Turtlehead Peak  is a mountain which looks sort of like a turtle's head. Now that is original. It is not likely to have been any place that turtle's would be heading to because this area has one of the challenging trails in Red Rock Canyon. The views along this trail are excellent and it is possible to see the whole Red Rock Canyon area from different areas and perspectives. In this view we are looking north at a mountain that looks like a turtle's head. This difficult but rewarding trail skirts the boundaries of geologic ages. In the background are limestone formations that originated as ocean bottoms. In the foreground are the remains of an ancient desert. This photo was taken from the top of a huge sandstone outcrop overlooking the trail. During and for some time after a rainstorm, water pools in the low spots on the flat tops of these small sandstone mountains. These photos were taken late in the summer. We will come back in rainier times times and publish those photos when we get them. We do have photos taken along this trail from after a late winter snowfall. Water pools in many places providing a temporary, wet habitat.

Red Rock Canyon is known for its numerous local or micro environments. When we see how closely life adapts to all the environments available, we also see where the water is or has been. When the sun comes out on a day after a snowfall, the south facing slopes give up their snow quickly and fill the low lying cavities that become temporary pools.