![]() ![]() and Tweed, posing in front of their cabin at what was then known as Sandstone Ranch, 1900 | Photo courtesy of UNLV Special Collections, St. This historic photo shows Jim Wilson and his two adopted sons, Jim Jr. Even though Williams never lived on the property during the era he utilized it, a one-room cabin and blacksmith shop were built. When the fur trade started to dry up, Williams turned to horse thievery and evidence suggests that stolen horses grazed on the site of the future ranch because of the availability of the water from the numerous springs in the area, the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park history page reports. What is now Spring Mountain Ranch, which went through a string of famous owners later on in its history, was first known as the “Old Williams Ranch” or the “Bill Williams Ranch.” Famous trapper William Sherley Williams (1787-1849), for whom Williams, Arizona is named, frequented the area. The book is a compilation of snippets by various authors about important locales in the story of this revered place, such as Spring Mountain Ranch, Blue Diamond, Bonnie Springs Ranch and the main attraction: the striking red rock ridges along its Scenic Drive. One of the best sources to learn the history of Red Rock Canyon and its environs is the book “Seekers, Saints and Scoundrels: The Colorful Characters of Red Rock Canyon” published by Friends of Red Rock Canyon, a non-profit partner of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. In the mid-20th century, locals and transplants started seeing the area as a place of respite because of its majestic monoliths, cliffs and surrounding mountains. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the area was primarily utilized for ranching and some farming. Once the stomping grounds of Southern Paiutes and their ancestors as evidenced by the rock art they left behind, Red Rock Canyon was a place that provided water for Native Americans and later explorers and settlers with its numerous natural springs, earning the mountain range the name Spring Mountains. Visitors traversing its scenic drive might have a hard time believing that the entertainment hub and gambling mecca - what many consider the most sinful city on the continent - is only 20 minutes away. The landscape is the result of limestone deposits from an ancient ocean and lithified sand dunes from a later time period that turned different shades of red from iron oxide, or rust. Red Rock Canyon has a lot going for it in the scenery department. Mount Charleston rises on the northwest horizon and southeast of it is a gem that many think is National Park-worthy: Red Rock Canyon. To the west, however, is a different story. The mountains east of Las Vegas look like giant dirt clods. Many visitors don’t think about visiting natural scenery during a trip to Las Vegas. Poisonous snakes are rare, but some do live in Red Rock.FEATURE - The Las Vegas area is known for its human-built environment - the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip and other building behemoths like the World Market Center closer to its revitalized downtown area. Wildlife include lizards, fox, hawks and burros. Guests can expect to find various cactus, yuccas and Joshua Trees. ![]() While exploring popular trails such as Turtlehead Peak and Willow Springs, hikers can experience some of the plants and wildlife within Red Rock. ![]() To access most of the 19 maintained trails, one must enter through Scenic Loop Road. In total, the conservation area has over 30 miles of trails, many of which are great for beginner or novice hikers. ![]() As the name implies, this road provides access to the Calico Basin trail and is free to enter. Just east of the main entrance is the Calico Basin entrance. Day-long passes cost $7 for cars/trucks and $3 for pedestrians/cyclists/motorcyclists. To enter, guests must pass through a fee station at the main entrance. This paved road offers an excellent introduction to the beautiful views and branches off into smaller roads that provide access to areas such as High Point Overlook, Keystone Thrust and the actual Red Rock Canyon. The sites of Red Rock are made accessible via a 13-mile Scenic Loop that runs through the conservation area. ![]()
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