My appreciation for Red Rock Canyon Open Space is growing. I recently walked the easy Contemplative Trail on the west side of the park for the first time, and, while the highly trafficked trail makes it hard to sit and contemplate the mysteries of the universe, it’s still a pretty walk.

You can enter from the parking lot off U.S. 24, and straight away find yourself dwarfed by slabs of sandstone cliffs. I like that the open space is a great place for newbie hikers to get a feel for walking and following all the interconnected and easy to moderate trails. – Jennifer Mulson, The Gazette