August 24, 2010

Highlights from the River Mountains Trail PAC meeting:

·         Paul questions actual safety of new guard rails on curves - segment #13

·         New striping and signs helpful

·         Jennifer reported that new race director Tour De Cure has cleaned up trail markings Trail Buttons on Monuments

·         Henderson needs a replacement button for MM 3.0 ( Jim f/u)

·         FEMA work on Henderson part of Loop trail that sit on top of levees will close small parts of the trail in  Feb./March 2011

·         Detours to be provided where needed at two locations where levee must be repaired

·         Trail events planned, potential conflicts. Jennifer to coordinate schedules with Al.

Trail Planning & Development Reports

·         John reported on National Recreation Trail presentation to Henderson City Council on July 20^th

·         Erin reported that bid opening would be August 26^th for Segment 14 of trail.  (Final segment of trail!). Details on back of agenda.  (Note: opening of bid moved to Sept. 9^th @3:00p.m.) Chairman suggested a photo op at ground breaking would be nice. Construction estimated at 4-months; January 2011 opening possible

·         Trail safety and & enhancements – task order expect in October

·         Highway Directional Signs – No report

·         Permit Matrix committee to meet in Sept. date pending

·         Interbike Outdoor Demo Sept 20, & 21^st – working with B.C. Rotary and New Belgium on booth volunteers needed.  Interbike Expo at Sands 22, 23. & 24^th booth needs volunteers Jason working on passes (6) for volunteers

·         Burkholder Trail, a connecting trail, near completion. COH final walk thru next week. Vehicle barriers around SNWA need to be placed.

·         Sloan Trails delayed due to contractor issues.

Organization Development

·          Maps- Jason brought new revised color maps for hand out. Also provided Partnership with new large mounted color map for presentations. Everyone loves the new maps. Jason & Paul will help get maps out to bike stores etc.  Partnership voted to authorize purchase of 1,000 additional maps thru B.O.R. vendor.  Jennifer requested a handful of un-folder maps.

Community Outreach/ Neighborhood/Tourism

·         Trail Watch still growing – 732 hrs served January thru July. Brooms now available for volunteers.  Lake Mead NRA has started Trail Watch also. Need to apply. Need to include Boulder City into Trail Watch.

·         RMLT on trail events pending – Viva Las Vegas Bike Ride Oct. 9^th; Calico Racing Oct. 10^th, Ragnar Relay Oct. 22 & 23^rd (Pumpkinman Triathlon Oct. 16^th & Silverman Triathlon Nov. 7^th)   

·         National Trails Day Oct. 9^th 2010 – review status and plans for day. Photo contest needs more entries RMLT is open category. Exhibitors at 38 +. Have two stages this year, new is Outdoor Learning stage.

·         RMLT annual clean up date set for March 19^th, 2011. Will have to work around potential closure areas.

·         Jennifer & John both spoke to GV Kiwanis Club about trails, National Trails Day and RMLT

Other Business - future  

·         Silverman 2010 course and venue changes. Bike course on RMLT the same. Will need aid station volunteers. Race starts Lake Las Vegas with swim in Lake. Event date Nov. 7^th, 2010

·         Silverman 2011 & ITU 2011 – Jennifer advised that both events will run back to back on same day; no more two day event. Will be easier on volunteers. Event date Nov. 5th

·         End of Trail event Spring 2011 – on trail event for partners and volunteers; end at RRPass with BBQ, speeches, awards, fun. 

·         Resort to Resort event in spring 2011 3-days and 3-nights.

·         Partnership future becomes a “Friends of Organization” or remains an Advisory Group to land managers?

·         Next meetings September 28^th, 2010 and October 26, 2010

 

July 10, 2010

It is 91 days to Southern Nevada's  2010 National Trails Day Celebration!  As always the River Mountains Trails PAC is playing in a big part in putting the "Celebration" together.  In addition, we are being honored as one of the featured trails.  Go to 2010 National Trails day Celebration for more information.

 

June 29, 2010

GREAT News!  The final two and a half  miles of easements have been signed.  Now we can start the construction bid process to finish the "loop."

From the RML trail blog:

"June 22,2010 -  We learned recently that the final drawings are complete, the easements are signed, and the City of Henderson has set July 15, 2010 as the date to advertise for bids to build this last 2.5 miles of the River Mountains Loop Trail.   September 7th was also the target date set for awarding the bid, which means it is feasible to  complete and open the trail by year-end.  At least we are hopeful.  It now appears that our “End of the Trail” celebration will now take part in very early Spring 2011.

"This last segment has had its challenges. Easements from Three Kids Mine owners, Approval and easements from Basic Water Co.; Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) sign off, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) approval, Lake Las Vegas review, and several more.  The segment will cross under Lake Mead Parkway twice starting on the south side until just east of Lake Las Vegas Parkway then crossing under Lake Mead Parkway to the north side hugging the BMI water line, and skirting around Lake Las Vegas properties until crossing again under Lake Mead Parkway next to the BMI water line and near the Old Spanish Trail marker and linking up with the existing trail alignment."

Finally, the completion of the River Mountains Loop Trail is in sight.  Be patient just another six months.

 

June 29, 2010

Skateboarding on the RML Trail

Check out this "longboard" skateboard ride on the Boulder City side of the River Mountains Loop Trail.  Great scenery and rolling action.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzIWCnB72iA&feature=related

 

June 9. 2010

Follow the link below to the Boulder City, City Council home page.  It will take you to the Tuesday, June 8, 2010 council meeting where the River Mountains Trail Partnership Advisory Council formally presented the the National Recreation Trail award to the City Council.  In his 15 minute presentation, John Holman, Chair RMLT PAC gave an in-depth overview of the trail, its impacts on the City of Boulder City, and how this award helps trails in southern Nevada.

http://bcnv.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=226

Once you open the link above, you will see a page similar to the picture below.  Find the agenda on the left hand side.  If you click on item number 5 it will take you directly to Mr. Holman's presentation.  It is a good video.

Similar presentations are scheduled for the City of Henderson, Bureau of Recreation and the Lake Mead National Recreation area.  The final, and biggest presentation, will be made during National Trails Day, October 9, 2010 at the Henderson Pavilion.  Why not join us October 9, 2010?

 

May 5, 2010

River Mountains Loop Trail Receives National Honor

"Dear trail managers,

"Congratulations on your trail being designated a National Recreation Trail
by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on May 3, 2010.  We have begun packaging
up certificates of designation, letters of congratulations from Secretary
Salazar, and trail markers for shipment to you.  

"The certificates and letters will be shipped via FedEx and the set of NRT trail markers will be
delivered by the US Postal Service.   I will e-mail the press release to
you when it is finalized by our public affairs folks.

"If you have not received your materials by the end of May, please let me
know.

"Helen Scully
National Trails System
Program Specialist"
 

May 5, 2010

Changes Requested on Small RMLT Trail Map

Hi Jason:

 

John Holman and I sat down this morning and drew up a "wish list" of design ideas for the small black and white PDF map.  We understand that some of our request may fall into the "not achievable" category.  

Our goals were: 

	Continue the use of the black and white PDF map.  Especially since we use it to emailed to new users.
	Keep a small file size so that the map can be posted on web sites (besides our own web site).
	To target the map to the first time casual user.  And, try not to overwhelm the map (or the first time user) with too much information.
	To feature up to five easy-to-get to trail heads to get the newbie started on the trail.

= = = = 

Can you: 

	Add the trail head box information (attached as a Word document and pictured below).  The information does not have to be in the box, or in the center of the map.
	Add area roads to help the newbie find the trail heads.
	Show as much of Boulder Highway as possible
	Show as much of NV Highway as possible (include Laughlin junction)
	Show Yucca Street
	Show Pacifica Way
	Show as much of Lake Shore Drive as possible
	Show road to Boulder Basin event area
	Show road to Hemining (sp) beach and event area
	Show road to Boulder Beach area
	Show Lake Mead Parkway
	Show Equestrian Drive

 3.  Removed words "Opening 2009" found at the bottom of the map.  (The piece between Railroad Pass and Boulder City.)

 4.  Update all trail segments to "open" as using the  "legend" box trail open symbol... (but the two miles still closed at the top of the map).

 5.  Use RMLT logo from attached zip file.

 These requests are based on the  August 28, 2008 "base" map PDF file as created by the BOR. 

Link to this map

Bill Laub

 

April 10, 2010

Sierra Club

River Mountains Loop Trail was added to the Sierra Club trail website this week (April 8, 2010).  http://connect.sierraclub.org/Trails/River_Mountains_Loop_Trail

From the Sierra Club description:

"Notes on Difficulty Rating

"The bulk of this trail is 4% grade or less. Most trail sections are ADA. There are areas due to terrain or other construction challenges that have higher grades.   Most notable is a series of three mountain ridges with grades up to 15%; locals refer to these ridges as the Three Sisters."

April 9, 2010

Big news for River Mountains Loop Trail and Google Map Users

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is proud to announce its partnership with Google™ as an official content provider for Google Map's brand-new biking directions functionality. The release of this long-awaited feature allows Google Maps users to type in their destination and receive directions for the best bicycling route. Previously, Google was able to provide walking, driving or transit directions. Now, RTC is providing its extensive trail-map data to Google Maps for the seamless integration of safe, accessible and fun bicycling routes into daily travel.

Since 2000, RTC has made its extensive trails database of more than 1,600 rail-trails and connecting corridors free to the public through its trail-finder Web site, TrailLink.com. In 2007, RTC's launched its Mapping Initiative and expanded its library of information to include exclusive and free trail maps. Today, as one of Google's national content partners with trails data in all 50 states, RTC is helping millions more people find trails and enjoy the benefits of bicycling for active transportation and recreation.

"We're thrilled to be working with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to make RTC's extensive bike trail data available through Google Maps and Google Earth," says Shannon Guymon, Product Manager for Google Maps. "Bikers all over the country now will be able to explore new trails or find specific directions in their local community with just a few clicks of their mouse."

The inclusion of RTC's trail information in Google Maps comes at a time when people are clamoring for biking opportunities. In the last year, RTC has seen an unprecedented surge in its TrailLink.com users. TrailLink.com is the most robust, national resource for rail-trail maps, pictures, descriptions, listings and directions to more than 30,000 miles of trails.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit membership organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. RTC is committed to enhancing the health of America's environment, transportation, economy, neighborhoods and people though a nationwide system of trails. To learn more about RTC or to become a member and support trail programs like TrailLink.com, visit www.railstotrails.org. To volunteer to help map trails for RTC's Mapping Initiative, visit www.traillink.com/gps.aspx.

= = =

Read about the River Mountains Loop Trail on the Rails to Trail Website:  http://www.traillink.com/viewtrail.aspx?AcctID=6343905

= = =

How to do a  Google Maps Search, start by searching on 'River Mountains Loop Trail, Henderson, NV. 89015'  in the Google Maps section.  Turn on the the "Satellite" view, find the word "more", click or add a check mark on Bicycling (& add photos for fun). This will show you trail in green.

Trail heads can be found on Google at:

•Alan Bible Visitor Center Lake Mead National Recreation Area
•Bootleg Canyon Park off of Yucca Street Boulder City, NV.
•Railroad Pass Hotel Casino upper parking lot, Henderson, NV.
•Equestrian Park, Equestrian Dr. & Magic way, Henderson, NV.
•NPS Fee Station Trail head, Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson, NV.

There are other access points but these will get you on the trail and can be found on Google Maps.

= = = =
 

April 8, 2010

Notes from the March 23, 2010 River Mountains Trail PAC meeting:

-         Segment 6 -     Series of cracks in the trail by Havre – these cracks have been repaired with "cold" patch – repaired 8 cracks

-         Buttons and Monuments

o       ½ mile marker is missing

o       Logo stolen has been replaced

o       Series of new paint markers on the trails

o       Blowing rock off the trail and water run off is creating deterioration of the edge of the trail between MM 1.5 and MM 3.0

§         City is proposing to place concrete curb

o       Special events on the trail – trail could be consumed by event

§         Trail is open to the public during events

-         National Recreation Trail Designation – complete application

-         Segment 14 (last piece of trail to finish-near Lake Las Vegas)

o       Letters of concurrence are in the mail

o       LakeMoor letter of concurrence will be signed

o       NDOT encroachment permit will be needed

o       Design is near 100%

o       Could be 14 months to completion from today – worst case

-         Interbike detour proposed for trail in Boulder City for 2010  Detour trail onto Veterans’ Memorial Drive, Industrial Road around event site was recommended

-         Coyote Awareness sign      May not be a large enough issue to warrant a sign

-         Google Maps

o       Can search for bicycle trails

o        Bicycling routes- show up in green on the map

o       John handed out power point slides on how to search Google Maps for bike trails

o       John submitted high quality photos now posted on Google Maps/Earth

o       Trail head and information – What’s around here?  John has loaded the trailheads

o       Trailhead at Railroad Pass gets more hits than our website

o       Source of trails may be the RTC trails map – Follow up needed (action item)

-         Equestrian Park phase II will be developed to improve the equestrian facilities and the addition of a dog park and equestrian trail connections 

    Clean up was last weekend -  50 volunteers picked up 1.2 tons

         Family Fun and Fido Walk – April 10^th Equestrian Park 10-12 p.m.

-         National Trails Day 2010 Planning Report -  Committee met last week – Theme “Build a trail community” October 9, 2010

-         Ragnar Relay – used the trail last October- starts at Valley of Fire

o       Had first meeting last week – met with many jurisdictions

o       Date is Oct 22 and 23^rd – 12 person relay team

o       Will use RMLT in park, BC and Henderson – Route in Google Earth

-         Silverman November 7, 2010 – need continue to improve

o       Theme needs to be developed – noise and loudness are good

o       November 5 and 6, 2011 – have the opportunity to do this two days in a row – ITU bigger than Silverman with 4,000 athletes

o       Will need a corporate sponsor

o       SWG  may sponsor  aid station #10

Next Meeting – April 27, 2010 – Bootleg Canyon Park at the Trailhead Kiosk,  4:30 PM, Bring: lawn chair/bucket, hat, water –  Maps & direction will be sent.

=====================

March 2, 2010

Notes from the February 23, 2010 River Mountains Trails PAC meeting:

	Budgets are impacting our trails too, we learned this week that Henderson PD can no long provide dedicated trail patrols that started last spring.
	Recent rains have dumped plenty of rock and sand on the trail, so please careful until sweep equipment can pass through
	Button and trail sign installation MM 0.0 through 8.5 should be competed this week. (Done)
	Trail maps are being updated and reprints are in the works.
	RMLT Trail clean up set for March 20th 8:00 a.m. at Equestrian Park - see you there.
	Trail Watch completed 1,164 hours on Henderson trails in 2009
	Equestrian Park Phase II work awarded to contractor.

December 30, 2009

The piece of trail being built between Bootleg Canyon and highway 93 is almost finished.  The trail will open when the striping and signage are in place.
Hopefully that will be soon and not later than mid-January 2010.  The pictures shown below are by Gary Zupanic (click to enlarge).

      

December 11, 2009

Notes from the November 24, 2009  RMLT Partnership Meeting

	The last section of trail from MM 9.0 to 11.5 has gotten approval for 100% design after moving trail alignment off of Lake Las Vegas parcels.
	Electric bikes on the trail are ok....issue is a non-issue.
	Boulder City last 1,000 feet delayed until mid- December for trail opening.
	Trail closure November 30th to Dec. 4th for Geo-tech boring for Flood control from MM 1.0 to MM 3.0; detours will be enforce.
	Trail BLOG received over 2400 hits during November.
	Historic Railroad Trail featured in Winter Issue of Rails to Trails Magazine - http://www.railstotrails.org/news/magazine/index.html

 

	Lake Mead National Recreation Area 702/293-8986
	Boulder City Engineering Department 702/293-9275
	Henderson Parks and Recreation Department 702/267-4000
	Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning 702/455-4181
	Or any of the River Mountains Trail Partnership Advisory Council members.

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