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As I explored Valley of Fire State Park following my Valley of Fire 6-Day Strategy, I was looking for the highest overlook where I could view the entire park from one spot. My eyes kept turning toward the Southern mountain boundary range to the park. Finally, I could stand it no longer and had to ascend those mountains. A good entrance point was the Western trailhead for the Old Arrowhead Trail. I parked there and found my way up to the top of the ridge where I filmed the Valley of Fire State Park Panorama Video on this page.
Curiously enough, I later did some research and discovered the ridge was the Muddy Mountain Range, it was part of the same “Keystone Thrust” formation as the formation at the back of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Gateway to La Madre Mountains Wilderness). But here’s the amazing thing: Whereas the La Madre Mountains Wilderness at 40,000 acres is 10 times the size of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, The Muddy Mountains Wilderness that borders Valley of Fire State Park is a whopping 185,000 acres!!
Park at the Old Arrowhead Trail Western trailhead, just beyond the Western entrance of Valley of Fire State Park (and before the Beehives).
From the parking area head up to the nearest opening in the Muddy Mountain ridge system. It will be slightly to your left. As you ascend, you will see, and use the trails established by bighorn sheep. Continue up to the top of the opening, then ascend the small summit to your left. This is the point where I filmed the Valley of Fire State Park panorama video. Be careful when ascending the ridge as there is a lot of loose rock…tread lightly!
If you have time and want to explore further, you might refer to my Muddy Mountain / Lake Mead Overlook adventure page where I did just that.
David Smith has devoted the better part of one day each week over the past 20 years to experiencing a mountain trail running adventure. He began in the Pacific Northwest with the Columbia Gorge and Cascade Mountains; then moved to Southern California and experienced the Angeles Crest mountains; then the Northeast where he experienced the Hudson River Valley and Minnewaska; finally in 2016 to Las Vegas where he is experiencing and documenting Red Rock Canyon, the Spring Mountains (Mt. Charleston area), Death Valley and beyond!
Return often to experience one new adventure each week! From the home page scroll to “Most Recent Adventures“. More about David Smith…
The trail adventures on this website require proper conditioning, preparation and safety precautions. There are many factors beyond our control including weather conditions, unstable ground, loose rocks, insects and snakes, people you may encounter, your own level of physical conditioning, the potential of getting lost just to mention a few. While this site offers guidance, helpful tips, direction and training, the reader assumes full responsibility for whatever may occur during their trail adventure. Have fun and be safe!
