How to Use This Guide

Start: Directions to all the trailheads begin from downtown Las Vegas at the intersection of US 95 and I-15, and the total distance from this point to the trailhead is listed here.

Distance: This is the total distance of the hike, whether out and back, around a loop, or one way with a car shuttle. Distances were measured with computer mapping software and websites. Although slightly shorter than distances measured on the ground with a trail wheel, the mileages are consistent throughout the book.

Approximate hiking time: The time for an average hiker to do the hike. These times err on the conservative side but do not take into account rest stops, photography, and other non-hiking activities. Fast hikers will need less time, while slow or out-of-shape hikers may use more time.

Difficulty: All hikes are rated as easy, moderate, or strenuous, with reasons for the rating. Although this is necessarily a highly subjective rating, nearly anyone who can walk should be able to do an easy hike in just a few hours. Moderate hikes are longer—up to a full day—and may involve several hundred feet or more of elevation gain, and possibly cross-country hiking as well. Experienced hikers will have no problems; beginners should hike with someone more experienced and will have more fun if they are in reasonable shape. Strenuous hikes are very long, requiring a full day of hiking by fit hikers, or several days in the case of backpack trips. The hiking may involve cross-country or faint, rough trails that require good map and compass skills, and some rock scrambling may be required on rough terrain. Only fit, experienced hikers should tackle these hikes.

Trail surface: Most trails in the Las Vegas region are dirt and rocks. Other trail surface conditions are described here, including hikes on old roads, paved trails, and cross-country.

Best season: The best part of the year to do the hike, taking into account such conditions as winter snow and summer heat.

Water: For backpackers and for emergency use by day hikers, this section lists known water sources. Most springs and creeks should be considered seasonal, and you should never depend on a single source of water. All water should be purified before using it to drink or cook. Day hikers should carry all the water they’ll need.

Other trail users: You may encounter horses and/or mountain bikes on some of the trails.

Canine compatibility: Many people like to hike with their furry friends, so this section mentions whether dogs are allowed, and restrictions, if any. All areas that are open to dogs require that they be under control, which for most dogs means on a leash. If your dog barks or runs up to other hikers, even in a friendly way, then it is not under control and must be kept on a leash. This is just common courtesy to other hikers, some of whom may have had bad experiences with dogs.

Fees and permits: If any fees, including entry fees, are required, they are mentioned here. Any permits required are also listed.

Schedule: If access is limited to certain times of the day for administrative reasons such as road closures, you’ll find that information here.

Maps: The CalTopo.com MapBuilder Topo layer and the USGS 7.5-minute series quads covering the hike are listed here, but note that trails are usually out of date or not shown on the USGS maps. Nevertheless, the USGS maps are the most accurate maps for depicting the terrain. Valley of Fire State Park is the only area in this book covered by a National Geographic Trails Illustrated map, but that map, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, does not show trails in the state park. The best trail map for the area covered by this book are the MapBuilder Topo and MapBuilder Hybrid layers in CalTopo’s excellent web- and app-based digital maps (CalTopo.com). You can print custom maps for the area of your hike including any of the topo, street mapping, and satellite and aerial image layers. Gaia GPS (GaiaGPS.com) is another excellent digital map app and website.

Trail contacts: Look here for the name and contact information of the agency or organization responsible for managing the land crossed by the hike. It’s a good idea to call or e-mail the land-management agency before your hike to check on road and trail conditions. Where possible, the contact information includes the mailing and street address, phone number, and website. E-mail addresses are not included because they change frequently; check the agency website for an e-mail address, generally found under a “Contact” link. Sometimes web addresses change as well, but you can usually find land-management units on the web with a search engine.

Special considerations: This section lists unusual conditions that may exist for the hike.

Finding the trailhead: This section gives driving directions from the intersection of US 95 and I-15 in downtown Las Vegas, as well as the GPS coordinates in latitude and longitude.

White fir appears toward the top of the ponderosa pine forest on the slopes of the mountains, and has flattened single needles with a whitish stripe.

The Hike: Here’s the meat of the hike—a detailed description of the trail or route and the features and attractions along the way. I describe the route using landmarks as well as trail signs, when possible, because trail signs can be missing. Refer to the next section, “Miles and Directions,” for a description with distances between key points.

Miles and Directions: This table lists the key points, such as trail intersections, or turning points on a cross-country hike, by miles and tenths. You should be able to find the route with this table alone. The mileages in this book do not necessarily agree with distances found on trail signs, agency mileages, and other descriptions, because trail miles are measured by a variety of methods and personnel. All mileages were carefully measured using digital topographic mapping software for accuracy and consistency within the book.

Green Tips: As you take advantage of the spectacular scenery offered by the Las Vegas area, remember that our planet is very dear, very special, and very fragile. All of us should do everything we can to keep it clean, beautiful, and healthy, including following the Green Tips you’ll find throughout this book.