River Mountains Loop Trail

Wildflowers of Railroad Pass, Nevada…..April 24, 2010

April 24th, 2010 Earth Day  Weekend –  The photo’s posted herein were taken on Saturday April 24th, 2010.  We were doing our “Trail Watch”  work along the trail from Railroad Pass Casino (MM 0.0 east to MM 32.5).  We started early at 6:30 a.m. to beat the heat and to get the best color contrast for photos.  We found the best flowers not far from the trail and best over the first mile over to the Cascata Bridge.  We also parallel the railroad tracks for most of the first two miles also.   With camera in hand, a five gallon bucket for trash, grippers, and a small street broom for sweeping rocks we set out….while picking  up trash along the tracks & trail the sun on the tracks called out to me…..  

Rails to Boulder City early morning 4-24-10

Beaver tail cactus were all along the trail most with just a bloom or two opening the best yet to come.  We also noted up on the mountain side in gullies and drainages lots of yellow brittlebush in full bloom, the entire area yellow from a distance…. the yellow contrasted with the dark brown and black volcanic rocks were awe-inspiring. 

Cresote Bush in bloom with Brittle Bush on hillside 42410

Along with the wildflowers we found the droppings  of nature’s worst insect, “The Litterbug”.  In our opinion the trash came from the freeway and not trail users based on location and droppings found.  The worst item repeatedly found this day was t-paper, unrolled and stuck in bushes, you ever try to pick up t-paper?  This stuff was not used, but allowed to unroll in the wind of a speeding car then let loose…  Here is a photo of the days “litterbug’ harvest… 

Litterbug droppings harvest along trail 42410

 Despite the litterbug sightings we did enjoy all the wildflowers along the way.  The “Stone Hedge” trailhead at Bootleg Canyon proves to be a very  interesting photo backdrop along the trail.  We discovered several small barrel cactus in full bloom on our way back to Railroad Pass…..they were on the uphill side of the trail. I’ll include one here and more in the photo gallery below.  There is much color to be seen out there and you have two weeks before it has peaked (Mothers Day); so get your camera, your hiking boots on and get out there.  Don’t just take my word for it… 

Barrel cactus two blooms RRpass 42410

We finished our day by viewing the Southern Nevada Railways train pulling into Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino at 10:20 a.m. followed by a great breakfast at the hotel coffee shop.  Saturday mornings  in  the April desert don’t get any better….:) 

Photo Gallery of Desert blooms Railroad Pass, Nevada:

 

 

Interbike Demo – Bootleg Canyon- New Belgium-River Mountains Loop Trail Sept. 21 & 22 2009

Sept. 21 & 22 2009 -  For the first time the river mountains Trail Partnership participated in the Interbike Outdoor Demo held the 21st & 22nd in Boulder City.  Event was held in the Bootleg Canyon Park.  What impressed me as a first timer was the thousands of bike enthruist  riding every  type of bike you can imagine, and they were not running over each other.  Temps in the low 90’s and it was windy, thus we ate a lot of dust.

 

 Interbike Outdoor Demo 09-21-09

 

 The real highlight for us was the partnership with “NEW BELGIUM BREWERY’ and their “Team Wonderbike” program.  We shared a booth and distributed information about both the trail and the “Team Wonderbike” pledge; plus we helped sell New Belgium  “Fat Tire” t-shirts and hats. 

Link to: http://www.newbelgium.com/team-wonderbike    The pledge goes like this: “I pledge allegiance to my bike,  as a patriotic cure for America…and to the public, with whom we stand, one elation, undeniable….with community and transport for all…BIKE MORE…DRIVE LESS!”

 

 

Interbike & New Belgium & RMTP 092109

Interbike & New Belgium & RMTP 092109

 The RMTP also staffed a booth provided by Interbike at the Sands Expo for three days in the advocacy section. We were not in the main stream show floor. We did received a fair number of local retailers stopping by to learn more about the trail, sections complete and to pick up maps.  The Sands exhibits were absolutely mind bloggling for a first timer like me. I had no idea how big the biking industry is…

Interbike show Sands Expo- john, Tony & joyce working RMTP booth 92309

Interbike show Sands Expo- john, Tony & joyce working RMTP booth 92309

 Interbike Outdoor Gallery/New Belgium/RMTP booth:

Interbike Demo – Bootleg Canyon- New Belgium-River Mountains Loop Trail Sept. 21 & 22 2009

Sept. 21 & 22 2009 -  For the first time the river mountains Trail Partnership participated in the Interbike Outdoor Demo held the 21st & 22nd in Boulder City.  Event was held in the Bootleg Canyon Park.  What impressed me as a first timer was the thousands of bike enthruist  riding every  type of bike you can imagine, and they were not running over each other.  Temps in the low 90’s and it was windy, thus we ate a lot of dust.

 

 Interbike Outdoor Demo 09-21-09

 

 The real highlight for us was the partnership with “NEW BELGIUM BREWERY’ and their “Team Wonderbike” program.  We shared a booth and distributed information about both the trail and the “Team Wonderbike” pledge; plus we helped sell New Belgium  “Fat Tire” t-shirts and hats. 

Link to: http://www.newbelgium.com/team-wonderbike    The pledge goes like this: “I pledge allegiance to my bike,  as a patriotic cure for America…and to the public, with whom we stand, one elation, undeniable….with community and transport for all…BIKE MORE…DRIVE LESS!”

 

 

Interbike & New Belgium & RMTP 092109

Interbike & New Belgium & RMTP 092109

 The RMTP also staffed a booth provided by Interbike at the Sands Expo for three days in the advocacy section. We were not in the main stream show floor. We did received a fair number of local retailers stopping by to learn more about the trail, sections complete and to pick up maps.  The Sands exhibits were absolutely mind bloggling for a first timer like me. I had no idea how big the biking industry is…

Interbike show Sands Expo- john, Tony & joyce working RMTP booth 92309

Interbike show Sands Expo- john, Tony & joyce working RMTP booth 92309

 Interbike Outdoor Gallery/New Belgium/RMTP booth:

Trail Segments 3 and 4 at 90% design. Seg. 5 Construction Started.

 

Dec. 8th- Update on trail design – We are now at 90% design. Switch backs and grade modifications have been made. NPS and Boulder City to meet in field to work out final design spec’s at NPS Warehouse at completion point.  We are looking for bid documents and bidding before end of January 2009.  As mention under my Road Apples page this segment will have the highpoint in the trail system at 2620 feet.  There is a break over point where you can see into Lake Mead Basin and Eldorado Valley all at the same time. More later….

UPDATED INFORMATION 10-09-08: At our last RMLT meeting we reviewed and discussed 70% design drawings for these last two segments of trail through Boulder City. WE ask that additional switchbacks be looked at and installed to reduce trail slope and increase trail user enjoyment and views.  During September construction started on segment #5. Contractor will develop trail from Veteran’s home west to Railroad Pass. This segment will have a 100-ft. + bridge span installed. Looking for completion late spring 2009. Stay tuned for more trail updates.

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May 29th 2008 – I just learned that the additional funding requested from SNPLMA SAR’S to expand the scope of work for trail segments 3,4 & 5 in Boulder City has been approved. This means the long awaited trail connection to Boulder City from Henderson will get started yet this summer.

It’s a long long story but segment #5, the key link from Henderson to Boulder City, has been delayed for serveral years. Permits, design issues, railroad crossings, etc. etc. The last delay was all the bids came in too high.  Several funding sources were investigated, but no additional funds were available.  A project team or task force was assembled lead by Jim Holland, NPS; Bill Martin, BOR; and Gary Zupanic, Boulder City; to bring all the right players to the table. A meeting was held in Boulder City City Hall on April 3rd to map out a course of action.  I’ll spare you all the additional details, but let it be known thSegment #5 trail head Railroad Pass Hotel & Casinoat the team effort put forth by all these folks will result in Boulder City being able to complete Segment #5** late Fall 2008, instead of the delayed alternative of Fall 2009.  We also need to thank the low bid contractor for holding his price until the additional funding was located. I can’t wait for opening of this segment as my first trip will be a bike ride to Milos Cellar in Boulder City for lunch and very cold “Fat Tire”.  Please join me….:) http://www.miloswinebar.com/content  

**Segment #5 – This segment of trail begins at the trail head located at Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino upper parking lot (photo to right) and heads south and east to Boulder City following the Boulder City Historic Railroad. The trail crosses the railroad tracks just before Cascata Drive. The trail then crosses over Cascata Drive on a long span pedestrian bridge. Trail continues east following the SNWA waterline to Boulder City linking up with one of the Bootleg Canyon trailheads just west of the B.C. Veteran’s home on Veterans Drive.Â