Saturday, April 4, 2009
This day's goal was to go over Wheeler Pass in the Spring Mountains to our east then continue to Corn Creek Visitor Center in Desert National Wildlife Refuge. From there we would take the 50 mile-long Mormon Well Rd. and conclude near North Las Vegas.
We spotted two wild horses.
and strange formations.....
and finally signs that we were going from spring to winter.
As the elevation increased, the vegetation changed.
Wheeler Pass at 7,700 ft. with the Pahrump Valley in the distance to our west
The view to the east.......
Our first time at Corn Creek Visitor Center - so lovely. This refuge exists to protect the desert bighorn sheep.
Oh, my - so much grass!
The beginning of the Mormon Well Road which was 50 miles of beautiful off-road experience
Entering five-mile-long Peek-A-Boo Canyon
where we passed this natural cave
and this Utah Juniper, which is possible the largest of its kind in the Silver State.
Ponderosa pines at the Mormon Pass summit
Fire ravaged this Joshua Tree forest
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Dust can be a hazard if you aren't the lead vehicle.
This fenceline road had some amazingly deep dips that were so much fun!
Some folks took the easy route out of this dip and then there was Jerry who made a valiant effort
and got hung up....... What a great try! 
The road continued its way to Red Rock Canyon with its colorful rocky slopes
An agave roasting pit. I first learned about these last winter and was absolutely thrilled to finally see one first hand. From the Desert National Wildlife Refuge brochure - "Roasting pits are circular mounds of firecracked and whitened limestone that were used by ancient people for cooking meats and vegetables. Native foods such as agave were placed in a bed of hot coals mixed with limestone cobbles and covered with vegetation and earth to slow cook for many hours. Limestone was discarded after each use and eventually formed a low mounded hill with a central depression."
"Native Americans gathered the hearts of the agave plants in spring. A nutritious staple food the hearts look somewhat like pineapples. These budding flower stalks were pried loose from the spiny leaves with a long pointed stick of juniper wood, placed in large pits and slowly roasted. Apparently it tastes somewhat like a combination of squash and sweet potatoes. When spread on a rock to dry, it becomes much like jerky." Great Basin SUV Trails - Southern Nevada Edition
