On Saturday, January 26th Nick Dobric and Bill James of the Nevada Wilderness Project led a group of 11 hikers from both NWP and Meetup.com through the beautiful rugged desert landscape of Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area/North McCullough Wilderness, approximately 20 miles south of Las Vegas. As we approached the hiking area by vehicle we passed through a vast expanse - valley leading to the canyon.
We began hiking through sandy desert washes with many dry waterfalls. The rock outcroppings ranged in color from light tans and golden siennas to muted gray red violets, greens, and various tones of umber. Columnar, rounded, angular, and flat vertical sheets of rock dominated the uplifted forms of the rock outcroppings. After hiking a few miles the petroglyphs became more and more abundant with abstract and recognizable shapes present in the carved stone. These petroglyphs are exquisitely preserved and breathtaking to view. The bright sunlight illuminated cacti including Mexican fire barrel, prickly pear, cat’s claw acacia, Mojave yucca and other ground vegetation. We stopped for lunch in a neat canyon nearby a petroglyph site and enjoyed one another’s company as we chatted and got to be better acquainted.
Sloan Canyon was protected as Wilderness (North McCullough) and a National Conservation Area back in 2002 because citizens advocated for the protection of this special place. In following with that model, we wrote letters urging our representatives to protect another special area in Southern Nevada – Gold Butte. And of course we enjoyed a cold beverage in honor of the sunny day hike that we all enjoyed.
Sloan Canyon is a beautiful, serene area so close to Las Vegas.
Our hike last Saturday was so great!
Nick and Bill, thanks for the great day out in the desert. It is good to know that this remarkable area, so close to Las Vegas, is protected as wilderness.
It has been way too long since I’ve been out there–looks like a great day. When you look back in the few short years since Sloan Canyon NCA and the North McCullough Wilderness got designated (in 2002), I am glad it happened when it did.
Sloan stands in stark contrast to what is happening over at little Red Rocks and Brownstone Canyon (La Madre Mountains Wilderness). The last few years have seen more vandalism and development right up to Brownstone Canyon.
I’m hoping something can be done along the lines of an NCA over at Gold Butte as well. Here’s to groups like Friends of Sloan Canyon, FNW, NWP, and Friends of Gold Butte for the good work they do.
Cheers!