BOULDER CITY, Nevada -The Historic Railroad Trail and 17 miles of the River Mountains Loop Trail within Lake Mead National Recreation Area will be closed Monday through Thursday Oct. 11 -Nov. 17 for construction improvements.
The closure will be in effect Mondays at 6 a.m. through Thursdays at 5 p.m. for the duration of the project. The trails will be open to the general public Thursdays at 5 p.m. through Sunday evenings. There will be some equipment on the side of trails during the construction, but not in the way of the main trail surfaces when open to the public. All races and ranger programs scheduled during this time will still occur.
During construction, crews will stabilize and resurface the Historic Railroad Trail, making it more accessible. The work will consist of placing aggregate base material on grade and compacting and leveling the surface. The work will also include adding riprap where appropriate to fill in and prevent further erosion and damage to the trail.
The former railroad grade provides panoramic views of Lake Mead, overlooking the Boulder Beach area, as well as many opportunities for visitors to see the railroad route that ran from Boulder City to Hoover Dam from 1931 to 1961. The project will preserve this cultural resource for future generations to discover and enjoy.
Along the River Mountains Loop Trail, crews will patch cracks and fix wash-out issues along the 17 miles of the trail within the park. They will also perform pavement replacement in distressed areas. A slurry seal coat will be added atop most of the trail, and new paint will be applied to mark the trail.
The River Mountains Loop Trail is approximately 34 miles in length and surrounds the River Mountains, connecting Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, Henderson, Boulder City and the rest of the Las Vegas Valley, expanding recreational and alternative transportation opportunities for the region's growing population. The portions of the trail outside of the park are not part of this construction project.
During the closure, rangers are encouraging visitors to visit the Bluffs Trail as a nearby alternative. The Bluffs Trail is a moderate trail that is 10 miles north of the Historic Railroad Trailhead. The Bluffs Trailhead is at the Las Vegas Bay Campground site #72 and is 3.9 miles long round trip.
For more information on alternative trails at Lake Mead, please visit www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hike.htm
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
