River Mountains Loop Trail

Historic Railroad Trail featured in Rails to Trails Magizine

Nov. 20, 20009 – The winter 2009 edition of Rails to Trails is out and it feature The Historic Railroad Trail At Lake Mead on the cover, plus a six page article and photos within.  The photo shoot took place back in the spring which several of us from the River Mountains Trail Partnership participated in.  Only Jim Holland’s photo made it into the article.  Jim is the Lake Mead Park Planner and was deeply involved in the completion of the Historic Railroad Trail.  I also interviewed twice with Ben Spillman, but of course was not quoted in the article either, such is the life of one who works behind the scenes. 

Link to article:  http://www.railstotrails.org/news/magazine/index.html   

 The article is well written and certainly covers the many user groups who visit the trail on an annual basis.  The history of how the trail was built makes another story which is covered elsewhere in this BLOG site.   Look under “History” category.

JIm Holland posing for shoot, Low Lake mead shoreline spring 2009

I have a few behind the scenes photos of part of the official photo shoot.  You will also find detailed information, photos, and maps on both the Historic Railroad Trail and the River Mountains Loop Trail at  www.traillink.com

See Gallery below.

Boulder City Celebrates Completion of Loop Trail – B.C. News

Oct. 29, 2009 – The following is from the last issue of the B.C. News; but can be found in the L.V. Sun also. Headline is a little mis-leading as we celebrated the completion of Boulder City’s portion of the River Mountains Loop Trail. We still have a 2.5 mile section between mile marker 8.5 and mile marker 11 to complete by late summer 2010.

Completion of loop trail celebrated

By Jean Reid Norman (contact)

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 | 3:30 p.m.

More than 30 people took a train ride and a brisk stroll Oct. 17 to celebrate the completion of the portion of the River Mountain Loop Trail connecting Boulder City and Henderson. Another three people brought their bicycles on the train, then rode the 5 kilometers back to the Southern Nevada Railway depot.

The section connecting Railroad Pass to the Nevada State Veterans Home, was completed last month and now allows hikers and bicyclists to ride from Lake Las Vegas in Henderson through Boulder City and around Lake Mead with only a brief interruption around Industrial Road and U.S. 93, said Gary Zupanic the engineering technician overseeing the Boulder City portion of the project. That portion should be complete by year’s end, he said.

The entire 34.5-mile River Mountain Loop Trail is scheduled to be completed by next October.

The Boulder City Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 5K walk, bike, run and stroll Oct. 17 to mark the completion of a portion called significant by John Holman, chairman of the River Mountain Loop Trail Partnership.

Awards were given to the top three finishers of the run: Jeannine Spicer, first place; Valerie McNay, second place; and Lee Schultz, third place.

B.C. Cut & run Oct 17, 2009 group

Boulder city Cut & Rund oct. 17, 2009 photo by R. Hall B.C>

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Southern Nevada Railway & joggers Oct. 17th, 2009 photo by JEH

Big Horn Sheep near trail at risk?

 OCTOBER 12, 2009 – I have received many searches for Big Horn Sheep. This recent article by Jean Norman along with related photos really provides some great insight to the some of the issues these big boys face on a daily basis.  I personally prefer to see them out more in the wilds along the trail which is a rare sight indeed.  This park location where the sheep are photographed is only a block off the trail so one can make a quick side trip while riding trail through Boulder City.  The park is located off of Ville Drive and is called the “Hemenway Valley Park”. 

Image

Photo by L.V. Sun Justin M. Bowen

Story by Jean Norman, L.V. Sun & B.C. News

The desert bighorn sheep that live in the River Mountains in Boulder City, seen here on a recent weekday morning, make their way down to Hemenway Park almost every morning. City officials have voiced concerns about the sheep as traffic in the area they roam is set to increase next year with the opening of the new Hoover Dam bypass bridge.

Link to entire article with lots of sheep photos below.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oct/05/when-bypass-bridge-opens-bighorn-sheep-could-be-bi/

BOULDER CITY TO CELEBRATE TRAIL COMPLETION – OCTOBER 17TH, 2009

September 3, 2009:  While construction on the remaining portions of the RMLT continues in Boulder City; planning is complete for a celebration in Boulder City on October 17th.  We will celebratewith the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, Boulder City Officials and representatives from the River Mountains Trail Partnership.

Events Include the following:

  • A ribbon-cutting event will take place at 9:00 a.m. at the Railroad Pass Casino upper Parking lot near the trail head.
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  • Speakers will include:  Boulder City Mayor Roger Tobler; National Park Service Superintendent Bill Dickinson for SNPLMA; Railroad Pass Casino, Curt Thompson, Director of Operations; and River Mountains Loop Trail Partnership Chair, John Holman
  • The Nevada State Railroad Museum train will transport walkers and bikers from the Museum, 600 Yucca Street, to Railroad Pass for the ribbon cutting ceremony.  After the ceremony the train will return our guests to the museum.      The train leaves the Yucca Street station promptly at 8:15 A.M.       Funding for the train provided by the River Mountains Trail Partnership.
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  • “Cut and Run” – 5K Fun Run, Walk, Bike, Stroll – Immediately following the Ceremony at Railroad Pass Sponsored by the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce – $20 registration fee benefits the Boulder City Chamber Scholarship Fund
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  • Refreshments will be provided by the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce after the ribbon cutting.
 

 

 

Historic Train at Railroad pass NTD 2003

Historic Train at Railroad pass NTD 2003

 

 

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:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

“End of the Trail” Planning Committee Formed

August 24, 2009 – The title is correct the “End of the Trail” building is in sight.  After eleven years and soon to be twelve years of planning, design, funding and construction the River Mountains Loop Trail will be complete.  All 34.5 +/- miles of it.  The partnership has established a committee to plan the “End of The Trail” event.  We want to share the trail experience with everyone in Las Vegas;  in Nevada; and in the good ole’ USA….so we are planning a party on the trail.  There will be trail rides, hikes, walks, bike rides, runs, crawls, jogs, marathons, bady buggie walks, 5-k & 10-k events, trail booths, speeches, awards, entertainment, food and drink etc. etc.

 WHERE: Current plans call for the upper parking lot and trail head at Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino.We held a National Trails Day event here in 2005 and it worked out really well. The location is on the River Mountains Loop Trail which allows for on trail activities to begin and end or conlcude at this location.
End of The Trail logo -Indian

End of The Trail logo -Indian

 

 

 

WHEN: We are planning around October 9th, 2010  – (13-months  &  2-weeks from now.)Why so far out? First we have to allow enough time to finish the last section of trail; secondly it will take some time to pull all the VIP’s together, and arrange enough sponsors. Thirdly, we have decided to hold the event in partnership with Henderson’s Annual celebration of National Trails Day in 2010.

TIME:  TBD …some events like a full 34.5-mile bike ride will start early; other events will have staggered start times depending on length  and distance; the exhibits, booth and food service will most like start mid-morning and remain open until speeches and awards are concluded around 1:00 p.m. when the party really starts….

 IS THIS THE END OF THE TRAIL FOR THE TRAIL PARTNERSHIP?  No..No… there is still much to do.  The partner agencies already have enhancement and safety projects in planning to make the trail a safer outing plus enhance the educational experience.  We are also looking for additional connectivity opportunities and have had discussions about possibly  developing secondary trails.

“End of The Trail” Logo– The world famous sculpture done by James Earle Frasier for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco,Ca. has many meaning to very one who observes it.  It turns out that Frasier did not have an interpretation of his own.  I’ve choosen the famous statue to represent the long trail we have come as a partnership and the humble experience we have all shared to see it through to completion.  What does the statue mean to you?? 

National Trails Day Celebration – October 3, 2009 sponsored by Henderson Parks and Recreation Department

National Days Day City of henderson Oct. 3, 2009

National Days Day City of henderson Oct. 3, 2009

Event advisory for October 3, 2009:  If you are into walking, hiking, running, jogging, dog walking, bike riding, cycling, outdoor photography, and much much more ….then this event is for you.

Location : Promenade at the Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway

Date and time: Saturday October 3, 2009   starts at 9:00 a.m. ends at 1:00 p.m.

Meet fellow trail users…….Learn about local and regional trails…..pick up trail maps….

Bring your bike for a free REI bike maintenance check up…

Visit informational booths and displays….listen to guest speakers on trails and outdoor activities…

Visit the outdoor gear swap meet…..take a trail tour on air conditioned buses…

View the “Trails Photo contest” winners display….

 

National Trails Day 2007

National Trails Day 2007Trail event display

 

RMLT in the News…”…best places for biking in Las Vegas?”

July 28, 2009 – This is a segment from this morning LV. Sun “Six Questions for Scott Nowicki ( Teacher in UNLV’s Department of Geosciences)” by Alexandra Berzon

Q. #5 What are the best places for biking in Las Vegas?

Red Mountain loop at Blue Diamond Highway. It’s spectacular. You’re riding on relatively quiet road and the geology is just there in front of you, all splayed out. On the other side of the valley is River Mountains Loop (Trail). It’s a paved road within this almost natural environment with huge vistas, great landscapes, and it’s safe. No cars. Those are too world-class road-riding situations, in addition to the area’s world-class mountain biking.

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Safe biking will only get better in a few weeks when the Henderson to Boulder City segment is completed. The trail will be high above US 93/95 going through Railroad Pass providing panoramic views and safe travel.