STAGE PROFILE
STATES: Nevada
STOPS: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Bonnie Springs Ghost Town, Pioneer Saloon
E' vero, di Las Vegas vi abbiamo ormai raccontato sostanzialmente tutto durante i precedenti tre viaggi nella capitale mondiale del divertimento, racconti che potete trovare in "United States - The Old Wild Southwest", "Usa - West Coast" e "Route 66, Hawaii e Seattle". Ma Las Vegas significa non solo "strip" e "downtonwn", ma anche e soprattutto i suoi dintorni, che al quarto viaggio nello stato del Nevada possiamo con certezza affermare essere ciò che ci ha colpito maggiormente. Saranno in tanti sicuramente a storcere il naso, ma non gli amanti della natura e di un'America nel complesso più vera, fatta di ghost town, saloon, deserto ed un paio di parchi sorprendenti. Vi avevamo già portato nella Death Valley, la "valle della morte" (due ore a nord-ovest di Las Vegas), l'abbiamo rivisitata con temperature decisamente più confortevoli (20 gradi e non i "soliti" 45) ed il National Park da affascinante è diventato splendido. Abbiamo ripercorso gli stessi view point e trail ed è per questo motivo che con un flash-forward ci spostiamo a 16 miglia a ovest della "sin city", poco più di venti minuti in auto. Siamo al Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, da non confondere con il Red Rock State Park della California e neppure con il Red Canyon in Utah.
DAY 2: Lake Mead National Recreation Area & Valley of Fire State Park
The truth is that we've already said everything about Las Vegas during the previous three trips in the world capital of entertainment and you can find them clicking on "United States - The Old Wild Southwest", "Use - West Coast" and "Route 66, Hawaii and Seattle". Anyway Las Vegas does not just mean "strip" and "downtonwn": also its surroundings are very beautiful. After four trips in Nevas we can definitely say that this is the part of Vegas which impressed us the most. Nature lovers and people who want to experience a "real" America, made by ghost towns, saloons, deserts and amazing parks, would agree with us. We had already brought you to the Death Valley, (two hours north-west of Las Vegas) during the hot summer, we've been there also with lower temperatures (20° celsius instead of 45°) and this jewell of nature has become even more beautiful. We stopped at the same view point and hiked the same trails: this is the reason why we won't tell about Death Valley again. We're now 16 miles west of the "sin city", at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, not to be confused with the Red Rock State Park in California and even with Red Canyon in Utah.
The truth is that we've already said everything about Las Vegas during the previous three trips in the world capital of entertainment and you can find them clicking on "United States - The Old Wild Southwest", "Use - West Coast" and "Route 66, Hawaii and Seattle". Anyway Las Vegas does not just mean "strip" and "downtonwn": also its surroundings are very beautiful. After four trips in Nevas we can definitely say that this is the part of Vegas which impressed us the most. Nature lovers and people who want to experience a "real" America, made by ghost towns, saloons, deserts and amazing parks, would agree with us. We had already brought you to the Death Valley, (two hours north-west of Las Vegas) during the hot summer, we've been there also with lower temperatures (20° celsius instead of 45°) and this jewell of nature has become even more beautiful. We stopped at the same view point and hiked the same trails: this is the reason why we won't tell about Death Valley again. We're now 16 miles west of the "sin city", at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, not to be confused with the Red Rock State Park in California and even with Red Canyon in Utah.
Qui siamo sotto l'egida dei National Park ed infatti entriamo con il national park annual pass che abbiamo con noi. La loop drive è di 13 miglia e vi porterà non solo a ridosso delle stupende rocce rosse del Canyon, ma anche delle vette più alte dove troviamo addirittura la neve, un fiumiciattolo ed una cascata. Il tutto in pieno deserto a poche miglia dalle luci e dal clamore di Vegas.
The park is managed by the National Park Service, this is why we can show national park annual pass and visit it for free. The scenic drive loop (13 miles) takes you not only close to the beautiful red rocks and the canyon, but also close to the highest peaks where you may even find the snow in winter time, a little river and a waterfall. That's just few miles far from lights and noise of Vegas.
The park is managed by the National Park Service, this is why we can show national park annual pass and visit it for free. The scenic drive loop (13 miles) takes you not only close to the beautiful red rocks and the canyon, but also close to the highest peaks where you may even find the snow in winter time, a little river and a waterfall. That's just few miles far from lights and noise of Vegas.
La scenic drive (one way) regala di per sé viste molto interessanti, ma è fermandosi ai vari view point e percorrendo qualche trail che si riesce a cogliere il meglio del Red Rock Canyon. I primi che vi troverete di fronte, e dove abbiamo speso buona parte della permanenza nel parco, sono Calico 1, Calico 2 (soprattutto) e Calico Tanks. Qui siamo davvero a ridosso delle rocce rosse. I sentieri sono facilmente percorribili e vi porteranno all'interno del canyon oppure in altura. Ed è proprio dalla parte superiore del canyon che riusciamo a scattare le foto migliori.
The scenic drive (one way) gives very interesting views, but stopping at various view points and hike some trail will definitely be the best way to explore the Red Rock Canyon. The first one we face is Calico: Calico 1, Calico 2 and Calico Tanks. We stop at Calico 2, really close to the red rocks. The trail is very easy to hike and take us inside the canyon and even on high ground. From the top of the canyon we can take the very best pictures.
The scenic drive (one way) gives very interesting views, but stopping at various view points and hike some trail will definitely be the best way to explore the Red Rock Canyon. The first one we face is Calico: Calico 1, Calico 2 and Calico Tanks. We stop at Calico 2, really close to the red rocks. The trail is very easy to hike and take us inside the canyon and even on high ground. From the top of the canyon we can take the very best pictures.
Un paio di miglia dopo Calico Tanks un altro trail affascinante ci aspetta. E' Sandstone Quarry, all'interno delle Calico Hills, tra sentieri all'ombra del canyon e stranissime formazioni rocciose, un must per gli scalatori, presenti in maniera copiosa nel parco.
- Round-Trip Time: (from 1,50 h to 3,50 h)
- Distance: (from 2 to 6 miles)
Two miles after the Calico Tanks there's another nice trailhead, called Sandstone Quarry. Located within the Calico Hills, this trail takes you through shaded paths inside the canyon and strange rock formations. A must for climbers.
La parte centrale del parco è quella "meno rossa". Si sale decisamente sino a raggiungere, tramite una piccola deviazione con l'auto, White Rock prima e Ice box Canyon poi: il trail che affrontiamo è proprio Ice Box. Dopo un tratto nel deserto, raggiungiamo l'area più riparata del canyon, tra piscine naturali, cascate ed anche la neve che ci impedisce di proseguire oltre. Percorrere interamente il trail significa spendere circa 3 ore in quest'area selvaggia, lungo le 2.6 miglia del trail. L’attacco del sentiero si trova 7,7 miglia dopo il Visitor Center.
The central part of the park is "less red". It climbs up to reach, with a quick detour, the White Rock and Ice Box Canyon. We hike a little bit of the Ice Box trail. AIt begins in the desert and ends up at a sheltered area of the canyon which includes rock pools, waterfalls and even snow that prevents us from going further. Hike the entire trail means to spend about three hours into a wild area, along the 2.6-mile trail. The trail starts at mile 7.7.
The central part of the park is "less red". It climbs up to reach, with a quick detour, the White Rock and Ice Box Canyon. We hike a little bit of the Ice Box trail. AIt begins in the desert and ends up at a sheltered area of the canyon which includes rock pools, waterfalls and even snow that prevents us from going further. Hike the entire trail means to spend about three hours into a wild area, along the 2.6-mile trail. The trail starts at mile 7.7.
Si sale di quota e, nei periodi invernali, non è raro trovare neve, cascate ed un clima decisamente più mite.
- Round Trip Time: 2,50 h
- Distance: 2,6 miles
- Ice Box Canyon trail
The parking lot for this trail is at mile 8. The trail crosses open desert then enters the canyon. There may be seasonal waterfalls and even snow.
- Round Trip Time: 2,50 h
- Distance: 2,6 miles
Per chi avesse a disposizione un tempo maggiore, ecco alcuni trail che, secondo noi, meriterebbero particolare attenzione:
- Moenkopi
Semplice sentiero che prende il via dal Visitor Center e si sviluppa lungo un'area desertica del parco: qui è possibile godere del "rosso" delle Wilson Cliffs, passeggiando tra fossili e cactus.
- Round Trip Time: 1,5 h
- Distance: 2 miles
If you can spend much more time into the park, there would be some trails you should hike:
- Moenkopi
The trail starts to the west of the visitor center near the picnic area. It offers panoramic views of the Calico Hills, the Spring Mountains and La Madre Mountains.
- Round Trip Time: 1,5 h
- Distance: 2 miles
- White Rock Willow Springs
Un trail che si può imboccare da due diversi punti. l'Upper White Rock Srings Parking Lot e Willow Springs picnic area. Proseguendo oltre è possibile ammirare anche parecchia wildlife, su tutte le bighorn sheep lungo il White Rock La Madre Springs Loop (3.5 hours, 6 miles)
Round Trip Time: 2,5 h
Distance: 4.4 miles
- White Rock Willow Springs
The trail starts either the upper White Rock Spring parking lot or at the Willow Spring Picnic Area. Watch for wildlife (especially bighorn sheep) if you proceed to White Rock-La Madre Spring Loop (3.5 hours, 6 miles)
Round Trip Time: 2,5 h
Distance: 4.4 miles
- Oak Creek Canyon
Per accedervi occorre imboccare una strada non asfaltata, poco prima della conclusione della scenic drive. Un trail desertico che vi porterà all'interno del canyon
- Round Trip Time: 1,5 h
- Distance: 2 miles
- Oak Creek Canyon
To access this trailhead, take the Oak Creek Turnoff from the 13-mile scenic Drive onto a dirt road. The trail then heads through open desert to the mouth of the Canyon
- Round Trip Time: 1,5 h
- Distance: 2 miles
Abbandonata la loop scenic e quindi anche il Red Rock Canyon, svoltiamo a destra proseguendo per cinque miglia lungo la Blue Diamond Road. Imbocchiamo la Bonnie Springs Road e dopo un paio di miglia raggiungiamo una città surreale.
As soon as we left scenic loop and the Red Rock Canyon, we made a right turn along the Blue Diamond Road. After five miles we made another right turn: the Bonnie Springs Road took us to a surreal town.
As soon as we left scenic loop and the Red Rock Canyon, we made a right turn along the Blue Diamond Road. After five miles we made another right turn: the Bonnie Springs Road took us to a surreal town.
Gli americani la definiscono ghost town, ma per come la intendiamo noi di ghost town ha ben poco. C'è infatti un motel, un ristorante, un treno per bambini e... anche uno zoo. Siamo a Bonnie Springs Old Nevada, uno degli avamposti della corsa all'oro e all'argento.
Americans call it ghost town, but this town isn't "ghost" at all! There's a motel, there's a restaurant and even a zoo. This is Bonnie Springs Old Nevada, one of the outposts of the gold and silver rush.
Noi però stiamo cercando qualcosa di più "vero" e proseguiamo per una cinquantina di miglia in direzione sud ovest. Stiamo andando a Los Angeles? No, non così lontano anche se la highway 15 (Veteran Memorial Highway) è proprio quella porta verso Barstow prima e Los Angeles poi. Noi stiamo invece guidando verso Goodsprings, alle pendici delle Potosi Mountain. E' già sera e non riusciamo a fermarci alle Seven Magic Mountain, una creazione artistica del tutto particolare...
Honestly we're looking for something more "real" and keep driving for about fifty miles to the southwest. Are we going to Los Angeles? No, we won't get too far even though the highway 15 (Veterans Memorial Highway) is the one that leads to Barstow and then to Los Angeles. Goodsprings, in the Potosi Mountain slopes, is our goal: it's already evening and unfortunately we can not stop at the Seven Magic Mountain, a very special artistic creation ...
Honestly we're looking for something more "real" and keep driving for about fifty miles to the southwest. Are we going to Los Angeles? No, we won't get too far even though the highway 15 (Veterans Memorial Highway) is the one that leads to Barstow and then to Los Angeles. Goodsprings, in the Potosi Mountain slopes, is our goal: it's already evening and unfortunately we can not stop at the Seven Magic Mountain, a very special artistic creation ...
... ma nonostante il buio ed il deserto decidiamo comunque di imboccare la Goodsprings Road (strada numero 161). Siamo alla ricerca della cittadina di Goodsprings, ma all'orizzonte non si vede nulla. Nessuna città, nessun segno di vita ed ovviamente nessuna auto che percorre la nostra stessa strada. Poi all'improvviso eccola apparire con le sue poche case e 200 abitanti. Noi siamo qui perchè vogliamo ammirare un pezzo di storia del west americano e non solo: anzi due, il Pioneer Saloon con l'annesso General Store.
... But despite the darkness and the desert, we decide to take the Goodsprings Road (number 161) looking for the town of Goodsprings. There're no towns in the distance, are we doing right or not? Yes, we're doing right. Goodsprings suddenly appears in front of us with its 200 inhabitants. We're looking for a piece of history of the American West and beyond. Well, honestly two pieces of history: the Pioneer Saloon with the adjoining General Store.
... But despite the darkness and the desert, we decide to take the Goodsprings Road (number 161) looking for the town of Goodsprings. There're no towns in the distance, are we doing right or not? Yes, we're doing right. Goodsprings suddenly appears in front of us with its 200 inhabitants. We're looking for a piece of history of the American West and beyond. Well, honestly two pieces of history: the Pioneer Saloon with the adjoining General Store.
Il Pioneer Saloon fu il primo saloon del Nevada (1913) e varcare le sue porte vi porterà davvero indietro nel tempo.
The Pioneer Saloon was the first saloon built in Nevada (1913) and cross its doors will really take you back in time.
Un signore, seduto al bancone con il suo bicchiere di whiskey, ci accoglie con un "Welcome to Goodsprings, what brings you in town?". Altro che Las Vegas, ecco gli Usa che amiamo. Siamo gli unici turisti. Insieme a noi altri 7 dei 200 abitanti della città, intenti a "farsi un goccio" mentre ammiriamo gli interni del saloon.
A gentleman, sitting at the bar with a glass of whiskey, welcomes us with a "Welcome to Goodsprings, what brings you in town?". This is the US we love! There are no tourists: it's us and 7 of the 200 inhabitants of the town "getting a shot" while we are admiring the interior of the saloon.
A gentleman, sitting at the bar with a glass of whiskey, welcomes us with a "Welcome to Goodsprings, what brings you in town?". This is the US we love! There are no tourists: it's us and 7 of the 200 inhabitants of the town "getting a shot" while we are admiring the interior of the saloon.
Tutto è rimasto così com'era ai tempi in cui Goodsprings era un crocevia della corsa all'oro ed all'argento. Notiamo che sulle pareti, oltre ad esserci numerosi attori e attrici (molti film sono "passati" da qui, su tutti "Miss Congeniality" con Sandra Bullock), c'è un'intera sezione dedicata a Clark Gables (Via col Vento) e Carole Lombard.
Everything has remained as it was in the days when Goodsprings was a crossroads of the gold and silver rush. We note that there are many pictures of actors and actresses on the wall ("Miss Congeniality" with Sandra Bullock is just one of the many movies set in the saloon), but a whole section of the saloon is dedicated to Clark Gables ("Gone with the Wind") and Carole Lombard.
Everything has remained as it was in the days when Goodsprings was a crossroads of the gold and silver rush. We note that there are many pictures of actors and actresses on the wall ("Miss Congeniality" with Sandra Bullock is just one of the many movies set in the saloon), but a whole section of the saloon is dedicated to Clark Gables ("Gone with the Wind") and Carole Lombard.
Chiediamo agli avventori spiegazioni e sembra davvero che non aspettassero altro. "Qui è successo un tragico evento". "Ah sì"? "Sì, era il 1942 quando un aereo con a bordo anche Carole Lombard precipitò sulle montagne, ad una manciata di miglia dal saloon. Dovete sapere che i detriti dell'aereo sono tutt'ora sparsi lungo le montagne... Clark Gables passò le intere giornate qui al saloon in attesa che fosse ritrovato il corpo della moglie".
We ask patrons about the wall and it seems that they are just waiting for that. "A tragic event happened here". "Really"? "Yes, it was. 1942, a plane came down and rushed to the mountains just a handful of miles far from the saloon. Carole Lombard was on that plane. You should know that the plane's detritus are still scattered along the mountain ... Clark Gables spent three days at the saloon while waiting for news about his wife".
We ask patrons about the wall and it seems that they are just waiting for that. "A tragic event happened here". "Really"? "Yes, it was. 1942, a plane came down and rushed to the mountains just a handful of miles far from the saloon. Carole Lombard was on that plane. You should know that the plane's detritus are still scattered along the mountain ... Clark Gables spent three days at the saloon while waiting for news about his wife".
Cercavamo un pezzo di storia americana, eccolo servito. Ah la cena. Squisita. Prezzi sopra la media ma "ribs" e fagioli squisiti. Proprio come nel vecchio west...
We were looking for a piece of American history, here we are. Well, the dinner was delicious. Prices above average but "ribs" and beans were amazing. Just like in the old west ...
We were looking for a piece of American history, here we are. Well, the dinner was delicious. Prices above average but "ribs" and beans were amazing. Just like in the old west ...
HOTEL
DOWNTOWN GRAND (28 euros x night)
POSITION: *****
COMFORT: ****
VALUE: *****
CLEANING: ****
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK:
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DUECUORIPERVIAGGIARE?REF=HL
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento