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.

Big Horn Sheep near trail at risk?

 OCTOBER 12, 2009 – I have received many searches for Big Horn Sheep. This recent article by Jean Norman along with related photos really provides some great insight to the some of the issues these big boys face on a daily basis.  I personally prefer to see them out more in the wilds along the trail which is a rare sight indeed.  This park location where the sheep are photographed is only a block off the trail so one can make a quick side trip while riding trail through Boulder City.  The park is located off of Ville Drive and is called the “Hemenway Valley Park”. 

Photo by L.V. Sun Justin M. Bowen

Story by Jean Norman, L.V. Sun & B.C. News

The desert bighorn sheep that live in the River Mountains in Boulder City, seen here on a recent weekday morning, make their way down to Hemenway Park almost every morning. City officials have voiced concerns about the sheep as traffic in the area they roam is set to increase next year with the opening of the new Hoover Dam bypass bridge.

 

Link to entire article with lots of sheep photos below.

 

 

 

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oct/05/when-bypass-bridge-opens-bighorn-sheep-could-be-bi/

Hoover Dam Bridge photos Spring, Summer, and Fall 2009

September 2009 – I just got some more updated photos sent to me from a contractor buddy of mine. These latest photos are awsome shots. Bridge is due for completion in 2010 with dedication/opening set for late 2010…rumor has it that President “O” will be here.  Enjoy the photos and even better yet ride the trail down to Hoover Dam and take your own photos:

 

 

Bridge cables highlighted in sun 0909 unkJuly 2009- These photos are a little old now, but you can do a google Image search and find tons of current photos of this tremendous construction project. This project is visible from the Historic Railroad Trail which links and connects to the River Mountains Loop Trail. Enjoy.Hoovr Dam Bridge March 2009

I should note that as of this week the arch is very close to be closed. An amazing engineering & construction feat.  Part of the final road by-pass construction will make big improvements to the Historic Railroad Trail from its connection to the River Mountains Loop Trail down to the Hoover Dam Visitor Center.

Hoover Dam Dridge Arch nearly complete July 2009

Photo gallery here:

Bridge cables highlighted in sun 0909 unk

Bridge cables highlighted in sun 0909 unk

Bypass bridge looking north upriver 0909unk

Hoover Dam Dridge Arch nearly complete July 2009

Hoover Dam Bridge Nevada Tower March 2009

Hoover Dam Bridge Arizona Tower March 2009

Hoovr Dam Bridge March 2009

Hoover Dam Bridge arch march 2009

Hoover Bridge Aerial NV side 2009

Hoover Dam Bridge arch almost complete July 2009

Boulder City Last Two Segments Begin Construction June 2009

July 28, 2009 – the project manager advises that late last week portions of segment #4 around the Vet’s home was paved and linked up to segment #5. After only 30-days pavement is laid down.  We are trekking east for a finish late summer.

 

 

 

 

  RMLT Seg. #4 passes Vet’s home 72909

  

RMLT #4 Bootleg Connect 72909

 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

 

 

RMLT #3 construction begins 62909

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

Photo gallery below:

RMLT Seg. #4 passes Vet’s home 72909

RMLT #3 construction begins 62909

Construction on #4 begins June 2009

RMLT #4 Bootleg Connect 72909

 

SNWA Builds High-Concentration Photovoltaic near trail

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

 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:

Solar HCPV at SNWA Grube Photo 51009

SNWA solar panels photo by Paul 51109

Wild flowers of The River Mountains Loop Trail

 

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 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

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:

Blazing Star -Mentzella tricuspus 2009

Bear Poppy April 2008

Desert Senna (cassia armata) 2009

Fall flowers & Trail Watch 2008

RMLT Desert Senna ( cassia armata) April 28, 2009

RMLT Brittlebush (?) MM6.5

RMLT Desert Senna RRPass 2008

RMLT 32109 close up Blazing star – mentzylla Tricuspus

 

 

Boulder City – Bridge Deck Poured 8/06/09; Completion to Railroad Pass nears…

August 19, 2009 – It’s not official, “BUT” the bridge is done and open for use.  I have heard reports that the new B.C. connection is getting lots of use.  We may have  to install traffic signals?   Just kidding. 

 

 

 

B.C. Bridge concrete curing 8-08-09

 

 

SAFETY NOTE:  Until the signs and stop lines are installed at the railroad crossing PLEASE stay back from the RR-tracks on weekends when the tourist train is passing. Ill try and get the hours of operation post here in the next few days.

AUGUST 6, 2009 – Bridge decking was poured early this morning (see photo below).  Please give it a few days to cure and respect the contractors closed signs.  Getting lots of feedback about riders riding the new paved sections to and from Boulder City.   

BOULDER CITY  AND THE RMLT PLANNING OCTOBER 17TH TRAIL OPENING CELEBRATION.  STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!!!

  

 

 

rmlt #5 Bridge Decking poured 8-06-09

 

 

 

 

 

July 28, 2009 – Bridge approaches paved. Bridge decking scheduled to be poured this week; then needs a week to cure.  So look for  bridge opening August 10th more or less. 

Also contractor working on segments 3 & 4 paved portions of segment #4 around the Vet’s home.  The trail is trekking east day by day toward a late summer completion. 

 July 23, 2009 - More progress to report as paving took place earlier this week on the remain portions of Segment #5 from Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino to the Pedestrian Bridge.  The bridge is not complete, no decking, so do not plan to ride just yet.

 

RMLT #5 paved to Railroad Pass Casino 72309

 

 July 16, 2009 – More retaining wall work photos. this one is where the River Mountains Loop Trail will cross the historic railroad .  Work progresses daily and everyone is waiting for the pavement lay down day and completion. 

 

  

RMLT # 5 Retaining wall ar RR Tracks crossing 71409

 

Retaining Wall at Railroad crossing 71409

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.

 

 

 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???

Retaining wall work near Railroad Pass 62909

 

 

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

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

 

 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

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 163-ft. bridge May 28,2009 Holland photo

 

Gallery of photos:

B.C. Bridge concrete curing 8-08-09

RMLT #5 Bridge Lift zupanic photo 52709

RMLT Bridge #5 installed Zupanic photo 52809

RMLT Bridge street view May 28, 2009 Holland photo

163-ft. bridge May 28,2009 Holland photo

Ped. Bridge ready to set 52709

SEg. #5 bridge abuttment 42909

RMLT #5 Bridge 150-ft arrives

RMLT #5 Bridge night lift zupanic 52709

RMLT #5 Bridge north view zupanic photo 52809

RMLT #5 long view west Zupanic photo 52809

Retaining wall work near Railroad Pass 62909

RMLT # 5 Retaining wall ar RR Tracks crossing 71409

Retaining Wall at Railroad crossing 71409

RMLT #5 paved to Railroad Pass Casino 72309 Garys photo

RMLT#5 pavement crosses Railroad wst of bridge 72309

RMLT #5 paved to Railroad Pass Casino 72309

rmlt #5 Bridge Decking poured 8-06-09

RMLT #5 Bridge Lift zupanic photo 52709

RMLT #5 paved to Railroad Pass Casino 72309 Garys photo

 

RMLT#5 pavement crosses Railroad wst of bridge 72309

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

************** 

 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

Three Kids Mine site along Trail

Jan.29th, 2009   Three Kids Mine is part of Southern Nevada’s mining history. It is locate near Lake Las Vegas at trail mile marker 9.0 to 10.5.  There are several deep open pit mines where manganese ore was mined then processed in a mill on site. Mining was activity from around 1917 until the plant was closed in 1961. The site has sat idle for 48 years. It was used in two movies over the years and has been an eyesore for most of the 48-yrs.  Plans are now afoot to clean up the area and turn it into a master planned development of some 1250+ acres.  The development is currently known as “Lakemoor Canyons”.  The project is in the planning, review, approval stage and will require many permits. The actual clean up of the site is about 12 months out if all goes well.

Three kids Mine Unger/RJ photo

History:

The following is an except out of the Review Journal dated May 12, 2005. The article is written by A.D. Hopkins and talks about the Merle Frehner family history….
During World War I the Three Kids Mine, the remains of which are visible southeast of Sunrise Mountain, was producing manganese ore. Harry (Frehner) hauled the ore to the Las Vegas rail yards behind a 10-horse team pulling three heavy-duty freight wagons and a feed cart, hooked one behind the other. “When reaching the east end of Fremont Street, Harry drove straight up the center to the depot, then south to an unloading platform. Crowds of people would line the sidewalks to watch the long outfit go up the street.”  This would have been between 1914 and 1918.

The following notes and statements come from an article printed in the “MINING CONGRESS JOURNAL dated October 1944….”The three Kids Mine near Las Vegas, owned by the Manganese Ore Company, wholly-owned subsidiary of The M.A. Hanna Company, has proved to be the largest open pit deposit of good grade manganese ore available in America, Vice President M.C. Lake of the ore company said in a recent statement.”

The millling plant next to the mine was owned and operated by the Defense Plant Corporation and as of this writing had produced several thousand tons of high grade manganese nodules. The plant had not yet reached full production according to the article.

Other items of interest from the article are: 1.) Part of the process involved leaching a processing pulp …”in a series of seven thickeners, the first two of which are acid-proof construction and 250 feet in diameter, thus making them the largest acid-proof thickeners ever constructed.” 2.)The “manganese sulphate salt which is roasted in a rotary kiln 360-ft. long and 11ft 3 inches in diameter, to yield a calcine of Manganese oxide and sulpher dioxide gas.”
The article from the Mining Congress Journal also had multiple photos of operations at the mine….Steam shovel loading dump trucks;beginning of the open pit mine operation; Drilling being done by churn drills and rock drills; mining pit with stock piles of ore and mill.

Movies:
Do you know the names of the two Hollywood Movie productions that took place at Three Kids Mine????

The first one I’m still researching. It was filmed after 1961 and involved the blowing up of the mill/plant during filming. I’m told it was in the early 1970’s? Does anyone know…please help me out.

The second film/movie was released February 5, 1987. It was shot entirely on location in southern Nevada. A major battle scene and shoot out occured at the Three Kids Mine site. The name of the movie is “CHERRY 2000″ – a 1987 science fiction cult film starring Melanie Griffith and David Andrews. My personal review of movie would make it a “B” movie, acting was not so hot, plot was ?; but the scenery of Southern Nevada was great. The Three Kids Mine shots show some of the remaining structures from the mining days. The big 250-ft concrete thickeners look like alien structures in the film. The movie pops up every now and again on HBO, don’t waste your money renting a DVD.

Cherry 2000 Movie Poster 1987

The River Mountains Loop Trail:

The trail will front the Three Kids Mine site along the south side of Lake Mead Parkway from the tunnel underpass east to the commercial buildings. At this location the trail will cross to the north side via a tunnel and then follow the BMI waterline right-of-way east for about one mile. The trail will pass under Lake Mead Parkway at the far eastern edge of the Lake moor Canyons development.  This trail alignment is currently under design. We expect completion by end of 2009.

 

 

Rain & Snow brings Colorful Spring Bloom…

Are you ready?  Experience has shown that  good soaking rains and yesterday’s snow will lead to a very colorful spring bloom.  Depending on the amount of rain and the depth of water soaking in we could see flowers and grasses that have been dormant for the past several years.  The forecast for the next week or two gives us hope of more rain and now is the time.  My good friend, Jim the botanists , has told me this truth over the last several years. He is a park planner for the NPS, plus was born and raised here.

So the point of this post is to get you fired up for the spring bloom of 2009.  Should start in mid-March and last through May.

You can do you part by going out on the trail on every cloudy day and do the River Mountains “raindance”.