Trail Segments 3 and 4 at 90% design. Seg. 5 Construction Started.

 

Dec. 8th- Update on trail design – We are now at 90% design. Switch backs and grade modifications have been made. NPS and Boulder City to meet in field to work out final design spec’s at NPS Warehouse at completion point.  We are looking for bid documents and bidding before end of January 2009.  As mention under my Road Apples page this segment will have the highpoint in the trail system at 2620 feet.  There is a break over point where you can see into Lake Mead Basin and Eldorado Valley all at the same time. More later….

UPDATED INFORMATION 10-09-08: At our last RMLT meeting we reviewed and discussed 70% design drawings for these last two segments of trail through Boulder City. WE ask that additional switchbacks be looked at and installed to reduce trail slope and increase trail user enjoyment and views.  During September construction started on segment #5. Contractor will develop trail from Veteran’s home west to Railroad Pass. This segment will have a 100-ft. + bridge span installed. Looking for completion late spring 2009. Stay tuned for more trail updates.

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May 29th 2008 – I just learned that the additional funding requested from SNPLMA SAR’S to expand the scope of work for trail segments 3,4 & 5 in Boulder City has been approved. This means the long awaited trail connection to Boulder City from Henderson will get started yet this summer.

It’s a long long story but segment #5, the key link from Henderson to Boulder City, has been delayed for serveral years. Permits, design issues, railroad crossings, etc. etc. The last delay was all the bids came in too high.  Several funding sources were investigated, but no additional funds were available.  A project team or task force was assembled lead by Jim Holland, NPS; Bill Martin, BOR; and Gary Zupanic, Boulder City; to bring all the right players to the table. A meeting was held in Boulder City City Hall on April 3rd to map out a course of action.  I’ll spare you all the additional details, but let it be known that the team effort put forth by all these folks will result in Boulder City being able to complete Segment #5** late Fall 2008, instead of the delayed alternative of Fall 2009.  We also need to thank the low bid contractor for holding his price until the additional funding was located. I can’t wait for opening of this segment as my first trip will be a bike ride to Milos Cellar in Boulder City for lunch and very cold “Fat Tire”.  Please join me….:) http://www.miloswinebar.com/content  

**Segment #5 – This segment of trail begins at the trail head located at Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino upper parking lot (photo to right) and heads south and east to Boulder City following the Boulder City Historic Railroad. The trail crosses the railroad tracks just before Cascata Drive. The trail then crosses over Cascata Drive on a long span pedestrian bridge. Trail continues east following the SNWA waterline to Boulder City linking up with one of the Bootleg Canyon trailheads just west of the B.C. Veteran’s home on Veterans Drive. 

HPD issues 12 citations to ATV’S, Quads, dirt bikes & vehicles on Trail

HPD cited 12 operators of ATV’s, Quads, Dirt bikes & other motorize vehicles over Memorial Day Weekend.  HPD representatives stated that no more warnings will be issued. A “No Tolerance” rule is now in place.  This policy will continue throughout the summer months.

This is truly good news for regular trail users (hikers, bicycles, joggers, wlakers, equestrians) throughout the River Mountains Loop Trail (Henderson) corridor.  We encourage any and all trail users if you encounter a motorized vehicle of any type on the trail* to call HPD at 267-5000 option #1 and provide all the details: Your name, call back number, type of vehicle, operator description, license number if car/truck, location, direction of travel etc.  Be prepared to complete a Police report if officers are able to respond.  If you have a digal camera take a photo, if you can do so safely. A photo and license number will get the operator a home visit later by HPD.

*Note: The trail is a 25-foot wide corridor, 12-feet paved, a 3-foot buffer on one side and upto 10-feet for equestrian and mountian bikes on the other side.  The 10-foot of gravel or native material is NOT for motorized vehcile use of any type.

IMAGES ALONG THE TRAIL –

Lake view GV club ride

 

 

 

 

 

Photos taken Mothers day weekend north of Railroad Pass near Texas Acres site. 50908

 

Desert Tortoise Photo taken April 29th during a APA Mobile workshop bike tour near SNWA water treatment plant. 42908

RMLT construction status

I was looking at some old reports on our web site and I was quoted as saying we would be done hopefully in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and now I’m saying spring 2009, let’s make that 2010.   Things happen and when you are dealing with three Federal Land Management agencies, NDOT, private land owners, utilities etc. need I say more. Out of 22 planning segments we only have four to complete. These four are funded 100% and in various stages of design/construction. The next segment to be built should be  Boulder City’s segment #5, which will connect Henderson to Boulder City and vica versa is currently at  40% completion with one-mile paved. We expect this bid award in June 2008. The next segment after that will be segment #14 connecting Henderson to Lake Mead NRA along Lake Mead Parkway/Lakeshore Drive,  however; Boulder City’s segments 3 & 4 are at 75% 95% design and may just  will go to bid before Henderson Segment #14.  For those who don’t know the last agency who completes the last segment buys ( Streaks, beer, gifts, Mtn. bikes for all). We hope to throw a big party to celebrate the completion sometime in 2009 Spring 2010. 

It is now March 17th, 2009 and I just modifed this post again.  Segment #5 is underconstruction, but  NDOT issues have slowed construction down. The area through Railroad Pass is very rocky and the Right-of-way is very tight between the highway, the railroad, and underground utilities.  Were are still shooting for completion and hoping for a celebration ride/hike in late May or early June 2009 …this year.    Segments 3& 4 should go to bid any day now., with possible completion by late Fall/early winter 2009…I hope.:)  Segment #14 the last one is in design at 30%. We have property and right-of-way issues past Three Kids Mine and BMI water line corridor. This segment is scheduled for a late fall design completion, follow by bidding and “hopefully” construction start before years end.

Motorized vehicle on trail – Enforcement

ATV’s and other vehciles, even cars on the trail is an illegal act. Enforcement has been random todate.
The new Trail Watch program is set up to report directly to HPD such incidents as they occur. Responding officers will ticket those caught in the act. HPD has budgeted for new officers to specifically patrol Henderson trails starting very soon. All you have to do is stay off the River Mountains Loop Trail. There are cross over points provided for access into the River Mountains, use them.

Trail Watch program kicks off in Henderson

This is a program used across the country to bring volunteers into the local trail system.  Trail Watch is intended to be the “Eyes & Ears” of what is happening on our trails.  Trail Watch provides improved safety for all trail users and also a means for trail maintenance and upkeep.  If you want to support Henderson trails and more specifically the River Mountains Loop Trail I encourage you to get involved by contacting Jennifer Magby, Outdoor Recreation Coordinator at 702-267-4050 or go online to City of Henderson web page, Parks & Recreation, and click on Trail Watch logo.  You can fill out an application online, then mail or fax it.  Photo in this post is yours truly completing my trail log at the SNWA rest area.

Link: http://www.cityofhenderson.com/parks/parks/trail_watch.php

Rocks on Trail at road crossings

Street bike riders need to beware of rocks on trail at road crossings. Trail is swept once each week, but rocks appear daily.

The bulk of rocks found on trail result form illegal vehicle (ATV) activity on trail. I’m encouraging Trail Watch volunteers who are able to take a street broom with them and sweep rocks off trail when found. Parks maintenance can only get to trail once a week to sweep….I encourage all users to kick rocks off trail while walking and/or hiking, it will help all users have a safer experience.

January 26th 2009 – Time for an update on rocks on the trail. Vehicles riding on the trail are still the biggest problem.  Rain run off adds small rocks and dirt on to trail and dogs.  City of Henderson can only sweep every other week or so do to lay-offs and cut backs. We the users need to pick it up and sweep and remove rocks whenever possible.  The photo below was a rock/gravel problem I ran across Saturday Jan. 24th, north of the Equestrian park bridge. We swept the problem.  We need more eyes and ears out there.  Trail Watch ph 267-4050.

Sweeping rocks off trail 12409