Lake Mead-area hikes offer variety

Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 | 8:53 a.m.

For those who yearn to hike hidden highways and byways, the National Park Service presents a variety of guided hikes through the winter in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Before summer's sizzle sets in, those who like to hike can take an easy stroll of less than a mile, a moderate stretch at 1 to 4 miles, or strenuous workout at more than 6 miles in length -- all accompanied by a park ranger, Park Service spokeswoman Roxanne Dey said.

No matter when hikers take to the trail, they should tell park service employees at the Alan Bible Visitor Center or their families where they are going and be specific, Dey said. All the hikes listed require registration.

For Saturday's hike, a dirt road near Lake Mead offers an area rich in early American Indian history. The petroglyph rock art expedition is a moderate 6 miles.

A moderate to strenuous hike is on tap for Sunday when a loop hike leads through scenic White Rock Canyon to Arizona Hot Springs near the Colorado River. Some rock scrambling is necessary.

Stark black volcanic rock offers views of a blue lake and rugged mountains in a moderate 4-mile hike on Jan. 23.

Striking red sandstone formations and a broad-brush desert view can be seen on a hike into Pinto Valley near the Overton Arm of Lake Mead, a moderate 6-mile hike on Jan. 29.

A narrow wash through ancient riverbeds into Black Canyon to a natural arch known as the Liberty Bell is on the agenda for Jan. 30. Sturdy footwear is necessary for some rock scrambling through a dry wash on this 4-mile hike.

An old railroad bed leads to five large tunnels on the Railroad Tunnel 5-mile hike on Feb. 2. This railroad was built to transport supplies to Hoover Dam in the 1930s when the dam was under construction.

A desert dry wash leads to Lovell Canyon and the remains of Anniversary Mine where the borax mineral colemanite was mined, for a moderate 5- to 6-mile hike on Feb. 5.

A strenuous 8-mile trek takes experienced hikers Feb. 6 on a 2,000-foot climb where desert bighorn sheep roam.

Another rugged cross-country 6-mile hike to Hamblin Mountain reveals beautiful rocks decorated by nature with patterns of bright colors. View Boulder Narrows, Pinto Valley and beyond on Feb. 12.

Wildlife viewing abounds on the Redstone Discovery hike, a moderate 5-mile jaunt with some rock scrambling on Feb. 13.

A 4-wheel drive and sturdy hiking boots are necessary for the Cranes Nest tour down a dry wash to the Colorado River in Arizona on a 4-mile moderate hike on Feb. 19.

Vibrant colors and scenic mountains are in view for the North Bowl of Fire hike, a strenuous 6- to 8-mile trek on Feb. 20.

Two popular natural hot springs display beautiful oases filled with plants on an easy 1- to 2-mile hike Feb. 21.

A moderate, 4-mile hike on Feb. 23 will head toward a narrow 1/4-mile long slot canyon in Lovell Canyon.

On Feb. 26, walk through 4.5 billion years of geologic time while learning about what was happening, geologically speaking, in Lake Mead's rocks.

Another trip to the Liberty Bell Arch is offered on a moderate to strenuous 4-mile hike with some rock scrambling on Feb. 26.

Leading through scenic White Rock Canyon, hikers arrive at Arizona Hot Springs near the Colorado river after a moderate 6-mile trek.

For more information and reservations call the Alan Bible Visitor Center at (702) 293-8990 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All hikes listed require reservations.