River Mountains Loop Trail

Get out and enjoy the day on this trail!
We drove east on Lake Mead Parkway until right before you enter the park area. There is a parking right off of the parkway for an easy access point to the trail. The parking lot is paved with a restroom as well. There is a warning sign to not hike from June through September. Since there isn’t much shade I would have to agree to avoid during the hot months.
We took our bikes out for some exercise. We saw many others biking and walking. The River Mountains Loop Trail has beautiful views to take in while on your journey. It has fun up and downhill paths with off shoot dirt paths for hikers.
I certainly enjoyed this trail. It’s a great motivation to getting off the couch. Enjoy!

APRIL 4^th, 2015– This was the day the Boy, Zac M., and myself were going to walk the almost 36 miles of the River Mountains Loop Trail! Much thought had gone into the weather and ambient light. this was to be a cool, calm night complimented by a full moon!
We met up at Rail Road Pass. We then headed out to stash our cache points along the way. Cache #1was 11 miles into the journey. This was just outside the entrance of Lake Mead. Cache #2 was almost another 11 miles off of Lakeshore Drive just north of the pump station. The third cache was aways from there on the presuppose of Boot Leg Canyon.
After stashing our provisions, we headed back to Rail Road Pass for a high calorie meal at the Iron Rail Café (See review).
After a short pep talk, along with putting GLIDE and powder on parts of the body that will remain nameless, at approximately 1900 hours, we stepped off into the beautiful moon light. Be sure that technology had it’s little fingers in every aspect of this adventure. There were cell phone with tracking apps and a Garmin Oregon and Foretrek involved with with every aspect of keeping the pace count honest, as were headed off in the clockwise rotation of the trail.
Mile 7… into the trail, I began to experience a hot spot on my left foot. What! How could this be? With the help of my partner, Nelita U., we would deduce… I had not broken in my socks. But the view of the valley was off the chart, as was the company, and so was the random bodies we would came across on the trail. Spooky that anyone would be out on a trail after dark. Comforting non the less.
After trucking through the darkness, we hit Lake Mead Pkwy (LMP). Prior to crossing underneath, we swapped socks and did some preventive maintenance. I threw a blister bandage on the previously named hot spot and again. applied powder to that area and my other regions.
As we made our way under LMP, we now cruised along the north side. The lights along this amazing stretch light up while sensing our presence and would turn off after our passing.
We would eventually hit our first cache. Stocks were replenished and I revealed in Zack M smoking a stick and enjoying the nectar flowing from a flask he was wise enough to bring.
Under the LMP we went and into the abyss that is this section of the trail. Words cannot define this portion of the trail. I will say that it was filled with thoughts illuminated by the moon and many a micro temperature. Perhaps the words of Zac M., will do it justice.
Eventually we would find our way out onto Lakeshore Drive. This is where the mind F&*% would begin as he made our way around and through the pump station. With GPS technology playing hell with our mind, had we known different we would have cut some serious corners, but we didn’t.
Once we made the Lakeshore Road again. We drifted… lame and almost lifeless to our second cache site. While filling up on h2o and previously stashed snacks, I took a look at the previously mentioned now blister, I discovered it had grown even larger and was now consuming the blister bandage. This was NOT fun as I applied self aid to the area in question. The second cache site began to take on the appearance of a causality collection point. Our three bodies strewn about in need of various forms of medical attention. BUT ALAS… we pressed on.
Filled with a mix of emotions we deviated from the trail and decided to walk along Lakeshore Drive. Like the now crippled herd that we were we continued on our way. The Boy had now assumed the form of Quasimodo and I. being a responsible parent after asking many questions pitched it to expedition about the prospect of calling an exfiltration and thus ending the adventure. And so it would end at Boulder Beach. Our «Ride for Life» would arrive while I was unconscious and wrapped in a mylar blanket.
Months would pass and the completion of the trial would haunt me…
After much planning, on Nov 29, 2015, Zack M., and I returned to finish what had been previously started. With a vehicle stashed at Railroad Pass and the other taken to our start point at Boulder Beach, we stepped off…
Shortly in to our journey, we encountered a weirdo walking the trail. We sent out pleasantries only to be met with something alongs the line of «go f&*$ our mother.» This sparked some conversation between Zack M. & myself, but nothing was going to damper the positive joy of finishing the trek.
The trail is savage. It inserts it’s self into your mind at times and a weaker mind could be possibly be crushed. Not so… when you can share the experience with someone else. Never underestimate the power of two similar minds.
Following the flood canal, we pushed forward one step in front of the other. At the trailhead before St. Judes, we swapped out socks and applied powder and lubricants to the nether regions.
I just noticed Unilocal puts the kibosh on long winded Unilocal.WTF? This is a great hike/​walk.

If you show up at the right time (e.g., late afternoon on a weekday), there’s a very good chance you’ll have the entire trail/​path entirely to yourself. When that happens, it is divine and awesome. But if you show up on a weekend morning, there’s a good chance that you’ll be sharing the path with a LOT of people.
The path is better suited for cyclists, as there are long stretches of just boring straights (not to mention the overall length if you want to finish the loop). That said, I run it and love it. If you’re a runner, you can choose between running on the tarmac or the gravel just to either side of it (there are some parts where it’s a bit too rough, but it’s doable mostly the entire way). The tarmac is very well paved and marked, so no worries about getting lost or confused as to where you are.
That said, if there are a lot of cyclists, it can be a bit too narrow to comfortably run on without wondering if there’s a bike coming up behind you ringing one of those ridiculous bicycle bells (or honking one of those even more ridiculous bicycle horns). Additionally, the «setup» is a bit confusing. I’m not sure if it applies to all parts of the path, but in certain portions, there are signs indicating that bicycles should stay to the outside of the path REGARDLESS of which direction you’re moving. In other words: if not everybody is going clockwise, you are sharing the same lane with people moving in the opposite direction. I figure that would lead to frequent collisions or «no, YOU move!» situations… The inside of the path is for horses. Maybe the horses are snobs who don’t like sharing their paths with bikes, who knows?

Did the 34 mile loop on April 11, 2015. Perfect weather. Started at the parking lot near the trailhead to the RR tunnels. Went clockwise heading up toward Boulder City. Although tempted to ride the highway for the first few miles, we decided to ride it as it was laid out. After being directed through a concrete drainage channel for a couple miles we ended back on the asphalt trail about 5 miles into the ride. The trail is well marked so there is no worry about getting off course. There are a few rr crossings for a 4 car tourist train which blew the horn at us. There are a few spots to replenish your water or get a snack. The ride is moderate with breath taking views and the trail is in good shape. I highly recommend starting where we did (mile 24.5) and doing the climb toward boulder city first, that way you can get the tough part out of the way while you still have your strength. This trail is a must do for any recreational cyclist with a few hours to kill. We took it very easy and finished in just over 3 hours. I’m sure you could do it in less than 2.5 hrs. It was a blast and as a native, a great way to appreciate the area.

Great trail system. «Moderate» may be an understatement ifyou are a novice rider. Lots of hills, both short/​steep and long/​gradual. Bring water and some snacks.

Yipee! Great ride, lots of hills. Rest stops and H20 available at a couple of locations. Go in the AM, before the ground heats up, or expect a headwind. Fun ride, well maintained trail.

I’m writing this for the people who have never ridden the RMLT. I need to give you a little background on me. You should understand why after reading.
I am 64 years old and live part time in Henderson during the winter months. Due to what I did to earn a living when younger I have been tested and told I have 70% of my normal lung capacity. (No I never smoked.) I ride 22 miles along the Pittman Wash trail and the streets of Henderson every day while in Nevada. The route I take isn’t steep but it does keep my heart rate up. I ride a 16 year old 24 speed mountain bike.
On Veterans Day of 2014 I road the River Mountain Loop Trail. I left from Railroad Pass at 9AM. The temp was low to mid 70’s. To be honest I was a bit apprehensive having never been on the trail and not sure what I would encounter as far as leg killing hills. I took 3 energy bars, one bottle of water and a tire repair kit. I forgot my MP3 player but didn’t even realize that till mile 7. I road the trail in a clockwise direction. The views from some spots were fantastic. At mile 18 I was feeling great and wondering what I was worried about. There had been some steep up and downs but nothing I regretted. Then at mile 19 it started climbing. Little did I know the climb would last till mile 28 and some of it would be a 6% + grade. The total elevation increase was about 1450 feet. But from mile 28 to my start point it was gentle up and down.
From my start till mile 18 I only took 2 small sips of water. I stopped 4 times on the climb from 19 to 28 for water and I ate one of the energy bars. I still had about a quarter of my water left when I finished the ride. But to be honest, I have always needed less water than most. I never needed the tire repair kit but I would never ride the trail without it.
So what did I learn from my first ride? Lots of things actually. There were two places I thought I might have taken a wrong turn. The first turn was correct and the second I did take a wrong turn. But the trail has mile markers every ½ mile so if you don’t see a marker after several minutes you might need to back track. Also there are a few short tunnels you go through. On the climb up through Bolder City, about mile 27, you will be riding on a concrete surface that is actually part of the storm water drainage system for a mile or two. There are a couple of places on the Las Vegas Bay side where it will be a long walk to a road if you crash, but there will other bikers who would do whatever they can to help. There are about 8 places where a car can drive right up to the trail if the need arises. Riding clockwise and starting from where I did I did have that tough 9 mile climb near the end of my trip. Had I gone counterclockwise the climb at the end would have been about a 1000 ft. elevation rise spread over a much longer distance, about 13 miles. 2 and 3% rise instead of 5 and 6%.
As I said earlier I was apprehensive about the ride. I knew I could do it, I just didn’t know how bad I would hurt the next day. The next day my calves hurt a bit but I did my normal 22 mile ride. The second day I could feel a slight burn in my thighs but that didn’t stop another 22 mile jaunt. So if you are considering riding the trail I would say this; if you know you are in shape to ride the trail, you will have no problem. If you think you can do the trail, I made it and you should make it. If you are really worried if you can make it, you can do it in sections to see how you feel.
You will never forget your first ride!

I love this trail and am so happy it was created. I remember when the trail wasn’t there… sure you could bike, run and walk near and far but having one established trail from Henderson and looping around boulder city, lake mead, then lake Las Vegas and back to henderson (30+miles total) is a real treat. Especially when I can easily access it from my house. I have done the whole loop once and during the fall-​spring times I’ll go to Boulder City and back a couple times a week. The spot from the end of lake mead to lake Las Vegas can be pretty mind-numbing…so bring some music for that part. Lol. Then from lake Las Vegas to henderson you have three serious hills, known as the «three bit*hes» from what I’ve been told… and they are pretty nasty, especially if you’ve already come from doing nearly the whole loop. They pretty much increase in steepness all the way to the last one… I’ve only ever rode up the whole last hill once, and I was standing and nearly doing a wheelie the whole time lol.
Anyway, the trail is well maintained and I love seeing it used by so many (well not too many, it’s never crowded).
Get out there and check it out :)

As an area resident, I can access this awesome trail within just a few miles of my Henderson residence. Therefore, I have ridden every aspect of the trail many times in both directions for shorter and longer rides. The actual trail loop is 34 miles. From my door round trip is 42 miles, but for the road bikers who don’t think much of this distance – just consider that I ride a steel frame mountain bike. My kind of riding is for fitness conditioning and safety so this is my preference. Unless you are on a road bike, prepare for at least a three hour ride. Be prepared to meet your highest challenge on the famous «Three Sisters» hill sequence as it is steep and long in rapid succession. Both the «Sisters» and the views are breathtaking! I am not just a seasonal «fair weather» cyclist so I enjoy this trail year round. The loop is scenic and variable. Occasionally, Desert Big Horn Sheep can be seen from the trail. Start at sunrise in the summer and take plenty of water and an emergency tire repair kit. A flat on a remote section of this trail would not be fun without a spare. During cycling season the trail gets pretty busy on the weekends so I prefer the safety of weekday riding. Be in decent shape before you attempt the entire loop; I suggest training on sections until you have done each segment and know what to expect before you set out to do the entire challenge.

My husband and I walked this trail with our dogs on an early Saturday morning. The trail is paved and runs along the power lines waaaay out Southeast. You can walk/​bike on this trail. I think it is made more for biking than walking. A lot of people were biking there the morning my husband and I were walking our dogs.
If you do the entire trail it is 30+ miles. The first 4 – 5 miles is kind of boring because you are simply walking a straight path. The only nice thing is you get really picturesque views of the entire Las Vegas Valley. Once you get about 4 miles in the trail veers to the right and I am assuming at some point you would be able to see Lake Las Vegas to your left if you kept going.
My husband and I turned around at the 4-​mile mark and walked back. Our dogs were tired. So were we.
I would also suggest starting this trail at a different point to get a better hike out of it. I think next time my husband and I will try to start it from an area by Lake Mead. Perhaps my rating will go up then, we will see.

RAILROAD PASS TO MILE MARKER 30 AT US 93 BOULDER CITY HIKE
At 34 miles it is realistic to hike the River Mountains Loop Trail [abbreviated RMLT] as individual hikes. My aim was to write an inclusive review on the RMLT. I did this last April and intend to write an anniversary review around April 11. My aim was to write follow up reviews on individual hikes from the trailheads in numerical order. On paper this was practical. In the real world it is impractical. Because Unilocal is my Diary, I will be reviewing individual RMLT hikes as I experience them.
This review is on the Railroad Pass to US 93-​Boulder City hike. This is a hike that I did last week and October 2011.
The best thing to compare hiking RMLT is to golf. Frenchman Mountain and Red Rock Canyon would be golf. RMLT is miniature golf. The Railroad Pass to US 93-​Boulder City is the entry level course.
The Railroad Pass is the origin and destination point of RMLT. Railroad Pass supports RMLT through a substantial parking lot.
Without putting a quarter in a Railroad Pass machine, I feel like I won the Royal Flush when I step on the RMLT. It is a place that elevates me to Cloud 9. In March the wildflowers turn the trailhead and segments into a linear garden. Now on Cloud 9, I put on my arsenal of tunes and hike to Boulder City.
The leading mile of this hike is between the Historic Southern Railway and US 93. On weekends a historic train runs on these tracks. The vistas of US 93 on the right are the open spaces of El Dorado Canyon.
Approximately a mile into the hike, RMLT turns to the left where it crosses the railroad. The railroad is on the right and the desert is on the left. This is a good bunny and bird watching spot. Cascata Golf Course is in the background.
Near MM 32.5 RMLT turns directly ^ for a short segment. There is a junction with a spur trail. It is worthwhile to point out that Boulder City Stone Circle is here. Pluto was observed from here in 2005. At night time the views of the stars are spectacular.
The RMLT returns to an eastbound alignment as it passes open desert. It then turns slightly northeast as it slowly gains elevation parallel to Veteran’s Memorial Drive and power line towers marching like soldiers toward Hoover Dam.
RMLT turns more northeast into Bootleg Canyon. From here to the conclusion of the hike, the straightaways are replaced by mesmeric curves and hillsas it follows the contours of Bootleg Canyon. At this point the elevation is 2,694 feet. This is the land of mountain biking where a yield sign at the perpendicular mountain bike trails control collisions.
This is where Yucca Street crosses RMLT. A few hundred feet to the left are restrooms. Further is the hiking trail up Red Mountain. To the right is a short cut to Boulder City.
From Bootleg Canyon the mesmeric curves follow the contours of the land downhill toward US 93. Past MM 30, the RMLT portion of the hike concludes at the US 93 junction. A distant view of Lake Mead comes into view. This is a separate RMLT hike. To conclude the hike, turn right on US 93, and hike near the shoulder for a good ½ mile. Starbucks and the Boulder City Business District will be on the left.
Both times that I have done this hike, I left Boulder City at sundown. To eliminate a couple of miles I walked north on US 93 past antiques row and turned right on Yucca Street by Taco Bell. In Bootleg Canyon Yucca Street will connect to RMLT.
I have had an uplifting experience watching the sundown over the mountains and listening to the greatest songs of the rock & roll era. By the time it gets dark at the conclusion of the hike, I feel uplifted watching the stars above. When I return to Railroad Pass I celebrate the hike with a dinner in the Iron Rail Café.
Unilocal Challenge Review 42 of 100.

If you are a fan of the great outdoors and have never been on the River Mountains Trail Loop, you should run, walk, or cycle there soon. Consisting of 35 miles, the RMTL connects Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Henderson, and Boulder City. My friends and I use it all the time for biking and running, but there are plenty of people who walk their dogs or themselves. Depending on where you are on the Loop, you can see awesome views of downtown Vegas, Boulder City, and Lake Mead – many photo ops, which Unilocalers love, right? If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee to get into Lake Mead, there are parking lots located outside of the two toll booths that go into Lake Mead. The other parking/​entrance spots are Equestrian Park, Railroad Pass Hotel, and Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City.
TIPS FOR WALKERS/​RUNNERS/​HIKERS: Bring plenty of hydration and fuel (food, snacks) and a cellphone if you’re going to be out for a while. You are out in nature and there are no 7−11s on the Loop. Look out for wildlife; I have encountered both coyotes and snakes, but these are few and far between and usually in the early morning, when most sane people are still sleeping (I have seen many sunrises at the lake due to training). There are public bathrooms at Equestrian Park and the Lake Mead Park entrances.
TIPS FOR CYCLISTS: Same tips for hydration and fuel as above. The whole loop is great training, but by no means flat (there’s really no place in Vegas that’s super flat). Most local cyclists who train out here know about the Three Sisters (a.k.a. the Three B*%@&es, the Three Witches, etc.): three hills that will kick your butt if you’re not expecting them and have made even seasoned triathletes and cyclists walk their bikes up the third sister if they’re not expecting it, are in the wrong gear, or don’t have the training. I’ve seen it (and done it) myself. Likewise, there are some tight turns downhill, so look out for those and bike traffic coming the other way – your brake pads will get a workout. Pack extra tubes and Co2 so you’re ready for a flat tire because it can be a long walk back to your car or wherever you started.
All in all, one of the best things Vegas has to offer. Bring your friends and family for a walk, run, or ride and take advantage of this local gem.

Amazing! I was able to ride a portion of the trail around the equestrian park trailhead today and I can’t wait to go back for more. Miles 0 – 7 are in excellent condition. Wonderful views of the valley, great hill climbs. Everyone should take advantage of this amazing trail.

Another Vegas gem, hidden in plain sight. I’m fortunate enough to live very close to it. The views depending on where you are can be stunning to breathtaking. See Daniel S. ‘s excellent review for the highlights, he covers it quite well and in greater depth. Depending on the section you use it also has stuff that the kids will enjoy. I haven’t seen a kid yet that didn’t like riding through a small tunnel or two as the trail cuts under a roadway. And if you’re riding and see a couple of horses the kids always love seeing horses.
For me this trail offers the distance, length, and visual eye candy to make exercise enjoyable.
5 Stars: While it’s a great trail it’s those Million Dollar Vistas of Lake Mead and the Las Vegas Valley that are permanently etched into my memory.
Tip: Water, Water, Water, DID YOU BRING WATER? Go get a Camelback or Hydration System and when you get to half of your water remaining turn around and go back. And DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN!