Teddy Bear Cholla Forest

This place was not worth the walk over. It’s an area full of the cholla cactus. We had walked over since we were hiking in the area of seven dry falls canyon, we had been advised to bring some pliers. We were a little confused, but we brought needle nose and regular pliers. Well, we quickly found out why. The pieces of the cactus are all over the ground, you can’t even walk through the area without one attaching to you. We had one person, (it was a man, of course, because a woman wouldn’t be dumb enough) that decided to check out the forest up close and personal, and ended up with balls of cactus up and down his legs, shoes and a gnarly one that was in his hand pretty good. The pliers came in handy. I would not tell anyone to go out of their way to come check this area out, unless you have a love for cactus.

It is well-​known that the construction of Hoover Dam has its roots in the vicinity of Boulder City. It is hardly known that the teddy bear cholla also has its roots in the vicinity of Boulder City. In this review, I will share with you the grove of teddy bear cholla that stand in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Boulder City.
The teddy bear cholla lives in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Northwest Mexico. A teddy bear cholla forest is an uncommon sight in the vicinity of Las Vegas. There are two locations where I am aware of teddy bear cholla thriving. It is off Nevada State Route 165 in Nelson and this very spot that I am reviewing.
The teddy bear cholla is an adorable cactus. It stands up-​right and tree-​like. From February to June they are decorated with colorful flowers. I strongly suggest doing this hike in late April and early May. The teddy bear cactus grows to an average of 3 feet, which is the size of a Star Wars Ewok or teddy bear. On that account they are known as teddy bear cholla. Their adorable appearance could be deceiving. From a distance they are charming. Up close their needles and balls of needles on the ground could turn an admirer to a victim. In a way they are back stabbers.
My admiration of the teddy bear cholla forest dates back to 2005, when I got my car shortly after moving here from the East Coast, when hiking research was conducted at Border’s Books. This research planted the seed for an annual hike into the cholla teddy bear forest.
The best way to describe this hike is to visualize a triangle. The bottom left corner would be the River Mountains Loop Trail [RMLT] Pacifica Way trailhead. The bottom right corner would be the Alan Bible Visitor Center. The hiker has the choice of using any two of these trailheads. The point of the triangle would be where the RMLT intersects with the power line road that runs uphill to the teddy bear cholla forest turnoff. The triangle itself is the River Mountains Loop Trail. From the tip of the triangle a line running northwest would be the power lines road. This is the layout of the hike.
I will discuss my previous hike utilizing the RMLT via Pacifica Way trailhead. There will be no problem getting a parking spot. Huge parking lot. The hike follows RMLT to MM 26.5. It is a beautiful paved trail with spectacular vistas of Lake Mead and the River Mountains. Because it runs on the former railroad, it is an unofficial extension of the Railroad Tunnel Trail. I have posted tips & pictures [concerned about 5,000 word limit]. After MM 26.5 where there is a sharp right curve, look for a valley, and make two lefts.
The power line road is a gradual uphill climb. The trail texture is kind of rocky. I have done it in sneakers. When you walk the trail count the power lines. At the 13^th power line, which is pole #57 [or X14441], turn left. There will be a sign saying «Authorized Vehicles.» You are near the forest. The grove of trees will soon be on the right. What is neat is that the hiker is observing the forest instead of walking in the forest. This eliminates getting spiked by the cactus.
The teddy bear cholla forest is in a valley that is so off the beaten path. I will usually sit on a rock, take in the teddy bear cholla forest and mountains before closing my eyes for a bit.
The walk back on the power line road extends the adventure. The hiker, now on a downhill trail is rewarded with spectacular views across the Hacienda Hotel into Arizona. Beyond power line 48, a mesmerizing vista of Lake Mead appears. This will be near power line #45, where the hiker will make two right turns to get on the RMLT. The walk back on the RMLT is slightly uphill. When I wallk this stretch I have been rewarded with wildlife sightings that have included squirrels, big horn sheep, and birds.
The hike will go fast. If you want an extended hike, I recommend parking by the Hemenway Valley Park off Villa Drive, right off MM 28 of the RMLT. This is a popular spot for big horn sheep sightings.
If this review influenced you to experience the teddy bear cholla forest, and you were impressed my Great Outdoors list has other special places in the Great Outdoors in and around Vegas.
This is review 75 of the Daniel. S Unilocal 100 Challenge