Boulder, NV
Last month while we were in Utah Lake State Park near Provo we had the opportunity to meet up with Brian and Leigh of Aluminarium. When we learned that they were camping in an area near Lake Mead called Government Wash, we set up a a hiking date with them to the nearby Bowl of Fire. The day before our hike, Brian and Leigh met fellow full-timers and Airstream owners (Brian and Leigh have an Airstream) Andrew and Becky of Rosie the Riveted who are also camping in Government Wash. They are also hikers and follow our blog, so Brian and Leigh invited them to join us.
So early Sunday morning we drove out to Government Wash and, after meeting Andrew and Becky, headed for the trailhead. We drove out North Shore Road to mile marker 16, where we left the paved road and drove about two miles up the Callville Wash Road. Some web sites had described the road as a bit rough, but we have a Jeep Wrangler and Andrew and Becky have a Toyota Land Rover so we knew we could handle a bit of rough stuff. But the road turned out to be a piece of cake.
We found the trailhead, parked the vehicles, and set out up a wash to visit the Bowl of Fire. The Bowl of Fire is an area inside the Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area where brilliant-red sandstone outcrops are surrounded by gray limestone mountains. The limestone forms the sides of the bowl, and the red sandstone forms the fire in the bottom. Initially, the wash is wide and open before it narrows at a place where it cuts through a layer of green mudstone (volcanic ash).
After a short distance we climbed into the area of eroded red sandstone.
The erosion provided us with some great “photo ops” in the sandstone.
We really “get into” the red rocks!
Leigh checks out the sandstone
One area provided a great spot for a group photo. Leigh used the timer on her camera to snap the shot below. We are at the center of the picture. Becky and Andrew are on the left and Brian and Leigh are on the right.
We spent the next hour just wandering among the rocks enjoying the scenery.
Arches come in all sizes!
Andrew checks out the views
Hiking back out of the Bowl of Fire
We had a great time hiking with Brian & Leigh and Andrew & Becky. Also, we were very impressed with the Bowl of Fire. There is so much to see in this area that we are planning a return visit soon. Oh, boy, more pictures of rocks ! ! !
Oh, the Places They Go! 
That was so much fun you guys! Looking forward to dinner tonight. 🙂
So much fun with old and new friends.
Cute photo you y’all on, on and round the rocks….lol
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous hike. Love that red rock!!!
What fun! Love the group picture!
What a fun hike! Love all the red rocks, and I know you had good company 🙂
Red rock extravaganza! Very cool area and also that you got to meet up with other hiking fulltimers!
Wow I bet that was fun hiking in a group. And knowing you Pam you must be in heaven surrounded by all those red rocks. Love the group picture.
Love the group photo. Now I definitely look forward to returning for some of this hiking 🙂
A person can never have enough red rock in their life.
Looks like an excellent hike. Love the group photo! 🙂
This is on our list of hikes when we get there. Heard about it last year but the weather got bad and we left without making it there. Love that red rock!! Great photos.
Gayle
Holy smoke! Flaming arches!
I love your pictures of rocks, all of them. This looks like a terrific spot. Great group shot and those arches! Thanks for the tip on the Bowl of Fire. I’d never heard of it. Onto my list it goes.
We are headed there in January and will definitely add Bowl of Fire to our hiking list!
What a beautiful and fun hike! This looks like my kind of adventure, so picturesque and no loose gravel (at least not that you mentioned). Your photos are great; love the group photo!
Whack-a-Mole! John is the only one who looks safe 🙂 That mudstone is such a contrast! To repeat myself – had no idea there was anything like this in the area. I think if you guys came to my neighborhood you’d have pics of hiking in massive caves under my house that of course I never knew about!! So many fun shapes in the red rock, love the little ground arch 🙂 Agreed there’s never too many rock pictures.
Love the group shot. Baby arches someday … a long, long time from now … will perhaps become big arches to thrill people who come to visit the area in the future.
I haven’t heard of the Bowl of Fire but it is aptly named. Some of your photos of the red rock look exactly like they are on fire! Gorgeous photos Pam and I love the group photo. It reminds me of prairie dogs, popping out of their holes!! It appears you guys had a beautiful day and a great group to share a hike with. Thanks for posting : )