To reach the canyon, just keep going west on Charleston Boulevard, from the extreme north of the Strip. The pink leaves of the trees lining the road perfectly complement the pink strata of rocks on the mountains straight ahead, though this scene has been somewhat spoiled by the construction of the Summerlin residential and resort development at the west end of Charleston. Although the first phase only opened in 1999, it has already mushroomed to become a fully-fledged suburb of the city.
Having continued due west for the entire width of the valley, Charleston Boulevard eventually veers south to follow Red Rock Wash. Not far from here is Red Rock Canyon's smart new visitor center (daily 8am4.30pm; tel 363-1921, www.redrockcanyon.blm.gov or, for detailed hiking information, www.redrockcanyonlv.org ), to the left of the highway at the start of the Scenic Drive.
Gray Line (tel 384-1234, www.grayline.com ) runs full-day bus tours from Las Vegas, combining visits to both Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston, for around $40.Inside, displays and models explain the geological formation and wildlife of the canyon. The area outside the center, though, is of more interest. Here a landscaped terrace commands a panoramic view of the canyon's main features, facing into a natural amphitheater of Aztec sandstone that soars on three sides of the central basin. In the foreground, small gardens are planted with various cactus species, including cholla and Joshua trees, and there's an enclosure of rare desert tortoises. Paving stones along the Dedication Walkway here are engraved with memorials to the victims of September 11, 2001. Farther back, the Wilson Cliffs to the left are topped by a layer of gray limestone, which has preserved them from erosion and left them taller than the rounded Calico Hills to the right.