A Visit to Little Mt. Rushmore

Once the hot air balloons drift off into the morning sky, we will head down the highway for a stop at one of Nevada’s most unusual roadside surprises. Little Mt. Rushmore sits tucked into a sandstone outcrop, a quirky set of hand-carved faces and figures created by local resident Pete Karns, a former Winter Olympian with a big imagination.

The carvings range from a mini Mt. Rushmore to Lady Liberty, Easter Island statues, a Sphinx, Peanuts characters, and scattered emojis and petroglyph-style designs. It is part folk art, part desert doodle, and completely part of the weird Nevada culture.

Join us after the balloon launch or meet us there for a short standalone outing. It is an easy spot to explore with plenty of fun details to photograph.

MEETUP INFO:
We will meet in the parking lot of the Flying J truck stop off I-15 at Lower Flat Top Drive. Look for the white Jeep Gladiator.

Mesquite is around a 90 minute drive from Las Vegas, so plan accordingly to arrive in time for the scheduled event(s). If you are coming from the hot air balloon festival, it would be around 15 minutes away.

MEETUP FEES:
There are no fees for this Meetup.

DESERT PHOTO EXPLORERS LIABILITY DISCLAIMER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK:
By submitting your RSVP and participating in any Desert Photo Explorers event, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Assumption of Risk: You understand and voluntarily accept that outdoor activities such as hiking, off-roading, and photography carry inherent risks, including but not limited to injury, property damage, or other unforeseen harm. You agree to assume full responsibility for your participation and the participation of your guest(s).
2. Release of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release and discharge the Organizer(s), Event Host(s), and any affiliated individuals or entities from any and all liability for injury, damage, loss, or claims arising from your participation in any event, including those caused by negligence.
3. Personal Responsibility: You confirm that you have reviewed all event instructions, understand the requirements, and agree to participate at your own risk. You are solely responsible for assessing your physical fitness, skills, and preparedness to participate in any event.
4. Guest Responsibility: If you bring guest(s), you agree to communicate these terms to them and accept responsibility for their compliance.

By submitting your RSVP, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this liability disclaimer and assumption of risk. You fur