!
Jim, So happy to run into your site. I picked up a 2002 Journey DL about 3 years ago, and we are going through some of the same maintenance tasks. In another site you mentioned changing the shocks on your Journey to Bilsteins. I didn’t see the details here. I had some questions. Were you satisfied with the change? What model shocks di you use? Did you do the work yourself? Does it require any special tools?
Thank you,
Steve
Hey, thanks for reading! Glad you bumped into it.
Yes, I did change to Bilsteins and had the fronts done near the time when I changed front tires, and had the rears done when I had the new dual tire sets installed. Both times I had the tire shops change them. I don’t do that sort of heavy work on chassis for the most part preferring to pay the experts, they have the skill and the heavy duty equipment and tools. I’ve had knee problems ever since I worked on the basement air as it is, don’t wanna end up with bad hips too. Gotten to the age where I’m letting shops do a bunch of the heavy stuff but only at shops that allow me to talk to the mechanics when needed.
And yes, I was satisfied with the new shocks. Tested them just as I left the parking lot of the tire store and no rocking as would have happened before. Same thing with the speed bumps at the RV park I went back to. Very little rocking. Worked great…new front shocks earlier had made things a little better, and new rear shocks made it great.
Anyway, here’s the Bilstein shock P/Ns: Front: BSN 33025452; Rear: BSN 24186452
And here’s a link to TIRES – where I talk about the shocks being changed and show several pictures of them. Front and rear.
(Years ago, with my ’94 Bounder, I was at my brothers house and he’s a mechanic and has air tools, and he’s only 5’4″ so he crawled under the Bounder and changed them for me just to have something to do one day. But those were easy to get to, and the 19.5″ tires didn’t need to be removed like on the Journey.)
If you have a 1/2″ Impact driver, and a bunch of jack stands, giant floor jack, and the skill, no reason you couldn’t change them out yourself. Or just have them done the next time you get tires. I stagger my tire purchases so I’m not paying so much at one time. Changing the shocks while the tire guys are in there doesn’t add much to the cost. Doing it yourself would be easier if you removed the tires…but consider that since the lug nuts get 425 ft-lbs and the tires/wheels weigh 125 lbs, it might be better to let them do it. Good Luck!
Just waanted to receive any new post from you
Sure thing, Jason. But to receive any new posts, you have to ‘Subscribe’ and the subscribe button is on nearly every page of my blog. After you’ve done that, then you’ll get notice of any new posts. Welcome!