Will Hike for Zen
Thankfully, Las Vegas temperatures generally hover around 60 degrees in late fall and early spring. With camera batteries charged and my partner in crime—Creative Manager Kippy Spilker—in tow, I seized the opportunity to get into the area surrounding Las Vegas. It was time to sink my metaphorical teeth into this magical desert land.
Short But Oh-So Sweet
The first stop was Lake Mead National Recreation Area. As a first-timer, I didn’t know what to expect. We paid the entrance fee, turned onto Northshore Road and immediately got distracted by beautiful views of nearby Lake Las Vegas. We snapped a couple photos and continued down the road toward our first hiking stop. We couldn’t help but stop a few more times for photos and to marvel at the beautiful scenery.
We arrived at the Redstone Discovery Trail, a short 1-mile excursion, packed with beauty. Large, red-rock monoliths towered over the trail as we wound through the back country. It was easy to get lost in our own world while exploring the natural formations. Just a note: The trailhead has restrooms and is a great place to stop and have lunch.
On the way out, we stopped at a ranger-recommended hiking spot: Northshore Summit Trail. It’s very short but led to some astonishing views atop a bluff—perfect for pondering life while viewing the desert stretch out for miles.
Responsibly
Leave any hiking trail you take better than you found it. Always pack out your own trash, and pick up anything else you come across. It’s on all of us to care for our public lands.
Solo Excursion
For a more ambitious hike, I chose the Prospect Trail to White Domes in Valley of Fire State Park. This was my first time solo hiking (Kippy was going to stay near the car), so I went into it totally prepared. I clipped a Garmin Tracker to my backpack, had water, sunscreen, a nice little hat, and my cellphone in case I came across service (spoiler alert: I didn’t). Total mileage was just shy of 5 miles.
The day started by leaving a very gusty Las Vegas behind. We weren’t sure if I would be able to hike since the wind was bonkers and the air was thick with dust. Not easily dissuaded, we drove the 46 miles east, hoping we could at least explore the park. Thankfully, the further we got from Vegas, the clearer the skies became.
Early Bird
Our last hike on this whirlwind of a trip was the Late Night Trailhead in the Cottonwood Valley Recreation Area of Red Rock Canyon. As many photographers do, Kippy and I woke up at 5 a.m. to catch the morning light. It was a crisp 41 degrees with some killer wind left over from the day before. Neither of us packed for such a cold morning, so we suffered a bit until the sun came over the horizon and the blood finally got pumping through our veins.
Watching the first light hit the Spring Mountains was magical. The mountains seemed to burn red as the world woke up. We lingered, capturing the sunrise and soaking it all in. We were surprised to get a small view of The Strip, too. Once the sun made its way high enough in the sky, the wind died down, and the hike was much more bearable.
One of the best parts about waking up early and hitting the trails is the seclusion it provides. Being immersed within nature with no other souls around is absolutely meditative.
Responsibly
The Late Night Trail System offers a wide variety of trailheads for hikers of all levels. Make sure you do your research before you adventure, and always tell someone where you are going.
More To Come
While these hikes barely scratch the surface of what southern Nevada has to offer, they leave plenty of opportunity to come back and explore more gorgeous landscapes, only found here. This is why hiking has become so important to me. Not only do these trails allow me to push my limits despite whatever nature throws my way, hiking gives me a way to contemplate and celebrate the raw beauty of the desert.
