The Arrow Range is a
long, north-south orientated ridge and string of peaks located northeast of Las Vegas (map). The range is a
striking example of the fault-block topography typical of the Great
Basin. On the west side of the range, the fault scarp rises sharply
from the valley floor for nearly 3,000 feet, exposing numerous layers
of gray and black carbonate rocks (probably dolomite) and at least two
layers of white quartzite. From Highway 93, several
subfaults can be seen where layers of dolomite and quartzite don't line up properly
and where entire blocks of the mountain seem to have slipped down the
face. The east side of the range rises less steeply, but it is cut by
several deep canyons. Arrow Canyon, located on the east edge of the
range, is a deep, narrow slot canyon described by one old-time field
geologist as the most amazing slot canyon in all of Nevada.
Activities in the Arrow
Range primarily are orientated around day-hiking. People also backpack,
ride horses, ORV, and hunt in the area. The northern part of the range
(27,500 acres) was designated as a wilderness area in October 2002, so
vehicles are prohibited from that area.
The Arrow Range is
located in the Mojave Desert, but the higher elevations show biotic
influences from the Great Basin. Elevations range from about 2,000 feet
in the valleys to 5,226 feet at the highest peak. The lower-elevation
desert-scrub areas are dominated by scattered creosote bush, Bursage,
lizards, and a few desert tortoises; the middle elevations are
floristically diverse with shrubs, forbs, cacti, and yucca; and the
higher elevations are dominated by blackbrush and bighorn sheep. The
variation in topography and soils makes for a mix of habitats and a
diverse flora and fauna. Canyons along the eastern edge of the range
support ash trees and mesquite thickets.
Temperatures in the
lower-elevation areas are similar to those in Las Vegas: daytime summer
temperatures can exceed 100 degrees, while daytime winter temperatures
can stay below freezing. The higher-elevation areas are cooler, but
summer temperatures can still exceed 90 degrees. Because of the high
summer temperatures, hiking is best during October through May.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common during July and August, possibly
creating flash flood and lightning hazards.
There are no services in
the Arrow Range.
While hiking in the Arrow
Range, and especially in the Arrow
Canyon Wilderness Area, please respect the land and the other people out there, and please try to Leave No Trace of your passage. There are few cairns in the range; please don't leave
any new ones. Also, this area has many long hard hikes, so choose
routes of the appropriate
difficulty, and be sure to bring
the 10
Essentials.
For More Information on getting to the Arrow Canyon Range, Hours of Operation, Entrance Fees, Camping, Precautions, Some Rules and Regulations, and links to Other Information, see the Arrow Canyon Range Overview Page. |
