Lake Mead NRA – Boulder City, NV; Old Train Track Hike

Introduction:

What? :

Walk, run, ride a bicycle, or roll a running stroller along the historic railroad track previously used to enable the construction of Hoover Dam.

The trail has outstanding scenic views of Lake Mead, along the walk you will crosses five large train tunnels and at the end of the trail can reach to the Hoover Dam Visitor Center.

 

For all it way to Hoover Dam this is 8.2-mile out-and-back trail with 900 ft of elevation gain (assume you are hiking all the way to the dam). You can hike the first 2.2 miles that are flat and easy, from there the trail start to decent gradually in the direction of the dam.

 

Plan for 4 hours to complete the full length of this hike, because this is out and back you can also do shorter sections.

 

 

 

 

Where? :

Located 30 miles southeast from Las Vegas, near Boulder City, NV; just when you are entering Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Parking lot located below the Lake Mead Visitor Center on Lakeshore Rd.

Google Map Link

 

 

When? :

The best times to visit this trail are October through April.

For the hot summer months that has extreme high temperatures, mid-day may be too hot to enjoy.

The temperatures during the long summer months are extremely hot, easily reaching over 115f and even early morning temperatures are above 80f.

 

 

 

Due note 1:

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Admission fees for Lake Mead National Recreation Area are $25 for vehicles. These passes are good for up to seven days. Campgrounds are $20 per night. You can use here the National Park Year Permit.

 

Only electronic card payments are now accepted for entrance, lake use, and campground fees. Entrance stations will continue to sell passes but will no longer accept cash for payment.

 

Due note 2:

There are restrooms at the trailhead but no source for water filling.

You have cell reception in most of the area near Las Vegas.

 

Due note 3:

During summer month it is extremely hot and although this is not a long or challenging hike it is not recommended mid-day, come as early in the morning as you can, or late at the afternoon.

 

Due note 4:

Dogs are welcome to Lake Mead NRA but must be on a leash.

 

Due note 5:

Overnight camping is not permitted.

 

Due note 6:

Bring enough water with you for half day hiking.

The trail is exposed to the sun for most of it and have shaded sections in the tunnels.

 

Due note 7:

As always in the desert I recommend long sleeves shirt, heat, sunblock, and sunglasses.

 

Due note 9:

Because you are near Arizona the time zone may change in your phone, be aware of that when you are hiking, make sure you have enough sunlight for the long hike back out to your car.

 

Due note 10:

You will probably not be the only one here, the well maintained and flat for most of its length trail attracts many weekend hikers, runners, and cyclists.

 

Due note 11:

I see this hike as family friendly where kids, as adults, will enjoy the easy and leveled trail.

You can hike as long as you want and turn back.

 

Due note 12:

The trail is made of level hardpacked fine gravel, and it is considered accessible. Regular stroller will find it challenging but any running stroller will be good here.

 

Due note 13:

The Alan Bible Visitor Center is located just above the trailhead parking lot, the visitor center is a perfect place to stop before or after the hike and learn on the Lake Mead NRA. You can start your hike from the visitor center.

 

Due note 14:

For road bike cyclists: you can connect here to River Mountains Loop Trail that offers a 35.3-mile paved loop route through the desert area.

 

 

My thoughts:

This is a fun easy walk along the trail, enjoy the view of the lake, be impress from the huge tunnels and if you want you can walk all the way to visit the Hoover Dum.

For us it was more like walking training and less a “hike” but it was fun.

 

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The Hike:

The work on the railroad path started in 1931 connecting the Hoover Dam construction site to Boulder City and Las Vegas. The railroad tracks were dismantled in 1962. This trail was established in 1992, and connection to the Hoover Dam became open to the public in 2007.

 

The trail start near the visitor center and cross the large open desert washes in the direction of the left side of the basalt mountains. The trail is level and cuts through small hills.

 

A series of interpretive signs appears along the Historic Railroad Trail providing insight into the history and habitat of the area. 

The trail is following the base of the mountain and after right bend you will reach the first tunnel; this will be 1.1 mile from your trailhead.

Just before Tunnel 1, down the ravine to the right, there are concrete plugs taken from Hoover Dam to install turbines.

 

To carry the huge metal equipment needed for the Hoover Dam construction each tunnel need to be 25 feet in diameter, they are average 300 ft in length.

 

The wooden strictures in some of the tunnels was built to protect the tracks from falling rocks.

There are shipping containers in two of the tunnels with short ramps at each end. They protect people from small rocks that infrequently fall from the ceiling. 

 

The trail overlooks Lake Mead and its picturesque marina, and with nearly 300 days of sunshine a year, the Lake Mead area features plenty of blue sky that extend the blue color of the lake water.

 

To the north of the lake you can see the Muddy Mountains Wilderness, visible in the distance, and the middle of the lake in front of the large marina Boulder Islands.

 

After you are crossing the lust tunnel, crossing below Lakeview Overlook parking lot, you will reach Hoover Dam Warehouse area.

Here you have resting table with shade and restrooms.

This will be 2.2 miles from your starting point.

 

As you walking farther into Hoover Dam area, the trail start to gradually descend.

About 3 miles into your hike, you will see on your right the “bone yard” with leftovers of the original equipment to build the dam.

 

After the turn in the trail, you will see the large high-voltage transformation facility.

The trail provides access all the way to the Hoover Dam area and the visitor center but because we visit there many times before we decided to turn around and start hiking back.

This was 3.4 miles away from our hike starting point.

 

 

 

 

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