Historic trail offers fun, insightful path into Hoover Dam’s past

By Dave Clark

Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.

With extended families and friends in tow, roughly 20 people traversed the Historic Railroad Trail at Lake Mead Dec. 27 as Ranger Sky McClain expounded on its importance to Hoover Dam, sharing historic stories and photographs along the way.

McClain said many trains traveled to national parks, seeking tourists, but the one leading to Hoover Dam was different. This particular route was government-owned, carting the materials used for the dam's construction 24 hours a day. She said its final run came in 1961 after the last electrical generator was delivered.

Remnants of those journeys remain. She pointed to the 90,000-pound concrete plugs lying in the steep ravines abutting the sides of the trail.

"It seems to me like there are two or three of them in pieces," McClain said.

Also visible were some railroad ties cut from Oregon firs.

Further along, McClain explained the construction of the tunnels, which were blasted out of the volcanic rock. She said some of the resultant material was used to grade the railroad path, which has a gentle grade.

As the group neared the end of the day's hike, McClain shared personal stories from the lives of the 21,000 workers, 112 of whom perished. One involved the struggle to obtain clean drinking water. Workers tried to live close to the Colorado River for access, but what they received was often brimming with silt. McClain said others who tried to dig wells did not fare much better, as that was often dirtied as well by residents and workers.

Hikers like Sue Kendall enjoyed the historical perspective. The San Jose, Calif. resident arrived with some of her former co-workers from the UNLV library.

"I have a master's in American history," she said. "When I saw this in the paper, I said 'we've got to go.'"

She also knew it was an easy trail.

"I'm surprised it is so well-maintained," Kendall said. "What a nice thing for families to do."

Jevannah Antila came with her mother-in-law, who saw the trek as a needed outing during the holidays.

"We've been sitting around for a couple days," Jane Antila said. "It's a good way to work off the meals."

Although a resident, her daughter-in-law had not yet been on the trail. She was impressed by what she saw.

"It's a great view," Jevannah Antila said.

Jane Antila underscored the importance of the area's history.

"I'm glad the parks have preserved this for us to enjoy and our kids to enjoy," she said.