Colorado River Trail

Welcome to the Lake Mead region in the harsh, sun-baked expanse of Nevada, where today we will undertake a comprehensive historical and geographical analysis of the Historic Railroad Trail. As a scholar of industrial history, I…

As we embark upon this first mile of the Historic Railroad Trail, we are not merely walking a recreational path; we are retracing the very arteries of industry that made the monumental Hoover Dam possible. The Hoover Dam was…

As we progress further along this historic corridor, the sweeping panoramas of Lake Mead continue to unfold to our left, drawing the eye toward the prominent geological feature known as Fortification Hill looming in the distance.…

We have now arrived at the first of the five magnificent railroad tunnels that define this historic route, and its sheer scale is immediately breathtaking. Standing before the gaping entrance of Tunnel One, one cannot help but be…

Emerging from the cool, cavernous depths of the first tunnel, the trail presents an absolutely stunning, unobstructed view of Lake Mead before leading us swiftly to the entrance of Tunnel Two. This brief interlude of bright…

As we step out of Tunnel Two and continue our progression along the trail, we come to a profound historical vantage point situated on the high ground looking downward. Below us lies the stark, unforgiving terrain that once served…

Continuing our analytical journey along this historic grade, we pass through the shadows of Tunnel Three and arrive at the entrance of Tunnel Four. Throughout this segment of the hike, the expansive, breathtaking views of Lake…

We now approach Tunnel Five, the final subterranean passage on our historic route, and arguably the most structurally intriguing of the entire sequence. Before entering, you may notice an overlook situated directly on top of the…

Having crossed the invisible boundary onto the Hoover Dam property, the physical demands of the trail begin to shift. Almost immediately, the previously flat, perfectly graded railway bed gives way to a noticeable uphill incline. …

As our long journey along the historic railroad grade nears its culmination, the trail finally leads us to the concrete precipice of the Hoover Dam's massive parking garage. From this elevated approach, we are presented with an…