Seven Magic Mountains

If you look at my Instagram feed, you’ll notice that many of my travel shots are taken at sunrise. This isn’t because I love waking up early, this is because there is something magical about that morning light. And also… the other tourists aren’t up yet, making it a great time to get some one-on-one time with your destination. Even if you’re not planning on taking pictures on your trip, it’s nice to experience destinations without loads of other people around you. When you look at the Seven Magic Mountains on Instagram, most photos are populated with people in the background.  

If you decide to visit the Seven Magic Mountains, please leave no trace.

 

About the Seven Magic Mountains

First things first, this is not just a bunch of colorful rocks someone put in the desert. It’s actually a very thoughtful art installation. The art piece was constructed by Ugo Rondinone. This piece is a critique on destinations such as Las Vegas and was placed midway between the artificial (Las Vegas) and the natural world (the desert).

The piece, as colorful and beautiful as it is, clearly acts as an invasive opposition to the natural surroundings. You’ll read many reviews claiming the art installation is an eyesore on the natural landscape, but isn’t that what all cities are? As beautiful as a city can be, every city is mankind’s scar on the surface of the Earth. This piece acts as a reminder that humans have left many marks on the natural surface of our beautiful Earth. Perhaps this will it inspire you to only purchase from brands that are eco-friendly, or that give back to repairing our Earth.

How to Get There

There are no restrooms on site, so just be prepared if you're shy about peeing in the bushes. There is also no place to get water onsite, make sure you bring lots! Remember this public art piece is in the middle of the desert, you’ll want to stay hydrated.

From the parking lot, there is a dirt path that leads you to the sculpture.

Driving There

From Las Vegas: Follow I-15 S to Sloan Rd (exit 25). Turn left (east) to Las Vegas Boulevard. Drive approximately 7 miles south on Las Vegas Blvd. and the artwork will appear on your left (east).

From Los Angeles: Drive north on I-15 to Jean, NV (exit 12).  Turn right (east) on NV-161 toward Las Vegas Blvd. Drive approximately 5 miles north on Las Vegas Blvd. and the artwork will appear on your right (east).

Please park in the onsite parking lot. Street parking is discouraged. No public transportation is available to the installation site.

 

What are your thoughts on this art installation? 

 

Travel on lovelies,

Nikki 

Discovering The Birthing Cave

This is a Sacred Space!

Be Respectful!

Leave NO Trace!



The Birthing Cave in Sedona Arizona is an amazing experience for the adventurous soul. We decided we wanted to make the trek, but as far as how to get there, we got a little turned around. So here you’ll find everything you need to know to get there easily.

This is what you can expect to see when you arrive at The Birthing Cave. If you crawl up into the cave you'll have a pretty epic view.

View from inside the cave. You will feel as though you are in a womb.

And here is a step by step visual aid of how to get there! I suggest you screen shot these to have on your phone, because you won't get any wifi service here! 

To get to the Birth Cave you'll want to GPS your way to Long Canyon Road. While driving you'll see this sign, and you want to turn right down the road. When we visited it was 2018 and once we turned down this road, we lost all cell service, so be prepared! 

Keep driving, past where the GPS directs you, until you see this dirt parking lot. 

You'll see a sign that says "Trail 122" and from there you can keep walking. You'll want to stay on the Long Canyon Trail. Here is a visual to help you on this journey. 

Go straight on Long Canyon Trail.

Eventually you will see a Trailhead. You'll want to take a hard left when you get to it. I've taken a close up of the correct trail you should go on. This is point one on the map. 

You'll come to a fork and you'll want to keep left at this path and stay on the Long Canyon Trail. This is point two on the map.

When you're walking you may see this fallen tree, seems that it's been there a very long time, making it a good landmark.

Keep left here. You'll start to notice that you can see the ridge that The Birthing Cave sits in.

Go straight over the step and towards the ridge.

Keep walking straight towards the cave.

You'll see a little path to the left of the trail that you walk up to reach the cave.

Here are some of the views you'll enjoy on the walk up. 

You'll see a little ledge, if you're feeling like a dare devil you can go for a stroll! 

Once you get to the top, You can run and crawl up the ledge to get inside the actual little Birthing Cave. You'll notice lots of sage and frankincense smudging has happened in this little hole for sacred rituals. It is an incredible experience to be inside of the rock wall and look out on the view. You feel so small, yet so big.  The picture shown here was taken by Ignacio while he sat inside The Birthing Cave and I stood on the little ledge below.

Hopefully you can experience The Birthing Cave without any hassle of getting there. We ended up parking in the wrong area, hiking the wrong trail, cutting through the cacti filled forest and somehow making it there. On the way back we took the normal path, SO MUCH EASIER! Pictures cannot describe this place, you really must go.

Happy Travels,

Nikki