Sunday, September 8, 2013

White Domes (Valley of Fire Part 2)

Started this yesterday before I had to take time out to "save the planet"...

... the 'White Domes' are a maze of brilliantly colored sandstone formations located to the north within 'Valley of Fire State Park' - heres a park map...

... the area was originally developed to facilitate 'Hollywood' movie production - it features a mile and a quarter loop hiking trail that travels throughout the formations, including a slot canyon, and includes sweeping desert views - pretty cool...

... here's the trailhead showing parking and vehicles to add some scale - that's one of the 'Domes' - I thought we had a close up shot of that 'kiosk', but maybe not - had a cool sign posted warning of all the critters you could potentially encounter that could "bite, sting and potentially kill ya', such as snakes, scorpions, spiders and 'Gila Monsters' - man, would love to see one of those...

... closer shot of the trailhead - buddy Matt for scale...

... had 'Desert Dog Koda' along as well - Koda's now a certified and licensed 'Therapy Dog' with lots of "frequent flyer" miles...

... many colorful rock formations...

... droppin' down into the small canyon...

... headin' toward the old "movie set"...

... the old 'Mexican Hacienda'...

... explained...

... here's the movie poster - saw the film several times - have to rate it in the top five westerns - can't go wrong with Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster, with Jack Palance as a great 'bad guy" - hey! - they didn't mention Woody Strode - that's him fire'n the 'bow' in the poster...

... movin' on past a large formation...

... 'Koda' chasin' many of the small lizards that were darting about and scampering quickly up the rocks...

... like this small 'Chuckwalla'...

... saw a few interesting long 'crack systems' - no climbing allowed, however...

... that red, orange, pink and tan rock really contrasts with the blue sky...

... a few 'spires'...

... here's the 'slot canyon' - Burt Lancaster blows it up in the movie...

... beyond the 'slot canyon...

... definitely one of the most colorful places you'll find in the 'Mojave Desert'...

... the trail eventually loops around back to the 'Hacienda' site - thats the north side of the first large dome - a lot goin' on in just over a mile hike...

... the majority of the 'Domes' are accessible by a short 'scramble'...

... with some great views of the sweeping desert landscape... can see why 'Hollywood' loves this place - not a bad camera angle to be had...

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