Part 3: Moving to the west side of the canyon
So, in the flower-rich area, what were these burnt-out stumps? Yuccas like this (we are now moving from the east side of the canyon to the west side):
These gorgeous yucca flowers were worth another look:
But what about those brown yucca flowers below them?
I don't know what their story is, but I surmise from several other yucccas of this particylar type that what we are looking at is the seed pods forming after the flowers have done their duty and been pollinated. Here is one that appears to be in that process with a few flowers still left:
Looking east from here shows Turtlehead Peak and blooming mesquite brush as well as many blooming yuccas:
The next stop is just past the highest point on the 'loop' road that allows access to this canyon. This is a view to the west from that road as it approaches the western wall of the canyon:
Turning back to the east from this spot shows the northern boundary wall of the canyon, and a biker enthusiastically pumping up the last challenging hill of the 17-mile loop:
A few miles later we come to our next destination, with the sun now making its last appearnace over the part of the west wall we are approaching:
Our destination lies directly in the direction of the setting sun, but by the time we reach the parking lot the sun is only illuminating the mountains around us, not us any longer:
That peak in the background is La Madre Mountain:
We are in the same place we were for our third Red Rock hike this year. But this time we will go straight west to the wall, just a litle bit south of where we were before.
This is our destination, the Lost Creek trail will take us into the mouth of this canyon (and that's all, this is a short walk with some stair climbing, people of all ages can be found on it):
Even here, there were flowers, some on the ground, some in trees (pay no attention to the date stamp, it is wrong obviously):
If you are anxious to take this little walk with us, please turn to the next page.
Part 4: Lost Creek trail (0.7 miles round trip, easy)
Part 3: Moving to the west side of the canyon
Go to 2008 Yearbook (more Red Rock)
Go to Places Page with Nevada destinations (more Red Rock)
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