River Mountains Loop Trail

Archives for December 2010

A Destination Trail

Wildflowers and Lake Mead

Spring wildflowers line the River Mountain Loop Trail with Lake Mead in the background.

After posing the question on Facebook about whether the users thought the River Mountains Loop Trail was a “Destination Trail,” I have to concur that it is. My brief research doesn’t really define what a destination trail is so I’m setting out to determine what makes this a destination trail. So I went to Wikipedia and started with:

A Destination Hotel is a hotel whose location and amenities make the hotel itself a destination for tourists, rather than merely a convenient place to stay while traveling through or visiting the area for other reasons.”

So if I do a little word-smithing we get:

A Destination Trail is a trail whose location and amenities make the trail itself a destination for tourists.”

So in other words the trail itself is the primary reason for the visit or trip, and the amenities (the hotel, the restaurants, etc.) add to the reason to visit the trail. I have also heard the phase “World Class Trail.” Let’s explore some of the reasons why this trail would be considered a Destination Trail.

  • It’s a 34-mile paved loop trail, non-motorized, and 12-foot wide.  Suitable for street bikes, mountain bikes, jogging, running, hiking, walking, roller-blades, 5-k’s, 10-k’s, marathons and triathlon and even horse-back riding.
  • It’s both a rural and urban trail connecting the communities of Henderson, NV. and  Boulder City, NV. to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Hoover Dam via connecting Historic Railroad Trail.
  • It circles/loops around the River Mountains which is full of wildlife year round and wildflowers in the spring, offers unobstructed views of Lake Mead, numerous mountain ranges, and of course the one and only Las Vegas.
  • Speaking of wildlife the River Mountains is home to one of the largest and most productive Desert Big Horn Sheep populations in the Western USA.
  • The trail is also a trip into and through history of Southern Nevada. Kiosks and waysides along the trail system tell the story.
  • Speaking of amenities one will find five (5) different hotels and resorts connecting to the trail system, something for everyone’s taste.
  • The trail also connects you to other destinations along the way such as Historic Downtown Boulder City; Lake Las Vegas Resorts; Hoover Dam; Wetlands Park Trail system; and multiple trail connections into the Henderson Community and  Las Vegas.

Wow. I just sold myself on a trip to visit the River Mountains Loop Trail and I only touched on some of the big reasons. I like the scenery, the views, the peace and quiet, the huge wide open spaces and the solitude one experiences along the trail. There is something for everyone’s trail needs.

Where else in the world can you jump on a bike and ride on a trail system and see two of the world’s engineering marvels at the same time? I’m referring to Hoover Dam and the Tillman – O’Callaghan Bridge.

Hoover Dam & Tillman – O’Callaghan Bridge construction 2009

Bobcats – Roam the River Mountains

 

Bobcat in the wild.

Bobcat, (felis rufus) file photo

Since the subject of wildcats has come up this week lets talk about the real wildcat of the River Mountains area. More specifically called the “Bobcat” (Felis rufus or Lynx rufus).  The Bobcat is rarely spotted or seen by humans as they are very elusive and nocturnal. This cat is named for its tail, which appears to be cut off  or “bobbed.”  His other identifying feature is his “tufted” ears.  A bobcat is generally twice the size of your house cat and has long legs, large paws, is brownish in color with a white underbelly.

Bobcats are fierce hunters and can kill prey much bigger than themselves, but generally eat rabbits, birds, mice, rats, squirrels and other smaller game.  With there close proximity to urban develop around the River Mountains they may also enjoy house cats and small dogs from time to time.

Bobcats are solitary animals.  Females choose dens in secluded areas to raise a litter of kittens ranging in number from one to six.  The kittens will remain with their mother up to 12-months while learning to hunt before heading out on their own. Bobcats may range an area up to 80-square miles or an area that is less than one square mile, depending on food availability.

In the River Mountains Bobcats have been seen feeding on Desert Big Horn Sheep lambs in the spring.

If you are ever hiking alone in the River Mountains and all of a sudden you get that feeling that you are not alone – that something is watching you and chills run up and down your back – Bobcat!

Mountain Lion sighted Near Trail

Dec. 16, 2010 – Boulder city, NV. – According to a report in the Las Vegas Sun this a.m. a mountain lion was recently sighted near Keyes Drive in Boulder City.  Keys Drive going east turns into the Old Historic Railroad Grade/trail which in turn becomes part of the River Mountains Loop Trail system.   Mountain Lions have always been part of the wildlife mix in the River Mountains, just not seen that often.  These big cats have a taste for Desert Big Horn Sheep and the River Mountains are home to one of the largest reproducing herds in the State of Nevada.  The LV Sun goes on to report that yearling cats are often booted out of their home this time of year to fend for themselves, so they are looking for their own territory to roam and hunt.

Mountain Lion

Mountain Lion file photo….

Mountain Lion file photo….

National Park Service Advice for Mountain Lion Encounters:

  1. Avoid behavior that may attract a mountain lion. Avoid hiking or jogging alone. Children shouldn’t run ahead on a trail.
  2. If you see a mountain lion:  Remain calm. Never run.!!! Report the sighting to the Nevada Department of Wildlife at 702-486-5127.
  3. If you encounter an aggressive mountain lion: Do all you can to appear large and threatening. Hold your ground. Wave your arms. Shout. Throw rocks if the lion approaches.

If you have a cell phone and feel in immediate danger, call 911.

Note: Since 1999 when the trail became operational, this is the first reported sighting near the trail.

Burkholder Trail Connection

Burkholder Trail is now complete and connects up with the River Mountains Loop Trail.  Connectivity – Linkage – are two key phase words in the trail building community.  Trails need to go somewhere….connect to other trails and link you and me together.   October 2010 the Burkholder Trail was completed and accepted into the Henderson trail system.  The trail follows Burkholder Road from it’s intersect with Lake Mead Parkway east until it connects with the Loop Trail at the northeast corner of the SNWA River Mountains Water Treatment facility.  From Burkholder Trail you can link up with Heritage Park & Senior Center, Basic High School, connect to the Lake Mead Parkway Trail, connect to Morrell Park on Major Ave., Robert Taylor Elementary School, Valley View Recreation center and commercial shopping at Burkholder and Lake Mead Parkway.

Burkholder Trail from Lake Mead to Racetrack Rd. is on the south side of Burkholder Dr. and is landscaped and lighted for night-time travel.  At Racetrack Rd. your crossing is a striped cross-walk then crosses to the north side of Burkholder and continues as a 10-ft paved trail without landscaping and lighting as most of the right-of-way is on federal Bureau Of Reclamation (BOR) managed lands.  The other thing you will note is the trail is all uphill from Lake Mead Parkway starting out on a gentle grade and gradually increasing the further east you go east; of course it is all downhill going from RMLT west.

Burkholder Trail

Burkholder Trail looking northwest toward Lake Mead Parkway Oct. 2010

But connectivity doesn’t end here. The Burkholder Trail links up with the newly completed Lake Mead Parkway Trail system.  When complete Lake Mead Parkway Trail will run from Boulder Highway east all the way to Lake Mead National Recreation Area which means connection back to the River Mountains Loop Trail and connection to the Wetlands Connector Trail and more.