We decided to get up early and get going hoping for cooler weather - but no chance of that happening. By 9 am it was already 100 degrees. We stopped at the visitor center and watched some video clips of the area. Valley of Fire is Nevada's first and largest state park.
We then drove the scenic highway stopping at several of the viewing areas along the way.
We stopped to check out the fossil sand dunes. No soft sand to sink your toes into here. Just hot hard rock.
Our plan for today was to hike the 1.25 mile R/T White Dome Loop then take the Rainbow Vista trail. Although it was very hot we put on our hats, grabbed the water and cameras and hit the trail. Not one of our better decisions we would soon learn.
As we proceeded along the trail we realized that the blaring hot sun was going to be a real challenge. Although very beautiful and not to difficult of a hike we felt the effects of the dry heat fairly quickly. We continued to drink water as we hiked but it felt like we were turkeys in an oven and dehydration was not to far behind.
r0n Note: I know!
By the time we got half-way through the trail we were looking forward to the air-conditioned car.
It was quite lovely throughout the White Dome Loop with variations in the rock formations and really pretty striations in the rocks.
As we came to the area of the slot canyon we were happy to catch some shade.
By the time we finished the hike we had nothing left to give. Two huge bottles of water later and faces as red as tomatoes we reached the air- conditioned car. Ron, who doesn’t like to admit that any hike was strenuous conceded and felt we outdid ourselves hiking in the heat.
We discussed going back to the MH to refresh but decided to continue on. It would only get hotter as the day progressed.
We stopped at Silica Dome and fortunately the hike was only about 500 feet. We had recouped but we certainly weren’t ready to take on another long hike.
Next stop was Fire Canyon. The layers of different colors very vibrant.
We wanted to hike the two-mile Rainbow Vista trail but quickly discarded that idea, so we went back to the MH for a break, lunch, nap and cool air.
Around 3 PM we felt refreshed enough to take a ride to Lake Mead/Overton Beach and take a dip. That wasn’t about to happen – closed due to low water levels. WOW – couldn’t believe that. The road was actually closed off.
Since we weren’t able to get to the beach we decided to drive to the Echo Bay Marina about 5 miles away. We had heard that Lake Mead was receding but were surprised at how bad it really is.
r0n Note:
We where driving to the lake it looked imposable to actually get to it, so I made the comment I just want to touch the water. Deb informed me that I was out of luck. NOT!
In the picture below you can see the white on the hillside. That is where the water line used to be at 80 feet higher.
We took a ride down a side road and found a very remote campground.
On our way back to the CG we stopped to see Elephant Rock.
Three of the Seven Sisters
Back at the MH we cooled off - again! The temp never really cooled all day and the wind felt like a blast furnace. We took one last walk around the CG for the evening and found our own rock sculptures.
Ron loves the sculptures with the windows. They are very pretty.
Tomorrow it will be good-by to the Valley of Fire. It is one of our favorite places and we will return but not in the summer. Who does the desert in the summer anyway. Just who?????
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