Join us Saturday, October 29, 2022 (note revised date) for adaptive hiking on the Historic Railroad Trail at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Meet at 11:00 am at the Trailhead
The Historic Railroad Trail at Lake Mead is designated as a National Recreation Trail, a national treasure recognized for its character and historic significance. It is built on the remnant bed of a railroad used during the construction of Hoover Dam to carry materials and equipment to the dam site. Interesting features are five high tunnels you hike through on our route and great vistas of Lake Mead marina. The trail is located outside the park fee gates. It's free!
The complete trail is partly on National Park Service (NPS) property and partly on U.S. Bureau of Reclamation property near the dam. Our hike is only on NPS land. This part of the trail has been surfaced with a firm and stable natural material of crushed, decomposed granite to increase accessibility for individuals who need a more "accessible" trail.
Our hike through the five tunnels and to the end of the firm surface is 2.2 miles one way and then return for another 2.2 miles. Be mindful of your own abilities and those of your mobility device batteries. Don't think that you will miss part of the scenery if you don't go to the end. Every section has great views of the lake and mountains although it is over a mile to the first tunnel. At the 2.2 mile distance, there is a gate. The trail continues onto U.S. Bureau of Reclamation land where it is not recommended for wheelchairs. At the 2.2-mile distance there is also a vault toilet with handrails and a covered picnic table. Bring your lunch.
The NPS has produced a nice video about the history and current uses of this great trail.
See our description, trail photos, and link to a trail map in our web page at Historic Railroad Trail.
Sign up on this Registration form.
Getting there: From the Las Vegas Valley take, US 93/95 south toward Boulder City. Two miles south of the Wagon Wheel/ Nevada State Drive, at Railroad Pass, take US 93 Business which exits right onto a flyover toward Boulder City. When approaching downtown Boulder City, follow US 93 Business which turns left at a stoplight at Buchanan Road. There is a 7-Eleven on the right at this corner. From this intersection, go 3.8 miles and turn left onto Lakeshore Drive. Watch your speed on this downhill 3.8 miles. It is a known speed trap!
Parking: On Lakeshore Drive the first driveway on the right is the Lake Mead Visitor Center. Our trailhead and parking are at the second driveway. This is a popular trail, and the parking lot is small and crowded. There are only two accessible parking spots at the trailhead. We will use this lot for dropping off with auxiliary parking up the hill at the Visitor Center. If you park at the Visitor Center, there is a concrete, rather steep path along the drive, down to the trail and to the trailhead parking. That is why we recommend dropping off wheelchairs at the lower lot.
Restrooms: At the lower lot, there are two vault toilets with handrails; however, these are usually really, really stinky, and the doors never close properly. At the Visitor Center, there are outside entrances to clean restrooms with running water, flush toilets, button-operated doors, and handrails. On the hiking trail, there is a vault toilet at the 2.2 mile turn-around spot.
Safety notes: The railroad bed of this trail has some sections that are elevated by fill above the surrounding terrain. There is plenty of room on the 10-ft.-wide trail surface, but be mindful that the sides of the fill are steep and without guardrails.
The Lake Mead area is lower in elevation than the Las Vegas Valley and can be warmer. Late October should still have good temperatures for hiking but we are all different. Please bring extra water and sunscreen for you and your friends. If you personally have difficulty maintaining a comfortable body temperature on warm days, please let us know so we can provide assistance with ice or a water spray bottle.
Thank you to NPS: Trail Access Project would like to thank the National Park Service at Lake Mead for facilitating a Special Use Permit for this adaptive hiking event. The NPS is pleased to have us. Please thank them when you have a chance.
Sign up on this registration form.
The complete trail is partly on National Park Service (NPS) property and partly on U.S. Bureau of Reclamation property near the dam. Our hike is only on NPS land. This part of the trail has been surfaced with a firm and stable natural material of crushed, decomposed granite to increase accessibility for individuals who need a more "accessible" trail.
Our hike through the five tunnels and to the end of the firm surface is 2.2 miles one way and then return for another 2.2 miles. Be mindful of your own abilities and those of your mobility device batteries. Don't think that you will miss part of the scenery if you don't go to the end. Every section has great views of the lake and mountains although it is over a mile to the first tunnel. At the 2.2 mile distance, there is a gate. The trail continues onto U.S. Bureau of Reclamation land where it is not recommended for wheelchairs. At the 2.2-mile distance there is also a vault toilet with handrails and a covered picnic table. Bring your lunch.
The NPS has produced a nice video about the history and current uses of this great trail.
See our description, trail photos, and link to a trail map in our web page at Historic Railroad Trail.
Sign up on this Registration form.
Getting there: From the Las Vegas Valley take, US 93/95 south toward Boulder City. Two miles south of the Wagon Wheel/ Nevada State Drive, at Railroad Pass, take US 93 Business which exits right onto a flyover toward Boulder City. When approaching downtown Boulder City, follow US 93 Business which turns left at a stoplight at Buchanan Road. There is a 7-Eleven on the right at this corner. From this intersection, go 3.8 miles and turn left onto Lakeshore Drive. Watch your speed on this downhill 3.8 miles. It is a known speed trap!
Parking: On Lakeshore Drive the first driveway on the right is the Lake Mead Visitor Center. Our trailhead and parking are at the second driveway. This is a popular trail, and the parking lot is small and crowded. There are only two accessible parking spots at the trailhead. We will use this lot for dropping off with auxiliary parking up the hill at the Visitor Center. If you park at the Visitor Center, there is a concrete, rather steep path along the drive, down to the trail and to the trailhead parking. That is why we recommend dropping off wheelchairs at the lower lot.
Restrooms: At the lower lot, there are two vault toilets with handrails; however, these are usually really, really stinky, and the doors never close properly. At the Visitor Center, there are outside entrances to clean restrooms with running water, flush toilets, button-operated doors, and handrails. On the hiking trail, there is a vault toilet at the 2.2 mile turn-around spot.
Safety notes: The railroad bed of this trail has some sections that are elevated by fill above the surrounding terrain. There is plenty of room on the 10-ft.-wide trail surface, but be mindful that the sides of the fill are steep and without guardrails.
The Lake Mead area is lower in elevation than the Las Vegas Valley and can be warmer. Late October should still have good temperatures for hiking but we are all different. Please bring extra water and sunscreen for you and your friends. If you personally have difficulty maintaining a comfortable body temperature on warm days, please let us know so we can provide assistance with ice or a water spray bottle.
Thank you to NPS: Trail Access Project would like to thank the National Park Service at Lake Mead for facilitating a Special Use Permit for this adaptive hiking event. The NPS is pleased to have us. Please thank them when you have a chance.
Sign up on this registration form.