Not sure where to post this question, my wife and I love trail running....typically enjoy 5-10 mile distances....planning on running Red Rock one day, but was looking for other options/suggestions....any really pretty areas near lake mead we could go run? Or any other suggestions?
I learned last year that there is a trail from the Clark County Wetlands Park on the east edge of the city bout to Lake Las Vegas. If you're flying in from Atlanta, you probably fly right over it on your way in
We are going to try this trail (disclaimer: grand plans remain subject to change once in Vegas) at the end of February. http://www.traillink.com/trail/historic-railroad-trail.aspx http://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hikerr.htm It's heralded as an easy hiking trail but I found a link to a St. Paddy's Day Run being held there this year so I figure it might be a good place for a run.
So true...I was originally flying out March 18-21st and was going to be running the spartan super....wound up having to go on another trip that weekend and will be out the weekend of the 11th, but still hoping to find some good trails.....I'm relieved that I no longer have the race commitment...you never know what the nights is going to bring while in Vegas.....don't want to show up to a race wearing my clothes from the night before, with a 3 foot frozen drink around my neck, covered in glitter...
There is access to Valley of Fire State Park not far from the Lake Mead area: http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/
We have miles of biking and hiking trails. Many are suitable for running. Check out http://www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org/neon2nature/ you can locate trails based on criteria and there is also an app available for download. Not ideal for running, but I'm fond of the short City View Trail in McDonald Ranch.
As a devotee of the numerous hikes throughout the area, I would second all of the above recommendations. There are probably 40 different options to follow at Red Rock, at least according to my Branch Whitney "Hiking Las Vegas" book. The Railroad Tunnel route near Lake Mead that Slotness is planning is likely be worth the drive over. It also fits your template of a 5-10 miler. Right at the trailhead is the Alan Bible visitor center, which has additional info on other trails in that particular area. If you want a strenuous 5-miler, google the Black Mountain loop, just off Anthem East in far southeastern Vegas. Great views, but you will be taxed and the trail becomes more and more primitive the higher you go. A closer mountain hike is Frenchmans, a bit northeast of Vegas. Four miles RT and nice payoff at top with sweeping vista of the Strip and beyond. My favorite area is Mt. Charleston, with its 11,000 peak and easy-to-follow trail. But, it is about 18 miles RT and only accessible in summer for trail running because of the snow pack. If you are looking for isolation, Valley of Fire is the place to go. However, it is a longer drive and does not have as much vegetation as Red Rock. Wherever you end up going, you can't go wrong.
Thank you all for the suggestions....I'm thinking about hitting redrock my first day and the railroad tunnel the second day. I don't know if I have 18 miles RT up a mountain, but I may have to put that on a future list to hike....that sounds amazing!
jamie, If you get out in the summer and have access to camping gear, there is a beautiful meadow about halfway up Mt. Charleston that affords (somewhat) flat spots to pitch a tent. Not only that, but you have views to the east (Vegas) and all the way west to California. It makes the hike much easier to facilitate.
If you want company, on Facebook there is a group called "trailrunning.vegas" by Desert Dash. They do group runs on on Monday and Wednesday night. I ran Red Rock and the railroad tunnels on my trip in December and you are welcome to see my GPS profiles. Send a pm if you are on Garmin or Strava and I will let you know my name.
Thanks scubastever.....I see there are a few trail races that Saturday too....got them saved, may be a gameday (morning) decision.....depending on how wild the nights get 8am may not be doable.
If I am driving to redrock...what would be a good trail to run and where do I park? Could be a loop or an out and back run. 5ish miles?
Our favorite is the White Rock loop trail. I think it's abut 6 miles. Start at Willow Springs parking area and run counter clockwise. The trail on the back side of the mountain is gorgeous!