Lake Mead Recreation Area - Historic Railroad Trail

Last week Danielle, the dog and I made a trip out to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area for a hike along its old historic railroad trail. This is officially the first hike that I've taken since moving to Vegas that was NOT in the Mount Charleston area. It was a somewhat long, but very easy hike that started at the Lake Mead visitors area and ended on top of the Hoover Dam parking garage (no joke, the trail literally ended on the roof of the dam garage). There wasn't much elevation change to speak of since the huge majority of the trail followed an old railroad bed that was used to supply the dam while it was being built. It also went through five old railroad tunnels that had been blown through the rock. The pamphlet about the hike said that it was a 9 mile hike in total while the trailhead signs said it was a total out-and-back of 7 miles. It felt more like 7 than 9, but we're not sure. Here are some pics:

This is shortly after starting the hike looking back to the parking lot and the visitor's center.

Our first good view of Lake Mead and the marina. This view would dominate the majority of the hike.

We're approaching the first couple of tunnels.

Walking toward the light.

Another tunnel. I think this was the fifth and final tunnel because it seemed to be the longest tunnel and the only one with a curvature within the tunnel. You can't see out the other side from this perspective like you could with the other four.

This was well after the last tunnel approaching the dam.

Electrical stuff that we walked right past as we neared the dam.

Here's the end of the trail as it descends down to the roof of the dam parking garage.

There's the dam.

If you take the dam elevator down you'll find some dam stairs leading to the dam gift shop where you can buy some dam souvenirs.

The Hoover Dam bypass project bridge is coming along nicely. Honestly, that thing is almost as impressive as the dam itself!!

On the way back we took in a sampling of the local wild life.

Just some interesting rock formations along the trail.

Looking up to the Hacienda Hotel/Casino that you would pass if you drove to the dam.

Another view of the lake as the sun began to set and our hike neared completion.