NEW: 9 Boulder City Nevada Trails

Ten new trails have been added to the Great Basin SUV Trails: Southern Nevada master map. Nine out of Boulder City and one out of Las Vegas. Most can be ridden by ATVs and Jeeps as well.    [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: http://offroadinghome.djmed.net/]

Despite the heat, Mike has been out in the field again verifying all the Lake Mead routes – tough work, but somebodies got to do it! One trail in the cool(er) mountains out of Vegas is a bit bumpy, but man what a view! Not a long ride but any chance to get off the pavement – it's all good.

The others all lead to water – and who can argue with that? I've given Mike's descriptions below so you can get a feel for what the routes are like. If you have ridden the area or are planning on going, please leave a comment about the trail.

Sidehill Spring Trail

Sidehill Spring Trail (Forest Service Road 45530)
Description: Difficulty: 4/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD; Scenic: 8/10; Length: 3.7 mi. one way; Time: 1 hr. one way; Open: Year-round?
Location: Start: The trail starts on Kyle Canyon Road and follows Telephone Canyon road.; End: The trail ends on NV Route 158, Deer Creek Highway, at the intersection with Telephone Canyon Road.
Things to see: This trail goes through a relatively heavily wooded area for southern Nevada. Those not familiar with driving in the woods may want to be careful. There were a few places where it was a tight fit between trees for my jeep.
Source/Maps:Submitted trail; Motor Vehicle Use Map, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)

Aztec Wash Trail

Aztec Wash Trail (Lake Mead Route 43)
Description: Difficulty: 2/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD; Scenic: 8/10; Length: 10.3 mi. one way; Time: 1.5 hr. one way; Open: Year-round
Location: Start: The trail starts in the heart of Nelson, NV off of NV Route 165. The locals are reputed to take their private property rights very seriously, and have cultivated a reputation of being willing to use their firearms to fend off trespassers. Whether or not this reputation is earned, one would be wise to not tempt fate.; End: The shore of Lake Mohave in Aztec Wash.
Things to see: Winds through a fairly heavily mined area with some interesting history. This is one of the oldest mining districts in the West and Nevada, with a history of lawlessness. Once Nevada became a state, the closest law enforcement was almost 400 miles away and there were hundreds of homicides annually through the 1860’s to the 1900’s by some accounts. The cove at the end of Aztec Wash is good for swimming and other recreation, but is easily accessible to those without four wheel drive and so it gets some attention from the masses.
Source/Maps: Submitted trail; Lake Mead NRA Hoover Dam Area Approved Backcountry Roads (Map 2). Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)

Fire Mountain Cove Trail

Fire Mountain Cove Trail (Lake Mead Route 44)
Description: Difficulty: 3/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD; Scenic: 8/10; Length: 5 mi. one way; Time: .5 hr. one way; Open: Year-round
Location: Start: The trail branches off of the Aztec Wash Trail as indicated on the track.; End: The trail ends on a small bluff above the shore of Lake Mohave in Aztec Wash.
Things to see: There are a couple of places where one can easily hike down to the water from the end of this trail, either to the east (which is more exposed) or to the west (which is a cove). The trail itself travels along the top of various ridges rather down a wash like the other trails in this area. As a result, this trail is steeper and more difficult than the others. While an experienced driver would not necessarily need 4WD, high clearance is required and the grades and surface materials are such that four wheel drive would be advisable.
Source/Maps: Submitted trail; Lake Mead NRA Hoover Dam Area Approved Backcountry Roads (Map 2). Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)

Montana Wash Trail

Montana Wash Trail (Lake Mead Route 45)
Description: Difficulty: 2/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD; Scenic: 7/10; Length: 3.5 mi. one way; Time: 20 min. one way; Open: Year-round
Location: Start: Branches off from the Aztec Wash Trail. The easiest route in is to take NV Route 165 to the end, and thereafter taking the Eagle Wash Trail to Aztec Wash Trail.; End: Shore of Lake Mohave in Montana Wash.
Things to see: This trail is generally well maintained and easily accessible. The last time I was down there, someone had dragged a fifth wheel and had six foot tall speakers blasting mariachi band music which could be heard at least a mile away. It’s a very nice cove with good recreational opportunities, but you will not get the place to yourself on the weekends.
Source/Maps: Submitted trail; Lake Mead NRA Hoover Dam Area Approved Backcountry Roads (Map 2). Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)

Eagle Wash Trail

I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.”
Alice Walker

Eagle Wash Trail (Lake Mead Route 46)
Description: Difficulty: 2/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD; Scenic: 7/10; Length: 3.6 mi. one way; Time: 20 min. one way; Open: Year-round
Location: Start: At the end of NV Route 165, which winds down into the wash.; End: The Aztec Wash Trail.
Things to see: There is a parking area at the start of the trail which is .3 mile up the wash from the water. It is a picturesque hike, with high walls on each side. There used to be a small town built in this wash. It was completely wiped out by a flash flood in the 1970’s which killed a couple of dozen people.
Source/Maps: Submitted trail; Lake Mead NRA Hoover Dam Area Approved Backcountry Roads (Map 2). Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)

Placer Cove Wash Trail

Placer Cove Wash Trail (Lake Mead Route 47)
Description: Difficulty: 2/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD; Scenic: 8/10; Length: 1.5 mi. one way; Time: 30 min. one way; Open: Year-round
Location: Start: Branches off of the Eagle Wash (and Lake Mojave) Trail.; End: Shore of Lake Mohave in Placer Cove Wash.
Things to see: This is the most easily accessible lake access road in this area. A local business rents canoes and directs their customers to put in at this location. Most cars can make the trip, but the gravel can get a little loose.
Source/Maps: Submitted trail; Lake Mead NRA Hoover Dam Area Approved Backcountry Roads (Map 2). Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)

Forlorn Hope Spring Trail

Forlorn Hope Spring Trail (Lake Mead Route 50)
Description: Difficulty: 3/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD; Scenic: 5/10; Length: 10.0 mi. one way; Time: 1 hr. one way; Open: Year-round
Location: Start: The trail starts on a powerline road out of Boulder City, east of US 95.; End: The trail ends just below the spring.
Things to see: One need not imagine too hard how this spring was named after driving across the valley floor and up to where the spring in located. There is very little water in this environment. The spring is a short hike up the hill from the end of the road, and with a little patience and binoculars, you should be able spot a variety of wildlife.
Source/Maps: Submitted trail; Lake Mead NRA Hoover Dam Area Approved Backcountry Roads (Map 2). Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)

Yucca Camp Road Trail

Yucca Camp Road Trail (Lake Mead Route 51)
Description: Difficulty: 3/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD, but very rocky in some sections; Scenic: 7/10; Length: 3.5 mi. one way; Time: 1 hr. one way; Open: Year-round
Location: Start: The trail branches off of the Forlorn Hope Spring Trail.; End: The trail ends where a fence was placed across the road. (The trail is completely surrounded by a wilderness area, don’t take any side trails unless you are on foot.)
Things to see: To the south of the parking area at the end of the trail is a large hole in the ground. This is a rather dramatic start to a canyon heading down to the Colorado River and some fun to explore. Be careful of the high cliffs.
Source/Maps: Submitted trail; Lake Mead NRA Hoover Dam Area Approved Backcountry Roads (Map 2). Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)

Eldorado Jeep Trail

Eldorado Jeep Trail (Lake Mead Route 54)
Description: Difficulty: 3/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD; Scenic: 8/10; Length: 13.7 mi. one way; Time: 2 hr. one way; Open: Year-round
Location: Start: US-93 in Arizona 24.6 miles from Hoover Dam.; End: Shore of Lake Mohave.
Things to see: The first third of the trail is a bit mundane, but the last two-thirds of the trail is interesting geologically with a bunch of side trails to try. There is a lot of vegetation at the shore, and the water can only be accessed by doing a little bushwacking.
Source/Maps: Submitted trail; Lake Mead NRA Hoover Dam Area Approved Backcountry Roads (Map 2). Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)

Burro Wash Trail

Burro Wash Trail (Lake Mead Route 60)
Description: Difficulty: 4/10; ATV, SUV, 4WD; Scenic: 8/10; Length: 12.1 mi. one way; Time: 2 hr. one way; Open: Year-round
Location: Start: There’s a large electrical substation at the southern end of Buchanan Blvd in Boulder City. The trail initially follows a straight line under some power lines heading to the southeast.; End: Keep driving until you get your tires wet, or stop just short of that... should you wish.
Things to see: This trail goes down a narrow corridor between two wilderness areas, so be careful about any potential side trails. I have observed burros and desert bighorn sheep along the route, and there was a lot of large fish in the cove at the end of the trail. Rattlesnakes have also been observed. There are some heavily rutted and steep sections. Might be taken in a stock Land Cruiser, but expect some possible damage.
Source/Maps: Submitted trail; Lake Mead NRA Hoover Dam Area Approved Backcountry Roads (Map 2). Created by: GPS Track; Verified by: Michael Davidson (08/2010)