Tunnels, Mines, Owls, Slot Canyons,Wild Burros, a Bell, a Lake, Bighorn Sheep, an Elephant, a Strip, and a Dam!

These are just some of the sights we have seen on our many hikes in the area, and not in that particular order, mind you.  Plenty to see and do around here.......no shortage, whatsoever.  Our goal when we first arrived, was to hike one new and different hike each week while we were here for the Winter.  We accomplished our objective and more.  When we started volunteering for the National Park Service, in their 'Trail Watch' program we were able to do even more new and interesting hikes and pick up litter while we were doing it.  A total win win situation, as far as we were concerned.

Our good friend June passed on a very cool and helpful website to us when we first came here to Nevada in November, and we have used it constantly.  It is most helpful, informative and interesting, and we highly recommend it, if you ever find yourself in the Las Vegas area.         www.birdandhike.com



One of our all time favorite hikes that we have enjoyed several times now, is the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail  which passes through 5 railroad tunnels that were built in the early 1930's to carry supplies and materials to the building site of the Hoover Dam.  The 3.79 mile one way hike starts  outside the fee area, near the Lake Mead Visitors Center and takes you to the Hoover Dam, with spectacular views of Lake Mead along the way, and Bighorn Sheep, which we have excitedly seen every time we enjoyed this hike.  The actual railroad track has been removed, but you can still see some of the old railroad ties thrown over the sides of the trail, that were made from OREGON fir trees.  The 5 tunnels are in good condition and seem so huge with their over sized 25 feet diameter, quite noticeable as you walk through the cool, darkness and  reminded of bygone days of blood, sweat and tears of so many hard working men. 

We encountered some very cool mines on several hikes, specifically Anniversary Narrows, which is a beautiful and amazing slot canyon,  and  then also on Liberty Bell Arch Trail.

Entering the Narrows

and further into the Narrows

                                                                    Old mine along Liberty Bell Arch Trail

We find these old mines intriguing and exciting and difficult not to enter and explore, but we don't, and remember and practice, "Stay out and Stay alive".  Too many sad and scary tales of injuries and even deaths from those who chose to go inside.

                                      Looking for a bell.                                                            

Score!    Ding Ding Ding

White Owl Canyon  is a fairly short hike with  another gorgeous slot canyon to explore.  Named after the Barn Owls that live in the canyon, unfortunately they were either not home or well hidden the morning we paid a visit, but they did leave plenty of remnants behind. 

Trail                                                                                                              Remnants                                                                                                                                            

River Mountain Trail has a most rewarding view once you arrive at the top which is 'Black Mountain Overlook', after 3 moderately strenuous miles with many switchbacks.  Face East and you see sapphire blue Lake Mead, turn 180 degrees to face West and you are greeted with the Las Vegas Strip, with snow-capped Mt. Charleston behind it.

Facing West

                                                                                      Facing East

Besides in Lake Mead NRA, their are numerous more fabulous places to hike in the greater Las Vegas area.  While visiting Nevada's oldest and largest State Park, Valley of the Fire State Park, 60 miles NE of  Las Vegas, for a most memorable Thanksgiving last year with our friends, June and Sphene, we encountered an elephant.   Elephant Rock, to be exact, and just one of many unique geologic formations within this beautiful and extremely interesting and historic gem of a State Park, which is justly named, as you will see when you visit.

I was just reminiscing of when and where we first met June and Sphene.  It was at the RV-DREAMS  Rally we attended in Elephant Butte, New Mexico last March.  What is it with you guys and elephants?

We absolutely LOVE Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, all 197,000 acres of it, and unbelievably, only a mere 20 miles west of the "entertainment  capital of the world",  Las Vegas!  This is  a very special place for us, for a very special reason, and we always enjoy a scenic hike while here, amid the breathtaking colors and spectacular setting and landscape, while surrounded by more dramatic sandstone rock formations.  We saw these timid wild burros, while hiking among the Joshua trees one day.  Once again, you will see how Red Rock Canyon earned its name, when you visit.

Last, but not least, is the extraordinary River Mountains Loop Trail, a 35 mile scenic loop around the River Mountains, for hikers, bikes and horses, in designated areas.

On a different note, we immensely enjoyed the company of our friends Beth and Grady, who we also met at the RV-DREAMS Rally in New Mexico last March, while they passed through Boulder City for a few days on their way to a summer workamping position at a Utah State Park.  A genuine pleasure getting to know them better, and share several nice meals and a DAM/Tunnel hike as well.  I find it quite ironic that Grady and I were both stationed at NAS New Orleans back in our 'Navy days' in the 80's, but unfortunately missed meeting each other by one year.           Safe travels up to Utah, you guys!

Also, how exciting to finally meet Steve and Joan, (FOSJ) in person after meeting virtually online through RVillage, a very cool new website for RVers from RVers.  We shared a delightful lunch at the Lake Mead Marina, just before they leave for their summer workamping position in South Dakota.  A little more irony is, we lived less than 100 miles from each other in central Florida, but both travelled to Oregon and Nevada, before meeting.  We discovered we have ALOT in common, and we are both coming back to Boulder City/Lake Mead area of Nevada again next Winter, so we look forward to seeing them again then.               Safe travels to SD, you two, too!

Our days here in the Nevada desert are slowly but surely coming to an end and we are preparing physically and mentally to depart the morning of April 15th, heading Northwest ward, and  planning to arrive Mt. Hood, Oregon May 1st.  We are anxious and excited to arrive back in "God's Country", the land of a thousand greens, the Beaver State, aka Oregon.  We look forward to being near family and friends again, and back with the fun BLM bunch on Mt. Hood for our second summer of workamping there.
We are feeling and hearing the call of the wild, of the Great Pacific Northwest and so once again, we will be Northwest Ward Ho, Oregon or Bust!

Cheers!


( I find it quite uncanny that fellow blogger Nina from Wheelingit and I share many similar ideas about the Lake Mead area and many other things besides.  Since I am a new, slow and meticulous blogger, I have been working on this post for several weeks now and was shocked when I saw her latest post.   Check out Nina's awesome  and inspiring blog also, along with a few different ideas about the Lake Mead area.
Safe travels to you 2 too, as you and the beast and paws continue your travels up to the Pacific Northwest, as well.
Cheers!)