Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park was dedicated in 1935.

It is the oldest state park in Nevada.

Our route was along Northshore Road through the Lake Mead National Recreation Park. Our senior pass came in handy. We followed Lake Mead for several miles. Going via "avoid highways" added a few miles to the trip.

We made a quick stop at Redstone...its a picnic and hiking area.

We drove about 41 miles and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Northshore Road

We turned left onto Valley of Fire Road,  the main road through the park. This 10.5 mile road connects the east and west entrances of the park.

Valley of Fire derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs...150 million years ago.

These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays.

 We had our picnic at Seven Sisters. This a group of 7 tall, red, eroded boulders surrounded by sandy desert.

These cute little chipmunks were everywhere and quite friendly.

 We saw a side-bloched lizard too, but he was way to fast for me to get a picture.

Joe was very patient as I said, "Oh stop!" every few minutes! I so love the wildflowers and cacti along the road.

...spring and fall are the best times of the year to visit...

Valley of Fire is Navada's largest state park...

...almost 42,000 acres...

...other rock formations include limestone, shales, and conglomerates...

...complex uplifting and faulting of the region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the present landscape...

...prehistoric users included the Basket Maker people ...





Nelson, NV

Just past Henderson and before Boulder City, take a right on 95 south. Go about 10 miles and you come to a road marked 165, it will be to the left! This is the road that follows El Dorado Canyon through the El Dorado Mountains.

 

 Nelson, back in 1775, was not Nelson but was called Eldorado by the Spainiards who made original discoveries of gold in this area that is now known as Eldorado Canyon. By 1885, prospectors and miners had taken over and established Techatticup Mine. It is the oldest, richest, and most famous gold mine in Southern Navada.

Diaagreements over management and ownership led to deliberate and unjustifiable killings so frequent that they became routine and ordinary. Despite the reputation of the mine, it along with several others in the area, produced several million dollars in gold, silver, copper, and lead.

Mines in the area were active until about 1945. Many of the men that created this area were deserters from the Civil War...both the North and South. 

Today, Eldorado Mine Tours based at the Historical Teachatticup Mine provide historical mining tours.

Continuing on...the Eldorado Wilderness is a land of rugged peaks and ridges cut by washes and canyons.










The views were spectacular all the way to the Colorado River.

 The road follows a major wash to a viewpoint overlooking the Colorado River.

This picture is much prettier bigger...the rays against the rock are nice!



 Not a natural arch, but a good photo op. Doesn't compare to Pam's ( from Oh, the Places They Go! ), but still a pretty spot.

Nelson's Landing was in this area. It was destroyed in a flood in 1974. For some 40 years the Landing served the steamboats that piled in and provided a lifeline for the mining town. Hiking, horseback riding and kayaking are very popular here. There are off-road trails for  vehicles too.

Can you see the tiny yellow blooms?

The flowers were beautiful...

 



 We had a great time. The weather was perfect for Pearl to go topless.

Thanks again and again for all the visits. We still love your comments so if you have time, leave us one! Hope you had a great week-end and your week gets off to a grand start!

 

Y'all come back soon!