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.

Lake Mead is pretty awesome. Although the water level is decreasing with time, the lake itself is…read morestill very pretty. When I visited, it wasn't too busy for some reason, so I was able to walk around the lake shore without bumping into many people. The drive around the lake was especially enjoyable without the traffic. There are so many scenic areas right off the road, and the sky was impossibly blue and vast as it reflected off the lake. It feels so unique. It was very hot though, so I didn't hike the Owl Canyon Trail like I originally planned. I'll definitely be back though!

We love driving to Lake Mead National Recreation Area! We…read morepurchased the yearly pass for $80 which is good for all national parks in the country. When you enter, at the gate, they actually check the card and the driver license of the owner of the park pass! (Just for your information!) Driving through the area, there are many viewing opportunities, you can park your vehicle and enjoy the scenery. In every viewing location there is also a restroom available! We enjoy coming to the Marina very often! There is a restaurant and bar, which is open every day, but close pretty early, around 6 pm on Monday and Tuesday, and 8pm on rest of the week! The store at the Marina, also closes at 6pm. Love the Marina because we can rent a boat, a jet ski, or even buy a ticket for a large boat for sunset cruising! Besides that, if you own a boat, you can also park it, store it here for a fee. There is security cruising on site for safety. We also saw multiple boats for sale! The scenery is beautiful, regardless the weather level, as we all know how much lower than it used to be.

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

Review #600 For…read moreReview 600 I am writing about a beautiful land of nature adjacent to the Las Vegas Valley. It is the River Mountains. When we think of the nature wonderlands adjacent to Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area come to mind. The River Mountains often gets overlooked. It is the range of mountains bordered by the City of Henderson to the west, Boulder City to the south, and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area to the east and north. The River Mountains Loop Trail is the non-motorized beltway around the River Mountains. The River Mountains is a nature wonderland that I have escaped to for years to improve my physical and mental health. It has been my nature therapy you can say. My escapes into the River Mountains started from my hikes along the 35 mile River Mountains Loop Trail and hiking up Red & Black Mountain. This review shares the greatness of the River Mountains. Hopefully I will convert you to falling in love with the River Mountains. The River Mountains is a nature wonderland where teddy bear chola cactus stand tall in a valley near Lake Mead. This is a beautiful serene Valley where it is easy to doze off with the sole sounds of a gentle wind and distant airplanes. The River Mountains is a nature wonderland to rise above it all. It's Red & Black Mountain is an open space up in the stratosphere with breathtaking views of Boulder City, Las Vegas, Henderson, and Lake Mead. The River Mountains is where the big horn sheep come to play. The River Mountains is one of the most important areas in Nevada for the big horn sheep. They congregate at Hemenway Valley Park in Boulder City. I have also seen them in the central Valley of the River Mountains on the unpaved Lake Mead National Recreation Area Powerline Road. The River Mountains is a nature wonderland of fascination. With its open spaces, clean air, and picture postcard Mountains I feel more conscious. Whether it's a rock up near Black Mountain that resembles an alligator rock or a Magic Tree near mile marker 12 of the Loop Trail, the River Mountains amazes me. The Magic Tree is a place where I have prayed and let out my soul. The valleys off the Loop Trail in the remote reaches of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area are where I go to explore the unseen. When I follow the sun through a remote wash I explore with the fascination of a travel writer. This hiking season a high priority is to hike the wash in the backcountry near the Teddy Bear Chola Forest. The River Mountains is a beautiful backdrop to a sunset. Some of my favorite meditative walks in nature include a sunset turning Red Mountain orange. Deeper in the night I have enjoyed walking along a dark segment of the River Mountains Loop Trail in Henderson taking in the moon and stars over the hushed Mountains with the mesmerizing carpet of the Las Vegas Valley below. The River Mountains is a 5 star backyard of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area. I highly recommend seeing it from the various segments of the River Mountains Loop Trail where there are washes and valleys that connect to the River Mountains. A nice day would be to watch the bighorn sheep in Hemenway Valley Park, then walk South on Valley Drive to the River Mountains Loop Trail (in this area parallel to US 93). From here you could hike Lake Mead bound to the Teddy Bear Chola Cactus Forest spur or Bootleg Canyon bound to Red & Black Mountain. From my experience the best time to watch the big horn sheep is around dinner time. I highly recommend exploring this five star backyard of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area. Into my 600th Yelp review the River Mountains amazes me just as much as it did when I was exploring it with a dumb phone years before yelping. I guess a nature wonderland is like fine wine that gets better with age. With that said, a toast to the River Mountains.

The Horse Thief Canyon Road is an eight mile out-and-back hike or off-road adventure in the back…read morecountry of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Regardless that it is technically in Arizona, it is truly a Las Vegas outdoor adventure. The best way to reach the Horse Thief Canyon Road from Las Vegas is by driving on US 93 with the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. Once over the state line, it will be four miles on the left side of the highway. It shares a parking lot with Arizona Hot Springs and Liberty Bell Arch. During several past outdoor adventures, when I hiked on the Arizona Hot Springs and Liberty Bell Arch, I had been very curious where this Horse Thief Canyon Road off the trailhead ended up. If you are unfamiliar with both of these trails, here is how they tie in with Horse Thief Canyon Road. The common parking lot is on a hillside to the east of US 93. From the common parking lot, Arizona Hot Springs and Liberty Bell Arch hikers follow a wash on a downhill hike that passes under US 93 then ultimately to the destinations of Arizona Hot Springs, the Colorado River, or Liberty Bell Arch, These are generally west-bound hike towards the river. Disparate from the Arizona Hot Springs and Liberty Bell Arch hikes, Horse Thief Road leads uphill in a northeast direction inland towards the Mount Wilson Wilderness Area. And disparate from the two other hikes, this is an off-road trail that hikers share with off-road vehicles. After using this trailhead, I was determined to one day explore Horse Thief Canyon. This past Saturday, I would partake in an adventure exploring the Horse Thief Canyon. The Horse Thief Canyon hike is an easy hike. From my experience, back country roads make for easy hiking. The topography was a combination of rocky and sandy segments. From the time I got onto the trail til the end at the Horse Thief pour over (dry water fall), I had been gradually walking uphill. If you had done either the Arizona Hot Springs or Liberty Bell trails, it truly is a continuation of the White Canyon Trail where you are climbing the whole way up from the Colorado River. The differences here is that the parallel wash is called the Horse Thief Wash and the trail is a back country route signed "66A." I can argue that the scenery here is less spectacular yet pretty in its own unique way. For the first three miles through a desolate desert hillside valley the scenery that caught my eyes were the Black Mountains in the distance. Doing this hike in the beginning of March, I set eyes on the occasional wildflower bloom. It was the creosotes that dominated the landscape. During the first 20 minutes of the hike, I overheard the US 93 traffic. As I progressed deeper into the desert, I heard the sounds of birds and wind. With the exception of one off road vehicle I had the desert to myself. On the hike leading to the Horse Thief Canyon pour over, I was filled with anticipation of what nature had in store for me. The best thing about first time outdoor adventures is the anticipation. The out-and-back hike ended at a Disney picturesque pour over (dry waterfall) that blocked the wash and dead-ended the trail, This is the true end of the trail. This is a picturesque spot made to admire instead of conquer. The white pour over reminded me of the Big Thunder Railroad in Disney Land. It also reminded me to never exceed my comfort zone. The pour over looked like it could be conquered with scrambling and 100 percent determination, Instead of taking a risk, at the true end of the hike proper, I sat on one of many large rocks taking in the dry water fall. I couldn't help but think what this looks like after a rainfall. And I couldn't help but think, "How did this get the name of Horse Thief Canyon?' The pour over is in the foot hills of Wilson Ridge. Wilson Peak is nearby. Near the pour over, I climbed a foothill in an attempt to go around it. If it was not so windy, I would have continued with this approach to seeing the other side of the pour over. The climb did lead to a distant view of the Hoover Dam Lodge. If I return here, I plan to set out on one of the no-name trails leading to the Mount Wilson Wilderness Area and the Black Mountains. Hiking back on a downhill route, I left the pour over at 2:48 pm and made it to the parking lot at 4:42 pm. A major advantage to this hike is that you get to hike down hill on the way back. Now that I hiked Horse Thief Canyon Road, this is my recommendation. If you live in Las Vegas and hike often and have done both the Arizona Hot Springs and Liberty Bell at least twice, I would recommend an outdoor adventure on the Horse Thief Road. In conclusion, it is a decent hike that would not be in the front of my Las Vegas hiking bucket list.

Xeriscape is an escape to a 1/2 acre Xanadu in Boulder City, Nevada. It is a tiny peaceful and…read morehappy oasis that I encouraged me to slow down and live in the moment for a good hour. In a sense Xeriscape Park belongs on a "From Google Street View to Yelp Review" list. I am driven to see new places and landscapes, which causes me to do some exploring on Google Maps. When I was exploring over Boulder City on Google Maps, I saw a small parcel of open space at the northeast corner of Veterans Memorial Drive/Georgia Street and Buchanan Drive directory east of Veterans Memorial Park. It was inevitable that when I returned to Veteran's Memorial Park, I was going to explore it in real life. What amazes me about Xeriscape Park is the fact it is surrounded by homes and a substation at the exact time it resembles a miniature pine forest. The tall mature pine trees are a breath of fresh air. And very clean fresh air. If there was such a thing as a scent recorder, the scent of these mature pine trees would be a five star production. Seated on a comfortable bench and breathing in the aroma of the pine under the canopy of mature trees had the magical touch of putting my mind at ease and bringing me to living in the moment. The soundtrack was chirping birds. Xeriscape Park is also a place where children and bunny rabbits come to play. At the entrance stands an idyllic playground that includes swings suited for little kids and adults. Just like the park, the playground was well maintained. If you are travelling from outside Boulder City, I recommend visiting Xeriscape Park in conjunction with Veteran's Memorial Park. Now, Veteran's Memorial Park in my opinion is worthy of a drive. Xeriscape Park is an extension of a Veteran's Memorial Park adventure. This paragraph explains hiking to and through Xeriscape Park from Veteran's Memorial Park. It is approximately. 33 miles and 5 1/2 minutes. What you want to do us locate the walkway between the dog park and the BMX track. This leads outside the park to Buchanan Drive. Now you want to turn left on Buchanan Drive headed North. The Park will be on the right across the street where a sidewalk is nonexistent. Here you will see the Xeriscape Park sign. At the first cross street, you will walk or I suggest run across a Buchanan Road minus a crosswalk to the park. The Park is in actuality to segments. The north segment that you have entered is a diminutive forest featuring pine and supposedly plants that are adaptable to the desert. When you continue walking south alongside a drainage channel parallel to Buchanan Drive there is a substation. You want to continue south between the substation and drainage channel while being attentive to branches. You will enter the south segment. You want to turn right where a shady walkway leads to the idyllic bench and playground. This is the perfect spot to breath in the crisp pine tree air and live in the moment. Now that all the stress has been released you will want to retrace your steps back. In my opinion being stressed out is a decision. In the future when I feel that I am about to become stressed I will strive to make the decision to escape to a little Xanadu like Xeriscape.

The Arizona Joshua Tree Forest is located between the City of Dolan Springs, AZ and the West end of…read morethe Grand Canyon. Joshua Trees are only found in the Mohave Desert between 1300 ft. and 5900 ft. in elevation. I have been to Joshua Tree National Park in Palm Springs and this was not as impressive as that. It's somewhere to stop and take pictures along the little highway mostly. The Joshua Trees are not particularly beautiful but it is interesting how they only exist in a certain area. They are a succulent and not wood like a regular tree. You get the idea.

Awesome view of Joshua Tree forest. If you're in Arizona maybe stop by; you would really enjoy.read more

A scenic stop to look at the view of Lake Mead, blue sky and variation colors of the rocks. It has…read morea wonderful contrast of reds, orange, browns and the blue sky. It has a zen feeling, like it was a painting and you're there to take in the energy.