Deborah wall/Special to ViewFrom the summit of the River Mountains Trail, hikers are treated to panoramic views that include Boulder City, Las Vegas, the Spring Mountains and Boulder Basin at Lake Mead.
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Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, the River Mountains Trail in Boulder City remains one of the best-loved hiking trails in the area. Although the entire route will hold your interest as it travels over a variety of terrain, the crème de la crème of this hike is the summit. From there you will be treated to far-reaching panoramic views including Las Vegas, the Spring Mountains, Lake Mead and Boulder City.
Children might struggle on this hike because it's over five miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet, but for adults it is a moderate one. There is one area of switchbacks that will be more strenuous, but it's a short segment and the rest of the elevation gain is spread fairly evenly throughout.
The trail starts directly behind the signed kiosk on the north side of the parking area. Follow the wide and clear path that skirts to the left of a man-made drainage between the Lakeview subdivision and St. Jude's Ranch for Children.
Follow the trail around north of the subdivision and into the desert. Along the first mile the trail crosses a couple of old gravel roads and lower sections of Bootleg Canyon's mountain bike trails, but the route remains obvious and easy to follow.
Creosote is the dominant shrub along the entire trail, but this time of year the landscape is dotted with wildflowers. Right now, you will find globe mallow, beavertail cactus, Mojave aster and brittlebush in bloom.
The trail serpentines its way towards Red Mountain through some small washes and canyons and then to the north of a small hill. After about one mile the route heads north and into a wide canyon between Red and Black mountains. While in the canyon, stop and take a minute or two to scan for movement along the rugged cliffs for desert bighorn sheep, a common sight here.
Other wildlife you might see include coyotes and desert tortoise, and maybe even a rattlesnake or two. Right now, snakes find the temperature in full sun ideal, so you might see them basking or even on the trail. Always look before placing your arms and feet.
About one-and-three-quarter miles from the trailhead you will reach the top of the switchbacks, which take you up and out of the canyon and to a wide saddle. Here you will go right. For about 75 yards or so you might be sharing the trail with Bootleg Canyon mountain bikers, but they will go north to continue on the Boy Scout Trail, while hikers will head east and up a small rise. From here, continue along the meandering trail for about three-quarters of a mile and you will reach the summit.
The views are some of the best in Boulder City. To the east is Lake Mead's Boulder Basin and behind that the prominent landmarks of Fortification Hill and Wilson Peak in Arizona. To the south and spread out below you is Boulder City; to the southwest, Eldorado Valley and the McCullough Mountains. To the northwest you can see Las Vegas and beyond to the Spring Mountains, including Mount Charleston.
Since our days are really warming up now and this is such an exposed hike with no shade, be sure to start early in the day. Besides, an early start will reward you with the sight of Red Mountain practically glowing in the low, magic light of sunrise -- an inspiring way to start any day.
TO GET TO RIVER MOUNTAINS TRAIL
From Las Vegas take U.S. Highway 93 south about 20 miles to Boulder City. At the second stoplight (corner of Nevada Highway /Buchanan Street) go left continuing on U.S. 93. Drive about 0.7 miles and go left to the River Mountains Trail parking lot. This is directly before St. Jude's Ranch for Children's main entrance.
Deborah Wall is the author of "Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide," published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at Deborabus@aol.com.
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