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Aimee+Shawn

‘Spirit Mountain’: The Newest Of Nevada’s National Monuments

Shawn Tempesta March 21st

Near the southern tip of Nevada, between the tiny town of Cal-Nev-Ari and the Colorado River, hundreds of thousands of acres of sacred land known as Avi Kwa Ame (pronounced Ah-VEE-kwah-may). Although you’ll find it on Google Maps as “Spirit Mountain“. Well, it’s about to join Nevada’s three other national monuments.

Spirit Mountain

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

The location is over 500,000 acres of wonder. From ancient petroglyphs to bighorn sheep, hiking trails, off-roading and more. The area is beloved and, more than that, is considered sacred land by several Native American tribes.

Now the Biden Administration and the Department Of The Interior have designated the land as a national monument – Nevada’s fourth.

Why is making ‘Spirit Mountain’ into one of Nevada’s national monuments so important?

A national monument is almost entirely similar to a national recreation area, except national monuments are only on federal lands. What does that protect? Property rights, land use rights, water rights and more. It protects the area from being developed, drilled and otherwise molested that would cause this incredible and sacred land permanent damage.

With Avi Kwa Ame becoming Nevada’s fourth national monument, you might wonder what the other three are.

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Over 22,000 acres of history, at the northern end of Durango Drive in Las Vegas. Ice age fossils can be found there, showing Southern Nevada’s past mammals, from sabretooth tigers to mammoths and more.

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Basin & Range National Monument

This is a biggie… over 700,000 acres of natural arches, petroglyphs and history. It’s just a hike… over 4 hours north of the valley and far off an interstate.

Basin and Range National Monument

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Gold Butte National Monument

It’s magnificent, with views for miles… this national monument sports countless petroglyphs, ghost towns and more. From jagged rocks to Joshua Trees and everything in between, you’ll find peace and tranquility and a whole lot more over 300,000 sprawling acres northwest of Las Vegas.

Gold Butte National Monument

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

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Kanarra Falls: A Hike Worth The Trip (PHOTOS)

You occasionally hear the saying “the pictures don’t do it justice” in regards to something or somewhere beautiful. Kanarra Falls, just north of St. George, Utah, is one of those places.

It was actually the pictures that drew me to the spot many years ago. This low-to-moderately challenging hike that had stunning views, gorgeous waterfalls and promises to make your boots slightly muddy.

Lets start with booking, because you’ll need to pay $12 to be one of 150 permitted guests to the hike per day. The falls were becoming so well-traveled that the community decided to institute a permitting system. When you take the trip, you’ll greatly appreciate the beauty of the trail being unmarred by countless spectators. It’s quiet, calm and peaceful.

Beginning the hike

I began my journey around 11am. The four-mile round trip hike starts with a “dry mile” or so. Up an incline, down and around until you eventually come across the water you’ve been hearing. While you aren’t in the water for much of this, I considered it the more difficult of the two miles due to the elevation changes. Doable by nearly all, though.

The second mile is the “damp” mile. You’ll be dipping in and out of sometimes ankle-deep water. Eventually you’ll turn a corner and stare down a slot canyon. This is where the fun begins and the jaws drop. You’ll see pictures below, but know that as beautiful as they and the video above are, they do not hold a candle to being there.

Despite it being high-noon, the shadows were plenty in between these towering rocks, water under my feet. As I continued into the mountain, I could hear the distant rumbling of a waterfall. This is the picture I have seen and wanted to experience in person. Around the corner I went and… there it was. Water is incredibly powerful and majestic and seeing it rush past me was awe-inspiring.

The way past the waterfall has gotten an upgrade recently. Formerly a piece of lumber and some metal “steps” with a support rope, the climb is as simple as a step up a metal staircase. If that seems a little too boring, don’t worry. A little further down you’ll pass “the boulder”, which is a quasi-second waterfall. That climb requires stepping on knotty tree trunks to maneuver your way upwards.

Walk a little further and you’ll get to an absolutely stunning amphitheater-like finish point for most. Trees, places to sit down and have yourself a picnic, and all the serenity you could ask for. I planted myself down here for 30 minutes, took pictures (for you to see) and munched on a granola bar, all while taking in the view I had just earned.

There is a second “falls” behind a slot canyon with deeper waters just beyond this point that I didn’t catch but… there’s always next time.

It’s for (mostly) everyone

While I wouldn’t suggest this for younger kids (1st grade or below), it is not a treacherous rapid. It’s the loose or slick rock you may step on that will get you. I had a couple near misses, but mainly due to not paying attention. Otherwise, wow. You’ve got to find a way to see this.

I would gladly take the trip up again this weekend to do it again. If you find yourself with a free day and a sense of adventure, book your required permit and get ready to head west on Interstate 15. It will be one of those experiences you think of fondly for years to come.

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