SEPTEMBER 20th, 2015

September 20th, Sunday, started off with breakfast at Bruno's. Tom, Dave & Deb arrived the Saturday before while Larry & Joe arrived early Sunday morning with plenty of time to eat and take a breath.  We waited for the arrival of Bill and new fella Joe Freese but they arrived with a broken frame on Bill's truck so we departed without them while they had it fixed.  It was our goal to find the lost Petrified Forest known as Hanging Rock supposedly north of Steven's Camp.  This is a forgotten Petrified Forest due to its isolation and "invisibility".   Like a lot of places in Black Rock you can drive right by a place and never see it.

We drove up Rt30 out of Gerlach  to Vya, then we turned east for the run to the road to Steven's Camp.  About 9.5 miles on Rt8a you will find Shark Rock, a humorous piece of "desert art".  It can make for a fun photo shoot but don't get too close or it will bite!  It is located at: 41º 34' 53.88" N 119º 39' 49.36 " W   Have fun.

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On the south side of Rt8a lives the Shark	Like all Sharks keep your distance

Another 2.5 miles further up the gravel road (12.5 miles out of Vya) we turned right on the road to Steven's Camp, it is marked. Before we got to Steven's Camp we turned left onto a dirt, bumpy, rutted road toward Hanging Rock Petrified Forest. - so close to Steven;s camp and people don't even know it.  While the family cars can get to Steven's Camp DO NOT take it to the forest.

Very little is known about Hanging Rock Petrified Forest and little can be found on the internet.  The BLM supposedly is charged with its maintenance, upkeep and protection but even they do not know where it is.  It was declared protected back in the 30's after people had cleaned a lot of it out.  Much like the Lund Petrified Forest, on Rt30 north of Gerlach, Hanging Rock is fenced with barbed wire.  There are actually several fenced areas, one being better than the others.

Hanging Rock Petrified Forest can be found at: 41º 30' 06.96" N 119º 26' 57.77" W.  Don't let anybody know about this place and remember it is protected by the BLM.

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The gates are not like the Lund Forest	The trees are not like the Lund Forest either
A short walk from the gate one spots the forest	All of the logs are showing erosion
You see one log and you see another then another	Petrified Wood shards are all over the ground
All trees are periled by silica minerals common to Black Rock	Hanging Rock Petrified Forest is a Must See

Hanging Rock Petrified Forest is named after the area it is near and that is Hanging Rock Canyon.  It is a short drive from the Forest Area and it is located on Private Property owned by a Peter Craig.  Hanging Rock Canyon is a fantastic desert rock area towering over an oasis that rivals Devils Gate. The property holds a cabin with a brook running through the birch tree forest.  There are facilities there which include camp fire areas, tables and seating and the potential for running water showers and electricity, if you bring a generator. Out houses are available as well. The place is basically a camp for the guys tending the cattle that roam free.

There are tons of hiking trails and the canyon itself offers beautiful areas for photography.  This goes for the oasis, its trees and the running cold water brook - not to mention the towering rock walls, home to a lot of eagles.  It is easy to spend an entire day enjoying the rock cliffs and the relaxing oasis. Do not abuse this place. And better still try to get permission before you go there.

Hanging Rock Canyon can be found at: 41º 31' 19.06" N 119º 27' 08.01" W.  Again it is on private land and we are not telling you it is free and clear to go there, but if you do remember to close all gates you open.

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Hanging Rock has grazing cattle be sure to close what you open	Your first view of Hanging Rock Canyon from a distance
Another gate to pass through	Hanging Rock Canyon begins to loom larger.
As you approach the canyon the cliffs get higher	Steep canyon walls become very apparent
The cliffs are pocked with holes	Hanging Rock is a climbers dream
THESE PHOTOS DO NOT SHOW THE GRANDURE OF HANGING ROCK CANYON - AND THIS IS NOT ALL OF IT
Getting to these pockets is not easy	Seems like there are caves here
Several Eagles make the cliffs their home	The overhangs make for nice shade in the sun
The oasis at Hanging Rock Canyon is refreshing	Even the damp areas are refreshing.
Nestled in the birch trees and sage is a cabin	Actually a refuge for cowhands in the cold days
From the cabin there is a trail to the outhouses	Even a shower stall is available -  PS: that rock is fake
Rail fence runs along some trails	A wooden bridge crosses the brook
A picnic area is always ready	They're everywhere, they're everywhere
A final look back	On the way out there is a nice cattle watering hole
Black Rock Explorers	Be sure to close the gate
Please remember Hanging Rock Canyon is Private Property.  Try to get the owner's permission before entering.  Close any gates you open and please do not take or abuse anything.  This is a working cattle range and ranch hands use it year round.

 

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