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New Mexico has a Valley of Fires Recreation Area, containing
a large expanse of black, twisted lava deposits set
amongst barren land in the centre of the state. The
similarly named park 30 miles northeast of Las Vegas
in Nevada offers a stark contrast - here, red is the
dominant colour, of an undulating landscape with petrified
dunes, strangely-shaped rocks and sandstone cliffs set
amongst an empty, very scenic region near the north
end of Lake Mead; the drive to the area from the south
(state road SSR167) passes buckled, layered cliffs and
desert plains, often quite colourful, and with the blue
waters of Lake Mead often visible to the east, but the
valley is the most unusual place. It is one of the most
colourful locations in the Southwest, especially at
sunset when the rocks glow deep red and do indeed seem
to be ablaze when seen from a distance. The landscape
is made more striking by the surrounding black hills
of sombre appearance. |
Valley
of Fire
