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 Reporter |
Summary: Head N from upper White Rock Hills pkg lot, following the sign for Keystone Thrust trail. After you pass the agave roasting pit and cross the wash, look for the sign and wooden steps which turn off White Rock Hills trail & head E to join old jeep trail. Climb up hill towards Hogback Ridge as you follow the well marked trail past another pit. Turn R (E) at the signed fork at the saddle above the ridge. Head down into a small canyon with red sandstone floor. You are now on the Keystone Thrust fault. The geological phenomena is that the red Aztec Sandstone (150 million years old) is above the old gray limestone (500 million years ago), instead of the normal position of younger rocks on top of older rocks, as new layers form on top of previous layers. At Keystone Thrust, the older rocks are on top of younger rocks. This thrust was caused by horizontal thrusting of earth's plates during tectonic activity 65 million yrs ago. Erosion has since exposed some limestone. Trailhead: 18 miles W of Las Vegas Blvd. on Charleston Ave. (SR 159) to Red Rock entry (fee) station. Take 13 mile scenic loop past Sandstone Quarry and past the Highest Point Overlook to the signed turn for White Rock Hills parking area. If you are in a passenger vehicle you might want to park at the lower parking area (wide dirt area on L side of road as soon as you turn off paved scenic loop), and begin your hike here. It's a short but rocky drive up the dirt road to the upper parking area, where a vault toilet and trail signage is located. There is very limited parking at upper White Rock Hills and rock climbers use it as well as hikers so be considerate and park efficiently. This parking lot is too small & the road is not suitable for trailers or long wheel base vehicles, but if you realize this too late, the road ends in a loop so you can drive back down to the lower parking area and walk up to the trailhead. There is signed agave roasting pit just above the upper pkg (Lat:36.17331 Lon:-115.47739) Trail Guides for Keystone Thrust: Keystone Hiking Trails Information by BLM - Red Rock NCA (BLM - Red Rock NCA) Hiking Around Las Vegas by Jim Boone (Jim L. Boone) 120 Best Hikes in Southern Nevada and Beyond (CD) by Branch Whitney (Branch Whitney) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Red Rock (BLM) ranger at entry to NCA (fee station) 702-515-5350 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Kat Green, who has posted 86 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Tami on 6/12/2008 What an experience. A great hike and especially with the goelogical education that comes with this one. It is amazing to see the difference in land formation's as you are on some of these hikes. I would like to do this again in the spring when the flowers are in bloom and walk down the fault to the right. How intresting and amazing. How many people get to stand in a fault. It was awesome.
Reviewed by Kat on 3/13/2006 AR - Yes, definitely walk down and below the thrust to truly appreciate the colors and beauty of this little canyon -- different rock colors and types are unmistakable. The bright red of the thrust is visible from almost every single viewpoint in Red Rock Canyon -- especially as you travel the scenic loop and look back from a distance towards La Madre mountains (use visitor's center as your reference and look between it and White Rock Hills, if you have trouble locating the thrust). 
Reviewed by AR on 3/13/2006 We didn't see where the limestone was below the sandstone. Should we have walked down the canyon?
Reviewed by MZS on 4/10/2005 With the amount of rain this year and the time of year, the hike provided a wonderful display of flowers.
Reviewed by RR on 8/1/2004 Short with moderate uphill climb. Great views. One tricky turn ontrail to top. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Nevada Hiking, Nevada Trails, Nevada Hikes, Clark County Hiking, Clark County Trails, Clark County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||