River Mountains Loop Trail

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.

Coyote Awareness & Education part of the Solution

March 12, 2010 –  Coyote sightings, coyote stories, coyote letters to editor, coyote TV news….Mr. Coyote has been everywhere in Southern Nevada lately.  So far he has not had a staring role in a horror movie, which undoubtedly would be called  ‘”Attack of the Killer Coyotes”.  The purpose of this new post on coyotes is to help you; our readers and trail users get connected with good information about coyotes and become aware of these wild creatures.   I recently came across this very informative website for an organization called “Project Coyote”.    

Their mission is as follows:  Project Coyote promotes educated coexistence between people and coyotes by championing progressive management policies and fostering respect for and understanding of America’s native wild “song dog.”   

Please visit their website at: www.ProjectCoyote.org   

Our trail advisory council is looking into posting the following informational sign at key trail head locations to increase our Awareness of Coyotes. 

 

  

 

ProjectCoyote.org

Desert Bighorn Sheep of the River Mountains

Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis) – Range throughout the River Mountains an are often seen on or next to the trail.  Rams grow to 5 to 6 feet long, ewes grow 4 to 5 feet; study, muscular build; brown to tan with white belly, rump, muzzle and eye patches.

Three Bighorn Ram sheep near the trail – photo by Paul G. 112408

Rams have massive horns that grow over and behind the ears in a C-shaped curl.  Horns are permanent and grow incrementally year by year.  It may take 7 to 8 years for a ram to acquire a full curl. Ewes have a shorter, more slender horns that curve gently back.

The River Mountains are perfect habitat;  for the bighorn sheep occupy rough, precipitous terrain near sources of permanent water.  Bands follow regular feeding routes and maintain bedding grounds that may be used for years.  The desert bighorn sheep is Nevada’s state mammal.

The sheep population in the River Mountains is estimated at 200+.  In order to protect this herd of sheep the BLM has designated a good portion of the Northwest mountain range as an “Area of critical Environmental Concern” (ACEC) to help protect this productive herd of bighorn sheep.  Each year to keep this herd in balance the National Wildlife Service culls the herd by capturing sheep and re-locating into other mountain ranges in Nevada and elsewhere in the west.

RJ photo – Bighorn sheep capture fall 2007 in the River Mountains

The symbol or image used to identify the River Mountains Loop Trail is an image of a Bighorn Sheep on a mountain with the sun rising behind or the moon.  The sheep image is copied from the local rock art symbol for bighorn sheep used by Native Americans. This logo is used on maps, trail kiosks, trail monuments etc.

River Mountains Loop Trail logo – Bighorn sheep on Mountain with Sun rising behind

Photo Gallery Big Horn Sheep:

Roadrunner – Beep….Beep

Greater Roadrunner – A member of the cuckoo family, the greater Roadrunner (Geococcyz californianus) is zygodactylous or two toes pointing forward and two backwards.  It has heavily streaked plumage, a bristly crest, short rounded wings an upward tilted tail, and long legs.  It rarely flies and has been clocked running at speeds up to 17 miles per hour.  It is said to have gotten its name in the Old West from running ahead of horse-drawn carriages.  Its diet of lizards, insects and spiders, small rodents, birds, and snakes is supplemented with occasional fruits and seeds.

Roadrunner - Lizard for lunch - file photo

COYOTES

Coyote Howling file photo 2009

Nov. 16, 2009 – Coyotes – (Canis latrans) are grizzled gray or reddish-gray with buff underparts a bushy tail with a black tip, and prominent ears.  They are excellent runners, with cruising speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour and short bursts of up to 40 miles per hour.

Extremely intelligent and adaptable, the coyote is expanding its range despite loss of traditional habitat and human hunting pressures.  Today the coyote can be found in desert, grassland, mountain and suburban environments as far north as Alaska and as far south as Central America.

The coyote is an opportunistic hunter employing a variety of methods to obtain food. It patiently stalks and pounces on small mammals. It has trememdous endurance and can simply chase prey until it is worn out. Where the food supply is predominantly small animals, it hunts alone or in  breeding pairs, while in the presence of large prey such as deer, it will hunt in packs. Coyotes will also make do with insects, lizards, carrion, fruit, and even pine nuts (grass seeds).

Coyotes are usually heard between dusk and dawn. Barks and yelps followed by drawn-out howls serve to announce location, strenghten social bonds, and reunite separated members of a band.

NOTE: The above definition of coyotes comes from a Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication called “Geologic tours in the Las Vegas Area”.

Wildlife – Brown Tarantula on Trail Saturday

Oct. 24, 2009 – While doing our trail watch hours on the trail Saturday we got to see a fair sized ” Brown Tarantula” on the trail.  We watched him for a while and made sure he go off the trail before heading back to the trailhead.  The sighting took place near MM 13 on the River Mountains Loop Trail within Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Here is a couple of photos:

TW Tarantula Trail Watch hat MM13 102409

Tarantula & Trail Watch hat photo by John 102409

Tarantula next to RMLT trail 102409

Desert Big Horn Sheep use the trail, too…

The River Mountains Loop Trail is home to many users groups. The oldest users were here long before the trail was dreamed of.  The photos below were provided courtesy of Paul Grebe, Green Valley Cyclist and a RMLT member. Photos were taken November 24th around milepost #15. These three Rams have seen some years as the horns are nearing full curl.  There have been reports of other sightings along the trail by other users. 

Desert big horn Sheep by Paul G.112408

Desert big horn Sheep by Paul G.112408

Their have been several reports of small herds up around the SNWA.

Big Horn on RMLT by Paul g. 112408

Big Horn on RMLT by Paul g. 112408