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…..:)

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. 

 

Trail Alert – Historic Railroad Trail work finished Oct. 21, 2009

October 22, 2009 – Historic Railroad trail is now open again to Hoover Dam.   Reclamation has improved the area that crosses the Police access road.  We have  striped a cross walk, and paved from the exit of the switchyard  to the top of the switchback trail down to the parking garage.

ADDITIONAL WORK PLANNED FOR 2010 - The Bureau of Reclamation Work planned for 2010:

•  install 2 drinking fountains
• Install 1 vault toilet
• Install a shade shelter and table
• Install benches along trail 
• Correct  two dips to bring up to accessibility grade
• open up the back trail loop,
• and develop a trail map complete with lengths, elevations, GPS.

In my opinon these announced improvements will make this one of the best and most unique trail experiences in the Western States.  The back loop mentioned is more of the actual rail bed used to build the dam, which has been off limits to the public for years.  With completion of the bridge next year and these improvements the trail experience will just get better and better.

 

OCTOBER 13th, 2009 -Starting tonight about sundown a contractor will be ripping out the Hoover Dam Police road to repave it.   Reclamation would appreciate it if NPS and River Mountains partnership ask people to be careful in the area where the Historic Railroad trail crosses the roadway to the POLICE substation.

The contractor will be paving the trail from the switchyard exit bollards to the top of the Zig Zag trail, painting a cross walk across the police roadway, and paving the short term drop off and pick up area.

The trail will still be open dawn to dusk as the contractor is working nights, dusk to dawn on the project.  However, at times their will be some cones and tape to reroute the trail while they pave the trail areas.  This is a 2 week project and should be completed by October 23, 2009.

Reclamation will provide you updates as they become available.

 

 

 

 

 

Hoover Switch & Police station work area 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

(NOTE: This area is just before you enter the paved switch-backs down to the dam parking garage. Be safe and tell your friends.)

CRACK REPAIRS ON THE RIVER MOUNTAINS LOOP TRAIL – 0CT. 15-16TH

 

 

 

Cracks in Trail

October 8th, 2009 -

  We have been advised by the City of Henderson that on Oct. 15th & 16th a contractor will be on the River Mountains Loop Trail repairing cracks in the asphalt. The work will be done from the Lake Mead Parkway underpass south toward the reservoir area on top the three sisters, or mile marker 8.5 south to 6.5.  

 

 Those who ride this area on a regular basis are well aware of the large cracks that have appeared over the last year in this area. I’m not sure of the reason, but my guess is the underlying base was not thick enough to hold the asphalt in place so it moved with the extreme heat this past summer.

 

 

 

Large crack in trail as wide as a $20 bill

 

 

 

 

WARNING: Coyote Alert along trail Continues

OCTOBER 23, 2009 -WE HAVE ANOTHER ALERT! This past weekend two different reports were received by bicyclist about being chased by a large coyote near the southeast corner of the SNWA Water Treatment plant(mile marker 3.5 to 4.0), this is where the trail takes a sharp 90 degree turn.  Henderson Animal control and Nevada Wildlife have been notified.  In order to pinpoint this “one” bad apple coyote we need more reports detailing where, date, and time. DO NOT go looking for this guy, but if seen or you encounter an aggressive coyote along the trail please report it.  Numbers are list below.  Also please call Trail Watch at 702-267-4050 and provide above information.

  

NPS Coyote file photo 2009

September 10, 2009 - We have been getting reports of  coyote sightings along the trail over the past week or two during early morning hours in Henderson.  At least one report indicated that the coyote was large and aggressive toward the trail user….”It chased him on his bike..”  The entire trail is in a rural/urban setting which is home to many wild animals including the coyote. Generally coyotes are afraid of humans and will shy away. Unfortunately our neighborhoods are intertwined with “Mr. Coyote” and he has gotten very use to living among us. He enjoys eating our garbage, our dog/or cat pet food on the patio, our cats and small dogs, and he has mostly lost fear of man.  IF CONFRONTED BY A COYOTE ON THE TRAIL ,WAVE YOUR ARMS, YELL/SHOUT, THROW ROCKS AND EXIT THE AREA.

Coyote in wild file photo 2009

Here is what is posted on City of Henderson Animal Control website:

 Urban Wildlife including coyotes should be handled by the Nevada Division of Wildlife, but they seldom are able to respond due to staff and budget shortages. Animal Control does not handle wildlife unless the animals become a Public Safety issue. If a coyote or coyotes are causing an immediate threat to citizens of Henderson, please call Henderson Animal Control at 702-267-4970 ext. 4 during our normal working hours. After hours if there is a life threatening human emergency, please call 911 for a Police/Animal Control response. Coyotes are common throughout Henderson and are seen most frequently at early evening, night and early morning hours cruising through various neighborhoods. Please keep your cats and small dogs indoors! Coyotes will usually leave by themselves unless they are challenged or cornered. For additional general information, please contact Animal Damage Control at 702-668-4565.

Here are some safety tips regarding coyotes:

1. DO NOT FEED COYOTES!
2. DO NOT LEAVE PET FOOD OUT WHERE COYOTES CAN FIND IT!
3. DO NOT LEAVE GARBAGE OUTDOORS OVER NIGHT IN OPEN CONTAINERS…PUT A LID ON IT!
4. KEEP DOGS ON SHORT LEASH WHEN WALKING! (A leash is required when walking the trail)
5. SCARE COYOTES OFF WHEN SEEN OR ENCOUNTERED!

Please Do Not Feed Wild Animals!

Coyote photo gallery:

Coyote file photo 2009

Coyote in wild file photo 2009

Coyote NPS file photo 2009

Unknown sign Coyotes Do not Feed

Please Do Not Feed Wild Animals!

Danger!! Extreme Heat warning July 14th to 18th 2009

July 13, 2009 -  The weather service and media is announcing extreme heat warning for the next four-five days. Most local trail users know to go out early morning to get around the heat, but new comers and visitors from out of town may not be aware of the extreme heat and dangers it presents. GO OUT BEFORE SUN UP AND DO YOUR RIDE, WALK, OR RUN AND BE OFF THE TRAIL BEFORE TEMPERATURE REACH 90 DEGRESS. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER, TAKE A CELL PHONE, GO WITH A FRIEND.

HAPPY TRAILS AND BE SAFE…rmltman

Trail Logo Signs & Mileage Buttons installed

June 24th, 2009 – We have just received work that all the Henderson monuments have been probably located at 1/2 mile intervals and that trail logos, mileage markers, and user buttons are now in place. This is great news for the safety of trail users.  We are also excited that Lake Mead NRA has authorized maintenance staff to also place trail logos, and Mile Markers on the Lake Mead portions of the trail, some 17-miles.  Trail mileage markers have been very useful to address trail safety and maintenance needs and for the occasional emergency response. 

April 11, 2009 – Saturday morning a group of trail volunteers got together to install the first of 70+ Trail Logo signs on the concrete monuments along the River Mountains Loop Trail. The installation represents a milestone for this trail. The trail monuments are two sided with one side having a slot for the logo sign and three round button holes for trail mileage and user buttons. The other side has four button holes for mileage, user, and directional arrows as needed.

RMLT logo & buttons 2009

The volunteers started at Railroad Pass where the first monument will be both “0.0″ miles and “34.5″ miles. We headed north in a clockwise direction installing mile markers at 1/2 or half mile intervals. We completed the first three miles of logo signs and button installs.

RMLT volunteers Mile marker "0.0" 2009

We would have gotten further along the trail but the volunteers were also painting out graffiti, un-authorized trail mileage markers from special events and some utility location markings with asphalt seal coat.

The black squares and rectangles on the trail are painted over items not authorized on the trail. Hopefully the sun will bleach these soon and they will blend better with existing trail finish.

Paul removes un-authorized trail markings 2009

It is this writers hope that the balance of the Henderson Trail Logo signs and mile markers can be installed over the next 30-days.

Any Volunteers????

Trail logo & monument gallery:

RMLT logo & buttons 2009

RMLT volunteers Mile marker “0.0″ 2009

Paul removes un-authorized trail markings 2009

Trail Monument March 2008

Jim Aligns buttons April 2009

Voulunteer Diane set Trail logo sign April 2009

RMLT sign & buttons up close 41109

Snow & Ice on trail ???

Dec. 18 & 19 – YES SNOW AND ICE ON TRAIL!  I can’t believe it either.  Bikers, joggers and hikers should beware of snow and ice on the trail.  Out in open trail should be clearing, but in shadows snow and ice could remain for several days.  Portions of the River Mountains near Railroad Pass experienced snow depths 8″ and more.  Slow down and be safe. 

If you got snow/trail photos please share will all.

Happy Trails are Safety trails…..rmltman

Detention Basin Construction Impacts Trail

May 5th -2009 – It was noted during a safety tour of trail in Henderson that the tortiose fencing discussed below has been moved back from the trail where it is no long a safety issue.  The truck crossing now has stop signs up and there are lots of trucks hauling gravel on an hourly basis so beware.

March 2, 2009 - Over the last week or so fencing has gone up along the trail for about 100-yards. BEWARE this could be a safety issue. We are working through the City and the contractor to be sure all safety measures are in place. The tortiose fencing has also blocked off an ATV off-road vehicle path to the foothills which has been pushing them on to the trail. Please notify HPD if you see this happening at 267-5000(option #1 – give description and direction).

Tortoise fence edge of trail 2/09

January 20th, 2009 - A brief update. At last weeks Planning Commission meeting the variance was approved to allow the rock crushing operation to move ahead. Commissioners found it less of an impact to crush on site than remove material through the neighborhoods.  Rock crushing activity to start Feb. and last up to 18 months.  My hope is they are good neighbors for the trail and its users. Lets keep our eyes open…

December 10th, 2008 - Starting week of 12/15/08 construction equipment will start arriving and setting up for the construction of Henderson’s Northeast C-1 Detention Basin located just east of the trail in the foothills of the River Mountains. Construction activity will be near mile marker 6.5 and 7.0.   The contruction period is for 15 months or until about March 2010.  “So beware of equipment crossing the trail and rocks on the trail”

The contractor is “Capriati Construction Corp.”  Along with the detention basin there will be a rock crusher on site processing aggregate for the work. Per maps available from the City a channel will run along the foothills east of the trail to collect run-off from the mountains sending it to the detention basin; from there an outfall will go under the trail in undergo round pipes to the C-1 channel following the Ithica St. alignment.  Ithica St. is supposed to be the ingress/egress access for this project.

The project manager for the City Public Works assures us that they will keep the area watered down for dust and will clear the trail daily of any rocks.  If problems develop or the trail deteriorates please let us know by calling either 267-4050 or 365-2191.

 

Detention basin Map 2008

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