Boulder City Magazine is a monthly publication full of information about Boulder City and Southern Nevada. Boulder City Magazine features the Boulder City Home Guide, a real estate guide to Boulder City and Southern Nevada.

Boulder City Magazine® April 2007 Issue

Cover Story	Spotlight on Business	Tech Tip
Recreation Zone	BCPD Informer	Your Health
Short Stories	Home Care	A Kid's View
Library Corner	Money Matters	Lawyer's Edge
Boulder City History	The Arts	Porter Update
Reid Report	Travel Now	Day Trip'n

Recreation Zone
by Patty Sullivan
Recreation Program Coordinator
Boulder City Parks & Recreation Department

River Mountain Trail
When I was a little girl growing up in Boulder City, my grandfather Tom Godbey used to load up all of us kids and go on day-trips. One trip that stands out vividly in my mind is the time he took us hiking the River Mountain Trail. It was one of those amazingly warm winter days. New Year’s Day to be precise. Armed with sack lunches, water and our drive to visit the great outdoors, we started out from the base of the mountain.

To this day, I remember the feeling I had when we reached the top of the mountain. Quite simply, I was awestruck. From the top of the mountain, I could see all of the Las Vegas Valley, Eldorado Valley and Lake Mead. We later learned that the trail built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937-1938 had been damaged. Although we had planned to hike to the end of the trail, we were forced to ascend the mountain short of our destination.

Local hiker Peter Huntoon has adopted the River Mountain Trail as his retirement project. With help, he has restored the trail and it is now ranked as one of the finest preserved CCC trails in all of Nevada. According to Peter, Fall, Winter and Spring are the most favored time of year for hiking the trail because temperatures are ideal. If you are lucky, you may see Bighorn Sheep or a Desert Tortoise. Early morning hikers occasionally see Coyotes. Desert birds include the large Raptors as well as Ravens and Vultures.

Peter’s helpful hints for a good hike are to carry at least a quart of water, even in winter. The round trip takes about two and a half hours. Give it more time if you’re a leisurely walker or a bit out of shape. Take a lunch, some trail mix or power bars. Sunscreen and a hat are essential because the hike is long enough to earn a sunburn. Good footware is strongly recommended because there are rocky stretches and rough steps. Hiking boots are preferred. Shoes and sneakers are asking for twisted ankles, sore feet and blisters.

To get to the trail head, start down the hill on US 93 from the Buchanan intersection; look for the prominent sign to the trail and the well-maintained trail head parking lot on your left. The parking area is paved and lies immediately uphill from St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.

For more information about the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department, call 294-0335.

Boulder City Magazine®
688 Wells Rd #A
Boulder City, Nevada 89005
Phone (702) 294-1392 Fax (702) 294-1392
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