River Mountains Loop Trail

O’Callaghan – Tillman Bridge at Hoover Dam

New bridge near Hoover Dam

Bridge at Hoover Dam: Night lights.

This was sent to me by a friend. Truly a fantastic photo of the bridge construction.  The completed bridge has become just as big a tourist attraction as the dam, well almost.  The bridge has its own parking lot and viewpoint and provides photo ops of Hoover Dam never-before available to the average person until now.  One can access the Dam and Bridge taking the old Hoover Dam road to the visitor center….or if you want a hiking/biking adventure take the Historic Railroad Trail down to the Hoover Dam Parking garage at the visitor center.

Hike to Liberty Bell Arch

On January 17th, 2011 some good friends and I went on a hike to the Liberty Bell Arch on the Arizona side of the Colorado River below Hoover Dam.  The 2.5 mile hike route provided several views of the new O’Callaghan – Tillman Memorial Bridge located upstream about 3 – miles.

O’Callaghan – Tillman Memorial Bridge 3.5 miles downstream 11711

 The Bridge was also visible from the Liberty Bell Arch.  We could only get 1/2 the bridge into the photo due to the angle of the river and we would have to be flying out over the river to get the full bridge in view.

Liberty Bell Arch & Bridge in Back ground…3.5 miles north

This was my first crossing of the bridge since its opening in November 2010. Speed was 55 MPH and we just zipped across at 8:00 a.m. in the morning.  You can not see the Colorado River or Hoover Dam while driving across the dam, so do not try.  On the Nevada side of the river you have to take the Hoover Dam Access road(the old road) down to either the new visitor parking at the bridge to walk out on the bridge on the Hoover Dam side only; or drive on down to parking at the dam in order to get photos of the new bridge and visit the dam. There are no bike lanes on the bridge for riding across, but you can walk across on the walkway.

To ride a bike to the Hoover Dam or Bridge viewing one can access via the Historic Railroad Trail at Alan Bible Visitor Center located approximately 4.0 miles west of Hoover Dam.  This ride will provide great views of Lake Mead while passing through five large railroad tunnels on the way out to the dam. The trail is wide and the tread is native material with a very gentle grade until the very end. The last 1/4-mile drops down to an access point to the Hoover Dam visitor center where you can either walk the bike down a Switchback walkway or park and lock at the top.  The Bureau of Reclamation has not yet made a direct connection from the Historic Railroad Trail to the Bridge viewing area, so be careful crossing roads.

LIBERTY BELL ARCH TRAIL: Link to article by Deborah Wall in The View – http://www.viewnews.com/2011/VIEW-Jan-11-Tue-2011/CentennialHills/41270190.html   if you clip this article and follow it, you will find yourself at the Liberty Bell Arch on the Colorado River.

Hoover Dam Connecting Trail – Historic Railroad Trail

 
 
 
 

Hoover Dam trail up DCP 2004

Hoover Dam connector trail canyon wall 2004

Nov. 6, 2009 -  I ran across these old photos of the building of the connecting trail from the Historic Railroad down to the Hoover Dam Visitor center parking garage.  This was probably one of the most expensive trail segments due to the NEPA and historic nature of the area; plus it had severe construction challenges. We had to hang a trail on the side of a canyon wall.

Historic rail trail switch backs dam 6

Hoover connector trail - contractor & trail partners 2004

 The River Mountains Trail Partnership was activily involved in the completion of the Historic Railroad Trail including the Hoover Dam connector as it would become a landmark and historic destination on the whole trail system.

Hoover Dam trail down DCP

Hoover Dam connector trail switchbacks down canyon wall to garage...2004

The completion of the Historic Railroad Trail and the Hoover Dam connector trail were dedicated and open to the public in October 2007 with a bike ride from Boulder City to the Hoover Dam. The trail section from tunnel #5 to the dam is only open during daylight hours. 

In the gallery photos below is one old B & W photo from Bureau of Reclamation public file photos showing the Hi-mix concrete plant with a steam locatmotive. This is the same location of the current Hoover Dam Connector Trail.  If you look closely you’ll see the same large crack in the rock formation on the left.

Hoover Dam Connector Trail photo Gallery:

 
 
 

 

Hoover Dam Marathon Oct. 31, 2009 sponsored by Calico Racing

October 20th, 2009 – Hoover Dam Marathon featured in Henderson View here is link : http://www.viewnews.com/2009/VIEW-Oct-20-Tue-2009/Henderson/31827867.html

August 26, 2009 –  Calico Racing has put together what will become a “have to do” marathon on October 31th, 2009. Both a full and half marathon run on the River Mountains Loop Trail connecting to the Historic Railroad Trail to Hoover Dam visitor center parking garage top floor. This has been months in the making and permitting; a first of its kind.  Yes, the event is on Halloween too. 

The marathon course offers some world class views of Lake Mead and the surrounding Mojave Desert along the River Mountains Loop Trail and Historic Railroad Trail. Along the Historic Railroad Trail you will pass through five (5) large railroad tunnels used during the building of then Boulder Dam project. You will have elevated views of the deep blue waters of Lake Mead up until you enter tunnel #5 after which the new Hoover Dam By-pass Bridge project  comes into view followed shortly by the majestic Hoover Dam itself.  This is the Inaugural Hoover Dam Marathon, but it won’t be the last. 

One of Historic Railroad tunnels Lake Mead

One of Historic Railroad tunnels Lake Mead

If you are a marathon runner I would sign now and be among the first to say I did the “Inaugrual Hoover Dam Marathon” in 2009.   HERE IS THE LINK TO CALICO RACING: www.calicoracing.com  then click on Hoover Dam Marathon and everything you need to know is right there.  See you on the course.

Hoover Dam & Bridge consturction july 2009

Hoover Dam & Bridge consturction july 2009

For  Marathon course map see gallery below.

Gallery of photos of area:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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