Get out to explore more …read more... This walking trail tours both sides of Henderson and Boulder City. It's a great hike that has been sculpted for the individual to walk through a path and even venture out into a little off roading too. Are you looking to bike and explore? The biking experience here is great? Lots of great terrain! Be careful and take it easy. The cliff faces will just keep going with you sliding down if you're not careful. When walking make sure and be prepared. Come and enjoy the views of nature. At this point observe the seasons . For some moments even in summer it's cold enough to need a light jacket. Bring water, this is the outdoors . Take the path and walk a little. Clear your mind and seek the light that comes with going out side. Shall we begin.

I've not hiked nor ridden the full 34 miles of the River Mountains Loop Trail and probably never…read morewill. I simply don't have that kind of stamina. But I have walked a couple of different portions of it covering several miles. Most recently I walked from around mile 11 to roughly mile 13. This section has some steep grades that I struggled to get back up. What can I say? I'm out of shape. A few weeks earlier I walked a bit of the section from Rail Road pass towards Henderson. This was more flat and a fairly easy walk. Not the most scenic. The nearby rail line is cool. The path close to and behind a hotel tower is not so great. And the parking lot was full of people living in vans. All that was misisng was the river. That wasn't so nice. Next I would like to walk a portion through or near Boulder City. The area around Bootleg Canyon should be nice. I look forward to checking it out in the weeks to come.

Norm took us on this trail on the beginning part of our hike, and boy did I get my cardio! Not…read moredifficult, but you can definitely tell when you haven't gone hiking for a while! as the day went on,more people were on the trail-Joggers, bikers, camp groups, even puppies and baby strollers! The natural scenery on that trail was just beautiful...one word of caution beware of random"Land Mines" aka Horse Droppings...I was INCHES away from one while enjoying the view...could it be the thinner, cooler air up there??? When we got to the lookout, we were at an elevation of 9000 feet. On we went, connecting to the Lower Bristlecone Trail....ALOHA!!! YELP 365 CHALLENGE-(32/365) "Are we there yet?"

Not too far from the (paid) NPS Henderson entrance is this moderate 2-3+ mile (you choose) trail…read morethat starts right off the parking lot. Shaded picnic areas and rudimentary restrooms are at both nearby 33 Hole parking lots. The first (and last!) hill warrants good hiking footwear and your attention. Uneven and unmaintained so find a map online for best results. Bring water, bring Fido, dress for the weather and pack out your trash. The views and slot canyon are worth it!

This hike is unpaved, and someone can easily get lost. There were times when I had no idea where I…read morewas going, and luckily, the navigation on here told me I was going the wrong way. The hike, in general, is excellent. You see a little river, go under tunnels, and hike up a small hill. There is enough nature to look around rather than just dirt and rocks because we are in a desert. Not too many people around either, which is nice, that it isn't too crowded. Unfortunately, I did not see any owls. Lastly, you do have to pay an entrance fee to come inside, I believe it was 20. Overall, the hike was easy, and I would come back.

This time of year makes exercising outdoors during the daytime a must! Enjoy the crisp air and sun…read moreagainst your cheek along this 8.1 miles stretch of asphalt and concrete. To keep things interesting out here in the desert, look out for a couple of artistic animal duo structures: the Tortoise & the Hare and Wile E. Coyote & the Road Runner. This trail is not quite a straight shot. There are several major crosswalks/intersections where you'll need to stop and press the crosswalk button. Nevertheless, it's a pretty safe and flat course. If need to take a break, there are several shaded benches, and many smaller uncovered ones made of granite along the way. Plenty of pet waste stations, too. The St Rose Parkway Trail is great multi-use trail, such as biking, running, walking, and inline skating, and is also wheelchair accessible. The trail serves as a connection to 12 different parks and other trailheads, all managed by the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Dept. Other than the trail itself, what I like most about this path are the businesses conveniently located off of the trail, like Starbucks! Also, it's neat to see this area grow with new and upcoming stores like Hobby Lobby and In-N-Out! The starting point (Mile 0) is near M casino, the south end of St. Rose Pkwy. It terminates just before I-215. There are many places to park off of St Rose Pkwy. But, the published places are Siena Heights Trailhead (2570 Siena Heights Drive) and Cactus Wren Park (2900 Ivanpah Drive) for restrooms and parking. Get outdoors now before it gets too hot in the summer!

Pavement under my Nikes, butterflies roam free surrounding me…read more Every time I make contact with the pavement the balance grows every constantly inside me! This beautiful trail has markers that indicate when it's time to go. The starting line uses the fairy tale the Tortoise and the Hare as a whimsical way to roam and explore. You can run, run, run as the hare did and finish in a flash, or pace yourself such as the wise tortoise did. After you get started down the trail look along the way for information booths that mention about the wildlife that calls this area home. The best rich flavors of flora and fauna along this four miles breathtaking. The views of the mountains on the other side of the interstate 15 just rise up to meet the sky. As the sun sets on these mountains every day the next morning the sun shines and stretches her rays across the desert floor to rise and meet the day. Butterflies constantly fly around me as I run on the pavement. Their renewals of hope and happiness continue to fill me with hope that their presence brings joy. As I continue to transform the butterflies presence inspires me to trust that all is going to be coming up rainbows and butterflies. The delicate wings of the butterfly as it flutters close so delicate. That ever present tipping in nature that with all the beauty around us we are all guests that share this wonderful place together. Up close to a butterfly as I bend down to admire its beauty. The wings flutter on air up and down. Looking at the butterfly oh so close she closes her wings and blends into the concrete. The Royal monarch of this butterfly goes white as she disguises herself from me. I would never capture the wild monarch she is truly wild and free. As she delivers her message of hope and divine happiness I leave knowing that I have witnessed a message from beyond. Answers come in all meanings, butterflies have been known to be the messengers of fairies and angels to deliver these messages. Henderson, NV is the lovely city that wants "you" to go outside. Log those 10,000 steps a day. Get that heart healthy. These created paths are low impact to the eco system surrounding it. The creatures that call this area home are still safe with their habitat not too engrossed on. "Leave nature as you found it." While this created path was a beautiful addition that starts at the M Hotel and Casino it circles around and ends at St. Rose Hospital. A four mile trek with wildlife and trash bins all along the path. Make sure the wild coyotes stay here, and those cute little bunnies do not end up as your pet. They are truly cute and cuddly from afar, could pose a risk if you get too close to them. Your empty water bottles and trail mix bags deposit those in these trash bins as needed. Please be careful playing in the desert, she is unrelenting and surreal. Drink plenty of water and enjoy your created paved bliss. Deep within our psyche is this abyss that holds all of our dreams and passions. This liquid pool needs revival once in awhile. We are meant to be in tune with nature. Nurture that bond once in a while with the wild wonderful beautiful surrounding us. Go outside! Unplug your headphones and run on that pavement with the noises of nature surrounding you as you are part of its cycle. The balance of being in tune with nature, for it is our cycle of being. It's the reasons for why, and all of our doubts. Know sometimes we have to embrace the universe accept its gifts and enjoy its happiness that it has planned for you. Once in a while these gears need to be fixed and honed to make sure that it's functional. Run, jump, leap and enjoy this big whole wide world. "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Albert Einstein. A man whom had ultimate fame, beautiful mind, and such strength seeks such simplicity with our world. We could truly learn a lot. Open your mind, see the world through another's eyes and go outside!

Pittman wash is a fun trail to bike or walk where you can mostly avoid dealing with traffic. The…read moreside closer to pebble and eastern is usually my least favorite side to walk because a lot of the homes smell either of dog poop, smoke, or laundry detergent. It also has the least plants along that side, and is a bit flat. Biking is solid on that side though as its more even in the trail at the beggining there without areas that are getting repaired like closer to the opposite end. I feel like if you want to enjoy a really nice walk, starting on the side by the Arroyo grande sports park is more preferable. Around the middle of the trail is where it shifts a bit and changes. That side has more water and nature...also as dusk hits a lot of yipping coyotes. It can get a little creepy if you're alone. The trail has lights at night that go off from motion sensors, so you won't need a head lamp. There are multiple parks you can stop at along the walk, however not a lot of spots to grab food easily if you get hungry, so pack a snack if you are doing the full trail. They also have a whole separate trail closer to the old bridge that connects to pittman wash.

This is a nice paved trail that winds through the residences and a wash…read more The motion sensor lights get brighten up as you walk/run/bike past them. There's multiple concrete benches whenever you want to take a break from your trail activity. The trees are trimmed as to not get in the way of those who use the trail. There are auxiliary trails that go down into the wash area if you feel like exploring for a little bit. The local residences are usually out in full force when the weather is nice. Sometimes the trails can feel a little too narrow for the traffic on crowded days but not to the point where you have to stop or slow down. Just be aware of trail ahead and all is well. I've been running and biking on this trail for years now and it's a nice way to knock out some easy miles during a long training run. No matter how you travel on the Pittman Wash Trail, you're in for a pretty good time. Enjoy!

This is a moderately strenuous hike because of the nearly 1,200 foot elevation gain. The hike is…read moreapproximately 6.5 miles round trip if you go to both peaks. The trailhead is along US Highway 93. As you approach Boulder City, turn left the way you'd go to Hoover Dam. After you start down the hill past Industrial Road, watch for a sign on the left that says River Mountains Trail parking. It's just before the entrance to the St. Jude's Ranch for Children. There is ample parking here. From the parking area, walk behind the interpretive marker and the trail goes between the wall of an area of houses on the left and a concrete drainage ditch on the right. From there, the trail is fairly easy to follow as it's well defined. Follow the signs for the trail. There are side trails that are mountain bike trails so watch for the hiking only trail markers. The first part of the trail meanders around a bit and goes up and down until it works its way around and into a wash that comes down from the saddle between the two peaks. The saddle is the first goal. As you hike toward the saddle, the trail becomes a series of switchbacks to make getting to the top easier. Please DO NOT CUT the switchbacks. This damages the trail and when rain comes, wash outs are more likely. You'll also be trampling some native plants so stay on trail. Turn left at the saddle and keep heading up. There's still a bit more to go. After a few more switchbacks, you'll come to a road--a road you could have driven up, but that would defeat the whole purpose of hiking, no? This road is used to get to the antenna array at the top of Red Mountain. It's also used to take those who are doing the Bootleg Canyon flight lines near the launching area for the first flight. When you reach this road, you have a stunning view of Las Vegas and the Spring Mountains on the west side of the valley. You walk a short distance along the road and you'll see the trail to Red Mountain continue on your left. Follow the trail as it goes higher. It's a bit rocky and there is one spot that has some loose gravel. After a short time, you do reach the Red Mountain area and you see the antenna array you've probably seen many times driving to/from Hoover Dam. The actual peak for Red Mountain has a stake and you can go there if you want to be at the topmost point. In this area, you can see the first flight for the Bootleg Canyon Flight Lines, Lake Mead, The Eldorado Valley with its two solar plants, and of course, Las Vegas. It's a wonderful place. If you're lucky, you'll be here when a group does the flight. You can also see the mountain bike trails that make up the Bootleg Canyon trails. It's interesting to see these people riding down the steep slopes. Now for the bad news, Black Mountain is on the opposite side of the saddle. You can see the trail you need to follow from Red Mountain. If you've had enough, just return to your car. It's only about 3 miles away. If you're going to Black Mountain or your car, you need to head back the way you came passing the dirt road and looking carefully watching for when the trail to the saddle goes off the dirt road to the right. When you get back to the saddle, continue straight ahead on the trail if you're going to Black Mountain or make a right if you're going back to the car now. The trail goes about 1/2 mile to Black Mountain. It is very well defined and you hike on volcanic rock. That's what makes Black Mountain its color. At the top of Black Mountain, there's a bench and several interpretive markers explaining the geology of the Las Vegas Valley. It's a good place to have a snack and enjoy the view. Follow your tracks back to the saddle and then descend the switchbacks. They're so much nicer now that you're going downhill. Before you know it, you'll be back to your car. There is a picnic table at the parking area, so you can have an après hike lunch. We call it Guinness time! Happy hiking!

For Review 300, I wanted to spend time in a beautiful place that is as good as it gets. This is…read moreachievable when I live in a metropolitan area with access to spectacular parks. So, this past weekend's outdoor adventure was when I returned to Red & Black Mountain to climb up Red Mountain. There are two hiking routes to hike up Red & Black Mountain. Hiking Route A is from the River Mountain Trail (not the River Mountains Loop Trail).To get there from the Las Vegas area, travel on US 93 toward Hoover Dam. After turning left on US 93 to bypass downtown Boulder City, the sign for River Mountain Trail will be on your left. Hiking Route A begins in a residential subdivision, passes through a desert landscape under power lines, and then climbs up switch backs to a summit. At the top of the summit, you have the option of turning left toward Red Mountain or turning right toward Black Mountain. Hiking Route B is from the Bootleg Canyon Park Trailhead. From the Las Vegas area, drive on US 93 as if you were headed to Boulder City. After the first traffic signal, US 93 changes from a divided limited access highway to a commercial thoroughfare. Get on the left lane and turn left on Yucca Street. Taco Bell will be the landmark. From here drive on Yucca Street to it dead ends at the Bootleg Canyon Park parking lot. Once you park your car, you will hike on the River Mountains Loop Trail for a short distance. At the first junction, you will make a left on the road toward a valley. This is Bootleg Canyon. You will see restrooms and picnic tables. From this point continue on the road, which is now gravelly. It will bring you up Red Mountain. Just a note, to the right of the road is a large mountain adorned with a large "B.C." and communication towers on top. This is the mountain that you will be climbing. From my experience hiking up Red & Black Mountain, I STRONGLY suggest, hiking each mountain on two separate hikes. Two separate hikes will reward you with hours of recreation and experiences. This review is on Hiking Route B: Bootleg Canyon Park to the summit of Red Mountain. Hiking Route A: River Mountain Trail to the summit of Black Mountain will be a future review, which I will place under Yelp's River Mountain Trail Listing. From ground level to the summit, there are three types of topography to hike. From the Bootleg Canyon Park parking lot to the valley, the topography is pavement. Through the valley and up the north side of Red Mountain, the topography is a sandy and gravelly road that is used by vehicles transporting people and dirt bikes to a parking lot at the end of the road. With the exception of the gradual change in elevation, this is an easy hike. Beyond the parking lot, the topography is very rocky and gravelly for a short segment, and the trail has changed from a dirt road to a narrow trail that becomes narrow with steeper elevation gains. At this point, the hike is moderately difficult to the degree that I strongly suggest "focus on the moment "concentration and reliable hiking boots. The scenery is as good as it gets. Red Mountain (with the B.C.) is beautiful from ground level. As the dirt road travels through Bootleg Canyon northbound, then gains elevation gain eastbound, the closer up vistas of Red Mountain are captivating. Especially at dawn! As the dirt road travels through Bootleg Canyon, it treats the hiker to spectacular vistas of the River Mountains and valleys. Once the dirt road turns toward the north to travel uphill, the vistas become as good as it gets. It is at this point where the panoramas of the Las Vegas Valley featuring the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding mountain ranges overtake the landscape. It is at this point where you could look down on the top of the Stratosphere and across at French Mountain with open desert below. I said the scenery is as good as it gets? I was ahead of myself. At the parking lot where the dirt road ends, the scenery gets better! This is where you have the option of turning left and hiking to the summit of Black Mountain, or staying straight on a narrow path to the left of the gate toward the Red Mountain summit. At this point you are consumed by breathtaking scenery. To your left is the mesmerizing black Mountain and to your right hundreds of feet below you is Boulder City. I said the scenery is as good as it gets? It is almost as good as it gets! The narrow part of the trail looks over even better scenery. When you look to the right you will be able to see Black Mountain Henderson and to the left you will be able to see Lake Mead and the bridge. At the summit where people board the Bootleg Canyon Flight Lines the scenery is as good as it gets. Looking below there is Lake Mead, Boulder City, and desert. And yes, this scenery is as good as it gets and why Red & Black Mountain is 5 stars.

What amazing jewels are in your backyard?…read more Go outside and explore the beautiful world around you. Shall we close our eyes visualize what you can see and feel? While walking one can caught a glimpse of life that just passed an individual by. This last year life almost took a turn for the worst . Prior experiences and issues came back from the dead to haunt me. But here I stand, thinking and not wanting to waste time anymore. Look into the future you can see change coming . In fact the only constant is "change in life. " Being a burden is not something anyone wants to do. Time to pull one self up here we go. Life is about living . Center and ground yourself! You can feel the calm. You are outside and ready to go walk it off . Life is peaking and is going to be happy . We need to accept the change and accomplishments. What are we going to do in the future? We can keep the journey moving along and forward with the progress of self discovery. We are going to continue and breathe the air of change and look at that which the universe is creating and showing us . What's that we are seeing ? The universe paints for me color rainbows "change is good." Let's listen and learn. Change is good and is coming ! Here we go !

Lots of different paths to chose from once you make it up the hill! There's cute painted rocks all…read moreover the part of the trail that starts in the neighborhood and it makes the walk to much more enjoyable. I'm going to paint some to drop off next time.

Very beautiful and well maintained trail that is paved. It goes around the park and gives amazing…read moreviews on the mountains. Seating regularly and also dog poop bags provided.

More Like the Frontier's Edge Trail…read more    Situated in the southwest corner of the Las Vegas valley where the Mountains Edge Community merges with the open desert is a 1.26 mile mult-use paved trail. It is the Mountains Edge Trail. To me, it is the shining star of the Mountains Edge Regional Park which has kept me coming back for more hikes. It was only til recently that this became a separate Yelp listing from the Mountains Edge Regional Park. Prior to my most recent experience here I had checked in at the Mountains Edge Regional Park when I hiked on this trail.   The Mountains Edge Trail is an oval shaped trail with the lengthy segments traveling east and west. It is roughly bounded by Mountains Edge Parkway to the north, Buffalo Drive to the east, Cactus Drive to the south, and Durango Drive to the west. The main trailhead is by the playground near the northeast corner of Mountains Edge Regional Park. This is a relatively flat paved trail. My preference is to hike the trail clockwise. Hiking on it clockwise from the vicinity of the playground, the trail approaches a gentle curve transitioning it from an eastbound to a southbound direction. Approaching the curve there is a view of a church and gardens. The trail connects directly to the meandering trails of the garden. Being that it is an oval shaped trail it soon changes from a southbound to a westbound direction. The lengthy westbound segment of the trail is my favorite. Although there are new homes replacing acres of the desert, there continues to be breathtaking views of the desert reaching towards the mountains and picturesque nature frontier contiguous to Red Rock Canyon. The sinuous trail brings out the best of this frontier's edge vista. These smooth curves transition the trail scenery so that trail users like me are not constantly facing west. Development in the park has also transitioned the trail vistas. What had been open desert in the center of the oval is now a soccer field complex and parking lot. In a sinuous fashion the trail continues to meander westbound where the soccer fields revert to open space (for now). After this long and scenic segment, the trail follows Durango Drive for a brief distance. It soon changes to eastbound where it doubles up as a walking path for Mountains Edge Parkway. Headed back towards the playground there is a grand entrance view of the new soccer fields. Here there is a cool soccer ball sculpture and an abundance of parking. This alleviates the parking shortage that I experienced first-hand during peak times in the park. East of the new soccer fields, Mountains Edge Trail branches away from Mountains Edge Parkway into the main trailhead at the playground.   I am very impressed with the cleanliness and condition of Mountains Edge Trail along with the namesake regional park. Normally It is common to find some graffiti on signing and fixtures along hiking trails. Especially along segments in undeveloped areas. Not here! On a scale from 1 to 5 on "condition and upkeep" I awaard it 5 stars.   I started out the review with the heading "Frontier's Edge."  There is still enough connected undeveloped land south of the Mountains Edge Trail to connect it to the picturesque desert reaching towards Red Rock Canyon that would create a desert panhandle. As an avid hiker I hope that the powers to be create permanent open space bridging the trail to the desert. This panhandle of open desert would also connect it to the nearby James Brown Trail. Essentially the Mountains Edge Trail would connect to the true mountain's edge of the Las Vegas valley creating a hiking destination and better quality of life. Every time I hike on the Mountains Edge Trail the questions are "Will this be the last time that I will see this picturesque desert vista from the Mountains Edge Trail?" "The next time I hike here, will it be a desert oasis surrounded by the next wave of development marching towards the mountains?"    Whether it joins a panhandle of desert connecting to the frontier by Red Rock or surrounded by the next wave of development I recommend Mountains Edge Trail. Now for the ultimate hiking experience in Mountains Edge I recommend hiking the 1.24 Mountains Edge Trail with Shoelace Mountain in the close-by Exploration Park. In conclusion I give Mountains Edge Trail my 4 Star approval.