Deborah wall/special to VIEWThere are thousands of formations in the Aztec sandstone at Bowl of Fire, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, including arches, windows and overhangs.
Deborah wall/special to VIEWThere are thousands of formations in the Aztec sandstone at Bowl of Fire, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, including arches, windows and overhangs.
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The next few weeks may offer your last chance to enjoy some low-elevation hikes before heat on the Southern Nevada range gets turned up to high. One suitable for the season is Bowl of Fire, in Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Bowl of Fire, part of the Muddy Mountain Wilderness Area, is a landscape of red sandstone outcroppings surrounded by gray limestone hills and mountains. Its hiking and exploring opportunities are almost endless. The trip can be as simple as hiking in about a mile, sitting down and just basking in the beauty surrounding you. Or it can be a strenuous long adventure, exploring the very wrinkles of the landscape.
Any version is an exposed hike, so try to arrive at the trailhead early -- by sunrise, if possible. That way you'll not only get more hours of moderate temperature, but you'll also get the thrill of seeing these formations glow in the morning sun like so many miles of mesquite embers.
From the parking area, head north toward the end of the prominent limestone ridge, which lies a few hundred yards directly northwest of the trailhead. There isn't a marked trail at this point, but as you get closer to the ridge, you will see a footpath worn up its northern end. Follow this up and then down the other side. Here you will get your first look to the northwest of the red sandstone outcroppings of Bowl of Fire.
The vegetation through this segment of the hike consists primarily of creosote bush and black brush, but you also will find a few barrel and beavertail cactus scattered about.
On the other side of the ridge, the route follows along the left side of a small drainage and then seems to just end. But follow the narrow wash about 30 yards more and look for a cairn on your right. It marks the very faint route that takes you pretty much directly to Bowl of Fire.
Although this might seem confusing, it's worth scouting out the trail through the entire hike so you don't trample any plants or disturb the fragile cryptobiotic soil found in a few areas. This soil supports the sparse vegetation, so to damage any is to damage the gemlike location.
From here on out, you will cross a couple of broad washes, including Callville Wash, which is usually dry, but the main drainage of this area and therefore subject to flash flooding. You might see some tire tracks. This is Lake Mead NRA's Approved Backcountry Road 94, Callville Wash North Road. For an alternate starting point for this hike, you can access the trailhead and parking area just south of here. You will need a high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle. Approved Road 94 starts near Mile Marker 16 on Northshore Road.
After passing over Callville Wash, continue northwest until the trail ends at the bank of another smaller drainage. Drop down the short, yet steep bank into the wash and go right to continue upstream. This area receives a bit more moisture, so you will see some desert willow growing throughout this section. Follow the wash 100 yards or so until all easy progress is blocked by a cluster of large conglomerate rocks. The easiest way up this obstacle is to the left, a scramble of about 15 feet or so. Once on top, you have arrived in Bowl of Fire.
Two weeks ago, I found blue Mojave aster, orange desert mallow, purple phacelia and even a few white desert primrose all in bloom around this area.
In the days of the dinosaurs, these outcroppings were sand dunes. After time turned them to stone, they were further shaped by complex uplifting, faulting and erosion. You will notice different shades of sandstone here. The red and orange color is a result of oxidized iron in the rock. Some shades are lighter because groundwater percolated through and leached out some color.
Once in the Bowl of Fire, the route is up to you. Following the small wash up to the left is a good route to start on. Follow this up as far as you feel comfortable, stopping to explore the many small arches, windows, holes and overhangs along the way.
There are many places where you can easily climb up the outcroppings themselves.
To fully explore all the unique formations, viewpoints and peaks in Bowl of Fire would take you months, if not years, but just a few hours of an April morning will give you a pleasant start.
Deborah Wall is the author of "Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide," published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at Deborabus@aol.com.
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