Keystone Thrust

Friday afternoon we drove to Red Rock Canyon which is around 30 miles away from us. Red Rock Canyon is a narrow valley that lies just about 15 miles west of downtown Las Vegas and is one of the most scenic places to visit in the Southern Nevada area. It gets its name from the red colored sandstone formations found throughout this small valley. The layerd red sandstone in the mountains that surround Red Rock Canyon can be seen from almost anywhere in Las Vegas.The contrast of red sandstone layered through gray limestone is impressive against the tall sheer cliff faces of - as high as 1,800 feet.The last 4 years we have taken a couple of the different trails through the park. Friday we took the Keystone Thrust trail. In the hiking description it says it is a moderate level of difficulty (uneven terrain and some rock scrambling). We had a climb of 400 feet elevation and it was 1.5 hour long with a distance of 2.2 miles. Some of the climbing was hard for me. It made me appreciate Kelly's 100 mile runs where he had to climb 5000 feet in the first 10 miles of the race.....and that was just to get him warmed up.....The Keystone Thrust are the rocks that made Red Rock Canyon famous with geologists. It is where the gray limestone meets the reds and yellows of the sandstone.

If you look close at thispicture (by clicking on the picture), you will see Tim walking down to the final decent in viewing the Keystone. I'm still at the top taking pictures of the Keystone in the distance. Tim told me later he was wondering why it was taking me so long to walk.....he had no idea I was taking pictures. He just thought I was diddle dadaling...

Tim on the edge of the cliff. It's a long way down....












The view of the Keystone Thrust is beautiful.