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Construction Forces Weekday Trail Closures At Lake Mead National Recreation Area

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By NPT Staff - October 16th, 2016

Hikers make their way through one of five tunnels along the Historic Railroad Trail at Lake Mead National Recreation Area/NPS, Andrew Cattoir

Two trails in Lake Mead National Recreation Area will be closed most weekdays through November 17 while crews resurface and improve safety along the paths.

The Historic Railroad Trail and 17 miles of the River Mountains Loop Trail will be closed at 6 a.m. Mondays to 5 p.m. Thursdays. Otherwise, the trails will be open, although there will be some equipment on the side of trails during the construction, but not in the way of the main trail surfaces. All scheduled races and ranger programs 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.

Along the River Mountains Loop Trail, crews will patch cracks and fix washout 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 3.9-mile Bluffs Trail as a nearby alternative. The trail, which starts at the Las Vegas Bay Campground Site 72, is designated moderate difficulty and is 10 miles north of the Historic Railroad Trailhead.

For more information on alternative trails at Lake Mead, visit www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hike.htm.

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