White Owl Canyon New Loop - 11/7/22

View from High Point of Hike

Lake Mead NRA colorful Terrain

Newly washed Las Vegas Wash

Trail going high around a Curve

Winds were bringing in a cold front and rain was to arrive the next day. After looking at forecasts all over the valley, we found a pocket of calm just north of the River Mountains out at Lake Mead NRA. Five hikers parked at the old Las Vegas Marina off of Lakeshore Road which is now very far away from anywhere a boat could be launched. Recently, a "controlled flooding" had been executed in the Las Vegas Wash, a river that emanates from nearby Lake Las Vegas. This small lake is formed from springs that are in the area of The Wetlands in east Las Vegas. The "controlled flooding" did a nice job of reducing the marsh land into the river channel. There used to be a lot of water fowl using this area. I hope the birds still have a large area to use between the marina and Lake Mead. A large variety of water fowl could be seen from the Shoreline Trail at any time of the year. However, the marsh lands, if there are any, cannot be seen from there any longer.

Enjoying the Rushing Water

Las Vegas Wash around an eroded Pillar

Following the Trail between the Rocks

Another eroded "Island"

The trail has been maintained after the flooding, albeit slightly altered here and there. We followed the rock lined trail out to the slot channel where we enjoyed the heavily flowing water for a few minutes. This was the only place where the Shoreline Trail still had water to see. When we reached the area below the entrance to White Owl Canyon, we turned directly up toward the slot. There were no owls inside the deep canyon slot but there was plenty of evidence of the birds roosting on the ledges above. We hiked through the slot canyon and on through the first large round culvert that runs underneath Lakeshore Road. The canyon continues up to a second double-culvert that runs under the River Mountains Loop Trail bike path. After this, the canyon widens to continue up the gravelly wash.

Entrance to White Owl Canyon

Inside White Owl Canyon

White Owl Canyon

The Culverts Section

Trudging up the wide wash, we looked around for bighorn sheep. Sometimes they are there among neighboring peaks and ridges. But, not today. The wash narrowed a couple of times and we gladly entered to do a couple of easy scrambles up, about 8'-10' each. At the top of the second scramble, we saw the view seen in the second photo of this entry. The power lines that you can see in the photo were raised from a road they had built 80 to 90 years ago to transport electricity from Hoover Dam. The old abandoned power line roads lie all over this area and form decent hiking paths. We reached the road at the bottom of the hill in front of us and started up. It is very rocky and washed out here and there but provides a good workout to the top of the hill. The view at the hike's high point, at the top of the hill, is simply sublime. Even without much of Lake Mead showing, (it is seen off to the east), the colors of the Lake Mead NRA are mesmerizing. These colors are continued into the wide canyon below us. We sat at the top of the hill above the canyon to enjoy our break.

Ralyn & Rita approach the first Scramble

Mike and Ralyn climb the Second Scramble

The Road Up!

Taking in the View

The next section of the hike is simply following the old road all the way down to the River Mountains Loop Trail. There has been some speculation about finding a way into the large canyon below the high point and following this wash down to the bike path. It's a good idea but needs further exploration. We know, for a fact, that there is at least one large scramble down. From a distance, we could not tell if the scramble is negotiable. So, on this hike, we continued down to the 35-mile loop bike path and turned to the left. In one third of a mile, we came to a gate and turned down to the right. Crossing Lakeshore Road, we continued into a picnic area turnout.

Large Colorful Wash

The Road Down!

Following the Road all the way down to the River Mountains Bike Path

Bike Path Junction

The entrance to the picnic area is long and makes a curve to the right and left. Here, imagine a straight line and you will make out a very vague old road that continues in the desert terrain. (We passed a very tall skinny cairn that may or may not be there next time!) This led us out toward the Las Vegas Wash and the ruins of an old concrete marina overlook. Just past the ruins, we turned to the right and found our somewhat washed out trail down to the Shoreline Trail. A couple more hikers down this trail and it will be back in business! We turned around the corner to the left and arrived at the cars. It was a beautiful hike with very little wind on what was an extremely windy day in Las Vegas! Fun. Fun. Fun.

Stats: 5.5 miles; 840' gain; 3 hours

An amazing Cairn taller than Ralyn (no glue)

Old Marina Overlook Ruins

Descending back to the Trailhead