Page 78 - 2004 DT 9 Issues

quaint old character. It is being extended were not yet over. We encountered yet Desert Trumpet
and will shortly become yet another su- another washout which we negotiated
permarket-with-food-court. After a brief successfully, but a third washout had us Editor
look round, we were on our way again. holding our breath. Linda pronounced Barbara Wolin
The dirt road through the Muddy it negotiable and Athena got through Contributing Writers
Mountains branches off right from the in the lead Jeep. The others followed, Louis C. Kleber
main road about three miles from the but we had to admire the skills of the Tom Pfaendler
Smoke Shop, and we exchanged the drivers of the larger vehicles. Probably Jack Ryan
undulating, but smooth, surface of the to experienced off-roaders they were Barbara Wolin
paved road for washboard. We drove nothing, but they looked formidable to H. Dan Wray
through limestone canyons and saw the those of us less experienced. Publishers
etching caused by acid rain. Ferocacti Further on, the Cockscomb Ridge Norm Kresge
clung for life on sheer rock faces. came into view. At the side of the road, Barbara Wolin
We made for Buffington Pockets we had erosions of shale, mudstone, and Intern
and were surprised to find so much sandstone, and a magnificent formation Norm Wolin
water in them. There were hundreds of limestone, which, with its regular
The Desert Trumpet is published
of tadpoles in the water and as many pillars and openings, reminded us of monthly by and for FORRC members. State-
tiny toads hopping all over the rocks; a Roman Coliseum. But perhaps the ments, opinions and points of view expressed
so much so, that we had to watch highlight of the fantastic sculptures was by writers are their own and do not neces-
where we put our feet. We also found something we immediately named Rab- sarily reflect those of FORRC. Please submit
all articles, photos and artwork NLT the15th
a dead Pipistrelle bat in the water and bit Rock. Nature had sculpted an almost of each month by calling 515-5350. If you
wondered how it had met its fate. perfect model of a rabbit: ears, eyes, are interested in becoming part of the Desert
We scrambled up to and over the face tail, and all. Trumpet staff, contact Editor at 256-8043 or
FORRC News @cox.net
of the dam, half expecting to find more We stopped for lunch at an old mine
FORRC is a non-profit 501 (c) (3)
water, but it was completely dry. This and went into a small cave complete with organization dedicated solely to the welfare
manmade doorway. Our imaginations
proved to be a great bonus ran riot as we imagined how of the Red Rock Canyon National Conserva-
for us, as we were able some old miner living there tion Area. FORRC provides volunteers and
to follow tracks in might have furnished it. funding for projects including environmen-
tal education, teacher workshops, natural
the caked mud. In The consensus resource protection, cultural resource moni-
short time, we had of opinion was toring, hike programs and other services.
found tracks of a that it could Annual individual membership is $25.00
General meetings are held four times a
sidewinder, bob- have been quite year; Board meetings are held on the sec-
cat, and a fox. cozy. ond Tuesday of each month at the Red Rock
Canyon Visitor Center, unless otherwise
There was also The road posted. Messages may be left at 255-8743.
a puzzling trail began to fol- Visit our website at www.friendsofredrock-
which looked as low various
though something washes as we ap-
had dragged its furry tail along. proached Bitter Spring, which had
As we went on from the dam, we plenty of water spilling over the road. at Rogers Spring where we saw palms
became aware of beautiful petroglyphs We stopped to take a closer look. Linda growing alongside the plentiful supply
on each side of the trail. Back to our gave a short talk and pointed out the of thermally heated water.
vehicles, we were soon on our way invasive non-native tamarisk, or “Salt We drove back to Vegas through
again. Suddenly, a northern shrike Cedar,” which was competing with the the Valley of Fire, an added bonus and
flew across the road in front of us. The native desert willow. It has a rapid self- a nice way to end a fascinating day. Our
red rocks gave way to rocks banded sealing mechanism. Immediately after thanks to the various drivers and to the
with a vivid orange as we approached it is cut, the bare wood has to be treated staff who arranged the day.
Colorock Quarry. with herbicide to kill the plant. As we Note: If planning a visit, please refer
Shortly after leaving the quarry, we approached Lakeside Drive, the efforts to and implement the safety advice given
encountered a washout. Could we all to kill off the tamarisk were evidenced in the article entitled Bitter Springs.
make it? Linda went ahead to assess by blackened stumps and piles of dry Back Country Highway in the Septem-
the situation. “Yes,” she thought, and branches. ber issue of the Desert Trumpet.
we pressed on without mishap. Our trou- For a complete contrast, we stopped 
bles, or rather the troubles of our drivers,
FORRC/November,­2004­­­­Page­7