





































































Southern Bowl of Fire | Detailed View of Sandstone Sculptures | Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Overview | Southern Bowl of Fire | Detailed View of Sandstone Sculptures | Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Lake Mead’s Bowl of Fire is divided into two regions: Southern (Lower) Bowl of Fire and Northern (Upper) Bowl of Fire. Each region has over 100 unique, artistic Aztec Red sandstone sculptures from the Jurassic Era (about 200 million years ago). Some are totally breathtaking! The purpose of this adventure is to document by photo and video as many of the sandstone sculptures in the Southern Bowl of Fire as possible in a day.
The Adventure Route
The adventure route taken began from a parking area at the entrance of Callville Wash Road at the mile 16 marker on Northshore Road. From there I headed up the approximate 2-mile stretch on Callville Road to the Southern Bowl of Fire trailhead. I took the Southern Bowl of Fire trail into the Bowl and began a meandering route exploring sandstone formations. I worked my way to the North edge of the Southern Bowl, then exited by a loop route back to the South Bowl entrance arriving finally again at the parking area on Northshore Road.
Exploring the Effect of Heat on an Adventure
It was 95 degrees on this day and I was surprised to find my camera/phone temporarily shut down for the first time ever, due to being overheated. I quickly developed a phone cooling strategy. Ability to take photos resumed first, then video filming. For this reason, the majority of the sandstone sculptures were documented by photos, which I edited into the video. Yet there is also some awesome video, including the surprise appearance of an active bee hive constructed within a crack in one of the sandstone formations!
Best Time of Year to Explore the Southern Bowl of Fire
On this day I was helping a photographer locate specific sandstone formations. There was some urgency in the need, so I explored the Southern Bowl of Fire in April, in higher than ideal temperatures. Ideal temperatures would be on days the temperature in Las Vegas does not exceed 80 degrees. This normally occurs during the months between mid-October and early March. I started out with about 6 liters of water and used it all up within about 4-5 hours!
Directions to Route Starting Point | Southern Bowl of Fire | Detailed View of Sandstone Sculptures | Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Enter Lake Mead National Recreation Area and take Northshore Road to the mile 16 marker. Park there and continue up Bowl of Fire Road on foot, or drive Bowl of Fire Road which is well graded and good for 2WD vehicles except when there has been flooding. If you have trouble making the first brief dip on the road into the wash, you may need to walk Bowl of Fire Road. Just know that the initial dip into the wash is the most difficult stretch (it’s only one short descent) that you will face on Bowl of Fire Road.
Narrative Guide | Southern Bowl of Fire | Detailed View of Sandstone Sculptures | Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Northshore Road to the Southern Bowl of Fire Trailhead
On this day, though I was on foot, I noted that Callville Wash Road was very well graded after the initial descent from the parking lot into the wash. If your vehicle can handle that initial descent, it would have been easy to proceed all the way to the Southern Bowl of Fire trailhead and even beyond to the upper end of the road near the Northern Bowl of Fire. However, conditions on this road can change due to flash flooding. I would not recommend taking a vehicle on this road when on days when there is rain in or above the wash.
The 2-mile trek on foot was pretty easy. Note the huge pointed hill to the left about 2 miles up Callville Wash Road. Make this your point of reference. The trailhead parking and entrance to the Southern Bowl of Fire is just beyond that hill.
Use Large Reference Points for Orientation
Throughout your time in the Bowl, as you are wandering and exploring among the sandstone formations, it’s possible to become disoriented. The pointed hill will guide you back to the trailhead entrance of Callville Wash Road. Becoming disoriented in this area can be dangerous on a hot day, especially when your water supply becomes low or entirely spent. I brought 6 liters and used it all within about 5 hours! Additionally, Anniversary Ridge above and to your left (East) is another great reference point. There are no trails in the Southern and Northern Bowl of Fire area. You’ll come across many unmarked paths created by people who have previously explored the Bowl. The paths do not provide good guidance in finding your way in and out of the Bowl!
From the Southern Bowl of Fire Trailhead into the Southern Bowl of Fire
Once you’ve reached the trailhead parking area just beyond the hill, look for a faint, unmarked trail leading up the wash to your left. By the way, there are few if any trail markings in this entire area, so use the large reference points as your guide! Continue up the wash and, after about 3/4th mile find a trail ascending up and out the left side of the wash. This trail will lead you to a plateau area of sandstone formations above the Southern Bowl of Fire. Enjoy exploring this initial group of sandstone formations, then descend into the bowl to explore the many additional formations.Â
A Better Adventure Route
On a cooler day with less time doctoring my overheated phone and watching my dwindling water supply, I might have begun with a wider circuit of the Southern Bowl before making concentric smaller circles into the center of the Bowl, in order to visit and photo-document more of the amazing sandstone formations.
Furthest Point North Explored Today
On this day, after visiting a number of sandstone formation in the Southern Bowl, I headed up toward the Northern end of the Southern Bowl. Another great point of reference is the high ridge to your right (East). This is Anniversary Ridge. It runs parallel to and above both the Southern and Northern Bowls of Fire. Incidentally, ascending this high ridge and looking down upon the Bowl of Fire provides a great aerial perspective. See the Anniversary Narrows video.
I continued North along the Southern Bowl, in the shadow of Anniversary Ridge and keeping an eye on the high pointed reference hill at the entrance to the Southern Bowl. There were many additional uniquely sculpted sandstone formations along the way. Eventually I ended up at a high point looking across to the cliffs of the Northern Bowl, now only about a mile away. The high point I was on had an additional collection of beautiful sandstone formations.Â
At this point I turned back toward the Southern Bowl of Fire trailhead (pointed high hill as reference). There was a natural ridge and wash leading back to the trailhead on Callville Wash Road.
Conclusion
Pick a cool day (under 80 degrees in the Las Vegas Valley). Meander around the Southern Bowl. Enjoy the spectacular Jurassic Era, Aztec Red sandstone formations…take in as many as you can find! This will be an unforgettable day of exploration packed with photo opportunities! Do protect your camera/phone from direct sunlight as much as possible. I suggest covering it with a small white cloth when not in use.