| Valley of Fire and Virgin River Gorge - Part 11 of 11 of 2010 Tour of fantastic Southwest USA |
In this 2010 Tour of fantastic Southwest USA, we toured the Valley of Fire State Park on June 8, 2010.
However, this is my second tour of Valley of Fire. My first tour of Valley of Fire was on late afternoon of
November 6, 2006 when I came to Las Vegas in Nevada to attend my classmate reunion. Due to the
constraints of the schedule of the class reunion program, my first tour of Valley of Fire was brief and did not
have enough time to see so many beautiful views in this valley. Therefore, the pictures of Valley of Fire on this
web page are from these two trips in 2006 and in 2010.
However, this is my second tour of Valley of Fire. My first tour of Valley of Fire was on late afternoon of
November 6, 2006 when I came to Las Vegas in Nevada to attend my classmate reunion. Due to the
constraints of the schedule of the class reunion program, my first tour of Valley of Fire was brief and did not
have enough time to see so many beautiful views in this valley. Therefore, the pictures of Valley of Fire on this
web page are from these two trips in 2006 and in 2010.
2. Red Rock Canyon
After finishing the Lake Mead Cruise on the morning of Tuesday, November 7, 2006 in our class-reunion
program, our classmates, including me, went to tour the Red Rock Canyon, which is about 17 miles west of
Las Vegas. It is off Highway 159. The 3 pictures from Red Rock Canyon are shown in the following.
program, our classmates, including me, went to tour the Red Rock Canyon, which is about 17 miles west of
Las Vegas. It is off Highway 159. The 3 pictures from Red Rock Canyon are shown in the following.
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Valley of Fire State Park near Overton in Nevada, USA derives its name from the spectacular red sandstone
formations in this starkly beautiful corner of the Mojave Desert. It is located in the Mojave Desert of southern
Nevada only 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15 and State Route 169. Visitors seeking to tour
the City of Lights may find a tour of this natural wonder more colorful and brighter than any casino marquee.
formations in this starkly beautiful corner of the Mojave Desert. It is located in the Mojave Desert of southern
Nevada only 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15 and State Route 169. Visitors seeking to tour
the City of Lights may find a tour of this natural wonder more colorful and brighter than any casino marquee.
The Elephant Rock near the Eastern Entrance of Valley of Fire State Park.
The Arch Rock or Arch of the Gods
Rock formations that look like beehives.
Red sandstone often appears to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays at sunset or sunrise time, giving the
Valley of Fire its name. A panoramic view of the Fire Canyon in Valley of Fire can be seen at the following
websites:
http://www.inetours.com/Las_Vegas/Panos/Fire_Canyon-pano.html
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3585454531_c5ff2f10f7_o.jpg
The brilliant red sandstone mountains and the Fire Canyon in Valley of Fire again remind me of the Flaming
Mountains (火焰山 ) along the historical Silk Road in XinJiang province in western China.
Valley of Fire its name. A panoramic view of the Fire Canyon in Valley of Fire can be seen at the following
websites:
http://www.inetours.com/Las_Vegas/Panos/Fire_Canyon-pano.html
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3585454531_c5ff2f10f7_o.jpg
The brilliant red sandstone mountains and the Fire Canyon in Valley of Fire again remind me of the Flaming
Mountains (火焰山 ) along the historical Silk Road in XinJiang province in western China.
Fantastic multi-colored panoramic views from Rainbow Vista in northern part of Valley of Fire State Park.
This is one of the most scenic parts of the Valley of Fire because there is a considerable mixture of color
deriving from the sandstones.
This is one of the most scenic parts of the Valley of Fire because there is a considerable mixture of color
deriving from the sandstones.
More multi-colored views from Rainbow Vista. This green vs. red brilliant contrast makes the area look even
more exotic.
more exotic.
Scenic Drive winding through multi-colored landscape with White Domes in northern part of Valley of Fire State
Park
Park
Valley of Fire has long been admired by many artists, as evidenced by 3,000-year-old petroglyphs left on
the ancient sandstone formations by Native Americans and is known as Playground of the Gods. It has
served as the backdrop for major motion pictures, a laboratory for geologic study, a source of intriguing
insight into early mankind, and a photographer’s dream. Its dramatic scenery has attracted the attention of
filmmakers (such as Star Trek: Generations, 1994 and The Professionals, 1996) and has been the
backdrop for numerous TV commercials. This is where Capt. James Kirk died in the motion picture "Star
Trek: Generations." In Valley of Fire, you feel as though you have been transported to an alien planet.
the ancient sandstone formations by Native Americans and is known as Playground of the Gods. It has
served as the backdrop for major motion pictures, a laboratory for geologic study, a source of intriguing
insight into early mankind, and a photographer’s dream. Its dramatic scenery has attracted the attention of
filmmakers (such as Star Trek: Generations, 1994 and The Professionals, 1996) and has been the
backdrop for numerous TV commercials. This is where Capt. James Kirk died in the motion picture "Star
Trek: Generations." In Valley of Fire, you feel as though you have been transported to an alien planet.
怪石嶙峋之秀
As the sun sets, the fiery-colored sandstones seem to ignite in flames.
The Valley of Fire is home to a complex array of colorful panoramas. Covering roughly 35,000 acres, the
unique geological features inside this Playground of the Gods will keep you and your camera busy all day.
As the sun sets, the fiery-colored sandstones seem to ignite in flames.
The Valley of Fire is home to a complex array of colorful panoramas. Covering roughly 35,000 acres, the
unique geological features inside this Playground of the Gods will keep you and your camera busy all day.
There are numerous arches in Valley of Fire.
Sandstone pillars - Seven Sisters (seven outcrops of red rocks) in these 2 pictures with a roofed picnic area
between 2 red sandstone pillars.
between 2 red sandstone pillars.
1. Valley Of Fire (火焰谷)
3. Virgin River Gorge
Many of the formations are in yellow-gold color. This gives a striking contrast to the red sand dunes and red
rocks around them.
rocks around them.
Brilliant contrast between white domes vs. red sandstones.
奇石班斕
The Valley of Fire is a theater for the imagination
The Valley of Fire is a theater for the imagination
It felt like no matter where I pointed the camera, the photo would always come out beautiful. It was truly a
humbling experience to see such great and mighty creations, and how blessed I was to have the opportunity
to tour this Playground of the Gods.
humbling experience to see such great and mighty creations, and how blessed I was to have the opportunity
to tour this Playground of the Gods.
The scenic Virgin River Gorge is in northwest Arizona at the corner of Arizona, Utah and Nevada. The scenic
4-lane Interstate Highway I-15 follows the Virgin River for 14 miles through the bottom of the spectacular
deep Virgin River Gorge. There are numerous pull-outs along the highway where visitors can safely park for
sightseeing, hiking, or climbing.
In our 2010 Tour of fantastic Southwest USA, we drove through this spectacular section of I-15 along Virgin
River Gorge twice: (1) On June 1, 2010, we drove on I-15 to go from Las Vegas in Nevada to Kolob Canyon
in Zion National Park in Utah, and (2) On June 8, 2010, we drove on I-15 to go from St. George in Utah to
Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.
4-lane Interstate Highway I-15 follows the Virgin River for 14 miles through the bottom of the spectacular
deep Virgin River Gorge. There are numerous pull-outs along the highway where visitors can safely park for
sightseeing, hiking, or climbing.
In our 2010 Tour of fantastic Southwest USA, we drove through this spectacular section of I-15 along Virgin
River Gorge twice: (1) On June 1, 2010, we drove on I-15 to go from Las Vegas in Nevada to Kolob Canyon
in Zion National Park in Utah, and (2) On June 8, 2010, we drove on I-15 to go from St. George in Utah to
Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.
The Virgin River is the water system that is responsible for carving some of the gorgeous main canyons in Zion
National Park in Utah that attracts about 3 million visitors every year. After leaving Zion National Park and
flowing southwest, the Virgin River then cuts through the Virgin Mountains and Beaver Dam Mountains to
create the spectacular Virgin River Gorge reminiscent of the Grand Canyon carved by Colorado River with
eroded, stepped cliffs and terraces of sandstone and limestone.
After leaving the Virgin River Gorge and passing the towns of Beaver Dam and Littlefield, the Virgin River
enters southern Nevada near the town of Mesquite and empties into the Colorado River at the Lake Mead
reservoir, approximately 40 miles east of Las Vegas. The last 30 miles of the Virgin River forms the north arm
of Lake Mead. In other words, Virgin River is one of the tributaries of the mighty Colorado River.
Near the lower end of the Virgin River Gorge is some of the most challenging rock climbing in the United
States. Climbers worldwide come to climb the legendary limestone in this narrow gorge. The Virgin River
Gorge Recreation Area, run by the Bureau of Land Management, and the Cedar Pocket Rest Area lies
halfway through the gorge at Milepost 18 (Cedar Pockets exit ).
It is believed that the Virgin River was named "La Virgen" by Spanish Catholic Missionaries in honor of the
Virgin Mary.
After the arrival of Mormon settlers in the mid-1800s, this deep gorge became the Mormon Corridor, funneling
travelers between Utah and California. It also became a popular wagon route for many traders, settlers and
miners headed to California. Eventually, settlements developed above and below the Gorge, but the canyon
itself remained uninhabited
National Park in Utah that attracts about 3 million visitors every year. After leaving Zion National Park and
flowing southwest, the Virgin River then cuts through the Virgin Mountains and Beaver Dam Mountains to
create the spectacular Virgin River Gorge reminiscent of the Grand Canyon carved by Colorado River with
eroded, stepped cliffs and terraces of sandstone and limestone.
After leaving the Virgin River Gorge and passing the towns of Beaver Dam and Littlefield, the Virgin River
enters southern Nevada near the town of Mesquite and empties into the Colorado River at the Lake Mead
reservoir, approximately 40 miles east of Las Vegas. The last 30 miles of the Virgin River forms the north arm
of Lake Mead. In other words, Virgin River is one of the tributaries of the mighty Colorado River.
Near the lower end of the Virgin River Gorge is some of the most challenging rock climbing in the United
States. Climbers worldwide come to climb the legendary limestone in this narrow gorge. The Virgin River
Gorge Recreation Area, run by the Bureau of Land Management, and the Cedar Pocket Rest Area lies
halfway through the gorge at Milepost 18 (Cedar Pockets exit ).
It is believed that the Virgin River was named "La Virgen" by Spanish Catholic Missionaries in honor of the
Virgin Mary.
After the arrival of Mormon settlers in the mid-1800s, this deep gorge became the Mormon Corridor, funneling
travelers between Utah and California. It also became a popular wagon route for many traders, settlers and
miners headed to California. Eventually, settlements developed above and below the Gorge, but the canyon
itself remained uninhabited
On June 1, 2010, after we drove through the spectacular Virgin River Gorge and continue north on scenic I-15,
we saw many beautiful wild flowers on the roadside along I-15. These two pictures of wild flowers were taken
while our car was running on I-15 at the typical highway speed of about 65 miles per hour.
we saw many beautiful wild flowers on the roadside along I-15. These two pictures of wild flowers were taken
while our car was running on I-15 at the typical highway speed of about 65 miles per hour.
A 6-minute movie clip of a morning drive on this scenic I-15 through the spectacular Virgin River Gorge can be
seen at the following YouTube website:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sloPq8mXZuA
seen at the following YouTube website:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sloPq8mXZuA
4. Location and Directions:
4.1. Valley of Fire State Park: is 15 miles southwest of Overton and is 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas in
Nevada, USA.
Valley of Fire State Park
29450 Valley of Fire Road
Overton, NV 89040
(702) 397-2088
vof@mvdsl.com
Map: Click here to see interactive Google Map showing location of Valley of Fire State Park
Direction to Valley of Fire State Park:
From Las Vegas:
1. Travel northeast on Interstate Highway I-15 to Exit 75
2. At the end of Exit Ramp of Exit 75, turn right into Route 169 (Valley Of Fire Hwy) and go south for about
18 miles to reach the Western Entrance of Valley of Fire State Park
From North:
1. Travel southeast on Interstate Highway I-15 to Exit 93
2. At the end of Exit Ramp of Exit 93, turn left into Route 169 and go south through the towns of Logandale
and Overton heading towards Eastern Entrance of Valley of Fire State Park
Park Maps of Valley Of Fire State Park are available at the following website:
http://www.sunsetcities.com/Valley-of-Fire/vallyoffiremap00.html
http://parks.nv.gov/images/08VF%20location%20map.pdf
http://parks.nv.gov/pdf/VOFBrochure.pdf
4.2. Red Rock Canyon: is about 17 miles west of Las Vegas in Nevada. It is off Highway 159. From the
"Strip" in downtown Las Vegas, take West Charleston Blvd (i.e., State Route 159) and go west 17 miles to
reach Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Map: Click here to see Google Map showing location of Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas
4.3. Virgin River Gorge: The 14-mile Virgin River Gorge along Interstate Highway I-15 is in northwest corner
of Arizona and is between Mesquite, Nevada and St. George, Utah. It begins three miles south of the Utah
border, just outside St. George.
Map: Click here to see Google Map showing location of Virgin River Gorge
4.1. Valley of Fire State Park: is 15 miles southwest of Overton and is 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas in
Nevada, USA.
Valley of Fire State Park
29450 Valley of Fire Road
Overton, NV 89040
(702) 397-2088
vof@mvdsl.com
Map: Click here to see interactive Google Map showing location of Valley of Fire State Park
Direction to Valley of Fire State Park:
From Las Vegas:
1. Travel northeast on Interstate Highway I-15 to Exit 75
2. At the end of Exit Ramp of Exit 75, turn right into Route 169 (Valley Of Fire Hwy) and go south for about
18 miles to reach the Western Entrance of Valley of Fire State Park
From North:
1. Travel southeast on Interstate Highway I-15 to Exit 93
2. At the end of Exit Ramp of Exit 93, turn left into Route 169 and go south through the towns of Logandale
and Overton heading towards Eastern Entrance of Valley of Fire State Park
Park Maps of Valley Of Fire State Park are available at the following website:
http://www.sunsetcities.com/Valley-of-Fire/vallyoffiremap00.html
http://parks.nv.gov/images/08VF%20location%20map.pdf
http://parks.nv.gov/pdf/VOFBrochure.pdf
4.2. Red Rock Canyon: is about 17 miles west of Las Vegas in Nevada. It is off Highway 159. From the
"Strip" in downtown Las Vegas, take West Charleston Blvd (i.e., State Route 159) and go west 17 miles to
reach Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Map: Click here to see Google Map showing location of Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas
4.3. Virgin River Gorge: The 14-mile Virgin River Gorge along Interstate Highway I-15 is in northwest corner
of Arizona and is between Mesquite, Nevada and St. George, Utah. It begins three miles south of the Utah
border, just outside St. George.
Map: Click here to see Google Map showing location of Virgin River Gorge
After we finished touring the Valley of Fire on June 8, 2010, we drove south to Hememway Park in Boulder
City, Nevada near Lake Mead and Hoover Dam to take a look of the wild desert bighorn sheep grazing on the
lawn in Hemenway Park. This park is near a desert mountain and wild desert bighorn sheep often come down
from the harsh desert mountain to this park to enjoy the lush green grass in this park. The first time I visited
Hemenway Park was on November 6, 2006 and we saw a pair of desert bighorn sheep. On my second visit on
June 8, 2010, Wow! We saw at least 50 wild desert bighorn sheep grazing on the lawn in this park. I took
several pictures of the large number of bighorn sheep and added them at the end of my Travelogue web page
at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Lake_Mead.html
We then drove to Las Vegas to enjoy a nice dinner of seafood buffet in a Casino. Next morning on June 9,
2010, we returned our rental car at Las Vegas airport and flew back to New Jersey. This completes our
10-day 2010 Tour of fantastic Southwest USA.
City, Nevada near Lake Mead and Hoover Dam to take a look of the wild desert bighorn sheep grazing on the
lawn in Hemenway Park. This park is near a desert mountain and wild desert bighorn sheep often come down
from the harsh desert mountain to this park to enjoy the lush green grass in this park. The first time I visited
Hemenway Park was on November 6, 2006 and we saw a pair of desert bighorn sheep. On my second visit on
June 8, 2010, Wow! We saw at least 50 wild desert bighorn sheep grazing on the lawn in this park. I took
several pictures of the large number of bighorn sheep and added them at the end of my Travelogue web page
at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Lake_Mead.html
We then drove to Las Vegas to enjoy a nice dinner of seafood buffet in a Casino. Next morning on June 9,
2010, we returned our rental car at Las Vegas airport and flew back to New Jersey. This completes our
10-day 2010 Tour of fantastic Southwest USA.
Part 1 of 11 entitled "Spectacular Antelope Canyons - Part 1 of 11 of 2010 Tour of fantastic Southwest USA"
is on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Spectacular_Antelope_Canyon.html
is on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Spectacular_Antelope_Canyon.html
A picture of me (Sing Lin) at Arch Rock -
This photo by Michael Chen
This photo by Michael Chen
Within half hour to one hour driving distance outside of Las Vegas, there are several Points of Interest listed
in the following:
1. Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon and Virgin River Gorge as described on this web page
2. Hoover Dam, Lake Mead Cruise and Hemenway Park as described in my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Lake_Mead.html
3. Mount Charleston for fantastic panoramic view from 9,000 feet elevation as described on my web page
at: http://www.shltrip.com/Scenic_Hwy_158.html
in the following:
1. Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon and Virgin River Gorge as described on this web page
2. Hoover Dam, Lake Mead Cruise and Hemenway Park as described in my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Lake_Mead.html
3. Mount Charleston for fantastic panoramic view from 9,000 feet elevation as described on my web page
at: http://www.shltrip.com/Scenic_Hwy_158.html
Our 10-Day 2010 Tour Route of Southwest USA is a large loop starting and ending in Las Vegas in Nevada,
USA. The sequence of fantastic Point-Of-Interest (POIs) on this large loop is:
Las Vegas in Nevada --------> Kolob Canyon in Zion National Park in Utah ---------> Cedar Break National
Monument in Utah --------> Red Canyon State Park in Utah --------> Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah
--------> Scenic Byway 12 through beautiful Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument in Utah --------> Scenic
Burr Trail and southern Part of Capital Reef National Park in Utah --------> Goblin Valley State Park in Utah
--------> Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah --------> Canyonland National Park in Utah ---------> Arches
National Park in Utah --------> Goosenecks State Park in Utah --------> Monument Valley in Arizona -------->
Antelope Canyons in Arizona --------> Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge over Colorado River in Arizona -------->
Horseshoe Bend of Colorado River in Arizona ---------> Navajo Bridge over Colorado River in Arizona --------->
Scenic Highway 89-ALT from east to west along beautiful Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona
--------> Grand Canyon - North Rim in Arizona --------> Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada --------->
Hemenway Park in Boulder City in Nevada ---------> Las Vegas in Nevada.
USA. The sequence of fantastic Point-Of-Interest (POIs) on this large loop is:
Las Vegas in Nevada --------> Kolob Canyon in Zion National Park in Utah ---------> Cedar Break National
Monument in Utah --------> Red Canyon State Park in Utah --------> Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah
--------> Scenic Byway 12 through beautiful Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument in Utah --------> Scenic
Burr Trail and southern Part of Capital Reef National Park in Utah --------> Goblin Valley State Park in Utah
--------> Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah --------> Canyonland National Park in Utah ---------> Arches
National Park in Utah --------> Goosenecks State Park in Utah --------> Monument Valley in Arizona -------->
Antelope Canyons in Arizona --------> Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge over Colorado River in Arizona -------->
Horseshoe Bend of Colorado River in Arizona ---------> Navajo Bridge over Colorado River in Arizona --------->
Scenic Highway 89-ALT from east to west along beautiful Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona
--------> Grand Canyon - North Rim in Arizona --------> Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada --------->
Hemenway Park in Boulder City in Nevada ---------> Las Vegas in Nevada.
夕陽照射下，一片金紅璀燦，
The Black-And-White Virgin River Gorge as a sharp contrast to the nearby fiery-colored Valley of Fire.
遠觀近賞，或從不同的角度去細細品味，都令人心曠神怡。