Trail Maintenence Costs – Help keep it down

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.

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

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

 

 

 

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.

Trail Trash in the Bag March 21st

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!!!!

Snakes of the River Mountains

Are there snakes on the trail?  What type of snakes do you have here?  YES…we have snakes in the River Mountains…and along the trail and even on the trail from time to time. We have Rattlesnakes, several varieties such as Western Diamondback, the Southwest Speckled and the Sidewinder.  You see Gopher snakes, lizards, and horny toads, too.  You’ll see the snakes early morning and early evening to dark.  Rattlesnakes usually give you plenty of warning….just back away and leave them alone. 

One day last fall while picking up trash along the trail with my grippers, up near the powerlines at Railroad Pass, I almost stepped on a rattlesnake. I think he was a Speckled about 30″ long.  Needless to say that piece of trash is still there today. And yes, it gave me warning, but not as much as I would have liked.  

Western Diamondback

 

 

Desert Tortoise On the Trail….March 2009

It is March 2009 and the warm weather will bring our Desert Tortoise out of their burrows any day now.  We had numerous sightings last year on the trail.  Please…please do not touch them or harass in any way.  Tortoise are protected under the Federal Endanged Species Act* as a Threatened Species.  If you think one is in danger on the trail you can flag other users around it until it leaves the area.

 

If you see a desert tortoise wandering in a developed area or find an injured tortoise, please call the Tortoise hotline at 702-383-TORT (8678).

Large Tortoise on Trail 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 NOTE: Federal protection means it is illegal to “take” a desert tortoise. “Take” means to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct.” The habitat of the desert tortoise is also protected and may not not be damaged.  Both civil and criminal penalties can be levied. Criminal penalties of $25,000 fines and 6 months in jail can be assessed for each violation.

PHOTO GALLERY TORTOISE -

Large Tortoise on Trail 2008

Tortoise Crossing trail 2008

RMLT tortoise fence 22509

Tortoise up close trail RRPass 2008

Big tortoise SNWA 429

DOGS UNLEASHED….@##$%^

 No this not the latest horror movie at the theater… it is real everyday occurrence on the Trail.  It is the policy of the Advisory Council that dogs are welcomed on the trail on a leash.  All jurisdictions through which the trail runs has rules and ordinances about dogs on a leash.  Dogs love the outdoors and they all love to walk with their masters and we encourage that, but when off leash they also chase things and we have alot of wildlife long the trail.  Desert tortoise and Desert Big Horn sheep are protected forms of wildlife and they occur throughout the River Mountains Loop Trail.  Horses and dogs do not necessarily mix. Dogs must be kept clear of horses and all wild life. 

  

Our four legged friends also are known for doing their duty while walking/running along the trails. Be responsible and considerate of other trail users and clean it up.  Other hikers and bike riders do not want to step in dog crap or ride through it and have it flip up on them.  Look for doggy bags at trail heads or take a bag with you…pick it up and carry it out.

I look forward to seeing all of you and your four legged walking buddies on the trail following all the rules for a safe and pleasant trail outting.  Try these guidelines for a great time on area trails:

Trail Manners for You and Your Dog

1.       Respect wildlife and their habitat – you are in their home.

2.       Respect the environment – don’t let your dog dig or cause damage.

3.       Clean up after your dog. Leave all trails as clean or cleaner than when you arrived.

4.       Yield the right-of-way to other hikers. Many people are afraid of dogs. Communicate with others and always keep your dog under control.

5.       Yield the right-of-way to equestrians. Move off the trail far enough to allow horses to pass. Keep you dog close to you, quiet and under control.

6.       Always be courteous. Don’t give other trail users any reason to complain. Set an example for others by being a conscientious owner with a well-behaved dog out enjoying the trails.

 

       Happy trails to all….