Distance

0.5 mi to summit

1.1 mi total

Elevation

2,165 ft start

2,330 ft max

Vertical

193 ft gain

Time

21 min to summit

1 hr 2 min total

A nice, easy, scenic, and short hike to the site where Captain James Tiberius Kirk (original timeline) tragically lost his life in the epic battle to stop Soran from destroying an entire (inhabited) planetary system so Soran could re-enter the Nexus, a place of dreams and wish-fulfilment. Sadly, the cairn that Captain Jean-Luc Picard built to honor his lost comrade-in-arms no longer exists on top of Silica Dome (nor does the scaffolding from the movie, or really anything else other than a bunch of graffiti), but Trek fans still enjoy coming to Valley of Fire and climbing to the top of Silica Dome to see where the epic final battle scenes from Star Trek: Generations (movie #7) were filmed. You can either scramble down from the parking lot through sandstone waves and formations (taking care to avoid the cryptobiotic soil crusts), or you can do what we did and follow the dirt road and well-established path. Certainly easier...! A gorgeous day for a hike and good company.

Route name

Silica Dome Trail

out-and-back
Obstacles

no info yet

Key gear

GPS device