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| - At Red Rock Canyon the rocks are the stars. In the northernmost region of Red Rock Canyon, White Rock is the rock star. It's tune is "Walking on Sunshine." Since August, I have spent at least 4 hours hanging around this rock star the four times that I hiked the 6 miles White Rock loop Trail. With its stunning plant diversity, solitude, drastically changing landscapes, and breathtaking views of White Rock Mountain; White Rock Loop is my favorite trail in Red Rock Canyon.
The stage for White Rock Loop is in the northernmost reaches of Red Rock Canyon that pass into the La Madre Wildlife Area. On the La Madre facing side of White Rock a carpet of pinyon-pine forest interspersed with cacti reach to the La Madre mountains. On the Red Rock Canyon facing side the carpet is Mojave Desert reaching to the horizon. The main parking areas are the Lost Creek and Willow Springs parking lots off the spur road at mile marker 8.
This is a loop trail. From my experience I advise hiking it clockwise. The major elevation gain is in the scenic pinyon-pine forests with shady spots to pause and admire the scenery. If you hike counterclockwise, the majority of the elevation gain is in the unforgiving Mojave Desert. Another advantage of hiking clockwise is that two miles into the trail there will be a half-mile spur trail to La Madre Spring. This is a nice hike if you decide you are not up to doing the 6 mile hike.
This review discusses each side of the mountain while attempting to make the 50, 001 character limit.
West-facing side:
The hike starts from the parking lots and follows the paved spur road past agave pits and a picnic area. The point of interest is White Rock Canyon. The hike continues onto Rocky Gap Road.
North-facing side:
This is my favorite part of the hike. The trail turns off Rocky Gap Road and into a slice of Heaven. As the trail lifts uphill, so does my spirit. When I admire the Pinyon-pine forests, singing birds, crisp clean air, views of La Madre Mountain and White Rock Mountain, it is obvious my stress has stayed in Vegas. Looking at the shapes of the rocks on White Rock Mountain, my imagination goes into overdrive and I feel like a kid again. When I reach the White Rock saddle, time stands still as I take in the forest below.
East-facing side:
Gradually the pinyon-pine forest merges with the desert. There is a junction with Keystone Thrust and distant views of Las Vegas where I left my stress
South-facing side:
At the White Rock parking lot, the trail now travels downhill through the desert. I always sit on a bench at White Rock Spring. This is a constant source of water and in my case solitude. This is also a spot the has Verizon reception. The trail widens for a segment becoming a divided trail. As it reaches the starting point, White Rock Mountain is still the star. Toward the end of the trail, it crosses a wash, climbs a hill, then descends a steep hill to the parking lot.
White Rock may be a Red Rock Canyon rock star. But, after you spend 4 hours hanging around this rock star, you will feel like a rock star from experiencing White Rock Loop. The main preparation is bringing PLENTY of water, hiking footwear, sunscreen, and a cap.
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