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| Hiking Up between Red & Black Mountains |
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| Las Vegas from the Trail |
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| Bighorn wandering across the Desert |
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| Trail heads over First Tiny Rise toward Red Mountain |
It was the big AtBF Fall Picnic Day and to start the day out right, twenty-two hikers came out for the moderate hike (one of two scheduled hikes) up to Black Mountain Overlook; an old traditional hike within the city limits of Boulder City adjacent to the Bootleg Canyon Bike Park. The trailhead is off of Business Highway 93 partly down the hill from the Albertsons traffic light called the River Mountains Trailhead. There is a nice paved parking lot without a restroom facility. Today, the coordinator chose to use the shorter route around the large dirt basin. On the way up, we went around it to the right. On the way back, we went around it on the other side. There are a lot of use trails facilitating this area between the parking lot and the trail that leads up along the wash between the red and black peaks to the west. The official trail is marked with signs.
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| Switchback leading up to the Red & Black Saddle |
Many of the hikers today, have done this hike several times in the past. It was fun to be among those hikers for which this was a new route. Seeing it through fresh eyes brought back the memories.
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| Bruce takes in the View |
We climbed up and over the first tiny rise before we dropped into the wash and stopped to watch a large male bighorn slowly amble across the wide wash area toward the black hills. I think we all got at least one photo. He wasn't in a hurry! His head hung low. Mating season is always so tiring!
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| Moon over Dog Rock |
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| Climbing toward Black Mountain Overlook |
Our long line of hikers went up the wash trail at a fairly good clip then we began switchbacking up to the left. The switchbacks lie on the base of Red Mountain but there is an optional route that continues up the wash in a scrambling style. Today's hikers were in a socializing mood so everyone was very happy following the trail and talking to people they don't see very often. Hugs all around! The morale of the club is high! This was a perfect hike to choose for the picnic day. We hiked the beautiful and interesting switchbacks taking in the formation called Dog Rock then reached the Red & Black Saddle. It was a breezy day and the cold wind increased when we stood atop the ridge taking in the views of Las Vegas to the west. We didn't spot anymore bighorns even though they have been seen in this area quite often. Probably staying out of the wind somewhere!
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| Switchback Up |
The route dropped down the other side for about 50' then we turned right onto the Black Mountain Overlook Trail to begin climbing again. A couple more small switchbacks and we had great views of River Mountain Peak, the highest peak in the River Mountains Range.
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| View back to Red Mountain |
We could also see Red Mountain in all its glory! We happily switchbacked a couple more times and came to the small peak of the trail. This is not the peak of Black Mountain but only a really nice overlook where you have views of Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Boulder City, Hoover Dam Bridge, and Red Mountain.
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| Lake Mead from Trail |
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| On the Overlook |
We spent several minutes here then turned to go down the same way we came up ... except for the slight alternate route around the dirt basin. Some of us were excited to discuss the coming season in and around Lake Mead NRA. At the end of the wonderful morning hike, we made our way over to the Veteran's Memorial Park in Boulder City for the picnic. Linda O'Leary and helpers had organized an excellent picnic in the gorgeous park and we all sat around eating sandwiches and sides. Really nice way to bring in the fall weather.
5.3 miles; 1150 feet elevation gain; 2.75 hours; average moving speed 1.9 mph
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| Hiking down off of Black Mountain Overlook |
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| Switchback Down |
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| Last Switchback to Desert Floor |
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| Optional Routes Indicated |
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| Optional Routes Indicated |
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