What Happens In Vegas......Should Be Trail Running!

I spent most of last week in the mecca of trail running. No. Not Boulder, Colorado. Nay. Not Ashland, Oregon. Not even my amazing home of southern Utah.

No friends, I'm talking about Las Vegas. 

I was in Vegas most of the week for a work conference. I heard about Red Rock Canyon near Vegas and figured that was some place I ought to check out when my conference ended one night. I couldn't believe that a place this beautiful was only around 20 minutes away from the Strip!

Before the trip I asked my friend Moni if she'd be my tour guide knowing that she lived nearby. Since she is there so often she was happy to oblige.

Admittedly, calling Vegas the mecca of trail running is a tad sarcastic. But the views here rivaled most of the trails I run in southern Utah. Most of the trails here aren't very long but there are quite a few trails to choose from. Moni took me on the Calico Tanks trail.

The trail had some sand, some packed trail, and lots of seriously fun scrambling over slick rock.

My only regret was that after getting out of my conference I only had a little more than an hour of daylight to check the place out.

We were also joined on the trail by Phil and Gary. It was fascinating talking with Phil who we found out was one of the members of the band Paul Revere and the Raiders. He showed us a picture of him shaking Ed Sullivan's hand. Wow!

The highlight of the trail is a truly remarkable view when you summit a ridge and the entire Las Vegas Strip opens up on the horizon. It was really incredible.

With it being an out and back trail we were able to scramble down the same slick rock that we had climbed up earlier. I loved this section.

We got back to our cars as the final light of day was fading.

I had so much fun with Moni, Gary, and Phil. I can't wait to go back here again sometime. Next time you are in Vegas, skip the casinos and head for Red Rock Canyon.