from $995* per person	7 Days	April
Comfort accommodations		Exertion level: 3
Operator: Sierra Club Outings		10 people max

Spring is the perfect time to visit the Mojave Desert (also known as High Desert), which covers portions of southeastern and central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and northwestern Arizona. Named after the Mohave tribe of Native Americans, its boundaries are generally defined by the presence of Yucca brevifolia (Joshua trees). During the spring season, depending on rainfall, we can expect to witness a variety of desert wildflowers like desert marigold, indigo bush, and desert mallow coming to life.

While most visitors come to this region to enjoy the glitter, gold, and bright lights of Las Vegas, this trip offers an opportunity to take the road less travelled and experience the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert, Lake Mead, and the Colorado River in early spring, when the temperatures range from the low 50s to the low 80s.

This trip reveals a fairly well-kept secret to participants -- southern Nevada features some of the West's most dazzling red rock country. Everyone thinks of Utah as the home of gorgeous red sandstone, but Nevada has it too -- and practically on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Just west of the city we'll visit the magnificent Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area -- no gambling needed to marvel at its beauty. To the east are some astounding pockets of scintillating red sandstone formations, such as the delightful "Bowl of Fire" tucked in a hidden corner of the National Park Service's expansive Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and -- beyond that area -- the justly famed Valley of Fire State Park, offering us numerous short but dazzling walks.

We will river raft one day, perform a service project on Lake Mead another, and enjoy three days of hiking of around 5-7 miles over undulating terrain. Options for longer hikes will be offered on a couple of days.