Las Vegas Outside

I don't visit Las Vegas intentionally but my job takes me there on occasion. On those occasions I take advantage of my spare time and visit the natural world located not too far from the artificially-created one strung out along Las Vegas Boulevard ("the Strip"). Surprisingly, there is much to see outside of the city and, maybe even more surprising, there are actual Las Vegas residents who appreciate and nurture that natural world, as I have come to find out on iNaturalist and through my own explorations. On my recent visit to Las Vegas on December 7 and 8, 2016, I visited Clark County Wetlands Park and Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, located in the Red Rock Canyon area.

Clark County Wetlands Park
The park includes a series of ponds and streams fed by reclaimed water discharge from area wastewater treatment plants. The reclaimed water eventually finds its way down Las Vegas Wash to Lake Mead, which is the main source of potable water for Las Vegas. The park is rich in both wetland/freshwater and Mojave Desert flora and fauna. A network of wide, flat trails wind through park. The nature center is worth a visit.

iNaturalist has a guide (the iNaturalist guides are excellent intro): Clark County Wetlands Park BioBlitz 2016

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
This park is within the Red Rock Canyon area and located just south of the main BLM Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area . The park has several easy loop trails, all less than 1.5 miles in length. Make a day of it and do them all like I did. Perhaps the best is the Sandstone Canyon loop trail that heads up toward the spectacular sandstone cliffs (Aztec sandstone, lower Jurassic). The spring-fed pond is known as Lake Harriet and in addition to waterfowl, the pond harbors the endangered Pahrump Poolfish .

Another great iNaturalist guide for the Spring Mountains that covers also Red Rock Canyon: Spring Mountains

The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area offers many hiking and naturalist exploring opportunities in an alpine mountain setting. Two years ago, I hiked the Upper Bristlecone Trail here.

Jim Boone, who I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, has assembled an excellent website here: Birding, Hiking, and Naturalizing Around Las Vegas

There are other natural areas and places around Las Vegas that I have not covered. Hold on to your money. Get outside!

Publicado el martes, 27 de diciembre de 2016 a las 04:18 AM por brownsbay brownsbay

Comentarios

GREAT entry. I have not visited Las Vegas, but when I do, I'm going to keep these suggestions of outdoor exploration in mind. Thanks!

Anotado por sambiology hace cerca de 7 años

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