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Nature around Vegas
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Nature around Vegas

Day 0: arrive in Las Vegas, check into airbnb
Day 1: Valley of fire state park
Day 2: Red rocks national park
Day 3 & 4: Death Valley national park Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 15, 2020
    Raccoon ShenNature around VegasTraveler
    Weird blue Rav4 rental really grew on me over time

    Vegas

    December 16, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    Stayed in Vegas for the first few days. Our Airbnb was a spacious suite associated with MGM Grand. 1 bed 2 baths. Also during covid it was super cheap, averaging only $110/day all fees included.

    Ding tai fung!! They didn't have takeout so we had to go dine in. Def one of the highlights of this trip!Read more

  • Raccoon ShenNature around VegasTraveler
    Elephant rockAmazing rock formations!Fire wave trail

    Valley of Fire State Park

    December 16, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    AMAZING day trip. The views were absolutely breathtaking and the trails we did were a perfect mixture of adventure and scenery. The weather was also perfect, with clear blue skies around 45 degrees such that we felt comfortable in just a light jacket after breaking a sweat. Best of all--part of the trail wasn't well known so we had the whole place to ourselves most of the way! Loved the serene silence in the desert.

    Mouse's tank
    Petroglyph canyon
    Elephant rock
    Petrified logs
    Visitor center
    Combined white domes + fire wave loop hike    Read more

  • Raccoon ShenNature around VegasTraveler
    We think this might be some dried up banana yukka?
    This is called a chollaThe best view on this hikeMy resigned face at the end of the trail

    Red Rocks National Conservation Park

    December 17, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Hiked an 8 mile trail--white rock and la madre spring loop--took us 5 hours (while the hike was rated "moderate" and should take 4.25 hrs)! I definitely don't have as much stamina as I thought lol, the end of the hike was very difficult... and we had to drink a white claw just to get through to the end.... There were some great sceneries and amazing desert plans on the way, but I would say half of it is just ok so overall prob not worth the loop. The to and back section to La Madre springs was a grueling uphill, and the stream was underwhelming. The area was very windy so it felt kind of cold at 40F. Also we were disappointed that we didn't see any big horn sheep :/ (saw a lot of their poops though).

    After getting back we ate Thai takeout and Abby did her chemistry final.

    Overall, still had a lot of fun though!    Read more

  • Raccoon ShenNature around VegasTraveler
    Dante's view20 mule team canyonZabriskie pointThe devil's golf course

    Death valley: Day 1 (part 1)

    December 18, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Drove from Las Vegas to the park early in the morning. Paid the park fee ($20 for a week) at the entrance; honor system!
    -Dante's view
    -20 mule team canyon -- a cool one way drive through these canyons.
    -Zabriskie's point (Zabriskie was the vice president of the borax company that bought death valley region. He advocated to convert the area into a national park)
    -Devil's golf course: named as such apparently because "only the devil could play golf on such a surface."    Read more

  • Raccoon ShenNature around VegasTraveler
    Bad water basin
    Artist's paletteNatural bridge trail area

    Death valley: Day 1 (part 2)

    December 18, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    -Bad water basin-- salt flat!!
    -Artist drive to artist's palette-- these canyons had a variety of chalky colors (green, pink, yellow) due to oxidation of the metals found in the ground
    -Natural bridge trail: we didn't hike the full trail but walked enough to see the natural bridge, which was formed from years of erosion above and below the rocks. It was cool, but the best part of this trail was the view when leaving. Absolutely breathtaking.Read more

  • Raccoon ShenNature around VegasTraveler

    Longstreet Inn

    December 19, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Due to California's stay at home orders, the hotel in the park I originally booked cancelled our reservation. I was able to book a few nights at Longstreet Inn & Casino at the last minute as it is right at the Nevada side of the border. It was tacky but cute, and the room was pretty comfortable. It also had a cow statue in the parking lot and a small petting zoo attached with goats, donkeys, sheep, and cow.Read more

  • Trip end
    December 19, 2020
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