Red Rock Canyon, Nevada ... the rocks

The Red Rock Canyon is a Federal Park, located about 30 minutes out of Las Vegas in Nevada. It is the southern tip of the Grand Canyon. Rugged & dry, the area was home to native Americans.

The fault shows layers of different coloured rock. The red and white sand of ancient hills began as an ancient sea floor. Millions of years later, they were part of a desert larger than the Sahara. The sand dunes were shifted by the wind, creating ripples of colour contrast.

Mountains in the distance are the oldest rock. The 'white' & 'red' rocks are younger and in some areas, lay below the old rock. Plate Teutonic motion crammed one layer under another.

In some areas, iron was present, producing red sand.
Erosion leaves rocks tilting to the wind.

Skeletons of trees twist in the dry heat.

Calcium carbonate from ancient sea shells dissolved, hardened and then 'glued' the sand together to produce rock. You can see a heavy Calcium layer in the rocks.

One can only wonder what caused the dark red stain in this rock. Some rocks had dots of deep red.

This pine tree clings to the side of a cliff, despite the dead wood on one side.
Fire has left its mark.

Dots on the mountain side turns out to be climbers!

Layers of sandstone are eroded away,
creating fantastic shapes.

You can imagine these large flat areas being ceremonial locations. Mother Nature peeled off a slice to make a platform for the gods!

Red Rock Canyon is certainly a place to visit and wonder at the history of millions of years ... etched in the rock.

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada ... flora & fauna

This is the landscape you see from the road.
We visited during the wild flower period that comes before the really hot temperatures. I don't know the names of the flowers ... they dot the landscape and vary from area to area.

This delicate flower is smart, it only grows within the branches of a sturdy bush that has thorns.

This is the only insect we saw ... perhaps they come out in the twilight.

The Banana Yucca plant was used for food.

These ancient plants look like cactus, but on a closer look, are Yucca plants that branch.

Fire has taken its toll in areas, leaving Yucca looking like this ...

The plant can regenerate from the bottom. The Yucca we are more familiar with is the younger plant. The fibres that peel off the spikes make fascinating designs.

Different cactus grow in each area. They seem to thrive in specific soils as well as the amount of rain and sun. These plants have very effective self-protective spines.

Other foods were: wild rice grass, agave, pine nuts and prickly pear. The natives also used plants for treating disease. This grain was ground to make breads.

Lizards & snakes live among the rocks.

Wild burrows wander. Mountain sheep are sometimes seen. Small frogs and even shrimp can appear when the temperature and rain is suitable.
There is an interpretive center, with illustrations of the native tribes and their relationship to the canyon. Life would not have been easy here.
There is evidence of 'roasting rocks' where fires were built to slowly roast food.

Some areas have petroglyphs.

Water pools exist where animals visit to drink. Otherwise when rain occurs it tears down a with a 'wash' with a force that can sweep cars away. Plants in this area benefit from increased water, but must have deep roots and flexible branches - perfect for basket making.