Valley of Fire: West Side Ramble and Informal Desert Portrait Contest

Rating: 5 miles total with 500-1000 feet of climbing total. Easy to strenuous. Plenty of hard rock slopes, long sandy areas, occasional bushes, minor scrambling. Likely Bighorn sightings.

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This hike is in conjunction with Red Rock Hiking and there is no designated limit.

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This hike winds around much of the lesser known yet sumptuously colorful western side of Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. The area consists entirely of large and wildly colored sandstone buttes that crop up out of the sand all over the landscape. Most otherworldly. Along the way we may spot "Elvis."

This hike is doable by moderately skilled rock scramblers. The terrain is openish, so there's always a way to get around anything.

Overall, the hike is fairly mellow, in a clambery sort of way, and the scenery is mind bogglingly beautiful. You and your camera won't be sorry you came.

Mer will be offering prizes to the five hikers who take the best, most flattering "desert portraits" of each individual participant on the hike, with their permission of course. By flattering I mean a relaxed, natural pose with a desert background and foreground composition that enhances and flatters their character and form thoughtfully. We want everyone who wants a desert portrait of themselves to be photographed in the most friendly, congenial and low stress way...!We'll figure out the best way to designate the winners and get some prizes before the day is over. Sound fun? All purely voluntary, of course. Cell phone cameras are fine, also.

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Prep: The usual for the desert; stout boots, leather gloves, hat, plenty of water (2 bottles), some food, and a desire for rough but unbelievably colorful desert vistas. CAMERA!

Meetup: Meet in the large empty dirt area near the Terrible's Gas station on the southern end of Bloomington where hwy 7, the Southern Parkway, joins hwy 15

The Drive: 1.8 hours one way on pavement, and a $15 entrance fee per car. Be sure to have a writing pen to fill out the self-pay envelope at the entrance to the park, along with $15 in cash.

Those in Mesquite can go to Lower Flat Top Exit on I-15, at the Flying J gas station by 7:00am Nevada time, and meet the rest of us there.

Those in Las Vegas can meet us at 8 am Nevada time at the valley of fire visitor Center.

If you need to text and leave a message or question for Mer: fore three 5 three won 9 nine six oh seben, and leave your name with the text, pls.

See you there! :) M+J

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Please Note The Following:

Meetup organizers are not tour guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being.

By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death.

The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event.

All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or injury to themselves or their guests.

By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.