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Nice paved trail. Little shade. Some street crossings are challenging. We rode 8 miles and were told you could ride another 30 plus miles on connecting trails. There are places to stop for food & beverages.
My experience is bicycling, but I see others walking and jogging as well. This is an awesome trail to get some miles in with minimal traffic concerns. There are a few intersections to cross, but most have a bridge or tunnel. This is an exceptional resource for bicyclists and others in Las Vegas Nevada. I am super pleased to have this available to us!
I set myself the challenge of renting a road bike and riding out from The Strip down Flamingo Arroyo, Wetlands and Connector trails then taking the River Mountains Loop clockwise before retracing back to Vegas, Baby.
Flamingo Arroyo is a means to an end. It gets you out of the city to Sunrise avoiding the main trafficked roads and onto Wetlands, which is a nice trail. There's a couple of miles slog up to The Loop from here then you need to decide clockwise or anti clockwise.
I'm 16 stones so not a climber and I managed alright. There's nothing particularly steep but the drag from Lake Mead to the top of the hill at Boulder City is a long, hard slog. I plodded gently up it in marginally under 55 minutes excluding a stop to give directions to a couple that couldn't read the sign they were standing next to. Why they'd assume a bloke from 5,000 miles away would have any local knowledge is open to question.
The early April sunshine had the temperature hitting 30 degrees C (double it and add 32 I think for old school) in parts; strangely the hottest bit was during the climb to boulder city which was dashed inconvenient. I ran out of drink atop the climb and managed to restock at the Equestrian Drive Car Park where the water fountain dispenses the nicest water on earth (and I live near Buxton!) A good tip is to memorise where the water dispensaries are before you set off. I didn't struggle the Three Sisters. Kept a bit of pace up and sprinted up them. Overall good trail. Good tarmac most of the way round with a few contraction cracks in places. Not many opportunities for shade so I'd imagine it would be good to heed the advice of avoidance in the summer months. Completely enjoyable and easily accomplished by an average, middle aged cyclist.
Strava Link if interested. https://www.strava.com/activities/2258408601/
This is a really great trail, one of my favorites, but be aware of two things:
1. The trail is currently closed (as of March 5, 2019) at Tunnel 3 for repairs, so the trail is shortened.
2. The trail can be closed during the hottest months, basically so tourists unaccustomed to the heat don't harm themselves.
Happy New Year…completed this nearly 38 mile (some signage claims 31 miles) loop on 4 Jan 2019. Parked at Equestrian Dog Park in Henderson. Good park to start from, there is a decent restroom with water at the location. (At the end of Equestrian Dr there is also a parking area with pit toilet and bike repair station.) Took connector trail up to the River Mountains Loop trail about 0.5 mile away. Traveled clockwise. Was cool temps (50’s) and calm. Still saw a number of other folks on the trail, mostly bikers but some walkers. Signage on some portions of the trail was lacking at intersections. Following the main trail was easy enough but if wanting to take a side trip requires a study of the map. Once on the Lake Mead side of the loop watched a coyote trot down the trail in front of us for a short distance, finally leaving the trail when we got a little closer. Then on the big climb up to Boulder City there was a group of Desert Bighorn Sheep rams right on the edge of the trail enjoying the grassy shoulder. This is not a Rails-to-Trails type trail, plenty of hills to climb and glide down. Can’t imagine attempting this in the middle of the summer, no shade available anywhere. Enjoyed the ride but was ready to be done once we saw the end in sight.
Sort of confusing finding the trail head. Parked on the other side of McCleod not down by Twain. Thankfully we did that as the underpass bridge is basically a homeless camp. Unfortunately there were several homeless camps along the way. Lots of trash as well
Wish I had read these reviews before we decided to ride this trail. It is a sad example of urban trail that has been taken over by homeless. We went on a Saturday before noon and thought there would be lots of people riding and walking the trail and didn't come across anyone except homeless. The smell and amount of garbage left was terrible. It was called Neon to Nature and we definitely didn't see any nature. Too bad because it was evident that there was millions of dollars spent on this project. My husband and I felt unsafe on this trail! Very sad!
Here’s my take on the trail:
Required abilities- Hot weather endurance, be able to ride at least 40 miles without too much trouble, able to handle long climbs.
Required gear: Depending the time of year, bring at least 2 liters of water. There are a few watering holes (mile 3, 12 I think, 16 ish, and from 22 on you’re near civilization), snacks and electrolytes.
When to ride: DO NOT RIDE FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER! There is literally a sign at the visitor area that says that. The heat can kill you and has killed others. I rode in October and still succumbed to the heat. If you do ride in the fall or spring, ride early (6AM is nice).
Others have commented that this is all climbs and descents. THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. There are no flat areas. Going clockwise, mile 19 to mile 34 is one long continuous (and at times arduous) climb. Miles 1 to 19 are a bunch of ups and downs.
Mile 4 to 14 has the “Three Sisters.” Three very intense but short climbs followed by really fun and winding descents. I clocked at 37 mph on a 37 lbs hybrid and I wasn’t even trying.
If you’re trying it for the first time, go clockwise. It’s more fun, and if you poop out after mile 20, you are near civilization. Clockwise takes you around to Lake Las Vegas and Lake Meade via very pretty and scenic route. The “Three Sisters” aren’t as bad, the down hill descents stretch out nicely.
Counterclockwise starts with a brutal uphill followed by a very long descent. “The Wash” portion of the descent (mile 28 to mile 31 ish) is tough, hot, and slippery. If you’re on a road bike, please be careful.
From mile 19 to mile 1 it is a mostly gentle climb with some severe bumps. The Sisters are called the “Three Not-So-Nice words” going this direction. Please be prepared, as they are in the last portion of your ride.
Is it worth doing? Yes! If you plan it right, it’s a great experience. If you can do it with friends, even better. Please take the appropriate steps, come at the right time, and make sure you are good enough in a bike to enjoy the ride. Kick it’s butt!
Connection to River Mountain Loops Trail on the south end is now complete, bridge over Interstate 11 is scenic.
We rode this on our tandem road bike. Easy ride with great views. Hard pack surface with thin layer of fine grit. Easily rideable with a road bike if you don’t do the hill at the end. We say two desert big horn sheep. Also met some friendly people along the way.
Love this trail. Ride this one every weekend
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