Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Railroad Trail offers glimpse at history

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999 | 3:38 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at PDelGiudice@compuserve.com.

Though the fishing hasn't been good in Southern Nevada lately (except for stocked rainbows) and the only hunting season remaining open is for rabbits, the pleasant weekend brought outdoors people outside by the droves to enjoy the more popular hiking trails.

Such was the case on Monday at the Railroad Trail that begins near the Allen Bible Visitor Center outside of Boulder City and extends for 2.6 miles back toward the dam. Families of all sizes, ages and shapes -- some on bicycles, most on foot -- visited the trail.

This portion of the trail, while allowing for scenic views of Lake Mead, also is very historic. It was once the site of railroad tracks built to aid in the construction of Hoover Dam. This trail is the only remaining section of the Hoover Dam Railroad system that is not highly disturbed or under water.

The trail is wide and well-maintained and is a good place to walk for even the youngest of children. While you can see lizards and other reptiles, the most interesting parts of the trail are the geologic formations and tunnels that go through parts of the mountain.

According to the National Park Service, nine steam and four gas locomotives and 71 people were used to operate the railroad system. It was a standard-gauge, 90-pound rail construction that used Oregon fir ties.

This section was used in the motion picture, "The Gauntlet" starring Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke, during a sequence in which they were on a motorcycle being chased by an assassin in a helicopter.

The railroad was last used in 1961 and the tracks were dismantled in 1962.

It is just one of several hiking trails on the North shore of Lake Mead.

* HUNTER ED: With the big game tag application deadline rapidly approaching, hunters can avoid an anticipated last-minute rush for hunter education classes by registering for a class.

The Nevada Division of Wildlife will hold 16 classes in the Las Vegas area before the April 19 application deadline and more will be scheduled if necessary. Unfortunately, those who wait until the last two weeks may find that they can't get into a class.

Hunters born in 1960 or later are required to have a hunter education card when purchasing a Nevada hunting license. Cards are issued by NDOW following successful completion of a hunter education class.

The next class is scheduled Feb. 22-25 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night at Von Tobel Community School, 2436 North Pecos Road. Registration began on Tuesday.

The course fee is $5, payable at the door. To register for the class call 486-5127.

* ANGLING FOR A WIN: Roy Jones of Henderson took second place in the first Red Man Colorado River Division qualifying bass tournament held Feb. 7 at Lake Havasu in Arizona. Jones caught five bass weighing 13 pounds, 7 ounces to take second and earn $1,225.

* LICENSE UPDATE: Nevada's 1999 fishing and hunting licenses will be available Monday, Feb. 22.

The license year in Nevada runs March 1-Feb. 28. Therefore, the 1998 annual licenses are valid through the end of the month.

Licenses may be purchased at most Nevada sporting goods stores and bait and tackle shops. They also can be obtained at NDOW's Las Vegas office, 4747 Vegas Drive, and the Henderson office at 744 South Racetrack Road. NDOW offices are open weekdays, except holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.