Cell phone coverage improved along Trail In Lake Mead Recreation Area

Nov. 20th – 2009 – Cell phone coverage enhanced in Lake Mead Area ….(this news brief was posted in The View this week)   Verizon Wireless expanded its network coverage and capacity in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, enhancing a number of services for customers, the company announced. The move allows customers to make calls and send e-mails, text messages and pictures, as well as access the Web in a territory where services may not have been previously accessible. For more information, visit verizonwireless.com.

NOTE: Cell phone coverage has been an issue among some trail users.  This enhancement may bring improvements along that portion of the River Mountains Loop Trail within the Lake Mead Recreation Area . Alway be prepared and if traveling or riding alone let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.

From a trail enjoyment and safety point of view we suggest cell phones be used for emergencies only.  Remember you are on the trail for peace and quiet; recreation; fresh air; so keep your mind and eyes on the trail ahead…..:)

Roadrunner – Beep….Beep

Greater Roadrunner – A member of the cuckoo family, the greater Roadrunner (Geococcyz californianus) is zygodactylous or two toes pointing forward and two backwards.  It has heavily streaked plumage, a bristly crest, short rounded wings an upward tilted tail, and long legs.  It rarely flies and has been clocked running at speeds up to 17 miles per hour.  It is said to have gotten its name in the Old West from running ahead of horse-drawn carriages.  Its diet of lizards, insects and spiders, small rodents, birds, and snakes is supplemented with occasional fruits and seeds.

Roadrunner - Lizard for lunch - file photo

Tarantula Spiders

Tarantula - These spiders have hairy,brown to black bodies, and a leg span that can exceed 4 inches.  Despite their intimidating appearance, they are generally non-aggressive and will avoid confrontation if possible.  north American desert tarantulas do have venom, but the effect on a human is generally equivalent to a bee sting.

Tarantula on trail 102409

For most of the year tarantulas are solitary creatures that seldom move far from their burrows to hunt lizards, insects and other arthropods.  They are most likely to be seen on summer nights when males are out and about searching for mates.  The mortality rate for mature males is high.  Those who manage to survive the search for a female will most likely be eaten by her soon after mating.  Females, who tend to stick close to the home burrow, may live for 20 years or more.

Historic Railroad Trail featured in Rails to Trails Magizine

Nov. 20, 20009 - The winter 2009 edition of Rails to Trails is out and it feature The Historic Railroad Trail At Lake Mead on the cover, plus a six page article and photos within.  The photo shoot took place back in the spring which several of us from the River Mountains Trail Partnership participated in.  Only Jim Holland’s photo made it into the article.  Jim is the Lake Mead Park Planner and was deeply involved in the completion of the Historic Railroad Trail.  I also interviewed twice with Ben Spillman, but of course was not quoted in the article either, such is the life of one who works behind the scenes. 

Link to article:  http://www.railstotrails.org/news/magazine/index.html   

 The article is well written and certainly covers the many user groups who visit the trail on an annual basis.  The history of how the trail was built makes another story which is covered elsewhere in this BLOG site.   Look under “History” category.

JIm Holland posing for shoot, Low Lake mead shoreline spring 2009

I have a few behind the scenes photos of part of the official photo shoot.  You will also find detailed information, photos, and maps on both the Historic Railroad Trail and the River Mountains Loop Trail at  www.traillink.com

See Gallery below.

Rails to Trails photo shoot – John poses in front of Tunnel #5 Jared & Trish takes photos

Bill Laub posing w/shovel – Jared on ground Trish holds flash march 2009

Rails to Trails photo shoot March 2009 – John, Jim, Bill posing Jared on Ground, Trish Holding Flash

Jim Holland & Trish Tunnel #5 Spring 2009

JIm Holland posing for shoot, Low Lake mead shoreline spring 2009

Historic Railroad at Tunnel #5 circa 1931

Trail closures Nov. 30 to Dec.4th for Geotechincal boring MM1.5 to MM3

Nov. 20th 2009 10:51 a.m. - Mile Marker 1.5 to MM3.25  The geotechnical borings  are scheduled for the Equestrian Levee between Paradise Hills and Equestrian Road, just east of section 27.  This section of trail will need to be closed between November 30^th through December 4^th while the borings are taking place to minimize the potential for injury to trail users and encroachment into the work area.   The boring locations are outside of the asphalt trail and the contractor has been informed to avoid travel on the pavement to prevent damage to trail surface.  The geotechnical investigation is necessary to certify that the levee meets FEMA requirements for construction. 

Geo-drilling for core samples - file photo

Note: It is unknown at this time whether the entire section will be closed during this work or if just each work area will be closed off to travel.  There are eight (8) bore locations indicated on work area maps.  Please be alert and avoid work areas during this time period. We will work with them to keep access open as much as possible but that may mean traversing down or up the slope of the levee.

See map below for bore sites.

 

 

 

Bore sites 112009

UPDATED INFORMATION: I orignally posted work from Nov. 23rd to Dec. 4th.  Revised information states work will be done Nov. 30th to Dec. 4th.  There will be closure for a few days, but contractor and City public works are making detour arrangements down on to foothill Drive for 1-mile. PLEASE BE SAFE AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS….THANKS. 

 

Desert Kit Fox – kit fox

 

 

Desert Kit Fox NPS file photo

 

Desert Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis) – The smallest of foxes, the Desert Kit fox is about 30 inches from nose to tip of tail.  It has very large ears and is gray and buff colored with a black-tipped tail.  The bottoms of its fee are covered with fur to faciltate travel on sandy soil.  Mostly nocturnal, the fox hunts rodents, lizards, birds, and insects. (the ocasional house cat).

NOS - Desert Kit fox file photo

 Note: It is rare to see one of these guys along the trail, but they are out there. The only one I have seen was a road kill, I wore his tail on my hiking hat for awhile.

 

Gambel’s Quail

Gambel’s quail – (Callipepla gambelii)  have plump, stocky bodies, rounded wings, and prominent head plumes.  The name Callipepla comes from the Greek kalli ( beautiful) and peplos (robe).  The body is gray above and buff below, with streaked sides. Males have a black face and throat and a white headband.

These birds spend most of their time on the ground, often near washes and springs.  At night they roost in low branches of shrubs or trees.  They are generally gregarious and form coveys of 20 or more in fall and winter.

Gambles Quail male file photo 2009

 These Quail can be seen along the trail early mornings if one is quiet. Located in washes and areas where water can be found. They are fun to watch and they have a series of calls they make to each other.

 

 

Boulder City’s last 1,000 feet of trail & photo preview

 

 

 

Looking S.E. over Boulder city by Gary Z.

 

Nov. 17, 2009 -  Per Gary in B.C. we are down to our last 1,000 feet of trail to build. Today they are pouring a retaining wall along the property line with National Parks Service Warehouse parking.  Once cured the contractor can pave the trail right up next to it.  Should be completed by November 30th and ready for use…. this is the last piece of asphalt to complete Boulder cities portions of the River Mountains Loop Trail.  This section being completed is between mile marker 30 and mile marker 31.   The follow photos were  provided by Gary Zupanic, Boulder City Engineer and project manager. Thanks Gary.

RMLT connects to Bootleg Canyon Park photo by Gary Z.

 Boulder City last 1,000 feet photo gallery:

pouring retaining wall at NPS last 1,000 feet by Gary Z.

Looking S.E. over Boulder city by Gary Z.

RMLT connects to Bootleg Canyon Park photo by Gary Z.

Above NPS Warehouse by Gary Z.

Bootleg Canyon Park connection by Gary Z.

Near Bootleg Canyon Park uphill climb by Gary Z.

S curve near NPS warehouse by Gary Z.

COYOTES

Coyote Howling file photo 2009

Nov. 16, 2009 – Coyotes - (Canis latrans) are grizzled gray or reddish-gray with buff underparts a bushy tail with a black tip, and prominent ears.  They are excellent runners, with cruising speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour and short bursts of up to 40 miles per hour.

Extremely intelligent and adaptable, the coyote is expanding its range despite loss of traditional habitat and human hunting pressures.  Today the coyote can be found in desert, grassland, mountain and suburban environments as far north as Alaska and as far south as Central America.

The coote is an opportunistic hunter employing a variety of methods to obatain food. It patientl stalks and pounces on small mammals. It has trememdous endurance and can simply chase prey until it is worn out. Where the food supply is predominantly small animals, it hunts alone or in a breeding pairs, while in the presence of large prey such as deer, it will hunt in packs. Coyotes will also make do with insects, lizards, carrion, fruit, and even pine nuts (grass seeds).

Coyotes are usually heard between dusk and dawn. Barks and yelps followed by drawn-out howls serve to announce location, strenghtn social bonds, and reunite separated members of a band.

NOTE: The above definition of coyotes comes from a Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication called “Geologic tours in the Las Vegas Area”.

SILVERMAN TRIATHLON – November 8th, 2009 – 5th Annual event

September 15, 2009 :  Silverman Triathlon runs a 9-mile portion of the 112-mile road race on the River Mountains Loop Trail. Three hills in this section have become known as the “Three Sisters” with grades approaching 15%.  For more information and photos see BLOG page “The “Three Sisters” under Silverman Triathlon category.

About the Nevada Silverman Triathlon:
The Silverman Triathlon is a full and half distance triathlon held in Henderson, Nevada. Branded as the toughest course in North America by “The Man” himself, Dave Scott, and echoed by more than 1,500 participants over the past 5 years, the Nevada Silverman is sure to attract individuals and relay teams from around the world in 2009. For registration or more information on the Nevada Silverman Triathlon please visit www.silvermannv.com.

 

 

Silverman bike rider file photo