|
Corn Creek Trails, Desert National Wildlife Refuge, southern Nevada
Length: 0.7 mi. Width: 72 in. Surface type: Stabilized crushed stone/natural soil Typical grade: 3.0 % Maximum grade: 12 % Typical cross slope: <2 % Maximum cross slope: 9 % Obstacles: None Use Fee required?: None Accessible features: Restrooms, covered parking Corn Creek is a spring-fed desert oasis 17 miles northwest of the suburban sprawl of Las Vegas. Corn Creek is the information center of the giant Desert National Wildlife Refuge with a modern visitor center and three interconnected looping hiking trails built to be accessible to most adaptive hikers. The short trail loops with names like Coyote, Bighorn, and Jackrabbit are described together here. The trails, meander through the grove of ash, mesquite, and even pecan trees, with bridges over a year-round stream. The loop trails were recently surfaced with stabilized crushed natural stone for firm footing. Interpretive panels are spaced along the trails. Here is a map of the trails. There are two other trails that lead off of the combined loop described above. The Whispering Ben is a short trail (< 400 ft.) that leads from the Bighorn loop. Its typical grade is 3% but gets up to 12% for a short distance. Cross slope is generally low but gets up to 10% for a short distance. Be aware! The Birdsong Loop departs from the Coyote loop. Birdsong should be avoided by adaptive hikers because grade reaches 19% and cross slope 24%. The visitor center offers interpretive exhibits and a small book store. However, because of very low visitation, it is usually open only on a limited schedule. Because of COVID, it is temporarily closed. Covered parking, trails, accessible restrooms, and picnic area on the Coyote loop are always open dawn to dusk. Low visitation makes it nice for those that do get there. It is important to stay on the trail because typical desert vegetation has thorns and stickers that seek out pneumatic tires or sandals. Dogs are welcome but keep them on the trail for the same reason. To get there take highway US-95 northwest from Las Vegas. At milepost 101 turn right (east) on Corn Creek Road. Drive four miles to the treed area straight ahead. Contributed by Trail Access Project Date of review: 9-24-19 See the Fine Print |