Great Fall Lineup Of Activities Planned At Valley Of Fire State Park

By MAGGIE MCMURRAY

Moapa Valley Progress

The fall season in Moapa Valley may be the best time of year and nearby Valley of Fire State Park may be the best place to spend it.

With its scenic red sandstone formations, impressive monoliths, ancient petroglyphs, accessible hiking trails, and glorious scenery, Valley of Fire draws tourists and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. But park rangers also want local folks to remember that there is always something new to be discovered or learned at the nearby park.

This fall, rangers have put together an impressive list of new adventures that even those of us who think we have seen it all can enjoy. There are hikes to new vistas, programs for kids (that even adults will love) and hands-on demonstrations for all.
“We’re very excited about our upcoming program schedule,” said Park aide Deborah Mabry. “Events requiring pre-registration fill up quickly, often in a matter of hours, so keep tuned to our Facebook page so you don’t miss out.”

One of the most popular events at the park are the ranger-guided hikes. While some take place on lesser-known trails, many are completely off-trail and take hikers to see formations that they cannot see at the regular stops along the road.
This year’s ranger-guided hikes include the Arrowhead loop, the Colorful Canyons loop, and the West Center loop.

The Arrowhead loop is a 2-mile round trip hike and is relatively flat, but not necessarily easy. The hike will go past Elephant Rock, one of the most famous rock formations in the park, as well as include information on the geology, flora, and fauna of the area.

The Colorful Canyons loop is 1.5 miles round trip and includes a view of a rock formation seldom seen called “Crazy Hill.” Mabry said that the rangers are still open to suggestions on the name, however. This hike includes a lot of rocky, uneven terrain.

The West-Center Loop is for hikers wanting more adventure. It is described as being a very strenuous 3.5 mile off-trail hike with many elevation changes and lots of rock scrambling.
“It is recommended only for hikers in good physical condition,” Mabry said, “although the view from the top is well worth the effort.”

October 8 will bring an annual park favorite event. The atlatl demonstration will take place and participants will learn about the atlatl, an ancient spear-throwing tool, while watching a demonstration of it in use and then getting to try their own hand at it. The event will also take place on other dates.
Planned events are not just for adults. The park has a full schedule of children’s programs as well in the works. They include a program entitled, “What Passed This Way” where kids go on a hike and learn to identify signs that show what animals have passed before them.

There is also a “Make Your Own Petroglyph” program , “Native American-style Sand Painting” program, and a fun durable surface hopscotch program where kids learn to leave no trace.
Mabry points out that, although the programs are geared primarily towards children, there are no age restrictions and everyone is welcome.

Indoor talks are also a big draw. This fall there are several planned. This fall’s offerings include talks on the history of the Silver State, the Desert Bighorn sheep, and an introduction to Valley of Fire. Indoor talks take place in the Valley of Fire visitor’s center.

Several special events are also planned. The very popular Valley of Fire Photo Scavenger Hunt will take place on October 23. And the Seventh Annual Valley of Fire Classic Car Show is planned for November 19 from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Cars that are more than 20 years old are eligible to enter and prizes will be awarded for the top three in the people’s choice and in participant’s choice categories. For more information on the car show, contact Sandy Hufford at Valley of Fire at (702) 397-2088.

A complete list of events, including dates and times can be found on the Valley of Fire Facebook page under Valley of Fire State Park. To access the schedule, click on the “events” link on the left hand side of the page under the picture of the logo.
“Fall is a great time to come to Valley of Fire,” Mabry said. “It is a great way to connect with nature and get away from cell phones, TV’s, and traffic. We have the best weather and it is a great place to picnic and spend time together as a family.”

For more information you can also contact Mabry at vof@mvdsl.com.