THE ROADS TO RICHES START AT MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK
Mountain Lake Park is much more than a brand new pocket park at the corner of Lake Mead Parkway (Nevada Route 564) and Golda Lane a mile west of Lake Las Vegas Parkway. Mountain Lake Park is a bicycle and hiking hub. Radiating from the spoke of the wheel that is Mountain Lake Park are the Lake Mead Parkway Trail, Wetlands Connector Trail, and the River Mountains Loop Trail. These are the roads to riches that make people rich in spirit, physical fitness, and memories that will last a life time. This review touches upon the park itself and the hikes that are contiguous to Mountain Lake Park.
MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK PROPER
The City of Henderson promotes itself as Play City U.S.A. In the last month two new parks have been built in the vicinity of Lake Las Vegas. If I were to review Mountain Lake Park two months ago, chances are that I would be reviewing sand and rocks. Today I am reviewing an adorable park that is surrounded by open spaces on three sides. The main attraction of Mountain Lake Park are the menagerie of desert animal playground statues that children play with. There is a red & black lizard and a couple of other animals. This is what makes the park adorable. Adorable usually wins 4 stars on my reviews. Near the menagerie of desert animal playground statues is a picnic table and restrooms. As I write this review, there is a grassy area that is fenced off. I anticipate that it will be a dog park. If you are not into bicycling or hiking, the neat thing about the park itself would be the desert animal playground statues and a picnic table to enjoy lunch or read a book. Contrary to the name there is not a lake here. If you're into hiking or bicycling, Mountain Lake Park is a hub for hiking adventures in every direction.
A HUB CONNECTING MAJOR PAVED BIKING/HIKING TRAILS
In all directions hiking trails radiate out from the vicinity of Mountain Lake Park. This review discusses the hikes in further detail.
Bicycling/Hiking north: Wetlands Connector Trail
From north of the park, is the Wetlands Connector Trail. This is a relatively flat hike with two destinations. It will take you to the Wetlands Park trail system and ultimately a couple of hundred feet from Lake Las Vegas Village. Most of the trail follows the power lines right-of-way.
Bicycling/Hiking east: Lake Mead Parkway Trail to River Mountains Loop Trail:
This is a nice hike with some steep hills. Within the City of Henderson, lamp posts illuminate the trail. When the trail passes into the Lake Mead National Recreation Area it changes into a rural trail. One of my favorite hikes is hiking it to the Mile Marker 14 (around 6 miles each way) overlook of Lake Mead. In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful vistas in Southern Nevada.
Bicycling/Hiking south: Pass under tunnel to River Mountains Loop Trail
This is a segment of River Mountains Loop Trail known as Three Sisters. The inclines are very steep. Past the inclines the trail levels off and follows the River Mountains toward Equestrian Park and Railroad Pass Casino (around 8 miles one way).
Bicycling/Hiking west: Lake Mead Parkway Trail
This trail starts off as open space. In a mile, it develops into a suburban trail following Lake Mead Parkway. If you want Sonic or a Big Gulp, I recommend this hike.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Being that I am a die-hard hiker, the City of Henderson gave me a Christmas present three months early. It is guaranteed that I will use it in good health when I pass through it on future hikes.
***The 2013 Yelp 100 Challenge. Review 157*** read more