Discovery Trail – History, Wildlife, Forces of Nature, Educational Tool

 

DISCOVERY TRAIL –  Yes, I believe the River Mountains Loop Trail is a discovery trail.  It is a great place for families to discover the desert world around them.  Young kids need a chance to explore and discover the world around them.  This is free for the taking sort of speaking.  At the various trail heads history or nature is intrepreted  for the user.  Along the trail waysides are being designed an installed telling about the history, wildlife, plants or some force of nature.  Plus there is the experience of discovering nature for yourself right there on the trail.  I tell many of my friends and hiking buddies that if they really want to see the world around them, then “Take a Hike” in it. 

Trails are all about discovery….what is around the next bend?…over the next hill? under the next tree or bush?  what is that old structure over there?…where do those power lines come from….where are they going?…what type of cacti?…bird, rabbit, snake, bug, lizard, rock, bush, etc? is that.  Do animals really live in the desert?  What types?

If one does a little reading and research before heading out on the trail you will be amazed at the local history right here in your back yard.  One of the goals of the River Mountains Trail Partnership is to help all trail users discover what the River Mountains has to teach us.   Take a little time read some of the BLOG categories and discover.  I have been at this about 18 months and have only discovered the tip of the iceberg.

Many of you ride the trail on bikes for recreation and exercise, but you are missing the discovery.  It is my personal goal over the next year to walk/hike every mile of the trail and personally discover all it has to offer.  How about you?

Here are just a few things along the trail to be Discovered and in no particular order:  HOOVER DAM…SADDLE ISLAND…FISH HATCHERY…RED MOUNTAIN…ALUNITE MINE…RAILROAD PASS…BOOTLEG CANYON…FLOOD CHANNELS… POWER LINES…GOLD MINES….THREE KIDS MINE…MOVIE FILMED HERE…MAGIC TREE…BMI WATER LINE…WATER RECLAMATION…COYOTES…BIG HORN SHEEP…BEAVER TAIL CACTUS…CRESOTE BUSH…TEXAS ACRES…SIXES COMPANY…HISTORIC RAILROAD…DESERT TORTOISE…MANGANESE MINING…AND SO ON.