Known as the first National Recreation area, Lake Mead offers visitors the luxury of waters sports, hiking, diving, and more. Lake Mead is the biggest man-made reservoir in the United States, which is formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River. The massive lake is located in the states of Nevada and Arizona, about 30 miles (48 km) east from Las Vegas Strip.
If you are wanting to something different than water sport activities, the Historic Train Trail offers panoramic views of this manmade wonder.
ABOUT THE HISTORIC TRAIN TRAIL
This trail passes through five tunnels built for the rail line used during the construction of The Hoover Dam (the rails have been removed).
It will take you to the walkway that crosses the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. The total out-and-back distances are 4 miles if stopping at the fifth tunnel or 7 miles if going to the dam. Add another 2 miles if you are going up to the bridge.
Hike Summary
- Distance | 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
- Elevation Gain | 11 ft (3.4 m)
- Average Time | 4 hr
- Difficulty | Easy
- Trail Type | There-and-back
History
In 1931, a construction contract was awarded to Six Companies, Inc., a consortium consisting of six major western firms. Together with the U.S. government, they built about 30 miles of railroad connecting Boulder City with all the facilities needed to build Hoover Dam (eg., cement mixing plants, quarry pit, gravel sorting plant). The Dam construction railroad system consisted of three segments. One of the Segments was from Las Vegas to the Boulder City site, which was built and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad.
The second segment was built by the U.S. Government. It ran from Boulder City down Hemenway Wash to Himix, the concrete mixing plant on the rim of the Black Canyon overlooking the dam. It provided concrete for the final 242 feet of the dam and the buildings on its crest. The airline distance from Boulder City to Himix was 6.7 miles. A drop of 1,100 feet in elevation however, necessitated ten miles of winding tracks to keep the grades from being too steep.
Six Companies, Inc. built and operated the third segment of the system. The tracks branched off the U.S. Government Construction Railroad at Lawler, about a mile up Hemenway Wash from the Visitor Center. It crossed Hemenway Wash and followed the base of the River Mountains and then looped eastward to the gravel plant on the flat overlooking the Colorado River. One branch went upstream 7.3 miles from the gravel plant to the gravel beds on the Arizona side.
Isolation demanded the tons of concrete needed for the dam to be manufactured locally. An electric dragline with a five cubic yard capacity loaded gravel into railroad cars. Concrete was made by mixing sand and crushed rock, called aggregate, with Portland cement and water. More than four million cubic yards of aggregate were taken from the Arizona side of the river. The other branch followed the river downstream into Black Canyon, to Lomix, a concrete mixing plant situated at the base of Black Canyon. Lomix provided the concrete for the diversion-tunnel linings, the powerhouse foundation, and two-thirds of the dam. To prevent the concrete from drying during transportation the mixing plant was put as close to the river as possible. Locomotives hauled tons of gravel to a screening plant on the other side of the river 24-hours a day. A round trip took slightly more than two hours.
The Six Companies, Inc. Railroad was abandoned after the completion of Hoover Dam in 1935. The U.S. Government Construction Railroad section was sporadically used until 1961, when the last generator was hauled over its rails and installed at the power plant.
GETTING TO THE HISTORIC TRAIN TRAIL
To get to the Historic Train Trail from Las Vegas, take 93 south through Boulder City. Turn Left on Lake Shore Road. If you drive past The Hoover Dam Lodge and Casino, you have driven too far. Turn right at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area – Lake Shore Scenic Drive sign into the parking lot. You will see the trail head nearby.
From Kingman, take 93 north and leave Arizona. Drive past The Hoover Dam Lodge and Casino, and turn Right on Lake Shore Road. The trail head is approximately 500 yards down Lake Shore Dr, on the right.
HIKING THE HISTORIC TRAIN TRAIL
From the parking lot go towards the two large information signs on the side and take the concrete path, which runs west towards the visitor center. After about 120 feet (36 meters) of concrete trail, a dirt trail branches off to the left. As you continue on the dirt path you will see The Hoover Damn Lodge and Casino. You will then run into a gate with a warning sign. Hiking in the summer months can be overwhelming and dangerous. Bring hats, lots of water and sunscreen.
Moving forward you will encounter a wide path that cuts through the red, iron-rich volcanic rock. The cut was blasted out in 1930 for trains to pass through, carrying stone, material, and workers to the dam site. As the trail curves toward the edge of Lake Mead, you’ll find yourself a few hundred feet above the grey blue water. While the descent is not a steep drop, be careful as there is no guardrails on this trail.
The lake views are spectacular all along this trail. Make sure you glance at the peaks of ancient volcanic mounds that rise above the lake surface. Far in the distance the rugged, smoky South Virgin Mountains rise above the horizon.
Like I mentioned above, on this trail you will encounter five tunnels that are about 25 feet in diameter. During the construction of The Hoover Dam they were used to accommodate the train and large equipment that made its way through. In this unforgiving terrain, just imagine how much labor was needed to blast through the path and haul materials and equipment to the dam construction site.
Just before tunnel 1, look down the ravine to the right to see concrete plugs taken from Hoover Dam to install turbines. The first and second tunnels are close to each other. Their dark interiors provide the perfect place to cool down from the desert sun. Besides those tunnels there really isn’t any shade throughout this path.
As you pass through tunnel 2, notice that the ceiling and sidewalls have been reinforced. This work was done after the tunnel was burned by arson in 1990. Wildfire gives rise to much of the plant life along the trail; creosote and mesquite bushes, which are fire-resistant, are scattered in green and brown bundles along the trail and on the surrounding hillsides.
In tunnel 3, the arches were shored up to support the massive weight above. Fault lines are visible in the rippled texture of the sienna hillsides all along the trail, and particularly in the rock face about 20 feet before tunnel 4. Passing through tunnel 5, which was burned in 1978 and only reopened in 2001, you come to an opening in a fence where the trail continues.
Follow the trail as it snakes through some steep hillsides and some industrial areas before reaching the endpoint in dramatic fashion; the trail will suddenly bring you on the top level of the visitor parking area, giving you an view of the Hoover Dam below.
To reach the Hoover Dam Visitor Center, simply take the elevator down to the first level and follow the signs.
To return back to the trailhead, just head back the way you came from. On the way back before re entering tunnel 5, look slightly up towards the left. You will see the Lake Mead Overlook Point that stares down towards the marina. At the viewing point you will see some historical markers full of history demonstrating how man can change the desert landscape.
Though people hike this trail year-round, I recommend it during spring. You will be surprised to find the trail covered with various types of flora and the cooler weather makes this trail more enjoyable.
CONCLUSION
Take advantage and experience Lake Mead with awe-inspiring beautiful panoramic views of this man-made wonder. Hike through the tunnels, where the historic railroad once passed as The Hoover Dam was being built and finish this trail with a view of the massive concrete structure that creates the lake. This trail is full of history and it would leave a mark in your memories.
What are some of the most memorable trails you have been on? Leave questions and comments below and I will respond as quick as I can.
