This image was acquired for color coverage of the region that the Curiosity rover may explore, but we acquired some extra RED (monochromatic) coverage of the rover tracks.
This image shows the entire distance traveled from the landing site (dark smudge at left) to its location as of 2 January 2013 (the rover is bright feature at right). The tracks are not seen where the rover has recently driven over the lighter-toned surface, which may be more indurated than the darker soil.
Written by: Alfred McEwen (audio by Tre Gibbs) (16 January 2013)
More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_030168_1755
Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona