River Mountains Loop Trail

Dogs on the Trail

Ruffing it Out

Written by Jocelyn Brown

With winter coming to a close and spring quickly approaching, now is a great time to hit the trails with your whole family. Dogs on the trail are OK so don’t forget to bring Fido! The River Mountains Trails are designed for dogs and humans alike. Here are some tips and activities that will help him join in on the fun.

Tracking and Sniffing Games

Tracking and trailing are what make up the very essence of a dog if he can smell, he can track. The teaching of tracking and sniffing has become a sport and a fun game for owners and their furry pals. Unlike other dog-human activities, tracking puts the dog in charge. With the variety of wildlife located along the River Mountains Loop Trail, it is a great place for a dog to start, or to increase his ability to track different animals. However, be sure that your best bud helps to protect the wildlife on the trails and doesn’t frighten or bother animals such as the turtles in the area. Look but don’t touch.

Biking with your Buddy

River Mountains houses a trail called the Bootleg Canyon Mountain Bike Trail, which is a great location to mountain bike with Fido. It’ll increase your dog’s endurance and strength, as well as provide you both with excellent views of the desert. However, when biking in these conditions you need to pay attention to your dog’s health. Don’t go too fast or too far ahead and always watch out for him. You can buy bicycle attachments that connect your dog to the bike which ensures that he does not run too close or get hurt. To beat the heat, you must make sure he has enough water. The Bootleg Canyon Mountain bike trail has restrooms and water a half a mile along the route, to allow you to rehydrate and fill up for the rest of the journey.

Hiking the River Mountains

Hike to the top of the River Mountain, and take in the views with man’s best friend. You should get him a “dog pack” which not only allows him to carry some of the load, but also keeps him cool. For a one-day hike, these packs can include a collapsible food dish and water, and have a pocket to insert a cooling pack in. A handle at the top also allows you to easily hang onto him if you need to. However, keep an eye out for your dog’s feet. Some dogs have sensitive feet and you need to make sure they don’t overheat or get cut by cactus needles. If he likes them, you can buy him booties to protect his precious paws.

Preserving the Trail

It is important that you and Fido take steps to preserve the trail for others that will come after you. Make sure you stay on the marked paved paths to avoid disturbing flora and fauna, and keep your dog from getting hurt by stray cactus needles. Keeping your buddy on a leash will help him stay on the trail, and prevent them from colliding into bikers and joggers. Also always remember to clean up after you pet. Sometimes duty calls, but it is important that we do our part to preserve the environment and leave it just the way we found it.

Follow the links below for information mentioned in this story.

http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/tracking.html

http://www.particularpaws.com/blogs/news/5-amazing-rescue-dogs/

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hiking-dogs.html

 

 

New Trail Website

Full color map of the River Mountains Loop Trail on the new trail website.Yes the new trail website for River Mountains Loop Trail is finally here. Users have been asking for a fresher more interactive web site. The new site brings together Facebook, Blogging and web information all in one.  Maps and trail heads was a key part of the new design. Working with our web creator, Steve Rypka of GreenDreamWeb, we were able to give you all our current maps and create trail head information including photos of each and Google Maps to find your way. Thank you Steve.

Photos play a key part in telling the trail story so keep your eyes open for new photos from the editor and fans who post their adventures along the River Mountains Loop Trail.

We wish all ” Happy Trails” and many of them.

Your web design team….

Mountain Lake Park

Mountain Lake Park Trailhead

Mountain Lake Park Trailhead

New Trailhead and Hub:

Mountain Lake Park has quietly come on line for public use, even though its official dedication is still weeks away. The park and trailhead have been years in the planning, design and construction. It is located on Golda Way in Henderson, NV. The park was originally planned as a trailhead only on the south of Lake Mead Parkway to provide access to the River Mountains Loop Trail. Due to the power line  corridor, right-of-way issues and funding, the design, location and amenities took a while to firm up. As it turns out the wait was will worth it.

The Mountain Lake Park and Trailhead provides access and serves as a connecting hub to three trail systems including the River Mountains Loop Trail.

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.

Silverman Aid Station “Wild West” Theme

Nov. 7th, 2010  Silverman Aid station #10 – The River Mountains Trail Partnership once again sponsored Bike Course Aid Station #10 at the 100.0 mile mark on the 112-mile bike course for the full Triathlon.  The station was located at old Vegas Trail and Foothills Dr. where a connector trail drops riders off the RMLT on to Foothills.  This year we had a great team of volunteers show up (over 30) and many worked the station all day from set up at 8:00 a.m. to clean up at 4:30 p.m.  As the photos will show we had a wild west theme to help create fun and a theme to inspire our riders as they came throught the station.

Silverman Aid Station Wild West Theme 2010

Our first rider showed up at 11:00 a.m. and buzzed through the station without need of aid….a few minutes later the next three or four had passed through. By 11:30 a.m. we had a steady flow of riders all from the half-triathlon ride.  At times we had 20 volunteers on the line offering energy bars, gel, water, Gatorade, bananas in a repeat  series in case they missed the first hand-off.  By early afternoon the wind pick up and blew from the southwest directly into the riders face creating a headwind on a long uphill climb. We started seeing cramping issues among the riders.  During the course of the day we saw about five (5) riders drop out at our station, two for mechanical problems, three were physically done for…

Volunteer Cowgirls 2010

Volunteer Cowgirls 2010

National Recreation Trail Presentation

 

NRT presentation to Mayor and council 7-20-10

 

July 20, 2010 –  During the regular Henderson City Council meeting July 20th,  members of the River Mountains Trail Partnership presented Mayor Hafen and council members the National Recreation Trail designation plaque from Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.  Henderson has 11.5 miles trail under the National Recreation Trail designation .

Some of the presentation highlights follow: 

For the local community the River Mountains Loop Trail is a place to:

  • Walk the dog….go jogging….
  • Ride the bike with family & friends
  • Enjoy horseback riding
  • Go hiking….take wildflower and wildlife photos
  • Train for races & marathons like Pumpkinman & Silverman & many others
  • Roller-blade, skateboard…and long boarding
  • A place to explore local history….Railroad Pass,..Texas Acres…Henderson town site…Three kids Mine…and more
  • A place to learn/become educated about Water, Power, and how man has changed the desert landscape.

Henderson has completed 11.5 trail miles of the 34-mile total.

These 11.5 miles provide: 

Connectivity and linkage to:

  • Boulder City and Bootleg Canyon
  • Lake Mead National Recreation Area & Hoover Dam – designations in their own right
  • Lake Las Vegas Resort
  • Other trails like the Equestrian Trail, Wetlands Connector, Burkholder Trail soon to be completed and the McCullough Hills Trail in planning

Alternative transportation: 

  • To work and play from Henderson to Boulder City & visa versa…
  • To many locations within Henderson and beyond via connectivity to other trails
  • Provides safety to Cyclist getting them off of US 93/95 through Railroad Pass

View-shed – yes views of: 

  • Las Vegas (night and day)……The River Mountains…..
  • McCullough Mountains…..Spring Mtn. Range in early spring with snow

Venue’ for Special events: 

  • Silverman Triathlon
  • Calico Racing 5-K,10-K runs
  • Pumpkinman Triathlon
  • International Triathlon Union Championships 2011
  • Viva Las Vegas 100 ride
  • Training rides for various bike & running organizations

Tourist Destination Trail: 

  • Outdoor get away for business visitors
  • Eco-tourism visitors experiencing Mojave Desert via bike
  • Resort to Resort Trekking

With trail completion the Trail Partnership is already working with city park planners on safety enhancements and completion of the River Mountains Loop Trail Interpretive Plan.  Going forward we hope to help implement a system wide, possibly a regional “Trail Watch” program of volunteers to be the “Eyes & Ears” on the trails.

With tonight’s presentation of the National Recreation Trails Designation to the City of Henderson we are here to say thank you for your support;  your dedication… and for being the best Trail City in the State of Nevada.

Henderson Trails  really  make  this   “A Place to Call Home” ….“You guys get it!!!” 

 

SNAKES….SNAKES ON THE TRAIL

 

Western Diamondback snake —file photo

 

We  get many reports from trail users about snakes on the trail; most are rattle snakes some are gopher snakes.  All snakes are part of the wildlife scene along the trail.  Please leave them be.  It was a very wet winter and spring thus more snakes are about.  Our rattler friends are seen early morning on the trail as they lay in sun and warm up and late evening again on trail to keep warm.   We have the Western diamondback, Sidewinder, and the Mojave Green frequenting the areas along the trail.

Mojave Green Rattle snake – file photo

I had a report of a rattler 38″ long on the trail this past weekend…..I’m curious how they got the snake to lay out so they could get that measurement without getting bitten.   Oh, well a snake that long could be a Mojave green which are very poisonous.  A Mojave looks much like a diamondback but has  greenish hue and the diamonds fade out near the tail, not that I’m going to stick around and find out.

Every year we hear about dogs getting bitten near the trail; the primary reason is they are off leash. Protect your dogs by keeping them safe on leash.