Valley of Fire State Park

Balanced Rock

We took Sue, Helen, and Bill to visit Valley of Fire State Park, located south of Overton, Nevada.  Valley of Fire is named for the red sandstone formations that permeate the desert landscape.  It was designated as Nevada’s first state park on March 26, 1935.

The park covers approximately 42,000 acres.  The roads and trails leading to the better known features were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps beginning in 1933.  Many features are visible from the paved roads and viewpoints, but to see some of the features, you have to get out and hike.  I was excited to have company on the short hikes, as usually I’m walking alone.

I am completely and totally out of practice as far as hiking is concerned.  I am fine going the distance, but when the terrain becomes steep I become hesitant to the point of fearful.  Hindsight being 20-20, I should have brought one of Paul’s many walking sticks – some of which are actually designed to be hiking sticks.  Thankfully, Bill was sure footed and helped me both up and down the final climb to the Rainbow Vista.  And yes, the view was worth the angst.

The view from Rainbow Vista

The Mouse’s Tank trail featured several walls covered with petroglyphs left by the ancient Anasazi that once occupied the area.  The drawings were all rather high on the rock faces, leading us to wonder if there were once shelters built that high.  I remembered being told once, in Mexico, that “you only need to take a picture of one iguana.  The others look the same.”  That said, I was never even tempted to pass on taking a photo of a petroglyph wall.  Yes, they looked the same, but yet each wall was different. 

With Helen, Bill and Sue at Atlatl Rock

They made it really easy to view the petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock.  There’s a metal staircase taking you eye level with the drawings.  What’s an atlatl?  It’s a notched stick used to throw primitive spears.  You can see a drawing of an atlatl at the very top left of this photo.

We took the long way around to see Arch Rock.  We parked on the side of the road and walked all the way around to the back, where we got a glimpse of the arch.  As we continued around the rock and back to the road, we realized we could see it from the road – if only we knew where to look.

We spent most of the day and over 14,000 steps visiting Valley of Fire, and still didn’t see everything.  I guess we have a reason to go back.  And yes, I’m still living vicariously through Sue’s Fitbit.  

Arch Rock

The Crystal Lake Trailhead

Crystal Lake - 1/4 mile from trailhead parking lot

One of the most popular trailheads on the Mirror Lake Highway is just two-tenths of a mile from the entrance to our campground.  The Crystal Lake Trailhead provides access to more than a dozen small lakes including Crystal Lake, Wall Lake, Long Lake, Island Lake and Marjorie Lake.  Hikers, scout troops, backpackers and fishermen flock to the trailhead each weekend to take advantage of the varied hikes into the high Uinta backcountry.

There are actually three trails that begin in the trailhead parking lot.  The trail on the west side takes you above Crystal Lake toward Long Lake and Island Lake.  From this trail you can also access Cliff Lake, Marjorie Lake, Weir Lake, Pot Lake, and Duck Lake. 

The trail on the east side takes you past Lily Lakes to Wall Lake.  This trail continues on to the Notch Mountain Trail, where it passes Hope Lake, Twin Lake, Clyde Lake and Ibantik Lake.  This trail goes on to the Notch and finishes at the Bald Mountain trailhead.

And how, you might ask, do you get to Crystal Lake?  That trail is not well marked, but it starts at the restroom on the east side of the parking lot.  From there it’s less than a quarter mile to Crystal Lake. 

Did I mention that this is a very popular trailhead? 

Wall Lake - 1 mile from trailhead parking lot

One of the reasons may be that there’s something for everyone.  Inexperienced hikers and parents who want to introduce their children to the joy of hiking can go short distances and still reach a beautiful destination.  Back country enthusiasts can start out here and hike throughout the Uinta Mountain trail system – going as many miles as they want and camping along the way. 

Because it’s so popular, the main parking lot is full by 9:30 AM on Friday morning and stays pretty full throughout the weekend.  The overflow parking is ½ mile south of the main lot.  I’m always surprised when people complain that they’re going to have to hike an additional ½ mile.  Really?  You’re hiking anyway, and the trail up from the overflow parking takes you along the shoreline of Washington Lake.  So I really appreciated one of the hikers we directed to the overflow parking who replied, “Cool!  We get a bonus lake!” 

If you’re coming up to the Crystal Lake trailhead, here are a few pointers. 

1.  There is no water at the trailhead, and no water in the campground.  Bring your own.

2.  There are restrooms at the trailhead but on busy weekends they run out of toilet paper early.  Bring your own, or you’ll find yourself walking back into the campground.  (Of course, the campground restrooms are always clean and well-stocked.)

3.  You will need the Mirror Lake Highway Recreation Pass to park in the trailhead parking lot.  The nearest self-pay station is just half a mile down the Mirror Lake Highway from the turnoff to Trial, Washington and Crystal Lakes.  It’s on the left side of the highway as you’re coming up.

4.  Don’t forget that bonus lake.  If you enjoy hiking and don’t mind an added half mile, the Washington Lake shoreline trail is a beautiful addition to your hike.  Park in the overflow lot.

Happy Trails!