Hiking Around Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon NCA, Blue Diamond Hill
 Rock Garden Trail (view N from Fossil Trail) |
Overview The Rock Garden Trail is one of many trails on the northwest end of Blue Diamond Hill. This trail runs for 1.1 miles from the Cowboy Trailhead up onto Fossil Ridge and out to connect with the Fossil Trail. The trail is described in detail for hiking from the trailhead up onto Blue Diamond Hill. Here, photos are presented for hiking in the other direction: from the intersection with the Fossil Trail down Fossil Ridge to the trailhead. Hiking in this direction completes a nice loop for hikers starting from the trailhead on the Fossil Trail or the Fossil Canyon Trail, and is makes a nice descent from higher on the Fossil Trail. Be sure to notice the spectacular cactus garden high on the ridge and the many sponge and other fossils along the trail. For the full description, see Rock Garden Trail -- Uphill. Link to map |
 Fossil Trail at Rock Garden Trail (view NW; downhill) |
 Fossil Trail at Rock Garden Trail (view NW; uphill) |
 Be sure to step off the trail for passing horses (view N) |
 Passing horses (view N) |
 Top of the ridge with lots of cactus (view N) |
 Edge of Fossil Canyon (view N) |
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 Lots of cactus (view N) |
 Fossil sponge impressions in bedrock along the trail |
 Fossil sponge in bedrock along the trail |
 Lots of cactus (view N) |
 Trail enters 2005 burn area |
 Trail in 2005 burn area |
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 Four months after the 2005 fire (view N) |
 Four months after the 2005 fire (view N) |
 Four months after the 2005 fire (view N) |
 Four months after the 2005 fire (view N) |
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 Watch for the little things: Desert Horned Lizards |
 Grand view of the Red Rock Cliffs (view NW) |
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 Trail runs along ridgetop (view N) |
 Rock Garden Trail approaching connector trail to corrals (view N) |
 Rock Garden Trail at connector trail to corrals (view N) |
 Descending towards the end of Fossil Ridge (view N) |
 Crinoid fossils in limestone bedrock |
 Crinoid fossils in limestone bedrock |
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 Crest of Fossil Ridge (view NE) |
 Hiker heading down (view N) |
 Descending towards the toe of Fossil Ridge (view NW) |
 Hiker heading down (view N) |
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 Rock Garden Trail approaching the trailhead (view NW) |
 Rock Garden Trail at trailhead (view NW) |
Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240329
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