River Mountains South Powerline Road

A HIKING THRILL TO A VIEW TO A KILL OF LAKE MEAD
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Trail Highlights
**Trailhead: Equestrian Park in Henderson
**Destination: An overlook of Lake Mead from a saddle in the River Mountains.
** Directions to Trail: Park at Equestrian Park, hike it to where it merges with the River Mountains Loop Trail, turn left and hike it past Mile Marker 4. On the left satellites will be the landmark. Turn right at the power lines where the River Mountains South Powerline Road starts in a valley.
**Difficulty level: Moderate. Because of loose gravel and uphill climbing I suggest hiking boots.
**Topography: A gravelly 4×4 unpaved road
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Review from hiking adventures on November 3 & 6
One thing I have got to admit about hikers, is that we are curious people. The past couple of years when I have hiked the River Mountains Loop Trail, up Red&Black Mountain, and the Teddy Bear Cholla Forest, I had become very curious over the landscapes within the River Mountains. For those of you unfamiliar with the River Mountains; it is the mountain range bounded by Henderson to the west, Boulder City to the south, Lake Mead to the northeast and east, and Lake Mead Parkway to the north. The River Mountains Loop Trail follows the circumference of the River Mountains. The River Mountains South Powerlines Road (abbreviated RMSPR) is the diameter of the River Mountains.
If I wanted to emphasize one thing about the RMSPR is that it shines because it gives hikers access to a breathtaking view of Lake Mead from a Henderson park. Yeah, the hike round-​trip is four hours. However it is 4 hours of being outdoors and getting exercise.
When I walked onto the RMSPR from the paved River Mountains Loop Trail my first impression is that it looks ordinary. Kind of like an unpaved extension of Burkholder Road with the exact power lines. It is a short lasting first impression. A few minutes into the hike, the road climbs up a smooth hill. At the crest, is a vista of the distance you will be walking ahead. Spread across the open spaces below is the northern reaches of Bootleg Canyon. In the far distance ahead are the River Mountains where the road leads. It amazes me how the carpet of the desert looks green as it spreads to the horizon. The road is relatively flat with a few dips. The River Mountains border the open spaces. To the far southeast the mountain with the antennas is Red&Black Mountain, another recommended hike.
As the road advances into the northern reaches of Bootleg Canyon, you will start to feel that you left Henderson for the Wild West. Regardless, when you turn around you will see gorgeous vistas of the Las Vegas Strip. In this Wild West cowboys are not the stars. Bighorn sheep are. The two times that I did this hike, I was fortunate to set eyes on bighorn sheep. They are active at all hours. I saw them at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. They were scattered in different areas.
As RMSPT approaches the River Mountains north of Boulder City, it enters the Lake Mead National Recreation Area as Approved 4×4 Road 155. With that in mind, hikers and 4x4s have to coexist on this ribbon of dirt and gravel. For the record, all the stones and rocks make this more of a tank approved road than a 4×4 approved road. This is the check-​in spot and the junction of a spur road toward Red&Black Mountain.
When RMSPT approaches the River Mountains north of Boulder City, it gradually turns windy, as it gains elevation toward the saddle. Now mountains surround RMSPT. Ultimately, there is relatively easy to moderate uphill climb to the Lake Mead overlook.
One word describes the Lake Mead overlook: Awesome. The pictures that I shared for this listing show the reward for completing this hike. This is a one of a kind spot to have a picnic, enjoy spiritual time, and relish in literally being by cloud nine.
The walk back is enjoyable. The majority of the walking will be downhill and a good amount of it will be looking at gorgeous views of the Las Vegas Strip and Valley.
As a hiker, my curiosity will live with me on hiking adventures. It is this curiosity that will bring me back to RMSPT to reach spur trails that will bring me further into the River Mountains landscape.