County to celebrate National Trails Day

Adrienne Packer

Tuesday, May 9, 2000 | 11:15 a.m.

Try promoting National Trails Day to Las Vegas residents and their response will likely be, "What trails?"

That is the question Clark County planners hope to answer with an event featuring guided trail rides for equestrians, hikers, mountain and road bikers and off-road vehicles.

The Southern Nevada Regional Trails Partnership is holding the June 4 event to celebrate National Trails Day.

"We want to get the word out to tell people we're here and what we're trying to do," Clark County planner Kristine Bunnell said. "This is a kickoff to show people the area and what can be out there."

Equestrians, hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle enthusiasts will be taken on about a 2 1/2-hour trip on separate trails that wind through the Sunrise Cooperative Management Area.

The trails meander through hills in the Sunrise area 4 miles east of the intersection of Lake Mead and Hollywood boulevards.

Road bikers likely will be scheduled to meet at Las Vegas High School and ride in the area before connecting with other trail users for festivities that include a free lunch and speakers.

The county has been planning for years to develop a trail system that not only allows residents to commute to work but also leads them to existing trails such as the paths at Red Rock National Conservation Area.

A year ago the Clark County Commission approved an ambitious 10-year plan that includes 300 miles of new trails that will add to the 491 miles of bike lanes planned by the Regional Transportation Commission.

Aside from the trails outside the city, county planners are also incorporating bike paths alongside the Las Vegas Beltway and existing flood channels.

"We want bike paths to connect everyone to other areas," Bunnell said.

The Southern Nevada Trails Partnership not only includes representatives of each of the valley's government agencies but organizations for trail users such as equestrians and off-road vehicle drivers.

The organized ride June 4 begins about 7:15 a.m. Entrants may pre-register from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. at an information kiosk on Lake Mead Boulevard just east of the Hollywood Boulevard intersection.

For more information call 455-1535.