Headed out to the area with the GF and the boy on a beautiful Monday late afternoon back in January…read more2012. Found the turn off from Lake Mead Blvd and slowed rolled it out to the butte looking for a place to begin our accent for a Geocache. DO NOT ATTEMPT DURING A HOT SUMMER DAY! We finally decided to park next to the the three power towers and make our approach from the NW side. There is a slight trail to follow on the way up which is at times marked with cairns (stacks of rocks). MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF WATER! Once you hit the ridge line it's an easy climb up. Don't forget to look behind you every now and again...the view is amazing and just gets better and better. The GF was the first to summit and located the summit log. I made it up at the beginning of evening nautical twilight. WHEN YOU DO MAKE THE HIKE, MAKE SURE YOUR FOOTWEAR IS SOLID! We hung out for only a moment but enough to enjoy the kangaroo rats, being pin high with helicopters and watching the lights in the valley bellow. GIVE YOURSELF TIME & BRING A CAMERA! By the time we made our decent it was dark. Though we had lights they were not really needed as the moon light was enough to navigate. We made it back to the vehicle and determined that it about a 2 hour 15 minute trip.

Located in the Lake Mead National Rec Area, about 15 miles off I-15 & E. Lake Mead exit. This is a…read moregreat cardio hike, even thought it's a short hike, the peak itself is steep, will get you breathing fast and that heart rate up. The hike is over lava rocks so make sure you wear a good pair of shoes. It's an out and back type hike with 1000 ft elevation gain, and about 2 miles roundtrip. When you get to the top, you will have a panoramic view of the entire city, Lake Mead, and Lake Las Vegas. If you have knees like me, you will be hurting on the way down, my knees hurt for a day after this as it does pound them in the hike down. It offers great views tho, about the same as Frenchman Mtn so it's definitely worth the pain

After doing some reach on line, my husband and I set out to find the bowl of fire. We were…read moreunsuccessful. On the way out, we saw some hikers and asked them about it. They were just coming out and they explained to us that you basically have to go to the anniversary narrows through the slot canyons and out the other side and then hike up to the bowl of fire. We may try this again another day. By the time we ran into the hikers, we were already tired and picked up another hiker who was lost and we had to get him back to his car, which was a ways away.. It looks like a great place that we wanted to try to find though.

Great hike with Hikerbabes Las Vegas Chapter…read more You can scramble as much as you want or not scramble at all. The views are gorgeous. The sun hitting the sandstone makes for great pictures. Not a lot of parking so get there by 10am and you should be fine. We stopped and had snacks at the bowl, climbed up, took some pictures and hiked back out. Fabulous day with the babes!

This is a moderately strenuous hike because of the nearly 1,200 foot elevation gain. The hike is…read moreapproximately 6.5 miles round trip if you go to both peaks. The trailhead is along US Highway 93. As you approach Boulder City, turn left the way you'd go to Hoover Dam. After you start down the hill past Industrial Road, watch for a sign on the left that says River Mountains Trail parking. It's just before the entrance to the St. Jude's Ranch for Children. There is ample parking here. From the parking area, walk behind the interpretive marker and the trail goes between the wall of an area of houses on the left and a concrete drainage ditch on the right. From there, the trail is fairly easy to follow as it's well defined. Follow the signs for the trail. There are side trails that are mountain bike trails so watch for the hiking only trail markers. The first part of the trail meanders around a bit and goes up and down until it works its way around and into a wash that comes down from the saddle between the two peaks. The saddle is the first goal. As you hike toward the saddle, the trail becomes a series of switchbacks to make getting to the top easier. Please DO NOT CUT the switchbacks. This damages the trail and when rain comes, wash outs are more likely. You'll also be trampling some native plants so stay on trail. Turn left at the saddle and keep heading up. There's still a bit more to go. After a few more switchbacks, you'll come to a road--a road you could have driven up, but that would defeat the whole purpose of hiking, no? This road is used to get to the antenna array at the top of Red Mountain. It's also used to take those who are doing the Bootleg Canyon flight lines near the launching area for the first flight. When you reach this road, you have a stunning view of Las Vegas and the Spring Mountains on the west side of the valley. You walk a short distance along the road and you'll see the trail to Red Mountain continue on your left. Follow the trail as it goes higher. It's a bit rocky and there is one spot that has some loose gravel. After a short time, you do reach the Red Mountain area and you see the antenna array you've probably seen many times driving to/from Hoover Dam. The actual peak for Red Mountain has a stake and you can go there if you want to be at the topmost point. In this area, you can see the first flight for the Bootleg Canyon Flight Lines, Lake Mead, The Eldorado Valley with its two solar plants, and of course, Las Vegas. It's a wonderful place. If you're lucky, you'll be here when a group does the flight. You can also see the mountain bike trails that make up the Bootleg Canyon trails. It's interesting to see these people riding down the steep slopes. Now for the bad news, Black Mountain is on the opposite side of the saddle. You can see the trail you need to follow from Red Mountain. If you've had enough, just return to your car. It's only about 3 miles away. If you're going to Black Mountain or your car, you need to head back the way you came passing the dirt road and looking carefully watching for when the trail to the saddle goes off the dirt road to the right. When you get back to the saddle, continue straight ahead on the trail if you're going to Black Mountain or make a right if you're going back to the car now. The trail goes about 1/2 mile to Black Mountain. It is very well defined and you hike on volcanic rock. That's what makes Black Mountain its color. At the top of Black Mountain, there's a bench and several interpretive markers explaining the geology of the Las Vegas Valley. It's a good place to have a snack and enjoy the view. Follow your tracks back to the saddle and then descend the switchbacks. They're so much nicer now that you're going downhill. Before you know it, you'll be back to your car. There is a picnic table at the parking area, so you can have an après hike lunch. We call it Guinness time! Happy hiking!

For Review 300, I wanted to spend time in a beautiful place that is as good as it gets. This is…read moreachievable when I live in a metropolitan area with access to spectacular parks. So, this past weekend's outdoor adventure was when I returned to Red & Black Mountain to climb up Red Mountain. There are two hiking routes to hike up Red & Black Mountain. Hiking Route A is from the River Mountain Trail (not the River Mountains Loop Trail).To get there from the Las Vegas area, travel on US 93 toward Hoover Dam. After turning left on US 93 to bypass downtown Boulder City, the sign for River Mountain Trail will be on your left. Hiking Route A begins in a residential subdivision, passes through a desert landscape under power lines, and then climbs up switch backs to a summit. At the top of the summit, you have the option of turning left toward Red Mountain or turning right toward Black Mountain. Hiking Route B is from the Bootleg Canyon Park Trailhead. From the Las Vegas area, drive on US 93 as if you were headed to Boulder City. After the first traffic signal, US 93 changes from a divided limited access highway to a commercial thoroughfare. Get on the left lane and turn left on Yucca Street. Taco Bell will be the landmark. From here drive on Yucca Street to it dead ends at the Bootleg Canyon Park parking lot. Once you park your car, you will hike on the River Mountains Loop Trail for a short distance. At the first junction, you will make a left on the road toward a valley. This is Bootleg Canyon. You will see restrooms and picnic tables. From this point continue on the road, which is now gravelly. It will bring you up Red Mountain. Just a note, to the right of the road is a large mountain adorned with a large "B.C." and communication towers on top. This is the mountain that you will be climbing. From my experience hiking up Red & Black Mountain, I STRONGLY suggest, hiking each mountain on two separate hikes. Two separate hikes will reward you with hours of recreation and experiences. This review is on Hiking Route B: Bootleg Canyon Park to the summit of Red Mountain. Hiking Route A: River Mountain Trail to the summit of Black Mountain will be a future review, which I will place under Yelp's River Mountain Trail Listing. From ground level to the summit, there are three types of topography to hike. From the Bootleg Canyon Park parking lot to the valley, the topography is pavement. Through the valley and up the north side of Red Mountain, the topography is a sandy and gravelly road that is used by vehicles transporting people and dirt bikes to a parking lot at the end of the road. With the exception of the gradual change in elevation, this is an easy hike. Beyond the parking lot, the topography is very rocky and gravelly for a short segment, and the trail has changed from a dirt road to a narrow trail that becomes narrow with steeper elevation gains. At this point, the hike is moderately difficult to the degree that I strongly suggest "focus on the moment "concentration and reliable hiking boots. The scenery is as good as it gets. Red Mountain (with the B.C.) is beautiful from ground level. As the dirt road travels through Bootleg Canyon northbound, then gains elevation gain eastbound, the closer up vistas of Red Mountain are captivating. Especially at dawn! As the dirt road travels through Bootleg Canyon, it treats the hiker to spectacular vistas of the River Mountains and valleys. Once the dirt road turns toward the north to travel uphill, the vistas become as good as it gets. It is at this point where the panoramas of the Las Vegas Valley featuring the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding mountain ranges overtake the landscape. It is at this point where you could look down on the top of the Stratosphere and across at French Mountain with open desert below. I said the scenery is as good as it gets? I was ahead of myself. At the parking lot where the dirt road ends, the scenery gets better! This is where you have the option of turning left and hiking to the summit of Black Mountain, or staying straight on a narrow path to the left of the gate toward the Red Mountain summit. At this point you are consumed by breathtaking scenery. To your left is the mesmerizing black Mountain and to your right hundreds of feet below you is Boulder City. I said the scenery is as good as it gets? It is almost as good as it gets! The narrow part of the trail looks over even better scenery. When you look to the right you will be able to see Black Mountain Henderson and to the left you will be able to see Lake Mead and the bridge. At the summit where people board the Bootleg Canyon Flight Lines the scenery is as good as it gets. Looking below there is Lake Mead, Boulder City, and desert. And yes, this scenery is as good as it gets and why Red & Black Mountain is 5 stars.

This picnic area with a hiking trail behind it is stunning! It looks just like those awesome red…read morerocks you see in Valley of Fire, but its located in Lake Mead. There is even a mini elephant rock here like there is at Valley of Fire too. The picnic areas have shade and BBQ pits, and some space in between each one. Nice. There is a bathroom here as well and a decent amount of parking. The hiking trail takes you around the different rock formations and is pretty easy. The best part about it is the views and seeing all the neat formations. Definitely a nice stop or even hangout spot for a while.

We really like this place. It is so versatile for entry level and intermediate level hikers. There…read moreare some nice areas with shaded picnic tables where you can stop and have a bite to eat and then decide who wants to go and do a little hiking and who wants to stay back and chill at the picnic table under the shade. Last time we were there, they had a wedding and some really gorgeous photos .

This review is for Fortification Hill which was a ~3.5 miles round trip that took ~3 hours to…read morecomplete. Fortification Hill was one of most challenging hikes I have ever done; located a hour from Vegas. Plenty of steep inclines and declines on loose gravel. Highly recommend using hiking poles! One particular area requires a little bit of rock scrambling. No shade; completely exposed to the sun. Stunning view of Lake Mead and the surroundings with a distant view of Hoover Dam. Required to drive on ~5.8 miles of dirt road. Recommend a high clearance vehicle. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/iIylDeCLBuE

Fortification Hill is an extinct volcano located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area on the…read moreArizona side of Hoover Dam. This is a moderately strenuous hike of about 5 miles and about 1,200 feet of elevation gain. This is primarily a class 1 trail hike but portions are steep and loose, and there is a short section of class 2 scrambling with very minor exposure. It is not a hike for children or anyone who can't do some short but difficult rock scrambling or handle a steep scree slope. The hike is fully exposed to the sun the entire way. Make sure to wear a hat, sunscreen and bring plenty of water. Just returned from the hike today. As we were heading down the hill, we saw a baby horned lizard. To drive to the trailhead, they recommend a four-by-four high-clearance vehicle with good off-road tires for the last 2.5 miles of driving. I would not recommend to drive the road if it is raining or there is a threat of rain, as flash flooding occurs here. The view from the top is one of the very best in the whole valley and has a great view of the dam.

A HIKING THRILL TO A VIEW TO A KILL OF LAKE MEAD…read more------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trail Highlights **Trailhead: Equestrian Park in Henderson **Destination: An overlook of Lake Mead from a saddle in the River Mountains. ** Directions to Trail: Park at Equestrian Park, hike it to where it merges with the River Mountains Loop Trail, turn left and hike it past Mile Marker 4. On the left satellites will be the landmark. Turn right at the power lines where the River Mountains South Powerline Road starts in a valley. **Difficulty level: Moderate. Because of loose gravel and uphill climbing I suggest hiking boots. **Topography: A gravelly 4x4 unpaved road ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review from hiking adventures on November 3 & 6 One thing I have got to admit about hikers, is that we are curious people. The past couple of years when I have hiked the River Mountains Loop Trail, up Red&Black Mountain, and the Teddy Bear Cholla Forest, I had become very curious over the landscapes within the River Mountains. For those of you unfamiliar with the River Mountains; it is the mountain range bounded by Henderson to the west, Boulder City to the south, Lake Mead to the northeast and east, and Lake Mead Parkway to the north. The River Mountains Loop Trail follows the circumference of the River Mountains. The River Mountains South Powerlines Road (abbreviated RMSPR) is the diameter of the River Mountains. If I wanted to emphasize one thing about the RMSPR is that it shines because it gives hikers access to a breathtaking view of Lake Mead from a Henderson park. Yeah, the hike round-trip is four hours. However it is 4 hours of being outdoors and getting exercise. When I walked onto the RMSPR from the paved River Mountains Loop Trail my first impression is that it looks ordinary. Kind of like an unpaved extension of Burkholder Road with the exact power lines. It is a short lasting first impression. A few minutes into the hike, the road climbs up a smooth hill. At the crest, is a vista of the distance you will be walking ahead. Spread across the open spaces below is the northern reaches of Bootleg Canyon. In the far distance ahead are the River Mountains where the road leads. It amazes me how the carpet of the desert looks green as it spreads to the horizon. The road is relatively flat with a few dips. The River Mountains border the open spaces. To the far southeast the mountain with the antennas is Red&Black Mountain, another recommended hike. As the road advances into the northern reaches of Bootleg Canyon, you will start to feel that you left Henderson for the Wild West. Regardless, when you turn around you will see gorgeous vistas of the Las Vegas Strip. In this Wild West cowboys are not the stars. Bighorn sheep are. The two times that I did this hike, I was fortunate to set eyes on bighorn sheep. They are active at all hours. I saw them at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. They were scattered in different areas. As RMSPT approaches the River Mountains north of Boulder City, it enters the Lake Mead National Recreation Area as Approved 4x4 Road 155. With that in mind, hikers and 4x4s have to coexist on this ribbon of dirt and gravel. For the record, all the stones and rocks make this more of a tank approved road than a 4x4 approved road. This is the check-in spot and the junction of a spur road toward Red&Black Mountain. When RMSPT approaches the River Mountains north of Boulder City, it gradually turns windy, as it gains elevation toward the saddle. Now mountains surround RMSPT. Ultimately, there is relatively easy to moderate uphill climb to the Lake Mead overlook. One word describes the Lake Mead overlook: Awesome. The pictures that I shared for this listing show the reward for completing this hike. This is a one of a kind spot to have a picnic, enjoy spiritual time, and relish in literally being by cloud nine. The walk back is enjoyable. The majority of the walking will be downhill and a good amount of it will be looking at gorgeous views of the Las Vegas Strip and Valley. As a hiker, my curiosity will live with me on hiking adventures. It is this curiosity that will bring me back to RMSPT to reach spur trails that will bring me further into the River Mountains landscape.

Although the I-215 Eastern Beltway Trail (abbreviated 215 Trail from here on) has few trees, it…read moreplanted the seed that grew into a methodolical hiking tree whose branches led me to 14 years of hiking adventures in and around Las Vegas. My memories of the 215 Trail goes all the way back to late 2004 when I moved to Henderson from Fort Lauderdale. It is the first Las Vegas valley trail that I hiked on. Back in 2004 this was one of the first official trails in Henderson. The 215 Trail proceeded the local trails that I have grown to love over the years including the Union Pacific Trail, Amargosa Trail, and Anthem East Trail. One year later in 2005, we moved to Black Mountain Villas which is to the southeast of the trail. I remember my time there hiking on it to the Gibson Road Jack In Box. From 2006 til today when I have lived in different addresses, the 215 Trail has always been near to me physically and in heart. This year alone I've done four hikes on it.   So what is this 215 Trail that led me to years of hiking adventures? It is a 9 mile asphalt trail that parallels eastbound I-215 from Warm Springs Road at the west to Acacia Gardens at the east where it transitions into the Union Pacific Railroad Trail. From Warm Springs to Spencer Street it travels north to south then from Spencer to Acacia Gardens west to east. Along its journey it connects to the Amargosa Trail via Cactus Wren Trail and Réunion Trails Park. It follows a gradual downhill slope towards Acacia Gardens.   The 215 Trail is more of an utilitarian than scenic trail. There is a major difference between the 215 Trail and the parallel picturesque Amargosa Trail in Henderson. There a few trees bordering the right of way. On many stretches the prime scenery is a giant faceless wall bordering the freeway with residential walls. Near major intersections, it is common to see the backside of shopping malls. From hiking the trail I feel that its greatest moments are crossing over the Duck Creek bridge, bordering the gardens of the UNLV Cooperative Extension, alongside Réunion Trails Park, the Las Vegas Strip views by St. Rose Parkway and Stephanie Street, and the grand Vista of Black Mountain at the easternmost point. Additionally during a light drizzle, it is a nice sight seeing the adjacent wash from Warm Springs leading into Duck fill up with water.   When I hike on this trail it is usually in conjunction with a system of trails and roads. Much to my regret, it will be impossible to explain these hikes on account of the Yelp character limit. Let me say that with the exception of Warm Springs to Eastern these hikes are in conjunction with the far more scenic Amargosa and Paseo Verde Trails.   From over a decade of hiking I am well aware of a few flaws. The major flaw is that it is dangerous where the trail crosses major highways along with heavy traffic exiting and entering eastbound 215. Some of these approaches onto the eastbound 215 have blind spots that elevate the danger. Add rush hour into the mix and the danger of being ran over increases. I call these intersections "the walls" because at certain times of the day they are so dangerous that it is wise to walk a block south to a safer signalized intersection. These danger spots include Eastern Avenue, St. Rose Parkway, Stephanie Street, and Gibson Road. Recently, the auto-trail user conflict was alleviated at Pebble Road with a new overpass. With that said, I will bring up secondary flaws. There is a want for street lights along the majority of the right of way. The only section with street lights that I am aware of is the short stretch bordering Réunion Trails Park. Currently there is the situation of a gap between St. Rose and Green Valley Parkways in the backyard of Green Valley Ranch. It is my understanding that the gap will be complete by 2020. Then there is the issue of maintenance. From Windmill to Eastern, graffiti and stickers obliterate the majority of signs. Quite a few of the same businesses that are attractive from the parking lots of Henderson and Paradise show their unsightly side to the 215 Trail user. Lastly there is little shade. Approaching the Yelp character limit, I will emphasize that the 215 Trail is a good utilitarian trail. Used in conjunction with Amargosa, Union Pacific Railroad Trail, or Paseo Verde Trails this good trail leads to a great adventure.

One of the many Henderson trails throughout the city…read more This trail is your plain Jane average trail. It's a paved trail that runs parallel to I-215. Luckily part of the trail has a sound wall so it blocks the highway road noise. It connects to the Union Pacific Trail riding east. It's great for running or biking. I certainly take advantage of this trail finally being opened. The city has installed pedestrian crossways when you come to roads such as Valle Verde. It gives me another reason to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Wilbur Square otherwise known as Government Park to us natives. I lived in Boulder City for a…read moreportion of my youth and I have always loved this park. Wilbur Square is dedicated to Ray Lyman Wilbur who was the Secretary of Interior from 1929 - 1933. There were also several trees planted in the immediate area that were dedicated to some loved one who have passed on. This park is the host of the annual Art In The Park that the city hosts each October as well as the BeerFest and I am sure many other events. The park is a nice size and is a great place for a game of frisbie, football, having a picnic or just enjoying the day. Mature and tall trees provide ample shade and although the grass is not as lush as it used to be, it is still provides good ground cover. The pathways are wide and there are plenty of park benches to sit on to read a good book or just destress. You can't miss this park as it is the star of Boulder City. It is at the very end of the highway before you descend down towards Lake Mead begging you to stop and take a stroll.

Site of the yearly BCBF with about 30 breweries and 10 food trucks. The park is a grassy oasis and…read morea nice setting for imbibing in craft brews of all sorts! Plenty of room to lounge on blankets and soak up the sun and atmosphere. When not overrun with beer stations and food trucks, the park is mostly open space. A paved path winds through the park as well. The park would be a nice side trip while visiting downtown Boulder City as it's located in that area. Perhaps after purchasing a lovely picnic lunch at one of Downtown's quaint restaurants. TIP- Take a short walk up the hill behind a government building to get an expansive view of Lake Mead (while it's still there).