Keystone Thrust, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

"Head N from upper White Rock Hills pkg lot, following the sign for Keystone Thrust trail. After you pass the agave roasting pit and cross the wash, look for the sign and wooden steps which turn off White Rock Hills trail & head E to join old jeep trail. Climb up hill towards Hogback Ridge as you follow the well marked trail past another pit. Turn R (E) at the signed fork at the saddle above the ridge. Head down into a small canyon with red sandstone floor. You are now on the Keystone Thrust fault. The geological phenomena is that the red Aztec Sandstone (150 million years old) is above the old gray limestone (500 million years ago), instead of the normal position of younger rocks on top of older rocks, as new layers form on top of previous layers. At Keystone Thrust, the older rocks are on top of younger rocks. This thrust was caused by horizontal thrusting of earth's plates during tectonic activity 65 million yrs ago. Erosion has since exposed some limestone."

 Information gathered from: http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/KeystoneThrust_4120.asp

Keystone Thrust is located in Red Rock Canyon located on the west side of  the Las Vegas Valley. This conservation area has several trails to hike on.  Daily passes are 5 dollars, but we opted for the annual pass for only $20.   Before heading off on our adventure, however, we had to check out the New Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, which is presently still under construction.  What they do have now is pretty cool though. A section of the center displays a panoramic view of Red Rock.  Levi had to get a shot of this, and it looks something like this:

Levi and I have to agree that Keystone Thrust was an easy, beginner trail to start with, even though it is considered a moderate hike. The terrain always offers something interesting to see throughout the entire hike: the ancient agave roasting pit, vegetation which includes believe it or not pine trees in the desert, and the sandstone/limestone soil which creates a variety of effects.




Having not previously read the description of this trail, there was however some disagreement between us as to which landmark was truly Keystone Thrust! Levi was convinced that the Thrust was this small  mountain just beside the actual site.

As it turns out, Natalie was correct, thus winning a foot massage. The actual sight is not a mountain at all; instead, it is flatter, quite like this:

Natalie Standing In Thrust

The wind picked up as we were exploring Keystone Thrust's little treasures.  We'd guessed it was moving at a rate of 15-20 mph.  It nearly threw us off balance. Levi was hilarious trying to get his jacket and balancing on the rocks. We were safe, but it did make lunch tricky, huddling behind a rock eating Port of Subs. 

...And with the wind blew in the dark clouds. It was another treat from Mother Nature we were able to eyewitness on our journey back.  No rain, thankfully, but boy did we get a lot the next day!