Wandering Arrow Canyon

Last weekend some friends joined me hiking up Arrow Canyon, about 40 miles north of Las Vegas. After on-again-off-again weather we happened to pick the hottest day of the year so far to do it. Not so bad considering it's one of those hikes where you get a nice respite as the canyon narrows to a point where the ground and walls stay nice and cool from rarely, if ever, encountering the sun's rays.

Getting there is pretty easy. From metro Las Vegas take I-15 north to Hwy 93 north. In the time it takes you to down your tall mocha latte you'll pass the Arrow Mountain range - the giant wall of rock as you look out the passenger side. Left at Hwy 168, and...is that a golf course? Don't ask, rambler, just keep driving. Head over the pass, and as you're angling down towards Moapa keep an eye out for a small ranch-style arch sign. Turn onto this road steering clear of the Brady residence, please, unless you want to make them an offer on their place. Unless you're sportin' 4-wheel drive park next to the water processing buildings.

View Arrow Canyon Trail in a larger map

The trail is pretty clear, heading south then west into the canyon. This season the lower canyon is lined pretty nicely with wildflowers. Twice the canyon will narrow down enough to give you the classic sliver-of-sky view that are part of a slot canyon hiking experience. As it grows closer to summer these are also great spots to pause, drink up and feel the cool rock against your skin. Keep an eye out for glyphs lining the canyon walls, both ancient and not-so-old. Grottos, slides, and other erosional markers litter the canyon walls.

No more details from me on this one. Let the video and pics pique your curiosity and pick a day to tank up and find the rest out for yourself.