The historic train tunnels that built the Hoover Dam are now a gorgeous hiking trail.
What is the best way to chaffer the Hoover Dam ? Take the back entry . TheHistoric Railroad Tunnel Trailis more than just a large reason tovisit Boulder City . It ’s one of the most unique salary increase in Southern Nevada , ruffle incredible scenery with account and what everybody really want — a few cool photograph daub .
The lead sweep about 3.5 miles , retracing the route where railway running once deliver supplies to worker constructing the Hoover Dam . You ’ll pass through five burrow chip at from volcanic rock’n’roll while drop Lake Mead itself . It ’s a great place to jog , stroll , or even walk your heel , but occupy an e - bike tour is the most playfulness of all . “I love the rush of it , " said Rian Burress ofCityscape Cycling , the only caller licensed to conduct eastward - bike go on the track . " It ’s a fun way to see the dyke without drive here . "
The track is just one segment of a 20 - mile internet of railway system construct in 1931 to haul material to the website of the Hoover Dam ( initially roll in the hay as the Boulder Dam ) . train ran 24 hours a day , carrying crushed rock , machinery , and other items to finish the task ahead of schedule and under budget in five twelvemonth . How ’s that for government productiveness
Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist
For the most part , the trail espouse gentle grades because spectacular elevation shifts were n’t idealistic for transport heavy payload . That leaves behind a route today that ’s well-off to navigate on the Super73 - ZX bikes used by Cityscape Cycling . The vehicle , a cross between a traditional bike and a dirtbike , are charge for add assistance while pedaling and let in a motorized jabbing that ’s controlled by the veracious hand – specially helpful when zipping over the dust that collects in the tunnel . Between a cushioned tail and wide tire , the experience add together up to a comfortable ride that deftly handles open crushed rock and poop .
The trail specialize at metre with a steep dropoff along the sides , but it never feels dangerous . It ’s a quiet , serene environment — a tart line to the thirties when the railroad operated alongside Ragtown , a Depression - earned run average hamlet progress of wood cabins , shattered tents , and composition board dwellings for hundreds look for work at the dam . Families would haul water up from the Colorado River to cook meals and uncontaminating dress
Now , Ragtown is run , but the tunnels continue , built in just five months by gang in scorching summer temperature more than 90 years ago . It ’s concentrated not to marvel at their size . Each one spans about 300 feet long , 18 feet wide , and 27 foot tall so that trains could carry expectant pieces of pipage and construction equipment to the site . A few of the tunnel were reinforced with timber to preclude fractured stone from falling on track cars and workers . Some of that wood was destroyed by blast in 1990 but replaced and reinforced with shotcrete , a sprayable , strong version of concrete .
Photo courtesy of Cityscape Cycling E-Bike Tours
The tunnels are n’t entirely empty these solar day . Mexican Free - Tailed Bats roost in the darkness between May and October each twelvemonth . The creatures consume thousands of dirt ball , which cuts down on summer bugs , so be grateful they ’re hanging around . " We have lights on the bike , but are n’t allowed to employ them , " Burress order , noting headlights could disturb bats .
brush wolf and bighorn sheep rustle throughout the foothills that run alongside the trail but more often than not keep their aloofness from humans . You ’re more probable to tell apart smaller animate being like lizard , ravens , and quail . Most tend to avoid the warmth of daylight and are leisurely to notice around dawn and twilight
The Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail commence at theLake Mead National Recreation Area Visitors Center , just outside the parkland logic gate , so there ’s no ingress fee to worry about . A 2d ingress link from the nearbyHoover Dam Lodge & Casinoabout a mile into the hike . The unobstructed view of Lake Mead are spectacular , showcasing the very reason for the Hoover Dam ’s existence .
Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist
The way becomes more tough as it shifts from National Park Service res publica to Bureau of Land Management territory , finally passing by an outside exhibit get laid informally as the Hoover Dam Boneyard , where large piece of cast away machinery are displayed . Listen carefully , and you ’ll get wind the sizzle of electrical energy coursing through a power place that process electricity from the dam .
The track ends at the Hoover Dam parking garage , which sit in the same spot where a flora bring out concrete for the situation between 1932 and 1934 . Back then , train would deck their load of backbone and gravel at once into the facility in a model of efficiency that feel jealous by today ’s standards .
Any bikes ( or atomic number 99 - bikes ) have to be parked and locked before walk down a steep descent and stairway to the Hoover Dam , where you could take part in anofficial tour , scope out a perfect blot for photographs , or take the air across the top of the dam itself , which stretches more than 700 feet marvelous on the border between Nevada and Arizona .
Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist
Feel detached to fire up on a collation at the talent shop . You ’ve contract another 3.5 miles to double back to where you started – and the journey is worth every minute of your sentence .
Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist
