Wind and water created the rainbow designs in the rock at Fire Wave.
cross bedding – the grooved lines going in different direc- tion are actually layers of silt that have been deposited at different periods of time. Wind and water caused the de- signs as they moved the silt, forming these intriguing sand- stone formations. Mouse’s Tank trail is a 1.2 kilometre roundtrip hike suit-
able for all ages. Te trail meanders through colourful Petro- glyph Canyon where prehistoric art can been seen along the walls. Mouse’s Tank itself is a natural basin in the rock which collects rainwater; the water is unpotable as it sits and stagnates. Carved out 150 million years ago, it’s easy to imagine the dinosaurs that once walked through the canyons, domes, towers, ridges and valleys along the Rainbow Vista’s 1.6 ki- lometre hike. Te trailhead itself opens up at a point where the road reaches the top of a low ridge, offering views of a vast panorama of multi-coloured rocks stretching for miles, hence the name. Tis area is coveted by photographers and used for wedding ceremonies. Te hike itself will take you to Fire Canyon, an hour or so of trudging through deep sand with no shade past canyons and sharply angled rocks.
Highly recommended is the two kilometre hike that winds along ridges and cairns towards Fire Wave (not recommended during the summer because of the extreme heat). Stunning vistas are enriched by unique rock forma- tions containing a rainbow of vivid colours. A photogra- pher’s dream that is best captured mid-morning to late af- ternoon when the colours really come alive. If you only have the time for one hike through the Valley of Fire this should be it. Visitors can spend hours immersed in the beauty. Tis quick little hike will take you five to ten minutes.
Elephant Rock is a natural arch formed in the rock that resembles the shape of an elephant. It is located next to the road but if you take the third of a mile trail you will have a much better view. Other intriguing sites worth seeking out include the Seven
Sisters, a group of tall, red, eroded boulders surrounded by the sandy desert and the historic cabins built for travellers in the 1930s from red sandstone. Te John J. Clark memo- rial pays tribute to a Canadian who served in the American Civil War and met his demise in the Valley of Fire. Te end of the road will lead you to the White Domes
Desert tortoises are a rare and protected species. 34 • Spring 2016
Bighorn sheep can also be spotted. The Hub
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