Location: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Length: 6.0 miles

Elevation Range: 4383 - 5519 feet

Water available: Small man-made catchment off the main trail

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Getting there: Located off the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. From the northern part of the Las Vegas Valley, take Charleston Boulevard west toward the Spring Mountains. The entrance to the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive is on the right (north) side of the road, approximately 5 miles from State Highway 215. Enter the fee area and take the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive about 7.5 miles. Turn right onto Willow Springs and Lost Creek Road. Park in the Lost Creek parking lot, which is the first parking lot on the left.

Wow, you gotta love those loop hikes! It really makes each portion of the trail new and exciting when you don’t have to return the same trail as you came in. This diverse is a favorite of mine. It loops around White Rock Hills and passes through a traditional desert environment around to juniper and pine trees. The curves and hills keep this trail fun and varied.

From the parking lot, look across the road at the hillside. You can see the trail following up the hill to the right, this is the White Rock-La Madre Spring Loop trail. Follow this trail up the hill over the ridge. This is where I came across a few Rams, or mountain goats…this was discussion that fellow hikers and I was discussing, are they the same thing or something different? The trail moves down across hills and washes below the White Rock Hills on the west side, then heads north and steadily uphill toward the White Rock Spring parking area. As you near the parking area, a trail comes in from the west (left) side. This short side trail takes you to White Rock Spring, a small water source captured in a man made catchment. There is shade in this area, so if it is time for a snack lunch break, this would be a good spot for that.

Along the trek through the open desert, we kept noticing these webs in the bushes. I was thinking it was some kind of spider, but after seeing several, I thought I would get a closer look. My first glance saw several furry things, and was first assumed to be tarantula’s. Then I got a closer look and noticed that there was like 50 caterpillars within this webbing. One of the strangest things I have come across. Back in school we did experiments with caterpillars and seeing one make a ca-coon and come out a butterfly. So I guess I assumed all caterpillars made their own ca-coon and was done on a single basis, not in groups like this.

Continue back up the hill toward the parking area. There are restrooms at the parking lot if needed. Fromt he circular parking area at White Rock, continue hiking on the trail to the north. Shortly after leaving the White Rock parking area, the trail to Keystone Thrust Branches off to the right. Continue along the main trail heading west, as you continue the journey of looping around the White Rock Hills. As the trail winds around the backside of the White Rock Hills, it moves up ridges and down into drainages. The constant small elevation changes keep this hike moderately strenuous.

The terrain eventually changes from open desert to pines and juniper, creating a zone change with shade and new smells to absorb. As you move around the northernmost point of the loop and start heading south on the backside of the White Rock Hills, you are given some spectacular views of the hillside and canyon below. This is a view that very few people experience. The solitude is enjoyable here, with lots of little birdies for you to listen to.

About 3/4 of the way into the trail intersects the old dirt road that leads to the La Madre Spring and Cabin. The La Madre Spring area is to the north, but the White Rock-La Madre Spring Loop continues downhill to the south. At teh southern end of the White Rock Hills, the trail will intersect the Rocky Gap Road, another dirt road. Turn left and walk towrk the Lost Creek-Willow Springs area. Once you reach the Willow Springs picnic area, the road is paved.  The Willow Springs picnic area is an attractive lunch stop for many. Continue walking along the paved road to Lost Creek parking lot and your car.

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