Bleeding rock - Living dirt in NV

Muddy Peak (5,389') in Southern Nevada's Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area is often described by NPS officials as "an extremely strenuous climb." (This is the view of Muddy Peak and Muddy Mountains High Point from the south. They are typically climbed from the north.) Climbers must face sections with high exposure, a high chance of injury or death if you fall, and falling rocks. Helmets are a good idea, as well as carrying water to this arid desert environment. As you're hiking in, PLEASE stick to the washes or gullies. Not only are they the easiest and fastest way to navigate this rugged landscape, traveling in them will HELP protect the fragile cryptobiotic soils throughout the valley. (Enormous networks of fungus, bacteria, mosses, and lichens STITCH themselves together to create vast communities of cryptogamic soil, otherwise known as LIVING DIRT. Scientists estimate that cryptogamic communities DOMINATE up to 70% of desert soils on the planet. All of these benefits dissappear, however, when the seal is broken. When large numbers of people, animals, and vehicles travel across these soils, they break down the networks; start erosion, release dust, and allow invasive plants to take ROOT.) Also as you're hiking toward your objective, take note of the beautiful GEOLOGY of this area. The colourful (RED or ORANGE) sandstone formations are "fossilized sand dunes" that date back to 250 million years to the age of the DINOSAURS. The limestone peaks that make up the Muddy Mountains is much older, dating back as many as 600 million years. As a rule, younger rocks lie on top of older rocks. However, Earth's powerful tectonic forces have cracked, bent, and thrust the limestone "up and over" the younger sandstone about 65 million years ago. The thrust fault in Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area is similar to the Keystone thrust fault in Red Rock Canyon, on the opposite side of Las Vegas. I didn't see any, but several Bighorn sheep live in these desert mountains. Over time, bighorns have adapted to desert climates, and they do not need to drink water during the winter, when leafy greens are available in sheltered canyons. In summer, they must drink at least once every few days. Their nine-stage digestive system allows them to get many nutrients from low-quality food. The next time you journey out to a remote peak in the Nevada desert, don't forget to appreciate the "Bleeding rocks and Living dirt," that are a visible part of our amazing Earth. Yes, you may have your Snickers Bar, now!! Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area, due north of Anniversary Narrows Slot Canyon. (03-31-2008)