The Historic Railroad Hiking Trail (out and back) is 7.5 miles it you its entirety from the parking lot to Hoover Dam. We walked only 5.5 km (about half the trail) to two of the five tunnels.
After leaving the parking lot and walking up tot the beginning of the trail we were greeted by this sign, but since it was January there was no danger from the heat. Instead, there was wind.
They neglected to mention the wind on the sign.
The wind was so strong we were concerned we might get pushed over the edge of this elevated roadway (aka former railroad). A woman with two small children walked a head of us oblivious to the wind. We were sure that the kids will blow over. We didn’t walk the entire trail so we have no idea if they all survived, but we hope that they did.
There were some informative plaques along the way telling the history of the tunnels. They were constructed in 1931 to connect the Hoover Dam and Boulder City. The route was essential for the dam’s construction as it allowed to transfer materials to build the dam.
The railroad tracks were dismantled in 1962 and the trail was established in 1992.
Today the trail features beautiful vistas of Lake Mead and Boulder Basin
and five tunnels – each approximately 25 feet wide.
Tunnel #1 has eight sections of vertical supports, five of which have horizontal planks to prevent the fall of loose rock on to the tracks to reduce delays during the 24-hour building schedule. Weight from the rock has damaged the outermost, eastern arch.
Tunnel #2 burned in an arson fire in 1990. The now looser rock is fortified with shotcrete.
After the second tunnel we decided to turn around and make our way back to the car. Someone passed us on a bicycle. He didn’t seem concerned about the wind.
It was a little less windy now and the walk back was much more enjoyable.
The sun was setting and the view of the lake changed from one minute to the other.
The only regret we had not going to the end of the trail is the potential for a unique view of the Hoover Dam. Oh, and to see if anyone was blown over.
But in the meantime, we enjoyed the amazing view we did have.
Next, we will take you on a hike in Owl Canyon. Until then, stay safe and happy.
Impressive, Steve. Is this a recent trip?
Not sure who Steve is 😂 this is the end of out trip to Nevada before we took our Hiatus from posting about our trips. We have a lot of catching up to do!
Apologies, I confused you with dancing magpies.
Haha, no worries! I like being confused with magpies, but not too sure about dancing ones 😂
The lake is critically low I think, yet new homes keep popping up like pimples. its not sustainable. I’ve never been down those tunnels…
Yes, scary how the water situation seems to be ignored. The tunnels would make for a nice bike ride to the dam and back.
I may have to move home to Michigan if the water dries up! I have a great E Bike but can’t haul it as it won’t fit in my car.
Well, since you called it home, maybe you should!
The Mitten State will always be home but I love it here in the beautiful Mojave Desert. I’m here for the climate and mountains, not that Strip. 👍🏻
I hear you! I love the desert and I love the mountains, but I also love the Great Lakes. And yeah, the strip has no appeal at all for me.
I used to have a tweifoot boat and cruised the Saint Claire River and Lake Huron in the 90s. Great fun!
😊
Those are some impressive tunnels, Steve. (Sorry, Margie. I couldn’t resist.) 😊 I’ve been to Hoover Dam but have never walked the railroad trail.
Haha, we all get confused some times 😊 It was a good hike and I like a hike with history.
How wonderful and such impressive tunnels. For the record I reckon 5.5kms is a pretty good effort!
Yeah, it was a good length hike. It was very flat so a very easy 5.5 hike and didn’t feel it.
The tunnels were impressive! The arches are beautiful.
They were pretty impressive. The whole trail had beautiful scenery too!
I love this sort of thing – the blending of magnificent natural scenery and man made construction. But! if the trail is where the train used to be what about the huge bridge that shows the steam train puffing smoke?