River Mountains Loop Trail

Three Kids Manganese Mine

Three kids mine unfger/RJ photo

Three kids mine unfger/RJ photo

Manganese mine -  In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, manganese, an important metal needed to strengthen steel, was supplied to Untied States manufacturers mostly by foreign mines.  With the onset of World War I, these sources of manganese were cut-off, and an intense search for domestic sources was undertaken.  In Nevada, this prospecting effort led to the discovery of the Three Kids manganese deposit in 1917.  This mine provided most of Nevada’s manganese production during the last two years of WWI and operated intermittently until 1961.  This is the largest manganese mine in Nevada and, during the 44 years of operation, more than 2,225,000 tons of ore ranging from 15 percent to 40 percent manganese was mined and treated here.  Small amounts of lead, copper, silver and gold were also recovered by the mining operation.

The Three Kids Mine is on private land and access is strictly controlled. This and any other abandoned mines you might come across can be extremely dangerous. Resist any temptation you may have to explore these workings – ” Stay Out and stay alive!”

(Material provided by Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Special Publication #16)

Three Kids Mine pit - Google Earth 1-20-10

Three Kids Mine pit – Google Earth 1-20-10

For more history and stories about Three Kids Mine see relate BLOG article including what movie was filmed on location here….rmltman…:)

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.

What is that big black pipeline along the trail???

 
 
 
 

BMI water pipeline MM13 102409

BMI Water Pipeline along Trail 102409

October 26, 2009 -  I get this question every once in awhile, so here is the answer.  No it’s not oil or sewage.  It is the first water pipeline in the Las Vegas Valley.  Built during World War II to provide water to the Basic Management Industrial complex in Henderson (BMI).  The pipeline still provides all the water needs for the BMI plants and a portion of Henderson water needs also.  Basic Water Co. operates and maintains the pipeline. Near trail mile marker #13 is a water guzzler providing water for wildlife and a very large cottonwood tree sometimes referred to as the “Magic Tree” by local riders.  BMI, Basic Water co. and LandWell Development have been long time trail partners in the development of the River Mountains Loop Trail.  Approximatley ten miles of the trail is located within the BMI water pipeline corriodor.  So as you hike, walk, run and ride along the pipeline you are riding along a historic pipeline which brought the first Lake Mead Water to the Las Vegas Valley.

 
 
 
 

BMI pipeline MM13 102409

BMI water line MM 13 102409

BMI WATER PIPELIEN GALLERY:

Trail Alert – Historic Railroad Trail work finished Oct. 21, 2009

October 22, 2009 – Historic Railroad trail is now open again to Hoover Dam.   Reclamation has improved the area that crosses the Police access road.  We have  striped a cross walk, and paved from the exit of the switchyard  to the top of the switchback trail down to the parking garage.

ADDITIONAL WORK PLANNED FOR 2010 – The Bureau of Reclamation Work planned for 2010:

  •  install 2 drinking fountains
  • Install 1 vault toilet
  • Install a shade shelter and table
  • Install benches along trail 
  • Correct  two dips to bring up to accessibility grade
  • open up the back trail loop,
  • and develop a trail map complete with lengths, elevations, GPS.

In my opinon these announced improvements will make this one of the best and most unique trail experiences in the Western States.  The back loop mentioned is more of the actual rail bed used to build the dam, which has been off limits to the public for years.  With completion of the bridge next year and these improvements the trail experience will just get better and better.

 

OCTOBER 13th, 2009 -Starting tonight about sundown a contractor will be ripping out the Hoover Dam Police road to repave it.   Reclamation would appreciate it if NPS and River Mountains partnership ask people to be careful in the area where the Historic Railroad trail crosses the roadway to the POLICE substation.

The contractor will be paving the trail from the switchyard exit bollards to the top of the Zig Zag trail, painting a cross walk across the police roadway, and paving the short term drop off and pick up area.

The trail will still be open dawn to dusk as the contractor is working nights, dusk to dawn on the project.  However, at times their will be some cones and tape to reroute the trail while they pave the trail areas.  This is a 2 week project and should be completed by October 23, 2009.

Reclamation will provide you updates as they become available.

 
 
 
 
 

 

Hoover Switch & Police station work area 2009

Hoover Switch & Police station work area 2009

(NOTE: This area is just before you enter the paved switch-backs down to the dam parking garage. Be safe and tell your friends.)