Second time riding to Union Pacific Railroad Trail today. I went farther down than last time when I…read morewas running. I wished people would pick up after there dogs do there business because I saw so many of them all over the sand area.

Found this beautifully paved path connecting to Pittman Wash Trail. It's mostly peace and quiet on…read morethis part of the trail that I usually take. Will now be incorporating this route whenever extra miles are needed!

What amazing jewels are in your backyard?…read more Go outside and explore the beautiful world around you. Shall we close our eyes visualize what you can see and feel? While walking one can caught a glimpse of life that just passed an individual by. This last year life almost took a turn for the worst . Prior experiences and issues came back from the dead to haunt me. But here I stand, thinking and not wanting to waste time anymore. Look into the future you can see change coming . In fact the only constant is "change in life. " Being a burden is not something anyone wants to do. Time to pull one self up here we go. Life is about living . Center and ground yourself! You can feel the calm. You are outside and ready to go walk it off . Life is peaking and is going to be happy . We need to accept the change and accomplishments. What are we going to do in the future? We can keep the journey moving along and forward with the progress of self discovery. We are going to continue and breathe the air of change and look at that which the universe is creating and showing us . What's that we are seeing ? The universe paints for me color rainbows "change is good." Let's listen and learn. Change is good and is coming ! Here we go !

Vegas is Sun City! From the Spring Mountain slopes to the Lake Mead valleys, hiking trails follow…read morethe sun. Down in the southernmost border of the Las Vegas Valley where the rooftops of the Anthem Master Planned Community merge with the open spaces of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area lies a 2.10 ribbon of asphalt and gravel named the Nevada Power Trail. The Nevada Power Trail is an unadvertised jewel. There is a want for parking directly off the trail. An extended walk is necessary for hikers to reach the trail. When I did this hike, I parked at Esselmont Park, which is a pocket park off of Anthem Highlands Drive.* From there I walked south on Anthem Highlands Drive a couple hundred feet to the 4-way stop sign. This is Democracy Drive. I crossed it, then made a left onto the eastbound sidewalk. After a couple of hundred feet I saw a pedestrian Crossing sign then turned right onto the spur trail through a Canyon of fenced off yards toward the Nevada Power Trail. The Nevada Power Trail is easy to spot on account of the power lines. Throughout the duration of the trail, Nevada Power Trail is parallel to the power lines. These aren't the massive towers similar to those things marching out of Hoover Dam. These are the poles you would recognize alongside a Las Vegas surface Street. These are the same power lines that are parallel to the Anthem East Trail alongside the east border of Anthem and the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. When I did this hike, I made a left to go northeast. On the way back, I'd hike the segment that ends to the west. Lately I have been suffering from a foot problem that is an ankle sprain and plantar fascilitis. Because Vegas is Sun City, I needed to celebrate its greatest asset out on a trail despite my foot pain. On Google Maps, I saw the Nevada Power Trail. An hour later, I saw it in person. When I stepped onto the Nevada Power Trail, I was on an asphalt line in the sand between the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area and the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. As I glanced to the right, I took in the beautiful open spaces of the desert reaching toward the McCullough Mountain Range. The Nevada Power Trail is a gateway to fascinating hikes in the desert. Trails reaching into the horizons of the desert branched off to the right. As I glanced off to the left, I'd take in the manicured fenced in yards of Anthem. After steep elevation gains, the views to the left changed into scenic overlooks above rooftops reaching across the Las Vegas Strip toward the Spring Mountains. As the trail reached its only surface street crossing with Democracy Drive, I'd rest at a set of benches to enjoy the scenic overlook. By this time, I had climbed a couple of hills and walked on topography that was mostly pavement with a gravelly segment. After crossing Democracy Drive, Nevada Power Trail changes from a boundary between Vegas and the desert to suburban. On a straight paved stretch the Nevada Power Trail is a linear landscaped buffer separating fenced in backyards. Being in Anthem, graffiti is relatively nonexistent. The deeper I hiked on this stretch, the taller and closer the hill in front of me grew. And being Anthem, there were homes on top of the hills. The trail turned toward the right intersecting with a non name trail bound for access points to Anthem. The trail now made a course upward on what I consider a steep hill. If you are familiar with the Three Sisters of the River Mountains Loop Trail, this incline is a similar beast. The homes that were on the right side returned to the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. At the top of the hill Nevada Power Trail ends at a cul-de-sac. There is a dirt trail that follows the same power lines that in a short distance change into Anthem East Trail and intersect with the Black Mountain Trail. The 2.10 mile walk back was better because it was mostly downhill. I'd get to explore the short segment West of the spur trail toward Esselmont Park. The gravelly surface replaces the pavement as Nevada Power Trail climbs a hill that reaches another scenic overlook over Las Vegas. As Nevada Power Trail reaches the end where Anthem merges with the desert, there is a short paved section. It looks like a dirt trail follows the power lines into the horizon. The geography geek in me believes these are the same Powerlines that meet up with Las Vegas Boulevard South of Sloan. Because Vegas is Sun City, I have to be out on the trails that follow the sun. By the summer, I want to turn my dream of the Nevada Power Trail leading me onto the trails that into the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area into reality. Optimistically I will be back on the Nevada Power Trail. *For directions to Esselmont Park from I-215. take Eastern Southbound to the end. Turn right on Anthem Parkway. At the third traffic signal turn right on Bicentennial. At the stop sign turn left on Anthem Highlands Drive. Esselmont Park is on there right.

Boy Scout Canyon can be a 4 or 8 miles round trip depending on the vehicle you have and how far you…read morewant to hike. I've done it both ways and I prefer the shorter version. To get there, drive to Boulder City and continue straight on Nevada Way to Utah Street. Do NOT head for Hoover Dam. Make a right on Utah Street and follow it until it ends at the Boulder City garbage transfer area. Turn right onto a graded road and follow it for less than a mile. You'll see a left turn for a gun range. Turn left here and follow this road for a short time. There is another turn to get to the gun range. DO NOT take that left turn. Continue to the next left and then go down a steep hill that runs along the south side of the gun range. You'll soon enter the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Inside the fenced area is where you park if you do not have a 4x4. This will make your hike 8 miles round trip. If you do have a 4x4, continue driving down the wash for another two miles. The rocks are sharp in places and close to each other, so drive this with care. At the end of the 2 miles, you'll come to the trailhead--a place that's wired off so vehicles can't go any more. Park here. From here, follow the wash as it heads to the Colorado River. The rock formations are amazing and the views are great! At about 1/3 mile from the trailhead, you come to a 15 foot dry fall that's easy 3rd class. The best side to scramble down is on the left as you're looking down the wash. Take care, but this isn't a hard down climb. As you near the end of your wash, the canyon narrows and soon you come to the end of this part of the hike. The end is a 20 foot dry fall you can only get down using ropes. There are some hooks in the rock above, but I would not recommend you do this. At the bottom of the dry fall is a pool like area in which I've never seen water. Beyond this small pool is a high pour over that's more than a 300 foot drop. Enough said. You don't need to explore down there! The next part of the hike entails retracing your steps about 3/10 of a mile. Look to your left as you're hiking back and you'll see a use trail leave the wash and go up a hill. Follow this trail which has some ups and downs and eventually it will lead you to a magnificent view of the Colorado and the Black Canyon Wilderness area. This is a good place to have a snack and take photos. When you're done, go back to the wash and head back to your car. This is a great hike with lots of pretty vistas. Wear hiking boots and take water. A Camelbak is best! Happy hiking!

I did a little UYE hiking action with Norm K and August C last weekend. I won't reiterate all of…read morethe useful information that Norm has already listed. If you need directions to the trailhead, I refer you to his excellent review. I found this hike to be pretty easy. There is one scramble down (and back up) a 15-foot spillover in the wash. Other than that, it's a very gradual descent toward the Colorado. You don't actually make it all the way to the river on this hike. There is a 25-foot dry fall that basically serves as the end of this out-and-back hike. Even if you decide to brave that drop, Norm says there is a 300-foot drop waiting for you just moments ahead of that. Instead of pressing downward, we backtracked and found our way up to a ridge where we had a great view of the river and the Hoover Dam bypass bridge. All told, we hiked about four miles. Of course, the hike could have been longer if we didn't drive the two miles down the wash until the point where they prohibit vehicles. That's probably the one thing that would prevent me from doing this hike again. Most of the "road" is fine, but there may be parts where having a 4x4 is recommended. I probably won't ever do this hike again, but it was an enjoyable morning and I'm grateful that I can cross it off my (nonexistent) list.

We have lectric bikes and boy did we take em out for a Spin!…read moreWe rode the entire 35mile loop. It took us about 5 hours with one of them Being breaks. Even with help this trail is a beautiful beast. Steep hills and a steady gradual I cline in the middle. It sure was beautiful though. Great views. Some nature. Just some chipmunks and lizards mostly.

An Earth Day 2016 Celebration Review…read more The River Mountain Trail (not River Mountains Loop Trail) is one of my most cherished hiking trails near Las Vegas. Ever since I first stepped foot on it in 2006, I have adored this charming trail. It is an adoration that led to an annual Spring hike on it. It is a tradition that has cost zero and gives back uncomplicated joy. Yesterday, I celebrated Earth Day on the River Mountain Trail. River Mountain Trail with the unsigned Black Mountain Trail is a six-mile round trip adventure that starts from a parking lot off mile marker 29.5 of the River Mountains Loop Trail (https://www.yelp.com/biz/river-mountains-loop-trail-henderson) in Boulder City then climbs from an elevation of 2,415 to 3,600 feet up to Red and Black Mountain (https://www.yelp.com/biz/red-and-black-mountain-boulder-city). This is what I consider a Disney Trail. Just like a Disneyland ride, it is clean; adorable; picturesque ; and provides a thrill minus the intimidation. Deep into the trail as it climbs the switchbacks up the Red & Black Mountain canyon it even resembles the Big Thunder Railroad. The Civilian Corps that built it in the 1930s did it with the imagination of a Disney Imagineer. The trail is a work of art that follows a sinuous course through the rolling desert where it passes through a verdant canyon of vegetation. Graffiti is relatively nonexistent. From the trailhead near St. Jude Ranch, the first impression is misleading. Following the beginning leg of the trail it borders housing walls and a concrete wash. After a slight curve, it meets the colossal spaces of the desert with Red and Black Mountain Mountain in the distance. In April, with the blooming wildflowers, the desert resembles an Arboretum more than a desolate landscape. Gradually the trail aims toward the Red & Black Mountain canyon. When the trail reaches 2,960 elevation, the switchbacks along the face of Red Mountain start rolling the ribbon of sand up sinuous and gentle curves toward the stratosphere in a place up by the clouds called the Red & Black Mountain summit. The amazing thing is how smoothly it reaches 3,300 feet. Ethereal and beautiful describe the experience of this solitary climb to the stratosphere. I compare this stretch to driving on Utah bound I-15 through endless desert then experiencing the roller coaster dips and turns of the Virgin River Gap. Here there are more rest stops. On the way there are large boulders to pause. Overhead vultures and airplanes pass over the sky. Below is a view of part of Boulder City. At the top of the saddle the trail name ends. Gone are the green and white trail signs with the River Mountain Trail - Bicycles prohibited signs. Gone is any thought of the trail ending. A left leads up to Red Mountain and straight to the Black Mountain summit. Now physically near the clouds and mentally on cloud nine, I continue straight for a. 05 to climb up a gentle 180 elevation gain to the end. On this walk near the clouds, I pass a rock that looks like an alligator. The trail concludes at the Black Mountain summit. At 3,480 feet high I rise above it all (Red Mountain is higher). This is a breathtaking panoramic view of the Las Vegas valley and Mount Charleston, Lake Mead, Boulder City, River Mountains, and desert interspersed with mountains reaching across the Hoover Dam Bridge into Arizona. Adorning the summit is a bench and informative sign on the geology. Even better than the rewarding overlook is that up to now was the laborious part of the hike. Heading back, the hike is a fun downhill descent toward the trailhead. I highly recommend hiking up the River Mountain Trail in the cooler months. In my opinion this hike is priceless. Being that this is an Earth Day review, it is appropriate to write that this is advice written from a person that is down to Earth.

The Wells Trailhead is off Galleria Drive two miles west of Lake Las Vegas. The trailhead is for…read morethe Wetlands biking/hiking trail and is part of the paved section of the trail. The is the South Loop section of the bike trail. There is a pit toilet at the trailhead. The lot is dirt and there is a fair amount of parking. One can easily walk a short distance from the parking area to the edge of the bank and get a great view of the river that flows from the water treatment facility to Lake Mead. It's a good place to view some wading birds and enjoy a hike or ride your bike. Adjacent to the parking area is a trail that goes up some wooden stairs to a bench on top of the ridge. From there, you have a good view of the wetlands, the Las Vegas Strip, and the mountains on the west side of the valley. This is not a very busy trailhead so it's a good place to start out from here.

Great oasis in the middle of the city. We visit Vegas a few times a year and will definitely go…read moreback. Easy drive from South Strip and way closer than the Red Rocks for a little time in "nature".

Took our furbabies for a much needed outdoor outing. This trail is right next to our house. Let me…read moresay this first. We got lost! Like really lost. There's so many different side trails that it got confusing for us and it took us over 2 hours to get back to our car. Do your research before taking side trails lol. Other than that everything was absolutely beautiful! We such a fun time together and wondering around. The weather was beautiful and we all got our steps in. This is a very mild trail. Not a lot of climbing or cliffs, but it was quite long because of our getting lost. Great for pets and kids.

The Whitney Mesa Lower Trail (from this point abbreviated WMLT) is a one mile out and back…read moremulti-use trail that bridges the City of Henderson to a natural mesa. It is a trail that has the characteristics of both a City of Henderson and backcountry trail. The WMLT is anchored by the Whitney Mesa Recreation Area Galleria Drive Trailhead at the south and the Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve to the north. There are two parking lots that serve the trail. The south one is at the Whitney Mesa Park Recreation Area and the north one is at the Whitney Ranch Activity Center. Both are off Galleria Drive.     I am no stranger to both the Whitney Mesa Lower Trail and the greater Whitney Mesa Recreation Area. From my hikes here what distinguishes this trail from the majority of the Recreation Area is that this is an official City of Henderson Trail with its own route markers and street lights that travels below in the shadow of the mesa. The majority of the Recreation Area consists of backcountry trails on top of the mesa. In reality it is an urban trail at the eastern periphery of the Recreation Area that provides dramatic closeup vistas of the towering Mesa to the west and a residential community, a church, and recreation center to the east.      The few times that I have visited, I parked at  Natural Grocers. This is a good spot to pick up bottled water. From there I walked northbound on Arroyo Grande and turned right onto a no name City trail that bridges the southwest trailhead off Sunset Road to Stone Tree Bluff Street which feeds into the trail.      The trail starts out as a loop encircling ab adorable western themed playground featuring a horse statue, carriage, and general store that is adjacent to open green space. The trail briefly heads northwest as it approaches the Mesa on a slightly uphill climb. When you turn around you can see a panoramic view of southeast Henderson. The trail continues north and past the curve it follows the Whitney Mesa. For the rest of the trail there is urban nature to the left. There are a few signs warning trail users that coyotes and rattlesnakes frequent the habitat. This is also hiking habitat. There are a couple of trails with moderate difficulty that climb up to the top of the Whitney Mesa to join the main backcountry trail. I can picture how beautiful the scenery is when the sun sets. This is a cool spot to watch planes that are about to land at Harry Reid International Airport because it looks like the planes are landing on top of the Mesa. As the trail travels further north there is an attractive distant vista of Frenchman Mountain to the northeast. But to the immediate west in the shadow of the Mesa is Armijos Camp which is a neat area with Indian dwellings and a real Western environment ideal for enjoying solitude in the city. The trail ends at Patrick Street where a few hundred feet to the west is the nature preserve that is decked with short trails that bring a touch of Red Rock Canyon to the City of Henderson. This makes for the perfect spot to turn around.     The nice thing about WMLT is that on the way back you can change the scenery by hiking up the moderately challenging trails climbing up to the top of the Mesa. This is the spot to take in amazing views of southeast Henderson. The main backcountry trail will lead to the noname City Trail (this should be extended to the WMLT) where turning left (northeast) will lead back to the Galleria Drive Trailhead.     One thing that I would like to say about WMLT is that it is disconnected from the rest of the City of Henderson and Clark County Trail System. It is an island onto itself. I think it would be awesome if the City of Henderson connected it with an extended Pittman Wash Trail complete with bridges over both Sunset and Warm Springs Roads. This ultimately would make the Whitney Mesa and WMLT a City of Henderson Trail System hiking and bicycle hub and destination.    I am a fan of the WMLT. It has given me the experiences of hiking on a City of Henderson Trail in the shadow of the backcountry without leaving the City.

I did this trail as a loop. Amazing views along the powerlines. Next time i'll ride the loop…read morecounterclockwise, I think its a better way.

Burkholder Trail is a valuable connection for the River Mountains Loop Trail. From Lake Mead…read moreParkway to Racetrack Road it runs along the south side of Burkholder Drive. Approximately 2 miles of it is landscaped with lighting. The trail switches to the north side of Burkholder Boulevard at Racetrack Road then continues as a 10-ft wide paved trail uphill and connects to the River Mountains Loop Trail. Horseback riding is permitted east of Racetrack Road. The total trail distance from Lake Mead Parkway to the River Mountain Loop Trail connection is 3.2-miles. Along the north border of Heritage Park the trail is landscaped with lighting and benches up to Racetrack Road. Heading south at the Burkholder Trail connection onto River Mountain Loop Trail will take you to Railroad Pass and the option into Boulder City at Industrial Road. From the River Mountain Loop Trail at Burkholder Trail connection, the trail system runs north to the Lake Mead Parkway Trail to Lake Mead National Recreation Area with connection back to the River Mountains Loop Trail and connection to the Wetlands Connector Trail. Best trail head parking will be at Heritage Park or Heritage Aquatic Complex. The Burkholder Trail is 3.2 miles of paved asphalt all the way to the River Mountain Loop Trail. A landmark is the Water Treatment Plant at the southwest corner of the trail connection.

At first, I found it a bit confusing to locate where the trail started. Luckily, I had the maps to…read moreguide me. The trail is unpaved, so I recommend wearing appropriate footwear. It's not steep, but there are a lot of loose rocks. The top can be a bit windy, although it might have just been the day I went. I was the only one hiking up there, so it's important to stay cautious. Overall, it was an easy, short hike, and I would definitely go again.

Nice hike and cool view of the city! Little harder to get to though as you have to drive down a…read morepretty rugged road for 5-7 miles and the trailhead is not marked.