Mojave National Preserve
Driving South from the from Las Vegas, the road turns from paved to dirt and then to very rough dirt. Not awful, but the Park Service does advise 4WD vehicles only. The desert dusk scenery is lovely and I am the only vehicle on this 40 mile stretch of road. I find plenty of open campsites at Hole-in-The-Wall Campground and settle in for the night
The Mojave National Preserve encompasses 1.6 million acres, including portions of the Mojave, Great Basin and Sonoran Deserts About half of the Park is congressionallly designated wilderness.
Sunrise Hike: Rings Loop Trail, Hole-in-the-Wall Nature Trail and Barber Peak Loop Trail
The ascent is so steep, hikers climb up using iron rings mounted in the rock for hand and toe holds on two sections.
Although the landscape appears barren, the Mojave desert is home to a plethora of wildlife including Bighorn Sheep, and the Desert Tortoise.