Gibraltar Wash (Valley of Fire State Park) - 12/11/23

Magnesite Wash

Pastel Bowl at Gibraltar Wash

Exiting Black & White Wash

Zigzag up into Gibraltar Wash

I love going on David Morrow's hikes because he always picks out the most photogenic places. In this case, he chose a place to hike in Valley of Fire State Park that I had only just begun to explore. This particular wash, Gibraltar Wash, was a wash I had my sites on for a later exploratory. And, oh, what a gorgeous area it was! As you can see, I took a lot of photos that I hope you will enjoy.

    We parked at the gated entrance to Duck Rock Road. This dirt road turns off of the Mouse's Tank Road that runs north / south through the park. At the apex of a 180 degree curve, the dirt road continues to the north. Park before the gate but be sure to not block the gate for any authorized vehicles that might pass through.

Roman wall or interesting Geography

Pastel Bowl view down into Serpentine Wash

Gibraltar Wash

Descending into Gibraltar Wash

There is a large area to the east of this spot that is covered with an aged sand dune. By the evidence of many tracks, we know that the bighorn sheep travel through here a lot. So, we started hiking straight over to the red rocks in this direction. The Gibraltar Rock rises to the south end of this large grouping of red rock. And, the Gibraltar Wash begins alongside the base of this grouping. When we reached the wash, we turned left and not long after that, there is an opening where we could turn sharply to the right. You might see many footprints since this is a common place to turn for several different hikes. We climbed up the small rocky hill and continued up the wash until there was a layered portion of red rock on the left. There is a game trail (or a hiker trail) found at the top of this layered section. This trail leads you into the "Gibraltar Wash hike."

Dropping down the Dryfall

Passing one of several Potholes

Nearing junction with Magnesite Wash

Junctioning with Magnesite Wash

Our first feast for the eyes was the Pastel Bowl! Our trail /wash ran along passing a feature that appears to be a man made rock wall (Roman Wall). It probably isn't man made but it gets you thinking. Next, the Pastel Bowl lays out to your right. You won't miss it! If you ever choose to turn right here and follow the wash below the bowl, you will be descending the Serpentine Wash; a wash that offers an abundance of dry fall drops ... most of which are negotiable. It is a fun time! However, we stayed up in the Gibraltar Wash above and continued down. The long views from this section are outstanding. Then, we came to THE big dryfall. This cliff is only about ten feet down but if it weren't for a few nicely placed medium-sized boulders, you would not be able to descend here. A few of us tested the boulders and decided they were safe to descend ... for us, anyway. 

Passing the Potholes

Deep Potholes with Water

Spring in a Pothole

Continuing down Gibraltar Wash

After the drop, we came to two sections of large potholes. Some of these potholes were filled with water and were very deep. They are easily hiked around on the slabby sandstone. After these, there was yet another pothole but this one had Cypress-Knee Sedge (aka Bulrush) growing out of it. I assumed that it was filled with water from an underground spring. Next, we turned left into the Magnesite Wash. I have visited this wash a few times before. It is always beautiful and this time, there was a literal pond in it, as seen in the photo below! For so many years we felt sorry for the animals because it was so dry. This year, however, the water is there to see. Maybe the abundance of water will make the year a healthy one for the bighorn babies.

Pond and Bighorn Tracks

Hiking up Magnesite Wash

Taking a break in Magnesite Wash

Rita in Magnesite Wash

There were a few places where it was necessary to hike up and around potholes in Magnesite Wash as well. But, the sides of the wash were easily negotiated and fun to hike. We hiked up the wash for around a mile and took a break somewhere in there. As we travelled west, the wash became wider and flatter. Then, we travelled in the brush on the right side of the sand. When we came to a large red rock ridge rising up from the wash to the right, we stopped for an exploration of very old petroglyphs. There are some right down by the bottom of the ridge but there are also some more on the walls rising up the hill. Be careful here! The footing is treacherous! Not all of us did the climb all the way up.

Magnesite Wash Ascent

Magnesite Wash nearing Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs

Stephen inspects Petroglyphs

After exploring all the petroglyphs that David knew well, we travelled back overland on the sheep trails to find the Black & White Wash. (Well, the walls are black and white here!) Quite a change in geology! Regardless, the black and white wall and dunes around us led up to a particular wall seen three photos below. This wall had an inscription in it "1915." That's all. Just 1915! Next, the wash ended with a red rock scramble out.

Treacherous climb to the highest Petroglyphs

David focuses in Black & White Wash

"1915" Inscription Rock

Inscription

After climbing up the "handicap ramps" of red rock, there is a series of sandstone slabs that lead you back toward the Gibraltar Rock. At the end of the slabs, we veered to the right and climbed up and over the sand dunes again toward our cars. What a fantastic and colorful day! This hike filled our hungry senses for beauty very nicely. Fun group of hikers as well! This hike is a "keeper!"

Stats: 4.5 miles; 550' gain; 3.5 hours

Climbing out of Black & White Wash

Outcrop near top of Black & White Wash

From Valley of Fire to Virgin Peak