Boulder City Last Two Segments Begin Construction June 2009

June 29, 2009 by rmltman

June 29, 2009 -  Boulder City gave the green light last week to begin constuction on the last two segments (3 & 4) under their jurisdiction.  Work began almost immediately as the following photos indicate.  Construction on segment #4 began over near the Veterans Home and Bootleg Canyon trail head on Veterans Drive.  At the same time work also began on segment #3 at the National Park Service Warehouse on Nevada Hwy.   I guess the plan is to work toward the center and meet up.

We’ll post progress reports and photos here as these last two segments get built. 

BOULDER CITY AND THE RIVER MOUNTAINS TRAIL PARTNERSHIP ARE TARGETING OCT. 17, 2009 FOR A RIBBON CUTTING EVENT TO OPEN ALL THREE SEGMENTS TO THE PUBLIC.  STAY TUNED FOR MORE NEWS….:)

Construction on #4 begins June 2009

Construction on #4 begins June 2009

 

 

RMLT #3 construction begins 62909

RMLT #3 construction begins 62909

 Photos above provided by Gary Zupanic, B.C. Engineer

 

Horses and Equestrians along the Trail

June 5, 2009 by rmltman

June 5th., 2009  -   Many trail users are not aware that 50% of the trail is open to equestrian users.  Horse riding has and is a popular past time in the  east foothills of Henderson, The River Mountains.  The loop trail is designated for equestrian use from mile marker 1 just north of Railroad Pass through MM 14.5 at Las Vegas Bay Lake Mead National Recreation Area.  The equestrian trail parallels the paved trail.  Many riders start out along the trail but enjoy the open riding into the River Mountains.

The City of Henderson in their phase II development of Equestrian Park will be adding equestrian facilities at the north end of the park to accommodate trailering in horses to the area.  Trailer parking, off loading, tie-ups, riding rounds, corrals, watering troughs and connecting trails into Equestrian Park and the River Mountains Loop Trail will be provided.

Natasha on RMLT Horse ride

Natasha on RMLT Horse ride

Gallery of horses along the Trail:

SNWA Builds High-Concentration Photovoltaic near trail

May 12, 2009 by rmltman

May 11, 2009 -  Between trail mile marker 4.5 and 5.0 you will see new HCPV towers within SNWA River Mountains Water Treatment Facility. HCPV stands for High-Concentration Photovoltaic. These units will generate approxmiately .208 Mega-Watts to help meet SNWA power needs.  SNWA is committed to generate 20% percent of its energy needs through renewable resources by 2015, which parallels Nevada’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards. 

Photo below taken May 10, 2009 by Paul Grube

Solar HCPV at SNWA Grube Photo 51009

 Southern Nevada Water Authority has provided me the following fact sheet on this installation. See below…

 

 

RMWTF Solar Panel Installation

Facts

To promote its overall goals of sustainability and green living, the Southern Nevada Water Authority has initiated a renewable energy project to generate solar electricity. The project includes the installation of photovoltaic [solar] panels on the northeastern corner of the River Mountains Water Treatment Facility. (RMWTF)

 

The project will initially include approximately eight 55-foot-wide by 40-foot-tall solar modules on pedestals. A close-up example of what these solar modules will look like can be viewed as you drive northbound on Highway 93/95, just past the Russell Road exit on the east side.

 

The panels’ anti-reflective coating will maximize sunlight utilization while minimizing light reflection.  There will be no emission of excess heat, and the system will not utilize storage batteries. To maximize efficiency, the panels will gradually rotate to track the sun’s daily movements during daytime hours; however, the system will operate noiselessly.

 

The systems being installed are from Amonix, Inc. and are two-axis tracking concentrating solar photovoltaic units.  The Fresnel lenses on the units concentrate the sun approximately 500 times on one square centimeter multi-junction solar cells.  The multi-junction cells are a new technology that captures more of the light spectrum to produce more energy.   The nominal rated value of the six units installed is 222 kW.  During peak solar insolation days the output can be as high as 300 kW.  The amount of energy the systems will produce at nominal conditions is 555,000 kWh per year.  This is enough to power approximately 37 medium sized Las Vegas homes.  The units will begin producing test power by the end of May 2009 with a full in-service date in mid-July when all of the data collection hardware is installed.  The total installation is costing approximately $9,000 per kilowatt.

 

This project is part of the SNWA’s continuing commitment to enhance the sustainability of our desert community. If you have any questions, please contact Robin Rockey at 862-3405 or via e-mail at robin.rockey@snwa.com . 

 

Gallery photos:

 

Wild flowers of The River Mountains Loop Trail

May 4, 2009 by rmltman
 
Blazing Star -Mentzella tricuspus 2009

Blazing Star -Mentzella tricuspus 2009

 Mentzelia tricuspus in the Blazing Star Family.The common names are blazing star, desert corsage or velcro plant. The last two names are derived from the stiff re-curved hairs on the leaves that makes the plant stick to clothing. Its common throughout the Mojave Desert in gravels at low elevations.  Photo by rmltman 3-21-09

 

Desert Senna @Railroad Pass 2008

Desert Senna @ Railroad Pass 2008This wildflower specimen was show casing fall of 2008 near Railroad Pass. Diane is doing her Trail Watch trash pick up near by.

 

Desert Senna Boulder city April 2009

Desert Senna Boulder city April 2009

The Desert Senna abounds in the River Mountains foothills along the trail.  The Desert Senna (cassia armata) in this photo taken April 28th is found near the trail below Cascada Golf Course in the Boulder City foothills.

Wildflower Gallery:

 

 

Trail Enforcement takes many forms…

April 21, 2009 by rmltman

The River Mountains Loop Trail within the City of Henderson falls under the Federal land management of the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR); however, enforcement of trail rules, ordinances and NRS falls to the City of Henderson Police  and to a lesser degree the Parks and Recreation Departments.  The RMLT from Railroad Pass on the south to Lake Mead National Recreation Area on the Northeast is patrolled by the Henderson Police Dept.  using a variety of modes or forms of transportation. 

On any given day or hour of the day you may see HPD trucks, cars, motorcycles, ATV’s, bicycles, and even horses patrolling along the trail corridor.  Their patrols are for user safety.  The trail has been GPS’d and trail mileage markers are used for reference points.  You will also see Trail Watch volunteers wearing orange vests along the trail through out the day. These volunteers are trained to be the “eyes and ears” on all of Henderson’s trails. Again for the safety of trail users.

HPD ATV Units

HPD ATV Units

What type of Enforcement Issues are they looking for??  The rules applicable to city parks apply along the trail.

  • Dogs on leash
  • Trash and illegal dumping
  • Non-authorized vehicles, ATV’s and motorcycles on trail
  • Fire-arms and target shooting on, near or across the trail
  • Use after closing hours
  • Other non-authorized uses

 

 

 

 

 

HPD Mounted horse patrol

HPD Mounted horse patrol

 

Besides Enforcement HPD and Trail Watch are also there to provide:

  • Information and directions to trail users
  • Aid and assistance as needed
  • Trail safety and maintenance needs
  • A positive use influence along the trail

 

 

 

 

 

Trail Watch Volunteers

Trail Watch Volunteers

 

Additional Enforcement is provided in the River Mountains area by National Park Service Rangers; BLM Wilderness Rangers; and both Nevada Dept. of Wildlife and U.S Fish and Wildlife.

 Gallery Photos:

 

 

 

 

 

Boulder City – Bridge Installed 5/28/09; Trail heads to Railroad Pass…

April 20, 2009 by rmltman

June 29, 2009 – Retaining wall work above the highway and below the railroad tracks is tedious work. Here is photo provided by Gary Zupanic, B.c. Engineer of the work being completed.

 

Retaining wall work near Railroad Pass 62909

Retaining wall work near Railroad Pass 62909

 

June 24th, 2009 - Bridge decking has not been poured yet.  Trail construction continues toward Railroad Pass Hotel, one more retaining wall and drainage culvert needs to be placed, then final grading, type two gravel base, and paving in about three weeks. Could be available by mid-July for riding???

Segments 3 & 4 have been given the green light to start and grading started Monday this week. We’re estimated late September/early October for completion.  We are so hopeful that we have scheduled a trail ribbon cutting ceremony for Oct 17, 2009. Stay tuned for details.

May 28th, 2009 – Bridge now in place. Due to traffic considerations on private Cascata Drive, bridge was set in place over night May 27 -28, 2009. Bridge is 163 -ft long. This is truly a milestone in the completion of the River Mountians Loop Trail. The paved section from the Bridge to Railroad Pass Hotel is still several weeks from completion. 

RMLT Bridge #5 installed Zupanic photo 52809

RMLT Bridge #5 installed Zupanic photo 52809

Bridge Facts:  It is 163-ft. long & 14-ft wide between trusses

  • Built by Contech Bridge Solutions (formerly Continental Bridge) 
  • Contractors bid amount for bridge $240,000
  • Concrete Bridge abutments cost $58,000
  • Bridge is a free span steel, model H1-SQ, fabricated from self-weathering atmospheric corrosion resistant steel
  • Bridge will have a lightweight concrete deck

May 27th, 2009 - BRIDGE READY TO BE PLACED TODAY. CHECK IT OUT…..HOPE TO HAVE PHOTOS POSTED BY DAYS END. 

Photos by Jim Holland

 Ped. Bridge ready to set 52709

 April 13th, 2009 – The long awaited Boulder City Trail bridge for segment #5 has arrived on the job site. The footings are still being placed, but the bridge is here. The bridge is required to span the gap across the private Cascata Golf course road and will be placed just north of the railroad bridge .  No date has been set for the placement, but you’ll see and hear about it here. 
 
RMLT #5 Bridge 150-ft arrives

RMLT #5 Bridge 150-ft arrives

April 20th, 2009 – The other great news regarding Boulder City’s portion of the RMLT is they have advertised for bids on trail segments 3 & 4 with bids due on May 7th, 2009. This means we/they could be under construction on their last trail segments by mid-June or  at least by July 1st, 2009 .
We are slowly closing the loop on a 12+ year trail project which will connect and link the cities of Southern Nevada to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Hoover Dam.  The River Mountains Loop Trail will become a national destination trail system. :)
April 29th, 2009 – RMLT field trip to Segment #5 bridge abuttments. Nice walk with great views of Eldorado Valley,  River Mountains and wild flowers along the way.
SEg. #5 bridge abuttment 42909

SEg. #5 bridge abuttment 42909 163-ft. bridge May 28,2009 Holland photo

 

Gallery of photos:

RMLT #5 Bridge Lift zupanic photo 52709

RMLT #5 Bridge Lift zupanic photo 52709

Arnie’s Resort to Resort Trek on the River Mountains Loop Trail. March 2009

March 30, 2009 by rmltman

March 27th, 2009:  Last week I received an email from Arnie regarding a trek he was planning over a three day period to hike from resort to resort along the trail spending one night at each of the hotels along the way.  This is something my wife and I and several trail buddies have discussed doing once the trail is complete next spring.  Below are portions of Arnie’s Trek notes as shared with me.   

ARNIE’S TREK NOTES:    I finished my River Mountains Loop Trail hike on Tuesday and am currently attempting to make sense of my  tape recorded journal entries and identifying the more than 352 photos I took along the way.

Briefly, I would have to say the trip was a success:

 

1.  Flowers along a four mile stretch between the Pacifica Trailhead and the Hacienda were at their peak. ( Arnie started the trip at Railroad Pass Hotel)

2.  Winds which were 20 to 30 on Sunday were from the Northwest and I was traveling Southeast and down hill so were no problem. In addition the forecasted rains didn’t show up until after I was at the hotel.

3.  The scenery along the trail between the Hacienda and Lake Las Vegas was spectacular, especially liked the deep arroyos that cut into the desert and the civil engineering attempts through the use of culverts, bridges and rip rap to keep the trails from being washed away. One of the more interesting spots was a small oasis about a mile or so  before reconnecting  with Lakeshore Road, trailhead is about 100 yds past the park fee stations and 2 miles South of Lake Las Vegas. This is where the original water line to Las Vegas first comes out. Managed by BMI they arrange for water releases to feed the wildlife. There (is) a huge cottonwood tree at the location. ( BMI provides a water guzzler for wildlife here)

4.  Since the distance between the Hacienda and Lake Las Vegas was 16.9 miles (according to my GPS) when I arrived at the waterfall, as suggested the concierge at Lowes, I called the valet service and they sent a shuttle to pick me up.   Accomodations, food and service at the hotel was well worth the price. And they dropped me off just outside Lake Las Vegas early the next morning (about a half mile from where the RMLT reconnects).

5.  The final leg from Lake las Vegas was also enjoyable with nice views off Vegas and Henderson, and great flowers between “B Mountain” and Railroad Pass.

 

Summary details of the hiking distances and times were as follows:
 
1.  38 total miles walked
2.  14 hours average moving time
3.  18 hours total time on trail.
 

I have details for each leg of the trail with GPS coordinates for key points along the trail as well as a note of convenient pit stops. ( Editor will add some of these details when available)

Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort

Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort

 

 

 

In terms of accomodations:

1. The rooms at all three hotels ranged from sufficent at the Railroad Pass Hotel to better than expected at the Hacienda and outstanding at Loews.  Room rates range from $29 at the Hacienda, $49 at Railroad Pass and $119 at Loews. Normally Loews charges $239 for their “Best Value” rate but since I was a local and first time visitor to Loews they upgraded me to one of their nicest rooms with a view.

2. Quality of meals and service ranged from good to excellent. My favorite was the chicken picatta at Railroad Pass. Prices ranged from $17 to $40 for dinner depending upon what was selected.

 
My wife joined me at both Railroad Pass and the Hacienda.  We both did a little gambling before and after meals. She won and I lost. Loews does not have gambling.

Thank you Arnie for sharing this adventure with me.  I’m going to start planning my “Resort to Resort Trekking” adventure tomorrow. :)

Silverman Aid Station #10 – RMLT sponsors

October 27, 2008 by rmltman

Less than two weeks Silverman Triathlon event on Nov. 9th.  We are busy planning and recruiting volunteers to man the aid station. This will be the fourth year the RMLT has sponored this aid station. Aid Station #10 is the last aid station on the bike course, we are located at 101-miles out of the total 112 mile race.  We play a critical role is serving the racers, refreshing them, and seeing to their continued safety. Our aid station site is at the corner of Old Vegas Trail and Paradise Hills Parkway, also known as Foothills Drive.

We encourage anyone interested in supporting the racers to stop by and cheer them on.  In this race a finish is a victory to most of the racers.

Aid station #10 will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on race day.

Desert Big Horn Sheep use the trail, too…

December 4, 2008 by rmltman

The River Mountains Loop Trail is home to many users groups. The oldest users were here long before the trail was dreamed of.  The photos below were provided courtesy of Paul Grebe, Green Valley Cyclist and a RMLT member. Photos were taken November 24th around milepost #15. These three Rams have seen some years as the horns are nearing full curl.  There have been reports of other sightings along the trail by other users. 

Desert big horn Sheep by Paul G.112408

Desert big horn Sheep by Paul G.112408

Their have been several reports of small herds up around the SNWA.

Big Horn on RMLT by Paul g. 112408

Big Horn on RMLT by Paul g. 112408

Trail Trash in the Bag March 21st

March 26, 2009 by rmltman
Trail Clean up March 2009

Trail Clean up March 2009

March 26, 2009 -  Saturday morning March 21st was a clear warm pleasant spring day. Some hundred plus volunteers showed up at Equestrain Park for what has become an annual River Mountains Loop Trail clean up.  The group split up into three groups and cleaned three different areas along the trail. There was also a Boy Scout Troop/cub pack which worked within the Equestrain Park picking up trash.

I had volunteered to work in group#3 which went to a new area of trail at the City of Henderson – National Park Service boundary near Lake Las Vegas. The lands are actually managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.  This area was an old rock gravel pit/mining area, target shooting, illegal camping, etc. and has not been clean up in 10-yrs easy. 

We had a great group of 16 hard working people including 11 Navy recruits soon to ship off to boot camp. We probably covered the shortest distance of any group, but collected the most heavy duty trash.  We picked up buckets of glass, concrete, tires, railroad ties, car parts, mattresess, tree limbs, and much much more.

We really appreciate our trail volunteers.  THANKS A MILLION!!!!

Does this pile of Trash and Household Garbage belong to you??!!

April 14, 2009 by rmltman

 

Desert Dumping 4-11-09

Desert Dumping 4-11-09

April 11, 2009

- While doing a volunteer trail project Saturday morning a group of us came across this pile of trash, yard clippings and just plan old household garbage. Ten plus bags of it just off the trail. This trash could have been left at the curb for Republic Services to pick up, at no cost to the owner; or he or she could have taken it to the Republic Services transfer station and dumped it for free, legally. Now an enforcement officer will go through the trash, look for any item with a name and address on it, cite the owner into court where various degrees of fines can be leveled on the owner. You see, according to Nevada Revised Statues (NRS) you own this trash until it is properly disposed of in a legal landfill. I hope this is not your trash, as the next knock at your door could be the police.


The desert is not a dump…it is our responsibliity to be good stewards of the land.
So love it more…:)
 Photo Gallery of dumps:

 

 

 
 

Trail Maintenence Costs – Help keep it down

March 30, 2009 by rmltman

March 30, 2009-  This post may come close to an editorial.  The community at large is beginning to question what we all love dearly and that is our trails.  Henderson has been a leader and still is in trail development.  Through SNPLMA funds they have been able to design and  build trail like no other community in Southern Nevada.  But at what price? With a down economy and all entities looking to cut expenses, trails and parks will and are coming under attack.

How can you budget to maintain all these parks and trails??Alot of the programs ran in the parks are self-funded to degree, or so I have been told.  Trail maintenance does cost money…weekly patrols, sign repairs, picking up trash, annual striping and surface maintenance adds up over the year.  RTC funds are part of the answer! A portion of our gasoline tax goes to RTC trail system annual maintenance costs. If the city trails are on the RTC map you can apply for trail maintenace funds.  It comes out to something like $9,000/mile per year.  This certainly helps toward the annual costs.  But trail pavement needing seal coating will eat up an entire years budget real quick.

This is where you and I come into the picture…  JOIN HENDERSON’S “TRAIL WATCH” program and become part of the solution.  True they preach “eyes & ears” on the trail, but no reason why we can not pick up trash when patrolling the trails; kick few rocks off the trail now and then; and we can certainly volunteer for special work project events which help reduce trail maintenance.  We certainly do not want our trails closed because of maintenance or unsafe conditions, so we need to do our part.  Ask a friend, a business associate or someone you meet on the trail to join “Trail Watch”.   If we do not ‘Watch out” we could see fewer trails to enjoy.