We made our way north toward the New Mexico border, dodging in and out of sand washes and red rock canyons, climbing and descending numerous vertical ledges. As the mercury pushed its way toward the century mark, we reached an obstacle called the S-Turns, where the group bivouacked in the shadow of a vertical ledge for lunch. At the S-Turns, the sandstone canyon walls narrow to a vehicle-wide slot, requiring a bit of negotiating. Most rigs backed into the first turn in order to gain proper alignment for the second. A collection of paint and bondo chips lay at the base of a vertical crag on the passenger side. Combined with a 30-degree sandstone wall to the left and a drop-off to the front passenger side, it was a recipe for carnage. Vast expanses of the Nevada desert played backdrop for an afternoon 'crawling over boulders, playing in a maze of red rock canyons, and twisting our way through narrow slot washes.
On day two, we opted for a much more scenic trail; one that was less likely to wreak havoc on soft body parts. Heading north on I-95, we veered west to the Spring Mountains in the Toiyabe National Forest. Just a few thousand feet above the arid valley floor, the landscape transitioned to a world of cooler temperatures, natural springs, pines, and junipers. Entering Wheeler Canyon, we snaked our way up to the summit near Charleston Peak, where we enjoyed lunch and panoramic vistas to the east and west.
The afternoon was spent wandering through old ranches and skeletal vestiges of days gone by, the most notable being several still-standing charcoal kilns. Sliding down the east side of the range through Wallace Canyon, the trail opened into long, winding sand washes lined with protruding rock formations.
By day's end, we were heading back to town. The clank and clatter of old buckboards and wagon trains has been long silent, and the only bandits to watch out for have one arm, bells, and flashing lights. However, there are still a few nuggets to be found. If you're in Las Vegas and looking for jackpots of the four-wheeling type, the Red Rock Canyon Jeep Jamboree might be for you. For information, contact: Jeep Jamboree USA, Dept. 4WDSU, P.O. Box 1601, Georgetown, CA 95634, (916) 333-4777, www.jeepjamusa.com.