Road Apples along the Trail

June 4th, 2009 – I’m getting lazy on my trail “Road apples” comments and log.  Been busy and just don’t feel like writing every day. Today I decided to remove a page and a posting on Saddle island trail closure and re-opening. WHY? They seem to be the source of 90% of the spam emails to this BLOG site and most of them adult oreinted. Saddle Island is old news anyway.

The photos and news of the Boulder City Bridge being placed last week has been a huge hit. Set two -three day records in a row for this BLOG site. The Bridge will truly be a milestone and landmark on the trail.

A small group of us has started talking about applying for National Recreation Trail designation in 2010 to be presented at our End of Trail Party in the spring.

May 5th, 2009 – Joined a group of about 9 folks from City of Henderson, Bureau of Reclamation, and SNWA to conduct the annual Trail Management inspection along nine miles of the river Mountains Loop Trail through Henderson.  We look at trail pavement conditions, signs, outside forces impacting the trail like motorized vehicles, water drainage from rain, etc. Several projects are in the works to improve overall trail safety and enhance the trail experience.  During the inspection SNWA shared photos with us of an incident on the trail last Saturday, wherein one of our fine residents dump a boat in the middle of the trail behind SNWA. I noted that with the recent increase in heat and high temps that the grasses and wildflowers are drying up fast.

April 29th, 2009 – Last night we held a field meeting for the trail Partnership at the very end of Segment #5 in Boulder City. The valley views are breath taking from here.  We learned the bridge footings are being pouted, the bridge has arrived in four pieces, and will be assembled on site. Heavy work has now started on the last 3/4 mile section from the bridge west to Railroad Pass casino.  We still expect an opening in June 2009 for this link to Boulder City. After the meeting six of us walked the 1-mile segment currently completed and back.  Wildflower abound along this section.

April 27, 2009 - My time flies when you keep busy.  This past Saturday Bill, Jason and I worked a display at the Clark County Earth Day Rendezvous held at Sam Boyd stadium practice field.  It was cool and very windy. Not alot of booths or displays, but we had a great day talking to hundreds of folks about the trail.  Tony stopped by for awhile and helped us out. We passed out several hundred maps and encouraged lots of people to come out and give us a try.  I was pleased with the number of people who knew about the trail and use it on a regular basis.

April 13, 2009 – A group of us  work on the trail signing program on Saturday.  We installed trail logo signs and mileage buttons on the concrete monuments previously installed.  Even though we had a manual guide to work from we still studied different configurations as to what would be most useful to the actural trail user. It didn’t help that half the monuments were installed facing the wrong way.  We installed six set of signs & buttons over three miles Saturday. They do add a level of completion to the project and tell the authorized uses.

March 31st, 2009 – Haven’t been out on the trail in a week, I’m missing my old friend, but I’ve enjoyed emails from Arnie on his Resort to Resort Trek last week.   I’m getting reports of plenty of wild flowers to view and take photos.

I have a few concerns about Trail maintenance issues and the related costs that go with it.  Volunteers are needed more than ever to keep our ever growing trail system safe and clean for all to enjoy.  We need more Trail Watch volunteers to be the “Eyes & Ears” on our trail system.  Please volunteer.  Call 267-4050.

March 20th, 2009 – Recieved a very interesting email this a.m. from Arnie….He plans to hike the entire 34.5 mile trail route starting this Sunday (3-22) staying at three different hotel/resort along the way hiking 11-13 miles per day. I asked him to write a briefing of his trip afterward that I could post here on the BLOG. This is something I hope to do next year 2010 to celebrate the grand opening of the River Mountains Loop Trail 34.5 fully completed.

I also received notice and photos of the Boulder City segment #5 under construction that the construction contract was extended by 90-days due to delays caused by extra soil testing and boring that NDOT required in the Pass.  We are now looking at a June/July completion possibly.  Anybody in favor of a Full Moon lite trail dedication ceremony in July??? See Boulder city posting for more details and photos…

Who has the right-of-way?  Desert tortoise or man(walking/jogging/biking)?   Check out posting on Desert Tortoise.

March 16th, 2009 – I just had to delete some of the tags on saddle island Road issues.  Seems there is something about “Saddle” which has gone more spam hits than all my other pages & post put together. Don’t figure….  I was out on the trail Saturday march 14th….desert she is green. Small purple flowers about 2″ tall all along the trail near Railroad Pass.  Bigger one coming soon….

Had a confrontation with an ATV rider on Saturday too…nasty person. I should have filed charges against him.  I did file two written reports with COH under Trail Watch.  He was a threat to me and my wife, but also to everyone on the trail Saturday.  This one individual makes it bad for all the good riders out there….too bad ATV riders don’t police their own.

On a happy note…..over the last few weekends I’ve been on different portion of the completed trail and have seen hundreds of users having a really good time. This is what it is all about….:)

FEBRUARY 10, 2009 — My time flies when your sick and or having too much fun. Trail development moving right along dispite the economy. Made some contacts this past week to start planning the grand celebration in 2010 when we finally dedicate the entire trail as open. Also working on planning a Boulder City event to open segment #5 this spring. Boulder City Mayor and city manager are on board.
With all the rain and snow this wintr we should have a very green and colorful spring on the trail…:)

January 21st, 2009 – New President installed yesterday.  History making day.  Did a safety field tour with BOR and HPD and others on the Henderson side of the River Mountains. I was pleased to see very little trash along the way.  We were looking at locations needing restoration due to vehicle damage etc.  A variety of solutions will be implemented to repair and restore the area.  Thanks to all the trail watch volunteers who watch the trail and help.   HPD is looking for “Joe”; not the plumber, but “Joe six-pack” the guy who is tearing down all the signs and shooting them full of holes.  HPD patrols the trails even at night, so beware….

January 12th 2009- The thought crossed my mind today that we’ll complete and open segment #5 this year, probably t in the spring. How shall we celebrate?? Need to get Boulder city Parks etc. into the mix. This segment has been long awaited by so many….Maybe I’ll hike it over to Milos and back. First I need to get in shape….more walking on a regular basis…lose about 15 – 20 lbs. for starters. A bike ride would be easier.

January 8th, 2009 Happy New Years River Mountains Loop Trail!!!  We have had our winter, now it is time to get in shape for an active spring on the trails.  In the last week there has been two negative articles about parks and trails in the Las Vegas Sun….this concerns me.  Maybe it is just the sign of the times, but these facilities have beenin planing for a long time and the funding is already approved. Parks and trails bring quality of life to city…..

Dec. 22nd – Monday before Christmas.  I just posted a new page about Planning the Grand ole’ Trail party for when we are done building the trail. Questions should we plan for Fall 2009 or Spring 2010?  I’m not sure. To be safe Spring 2010 should be a sure bet, but I’ve been wrong in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and you get the picutre.    Its been six days since the record snow fall and the River Mountains are still white.  The weatherman is teasing us again with the possible snow flurries over Christmas.  I hope some one has taken photos of the snow and the trail.

Dec. 18th – day after the big snow event in the southeast valley. Henderson and mountains really took a hit….5″ to 10″ in the area. Wish I could go play on the trail, cross-country ski on the trail.  Like my post below this wet snow should really add to the soil moisture content leading to grasses and flowers come spring.

Just saw a public notice for a Conditional Use Permit for a 230-KV line coming through the River Mountains area by Nevada Power.  We’ll have to learn more about this soon.  We may have to start wearing anti-electro-charge gear along this section.  The west slope of the River Mountains is a federally/national energy corridor, so more powerlines are coming…:(

Dec. 15 – Today is a nasty day weatherwise on the Trail….Snow, wind , rain and cold.  We are not use to this stuff. 360 days of sun per year spoils us.  We need the rain now in order to have  spring flowers.  Good soaking rains in November and December can assure us of a very colorful spring.  With showers and rain forecasted for the rest of the week, the desert should get a good soaking.

Had a phone call from a friend who lives near the trail and says she uses it all the time.  She was very concerned about the proposed rock crusher being set up near the trail.   She wanted to say thanks to all who have had a part in planning and building and upkeep of the trail.   Thanks Pattie we appreciate the call.

Dec. 11th -  Yesterday I posted up a post about the N.E. Detention Basin and rock crusher having an impact on the trail for a period of 15-months.  This had obviously been in the works for a long time, but caught me somewhat by surprise. Two of our agency partners are involved and neither brought it to the attention of the Adviorsy Council for review or comment. …humm.

Dec. 10th – Had a voice message from a young lady in Alberta, Canada planning a trip to las Vegas during the Christmas Holidays; she want to go hiking on the river Mountains Loop Trail while here….Hurray!   I get several calls/emails a month like this.  Our little trail in the mountains is getting national and international attention from visitors.

Dec. 8th -  We are making progress.  The final two segments in boulder city are at 90% design stage where final changes and adjustment are made then it is off to bid documents and bidding in January 2009.  The last two segments will take us to the highest point on the trail at 2620 ft, with a break over point of view where you can look down into the Lake Mead Basin and the Eldorado Valley at the same time.  Can some one telll we where the low point elevation wise is?

Last week we received a very nice donation from Green Valley cyclists.  I hope we can put this and other funds into good use next spring with a memorial wayside/trailhead near the bridge at Equestrain Park.

Nov. 29th – Backpacker Magazine Editor visit — On Wednesday I got my latest issue of Backpacker. I had hope it would arrive on time as my good friend Donnie’s daughter is assistant editor for Backpacker out of Boulder , Colorado. She wrote a feature article in the current issue about the wolves of Toklat, AK.  I was lucky enough to catch her packing on Saturday morning headed home after a Thanksgiving weekend with family. Tracy Ross, is quite the writer and author. Her article “The Dogs of War” opens with a photo of a Toklat Wolfbeing fully skinned. WOW! Her story visits both sides of the issue of trapping wolves from Denali National Park who wander outside the park to hunt. I got her background story and an autograph, too.  We talked awhile about her next feature which is already being researched. It has to do with coal, energy, trails, and West Virgina and the impacts on people and wild lands there around.   Here is a link to her story, there is also three videos at backpacker that can be viewed.  Link;

http://www.backpacker.com/alaska_wolf_debate_tracy_ross/nature/12661?page=1

Nov. 27th – “Magic Tree” ….How does this sound for the name of a new trail head? It has been proposed by the Green Valley Cyclists for the new trail head on lake Mead Parkway-NPS. It refers to the big old cottonwood tree that grows about one mile east of the trail head.  The reason for this choice is they feel it is “Magic” that this tree can

Magic Tree Nov. 2008

grow in the middle on no where.  And it could not if were not for the water guzzler coming off the BMI waterline running into Henderson.  Time will tell if this name gets legs. 

Nov. 26th – Eve of Thanksgiving… got some really cool photos of Big Horn sheep on the trail taken Monday of this week. Paul from Green valley cyclists took the photos while riding his bike. Three big rams with almost complete curls on their horns.  We have had a number of sheep sights these past few weeks. I’ll post the photos up under another post later in the week. Stay tuned.

 

Nov. 23rd – Sunday RJ Real Estate section – Summerlin wins design award From “American Trails”.   The “Amercan Trails Developer Award” was presented to Mr. Tom Warden, Howard Hughes Corporation in recognition of the 150+ miles of trails developed within Summerlin.  this is good for the entire valley because it brings national attention to Las Vegas Valley for trails development.

Nov. 22th- Saturday was a fun day on the trails with Henderson Family fun walk at Equestrain Park.  The RMTP set up a booth and sponsored on of the stamp locations for the family walk. COH registered 57 families for the event.  There were at least two per family and many had 3 & 4 members so we esily had 200+ participants…great weather and day.  The best part was we reached kids and young families who are the Future of our outdoor recreation.

As a sidebar to the day we had issues with one vechile and three ATV’s at separate times accessing and riding on portions of the RMLT near the Equestrain Trails/RMTL intersect.  HPD was called on two of them and one intercept occurred. ATV’s on trails used by young kids on bikes and mom’s pushing strollers do not mix.

 

Nov. 20, 2008 – Again time is flying. I ‘ve ben busy updating older posts and creating some new one.  Boulder City segment under construction is getting along of interest from emails. Post some current photos and update today.   We had a great time host Silverman Aid station #10 back on the 9th of November. Hundreds of riders came through our station.  As the day wore on the riders had more physical issues and need the support we could offer.  Thank God no accidents or injuries needed treatment.  This Saturday members of our team are supporting Henderson’s Family Walk at Equestrian park from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  : Not sure where this is headed. But my young website friends tell me I need to do this. Bill and Trish here we go.

Someone was telling me this past week that the guzzler behind SNWA treatment plant is getting a regular group of Big Horn sheep down for water.  I would tike to see that some time.

Oct. 27, 2008 – Weekend ponderings etc.  Saturday did my trail watch thing between Mile marker 12 & 13 in NPS/Lake Mead. This trail head and trail provides some really great views to the north and northeast. It quiet and peaceful out here on a Saturday morning. Met three dogs walking two gals off leash. A few more step up the trail and it was obvious the dogs had relieved themselves in the middle of the paved trail..?? thanks you very much. Further along it becomes apparent that other dogs had done the same thing on the edge of the paved trail….then coyotes and or other wildlife had come along and done their business on the earlier droppings….this makes for great nature learning lesson.

Oct. 23, 2008 noon – I just got an email and photos from a trail watch volunteer regarding potential hazardous waste on or near the trail. Two five-gallon cans of racing fuel, motorcycle racing fuel that is. Photo’s indicate that the contents or part of the contents was spilled or dumped on the desert floor.  Incident has been turned over to HPD and the BOR Haz-Mat inspectors. I just hope the individual(s) can be tracked down….I used RED here because that’s the color I’m seeing.

 

OCT. 9, 2008 – TOO MUCH TO CATCH UP ON — Busy summer…Sept. 20th I was out on trail with my wife doing Trail Watch from Railroad Pass north 1 1/2 miles…picking up trash along the way…cool morning nice and quiet…Mr. rattlesnake almost got me, but his warning cleared my thoughts and sinuses at the same time….wow that was close.  He was about 28 inches long and just three feet in front of me.  He was about 10-ft off paved trail where I was about to pick up a small cardboard box…box is still there.

K-rails or Jersey barriers were placed Sept. 29th along portions of the RMLT at the Equestrain bridge to prevent vehicles from accessing the trail and ATV’s/motorcycles etc from jumping the bridge embankments. Signs and enforcement did not seem to work. Trail safety for users was deemed more important than the visual impact. K-rails will be painted a desert color in near future.

We are working with the City and BOR on additional signs and educational material to be used at trailheads and along the trail.

Illegal roads will be closed and desert restoration work will be done in some places to restore vehicle damage.

I was very pleased with the amount of positive trail use encounter on Sept 20th and very impressed with the users.  We received many thank yous and comments from users during our 2 hour trail watch session.  We need more trail watch volunteers to insure more positive use.

ON BLOGGING -5-23-08

 

ROAD APPLES 5-23-08:  I could be talking about apples fallin’ from roadside trees…but we are in the desert and the only road apples come from horses along portions of the trail.  I think my meaning will just be bits & pieces of news and thoughts scattered long the trail on a daily or weekly basis as I think of them or a noteworthy item comes up.  Or I could just be full of horse crap.  So what would be an appropriate photo to display….?

Rocks & trucks on trail last night5-23-08: We did our weekly trail watch walk last night(5-22). I swept gravel and rocks off the trail until I got blisters. I’ll wear gloves next time. Nice breeze and clouds just right for a good walk. Met a big p/u truck riding the trail behind SNWA. We had a short chat…Kid driving was dumbfounded that this paved trail wasn’t a road? Got his photo and TW report. Picked up a bag of trash… We met eight fellow trail users all were friendly and enjoying their personal trail experience. I’m curious how rocks get on the trail…

HPD issues 12 citations – May 28th, 2008: As a trail advocate and user for years It’s about time.  I Know others like me get tried of looking over their shoulder while hiking or jogging to be sure their not going to get hit by an ATV or vehicle on the trail. This news is welcomed by all.  Now if we can just figure out how to keep trail signs in a vertical position for more than a week….:)

Additional Funding approved for Segment #5- May 29th, 2008:See new posting this date. This trail segment has been funded for over 5-yrs.  It will be a great day in “traildom” when we cut the ribbon on this one…..Oh happy day… 

Illegal Dumping site- May 30th, 2008: just got an email from Jeannine about spotting a recent illegal dump near the trail. She is not yet a Trail Watch volunteer, but wanted to report the incident. I referred her to my page on Illegal Dumping withinstructions on what to do.  She has bill statements and other items with trash owners name on it…that will get this person a citation and a date in court. Great job Jeanne….we need more “eyes and ears” on the trails and just maybe the good guys will win out….:)  Update…took photos Saturday 53108 sent to COH & BOR plus filed a TW report on dumping.

Big Horn Desert Sheep spotted on Trail May 30, 2008:  My son spotted a group of Big Horn Sheep this morning while riding his new mountian bike along the BMI waterline trail segment. Herd was seen near where the trail drops down on to old Lakeshore Rd. going south. Sighting was well worth the trip.

Illegal site reported & inspected May 31, 2008: Drove up to report trail dump site in flood channel behind berm where trail is located.  Took photos.  Spotted pick up truck driving on  trail from SNWA plant south to bridge. Called HPD reported. HPD officer responsed within 5 minutes.  Driver stopped and cited by HPD. Second officer responded afew minutes later and stopped another P/U about to enter area.  Advise ticket would be issued. Driver was very upset, but left area.

Las Vegas R-J article on Jared & Heather Fisher June 2, 2008: This couple are the owners of Escape Adventures & Las Vegas Cyclery. Great article about living and working your dream. I love the discussion about the triple bottom line…”People, Profit, Planet” .  We need more businesses to adopt this business model.

Follow this link to read the inspiriting article: http://www.lvrj.com/business/19450559.html

Please visit their web site at : http://www.lasvegascyclery.com/

 What is Fun on the RMLT?  June 3, 2008:  A friend wrote me a note an asked me what do you find fun on the trail?  I guess most of my posts had been to much business and serious….and she is right.   Fun is coasting downhill at a high rate of speed with the wind in your face…   fun is an early morning walk along the trail from Railroad Pass to the highest point on the trail for a LasVegas valley over look with the sun at your back, then followed by a steak and egg breakast at Railroad Pass Hotel… Fun is walking to a viewpoint over looking Lake Mead and the Muddy Mountians in the background and just enjoying the silence… Fun is meeting other trail users having a good time, saying hello and good morning.  WHAT DO YOU ENJOY AND FIND THAT IS FUN ON THE TRAIL?

“National Trails Days 2008 is June 7th” – June 5: Across America volunteers, hiker, walkers, bicycle clubs various land agencies will be celebrating National Trails Day. Here in the Henderson desert it is just too damn hot on June 7th – So we hold our trail event in the Fall when it is cooler and ideal outdoor recreation time. I posted some basic information yesterday about the upcoming event on October 18, 2008.  Our goal this year is to raise “Awareness” about Henderson and valley wide trails and their connectivity. The last four years our events have been on trail events. This year we hope to create a Trails Fair or Festival feeling in downtown Henderson at the new Events Plaza.  I’m looking forward to a fun time with our ever growing Trail Community.

The Mount Vernon Trail – Washington D.C.  June 9th – 14th: Spent the past week in D.C. on some Henderson Chamber business and kept seeing this beautiful trail paralleling the GW Parkway. Turns out to be the Mount Vernon Trail runs 18-miles from Roosevelt Island south to Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington.  It’s a paved trail running through heavily wooded areas; often next to the Potomac River; crossing over and under the GW Parkway; connecting to the National Airport; running through Old Town Alexandria; and ending up at Mt. Vernon on the south or connecting to a 45-mile rails-to-trail running north through the Virgina countryside. I noted on our return Thursday eventing from dinner at the Mt. Vernon Inn that the trail was being heavily used by cyclists and joggers, and it was 88 degrees out and humidity was 35%…ouch!  Their web page warns that on weekends the trail can be crowded…I expect one day we’ll have this challenge on the RMLT once completed.  It will be important to be sure connects to other trails and neighborhoods are made.  It’s good to be home.  

Link to Mt. Vernon Trail FYI:  http://www.bikewashington.org/trails/vernon/vernon.htm

August 20th, 2008 – WHERE YOU BEEN??? Trip to Oregon for a week; Utah wilderness property two weeks, go,go,go…It’s been hot out on the trail and I’ve been keeping cool. The Lake Mead NRA trail segments are all done and complete. Signs in place, trail painting done and gates installed. A half mile portion will be closed at Saddle Island while SNWA builds a tunnel by-pass for trail users. This should last about 3-4 weeks. Its for our safety and will be a long term enhancement.