The Ash Grove Trail is a 0.8 mile trail that leads hikers through the only natural ash grove in…read moreSouthern Nevada. It is the home of the Arizona Ash, a tree that can reach up to fifty feet high. The presence of the Arizona Ash is an indicator that there is a permanent water supply beneath the surface. And the presence of the Arizona Ash is the indicator of a diversity of wildlife from burros that use the land in the shadow of the tree canopy as a watering hole to sapsuckers that hammer away at the tree. Most of all, the presence of the Arizona Ash is an indicator of an awesome hike. This is an awesome hike that seems to bring me back to the trail annually. Although the trail proper is 0.8 miles, there is slightly increased mileage walking the North and South Ash Loop Trails that incorporate the trail. With the exception of the trailhead it is unsigned. So I follow the North Ash Grove Loop at 0.3 miles and the South Ash Grove Loop at 1.4 miles. The best way to describe the trail is comparing it to a dumbell where the North Ash Loop is the loop closer to the trailhead, the South Ash Grove Loop is closer to Route 159, and the bar is the spine connecting the two. The Ash Grove Trail is the scenic southeast corner of Spring Mountain Ranch State Park in Red Rock Canyon. This park reminds me of the Magic Kingdom of Red Rock Canyon where the Ranch House is Sleeping Beauty's Castle and the hiking trails are the lands that originate from there. In this Red Rock Magic Kingdom the Ash Grove Land is in the southeast quadrant where Tomorrowland is in Disney Land. It is the first land that I visit whenever I hike in Spring Mountain Ranch. This is an easy trail. As a matter of fact, the North Loop is ADA accessible. The slightly challenging part is crossing Sandstone Wash. When I spend time here it is more about relaxing in nature than working out in nature. It is majestic Red Rock Canyon scenery with the uniqueness of ash groves. When I hike on the trail I am rewarded with postcard views of prickly pears, meadows, Cholla, Sandstone Wash, Arizona Ash, oak trees, Mount Wilson with the Red Rock escarpment, and annual wildflower blooms. My favorite vista is leaving the Sandstone Wash crossing toward a green nature field leading to an oasis of Arizona Ash canopy. My second favorite vista is the high up view of Sandstone Wash below. The canopy of Ash and still water create a New England scene in the desert. In the past I have shared this unique nature with burros. Complimenting my sense of sight is my olfactory sense of aromic plants. Thanks to the informative signs, my hikes in the Ash Grove have been learning experiences. Regardless that I am an avid hiker these signs have taught me neat facts. For example, "the prickly pear is one of the most common cacti and is found in 47 of the lower 48 states." "Say what!?" There are cacti in New England! Then there is the sign that says that due to the natural air conditioner affect of the Arizona Ash, it is 10 to 15 degrees cooler here. As a matter of fact it does feel cooler here. This makes a nice hike in June. The abundance of shade on the Loop segments also have an air conditioner affect. Disparate from the Loop segments, the spine segment is exposed to the sun. This segment is pure desert flora that parallels the Sandstone Wash. This relax in nature hike is where I like to take breaks and sit in nature. The majority of the benches are in the North Ash Loop. There is the price of $10 admission into the park to spend time here. Gone are the days of the Nevada resident $3 discount. It is money well spent. With controlled access and cash flow into the park, I rate the Ash Grove high on trail condition. With the exception of a couple missing signs, minor etching in a couple more, the trail is in great condition. As I get older in age, spending time with nature in beautiful trails like the Ash Grove keeps me younger mentally. This is one of the reasons that I will return to the Ash Grove Land of Nature's Magic Kingdom in Red Rock Canyon.

Well maintained and lots of info boards explaining trees and plants. But lack of views makes it too…read moredull to be a fun hike. The loop is small or 1.3mi whatever you prefer. Part of Spring mountain ranch state park.

Lots of parking on a gravel lot at the base of Lone Mountain and steps away from a few trail…read moreoptions. You can do a loop around the mountain which I haven't done yet but it looks fairly flat with a bit of a slight incline on one side but does not go up the mountain so it would be nice for kids and dogs. There are a couple of trails going up to the peak. One looks more like loose dirt and is steeper while the one we took was also steep but more rock face and we thought it would be safer for our level. The climb up is steep but short and I did have to stop a few times to catch my breath for a second....and to take pictures of course. It took us 30 minutes to get to the peak and you get a beautiful view of the valley. It did get really steep, I was glad I wore my trail shoes. Although we did see a couple dogs I would not bring one as the jagged rocks have to be hurting their little paws. It's amazing though if you can make it early in the morning to see the sunrise. We got there around 6:30am and it seemed a little busy but once we came down everyone was gone and the parking lot was pretty empty so I'm guessing this is the place to go for a sunrise climb.....and it's so close, just a gem of Summerlin area.

I've lived in Las Vegas for 31 years and can finally cross this hike off my list. I love that it is…read morenot that busy on the times that we have visited. The weather has been so beautiful this season so far. Not too cold or too hot. We had the mountain all to ourselves when we decided to hike on a Thursday morning last week when the sunrise was at 6:14am. It took us 24 minutes to get to the top. The first half of the hike is pretty steep and I am quickly reminded that I am not in the best of shape. I make sure to bring a hiking stick/cane to help when descending the mountain. Overall it is always worth it to hike to reap the beautiful view at the top of lone mountain.

In A Nutshell: -The…read morePine Creek Canyon trail is moderate trail that gives you 3 other options to branch off if you choose to do so to extend your wonderful hike. -If you just stick to the Pine Creek Trail it will be around 2.5 miles. -It will loop around the canyon where you will see all sorts of landscapes such as majestic mountain peaks, pine trees, scrubs, cactus & even a creek w/ water. -This trail is exciting enough to keep you on your toes so you will use your brain to navigate the not so flat/smooth terrain. Overall, this is a really peaceful hike especially if you start early in the morning before more people show up which is around 9am.

There really isn't much of a creek in late October. Maybe we need to visit its full glory another…read moretime? For Rock climbers, to moderate hikers with different terrain (hike over rocks, side wall through sharp bushes, wall over a small creek). We visited late October, and suggest you to wear long sleeve, pants, sunglasses, hiking boots, and water. If you don't, expect sore toes from kicking/walking through rocks to cuts on your legs. Sunglasses is to protect your eyes from lots of branches sticking out. Luckily there wasn't much water in an area that we had to cross in the trail (assume during spring season, that area will wet our boots). This Pine Creek loop is pretty confusing since theres many areas where it feels like there is no loop? Ignore the word "loop" as I'm starting to think the beginning of the loop trail is not a loop until the end quarter as shown on Google maps? At end is a tiny section of a loop? - Recommend screen shot, have images ready or gps app ready before getting there. It's easy to get lost when it keeps saying loop and you think it'll bring you back to the car but not the case. Luckily, there were lots of friendly hikers to rock climbers there on a Sunday. 1. At Red Rocks Canyon (pay at fee station entrance). Red Rocks Canyon is Nevada's first National Conservation Area. 2. From Fee Entrance, it's a 25min one-way drive on the scenic driving loop. The parking sign will say Pine Creek Canyon. We came here because there was no parking at/to try Ice Box Canyon Trailhead (located a trailhead before this). Glad we tried that route. 3. Beginning terrain is in the sun, no shade, lots of dirt so you start to wonder why didn't I just hike someone's backyard in Vegas. It'll get better once you find whatever trickle left of the creek is. That's if you can even find it. If anything you'll definitely experience different terrain/scenery than just then normal Vegas dirt you're use to seeing everyday. 4. There's an area where the Pine Creek Loop splits. We went one way, and a helpful hiker told us to go backwards a bit to go down that path to find whatever trickle of the creek was. Rock climbers were there too. There were many times we couldn't find the next path. Bushes can get pretty narrow. Dress appropriately. Local elder hikers mentioned this was their favorite hike as locals. They were prepared with a backpack, two walking sticks for each hand, hiking boots, etc. Good luck!! We'll have to try this trail again to find this loop vs random one ways everywhere. We're new to Red Rocks Canyon and only experienced Calico Tank/Sandstone Quarry which is amazing.

Easy hike with beautiful views…read more Parking is on Sunset Dr in a small parking lot. It is safe and right next to the trailhead, From the trailhead it is an easy .4 mile uphill hike to get to the top of the Mesa. From there it is flat. There are benches with view points. It is dig friendly.

I love walking my dog here. It's right across the street from my house. I will say there's a lot of…read moretrash that could be picked up the palm trees could be trimmed. But I definitely enjoy coming here. This second time I've seen this white .

I've ridden this trail one time after there had been some additions made to it. The trail is in…read moresections now with this section being the longest off road, shared use trail. I parked at the Briare Park and then rode my bike north along the Kellogg/Zaher Sports Complex to the terminus of the trail at Durango. It's a pleasant ride with some elevation gain and as Dan points out, it would be a service road if the Summerlin Parkway had one. On the way back, I took a slight diversion. At the Briare Park, I came out to the sidewalk along Tenaya Way and rode it to Westcliff Drive. Going east on Westcliff, you come to a newer section of the trail that travels underRainbow Boulevard and then continues to Jones. The one section to Jones was not yet done. At the entrance to the ramp that goes to the tunnel under Rainbow Boulevard, there's a plaque and Mayor Goodman gets her props on it. The n the trail goes under Rainbow and past a large drainage catch basin. It was here that I turned around and rode back. Eventually, the Bonanza Trail is supposed to connect with the city trail system. Only parts of it are off road, shared use trail. One section you can see is the bridge over Decatur near Western High School. My recommendation in riding this trail is to park at either Bruce Trent Park and ride down to Durango and get on there or enter at Briare Park and ride from there. Either way, the views are very good and it's a safe place to cycle because you're off street.

Nothing but a white concrete trail next to Charlie Kellogg park. If you follow the GPS it will lead…read moreyou into the highway so don't, go to the park and then find the trail.

It's always been one of my favorite trails in Mt Charleston…read more Mary Jane's is listed as moderate hike and while it's true, it has some pretty steep hills, but the switchbacks are amazingly helpful. Definitely recommend going early in the morning so you can enjoy the cooler temperatures, instead of the hot sun later on. Make sure to bring plenty of drinking water and sunscreen! There is no drinking fountain anywhere on the trail. Also keep in mind, there isn't any restrooms on the hiking trails beside the very bottom at the beginning. The trail is very walkable but definitely no wheelchair accessible! We enjoyed the hike earlier this summer. There was still snow on the ground right across from us on the hillside. While we were hiking, there were beautiful wildflowers present on the ground. After the switchbacks, we had reached the waterfalls and immediately felt the refreshing smell in the air. The water was amazingly pleasant, washed our hands and enjoyed the beautiful views around us. Can't wait to go back again!

One of my favorite hikes in the Mt Charleston area. Mary Jane Falls is the ultimate desert escape…read more Just 45 minutes from Las Vegas, this hike trades heat and neon for cool mountain air, towering pines, and a steady uphill challenge. The switchbacks make you work for it, but the payoff is worth it -- a peaceful alpine waterfall that feels wildly out of place in the Mojave. Go early, bring water, and be ready to earn your views. Short, steep, and totally worth it.

We are avid National Park and State Park goers and love to travel all around to ho hiking and see…read moreas much nature as we can. This is one of the cleanest and nicest state parks that we have been to. The Visitor Center is absolutely awesome. They have clean bathrooms outside. They have a great gift shop. And they have fun things for the kids to do inside as well. The art on the window, where you have to look through a panel that looks like sunglasses was my absolute favorite. I am still in awe of it. The woman who works there was so very helpful to tell us about which hikes to go to and what would be the right level of hikes for our family. The man who was sitting there was also very kind and let my son pet his dog. I would absolutely go back when visiting Las Vegas! Even if you have just a couple of hours, this place is worth the trip.

This a peaceful hidden gem. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is located just a few minutes outside…read moreof the Las Vegas strip. Surrounded by red rock cliffs, and lots of greenery. This place is perfect for a nice walk through the garden a picnic or even a hike. The historic ranch adds a nice touch, with great photos and views. I found that this place is less crowded compared to all the other parks and outdoor scenic areas that we've been visiting.. definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a peaceful escape away from the city. Also, while you're here don't forget to check out the little gift shop which offers a variety of sweet treats, such as chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered marshmallows, and so much more, which are all delicious.

This no frills, paved bike/walking path runs along the I-215 for 11 miles (end to end) from…read moreTropicana to Alexander. I enjoy riding my bike here for the ease and sense of safety from the bustling neighborhoods and busy (scary) drivers on the roads! Just for your awareness, this is a long stretch with no trees, benches or cooling stations- just a paved, clean path with varying inclines and declines. This is another great option to enjoy the outdoors with your fellow cyclists!

Garbage everywhere looks like it never gets any attention I'll post pics soon you'll seeread more