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Ralph Turner's avatar

Lovely stuff, as always. My fave is the second (b+w) view of Ice Box Canyon. 🙂

Oh, and I could only count 9 people in that first 'climbing' shot 🤔☺️

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thanks Ralph! I think I was surprised zooming in on the shot with the 9-11 climbers because the first time I looked, I only saw four people, lol.

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Ralph Turner's avatar

Well, I had to have another look. I've found a tenth person and possibly an eleventh, so I'm now going with ten 'n' a half..

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

🤣

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Dominic Trapani's avatar

Looks like a fantastic area. Great shots!

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thanks Dominic! It is a beautiful area.

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Sheryl White's avatar

Beautiful area and very nice shots! I may have counted 11 people in the first rock climb photo, but I can't verify that... couldn't blow it up enough to be sure. One looked crouched down behind a bush on the upper left. I found the two on the 2nd photo.

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thanks Sheryl! I love that you guys are all "Where's Waldo-ing" my pictures 😂

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Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

Your photos are gorgeous! And it seems like it was worth getting up so early - love the sunrise photos probably the best. Plus, you were lucky to have few visitors! When we visited the park a few years ago, it was so crowded, every trail we took seemed like Grand Central Station... which made it harder to enjoy. Still, we loved the landscape there, drove the loop twice (also because we couldn't even find a parking spot in each area the first round). I remember noticing that most people only hiked the beginning of the trails, so if you went farther in, you'd have it a bit quiet. Your photos reminded me of the surrounding beauty - and you captured it so well! Thank you :)

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Aw, thank you! The sunrise shots are my favorite too! I'm so glad it wasn't busy - it would be so disappointing to have it feel like Grand Central Station 😭 Did they have the reservation system when you visited?

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Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

Yes, they did - just started it, so maybe wasn't working as well yet. We thought it would be great, but once in the park, there was no limit on how long you could stay, and they had new people come in every two hours (of course we stayed longer and I suspect many of those who hiked more than a trail or two also did). It was really hard to get a slot, but maybe if we got in early like you, it would've been quieter.

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

I'm not an early bird, but I will be when I have to. I definitely think it paid off. However, it was a Friday in February...

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Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

Timing makes a difference :) We were there during spring break - always busier time.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Gorgeous Rachel! That one looks like the moon!

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thanks Jeanine!

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Jerrold Johnson's avatar

Your decision to get into the mountains at sunrise was a good one. Great "first sunlight on the peaks" photos. Nine mile hikes in the wild would be too difficult for this old man. Glad to have you show me the landscape. The photos of the Las Vegas Strip are eerie. A city where no city should be. A fatherly warning: Do not hike alone, lady!

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thank you! You know I love capturing everything around me, especially nature ❤️ Yeah, my mom wasn't too happy about me hiking by myself either... oops.

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Glenn Cook's avatar

These are stunning. Truly beautiful. And I love the Ice Box Canyon shot.

Ironically, before I saw this, I was working on the images for Another 52 Weeks and have one from a visit there scheduled for next Saturday.

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas I'm excited to see it!

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Kevin Hansen's avatar

Beautiful! I love those wispy clouds in the White Rock Loops photos.

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Same! Those clouds were calling my name all day!

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Shital Morjaria (she/her)'s avatar

Fantastic images Rachel.

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thank you 🤗

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Erik Hogan's avatar

Great photos, and that early morning light in the first 5 is incredible!!

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thanks! It was worth that early morning for sure. I actually wished I would have gotten there earlier.

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Jennifer Sulla's avatar

Wonderful images Rachel! Looks like you had a great day:))

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thank you Jennifer!

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KewtieBird’s Photo Journey's avatar

Wow, what an adventure. Wonderful hike descriptions and shots. (Glad you made it to the burger reward…)

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

I think I would do almost anything for a burger 😂

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Mary Martha's avatar

Beautiful, Rachel! Love following your hikes. I wasn’t able to find all your climbers, but it was fun trying.

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thanks Martha!

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Laura Lollar's avatar

Beautiful images Rachel! I loved the color variations in the rocks and the changes between the formations. Kudos to you for attempting those hikes on your own and in a new environment. Lovely!

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thank you Laura. The colors and formations were amazing!

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Randy Herring's avatar

Excellent set of photos

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thank you Randy!

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Ken Barber's avatar

Gorgeous. Been wanting to go there ever since I saw it out of the airplane window on final approach to McCarran on my way to SLC to buy a new motorhome.

I've been back to Vegas many times since and still haven't set foot in the NCA. My own fault.

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Rachel Jeffrey's avatar

Thanks Ken! You would absolutely love it! It would be a great spot to camp in, especially November-February.

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