Thursday, April 18 - Paul rode his bike on the Historic Railroad Tunnel bike path this afternoon.
A look from above at one of the entrances to a tunnel.
You park near the Lake Mead Visitor's Center where the 35-mile River Mountain Loop Trail splits off toward the Hoover Dam. This is one of two most difficult sections of track to construct.
The gravel trail passes through five tunnels carved through the mountain. The first tunnel is about a mile down the trail and then passes through the other four within the next mile. All tunnels are approximately 300 ft. in length, and 25 ft. in diameter. The tunnels were oversized to fit penstock sections and large equipment being transported to Hoover Dam.
These are old railroad tunnels that were dug through the mountain prior to construction of the Hoover Dam so gravel, concrete, and parts for the electrical generators could be delivered to the construction site.
Being a former railroad bed, Paul assumed the trail would be fairly level. Like most of the roads and trails in the Boulder City area, this trail has some challenging hills. They get the lungs and heart working overtime.
This unique and historical trail is a must for hikers and bike riders while in the area. It takes about an hour to ride from the Lake Mead Visitor's Center to the Hoover Dam area. Don't miss it if you visit the area!
Paul dropped Marsha off at the airport at 8:30. She is taking the red eye to Canton, Ohio with a layover in Atlanta. She is going to be one tired girl. She will lose three hours once she reaches Ohio. Maybe a little nap is in her future.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!
That looks like a neat ride.
ReplyDeleteNow that the cat's away is the mouse going to play?lol
That sure looks like a fun bike ride. Enjoy your visit to Ohio. I'm afraid the weather is going to be rather chilly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and interesting bike ride that would be. I'm sorry I didn't know about that when we visited - next time for sure!
ReplyDeleteHave fun in Vegas, Paul - but, not too much!! Maybe more hikes and bike rides would be better.
We liked Boulder City but we certainly didn't do as much as you did.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and interesting bike trail!
ReplyDeleteAnother one for our bucket list! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSomething else to do when we make it west.
ReplyDeleteLove those kind of bike trails...got it written down for the next time out west. We did the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho/Washington...same idea with the railway tunnels through the mountains, I think there were seven of them if I remember right. Needed a better light on the bike, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteDidn't know about that one when we were there... maybe next time
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I really know I am in poor physical shape. Just thinking of walking or biking that trail and I am off to a nap.
ReplyDeleteI see the bench. I'll just wait right here, pick me up on the way back tee-hee!! Travel safe Marsha and take a nap if you can.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like fun, definitely goes on the list.
ReplyDelete