White Owl Canyon Hike

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This page last updated on 01/25/2020

(Fig. 01)

Directions: This hike is located along Lakeshore Drive in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, about 30 minutes southeast of Las Vegas. From the intersection of Highway 93/95 and Lake Mead Parkway, drive east on Lake Mead Parkway over the hills to the park entrance station. Then continue east on what is now Lakeshore Road. You will shortly pass the intersection with Northshore Road. Continue on Lakeshore Road east and south for 3.8 miles to 33 Hole Road. Turn left and drive east on the access road towards the lake and picnic areas. 33 Hole Road leads to three scenic overlooks, each with a different name. Turn left towards Three-Island Overlook and drive into the parking lot at the end of the road. Park here, this is the trailhead.

Description of Area: From the trailhead, the route runs past a few trailhead signs by the west-most picnic table. From here you are presented with a view of the flats looking toward the western most edge of Lake Mead. Directly in front of you, a loosely graveled the trail heads down over the side a of the very steep hill, down to the flats below.  The flats are a now-dry lake bed. Referring to the pictures in (Fig. 02) you can see how the area below the hill was once covered with water from the lake twenty years ago. Today the route continues west through saltcedar thickets following use-trails that lead onto north-facing hillsides. Following the contour around, the route passes a bit of a point and turns southwest into what is known as White Owl Canyon. 25 years ago, the water from the lake nearly reached the mouth of owl canyon. The narrows of the canyon were cut into solid rock by flowing water. The rock here is a type of conglomerate formed from ancient alluvial fan deposits (Fig. 09). When alluvial fan deposits consolidate to become conglomerate rock, geologist call it "fanglomerate" rock, combining the terms "alluvial fan" and "conglomerate."

SIDE NOTE: As of Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 6:00:00 PM the level of Lake Mead is 134.90 Feet. The level is 134.90 feet below full pool of 1,229.00 (MSL - Mean Sea Level: The average level of the ocean's surface, calculated as the arithmetical mean of hourly tide levels taken over an extended period and used as the standard for determining terrestrial and atmospheric elevations and ocean depths.)        Click here to read the full side note titled  20 Year Drought & Water Levels at Lake Mead

(Fig. 02) Made by Bob Croke

(Fig. 03)

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(Fig. 06)

(Fig. 07)

Hike Notes Continued:  After continuing on the flats, the route continues west through saltcedar thickets following use-trails that lead onto north-facing hillsides and then turns southwest into White Owl Canyon. Before long, the walls steepen and become deep as the route enters the first narrows area (Fig. 08), which is about 1/4-mile long. This size of this canyon is quite impressive. As we began winding our way through the narrows, we looked for the big splashes of "white wash" high on the rock walls. The white wash is Barn Owl poop. Lower in the canyon, small patches of bird poop reveal the presence of smaller birds, probably Rock Wrens and Say's Phoebes. Beneath the white wash (Fig. 11) produced by the owls, we looked for owl pellets (Fig. 12). These are oblong clumps of bone and fir that were regurgitated by owls. The pellets usually are 2- 3 inches long by about 1-inch in diameter. Pellets are coughed up, not pooped out, so they are relatively clean and safe to pick up and examine. Barn owls eat their prey entire without ripping it apart, so they consume everything, including the indigestible parts. They can't pass the indigestible parts, so they cough them up and spit them out. Often large leg and arm bones are evident on the surface, and skulls and jaws are easy to see. The owls here eat lots of desert woodrats and kangaroo rats. About the only thing of interest was a nest higher on one of the walls. We assumed that it was an owl nest (Fig. 13). Just beyond the last of the white wash on the rock walls, the narrow canyon opens abruptly just below Lakeshore Road. A culvert runs under the road (Figs. 14 & 15), which provides easy access to the other side of the road. On our return, the view in (Fig. 16) is of the flatbed area as you exit the canyon. All in all there wasn't anything really outstanding except for the beautiful narrow canyon. We didn't expect to see an owl. Don't even know if they still any longer inhabit the canyon. Just another local hike off our list of hikes around Las Vegas. Just another beautiful day enjoying hiking, good friends and fellowship.

(Fig. 08)

(Fig. 09)

(Fig. 10)

(Fig. 11) Click to enlarge and view the owl (white) poop 

(Fig. 12)

(Fig. 13) See owls nest

(Fig. 14) View from the other side of Lakeshore drive

(Fig. 15) Culvert under Lakeshore Drive

(Fig.16)

Note: Every attempt is made to provide accurate information, but occasionally depictions are inaccurate by error of mapping, navigation or cataloging. The information on this site is provided without any warranty, express or implied, and is for informational and historical purposes only.

South Cove and Pierce Ferry Landing - Arizona

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This page last updated on 02/08/2018

(Fig. 01)

Directions: South Cove is about 110 miles from Henderson. Driving on US 93 South through Boulder City, over the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial bridge, cross into Arizona and drive approximate 50 miles before turning left onto Pierce Ferry Road at the Dolan Springs, Meadowview, Pierce Ferry exit. It is then about 49 miles to the South Cove. Turn left and follow the paved road to South Cove just before the road turns into a graded gravel road for the remaining five miles to Pierce Ferry Landing. (Refer to Fig. 02)

(Fig.02)

(Fig. 03) Click to Enlarge

South Cove Picnic Area & Boat Launch Description: 
Located on the eastern most edge of Lake Mead shown in (Fig. 02) South Cove is in only a very small section of Lake Mead. The area shaded in yellow on the map in (Fig. 03) shows the section in (Fig. 02). The road to the right above the boat parking takes you to South Cove picnic area. There is paved parking and two brick outhouses. There are two covered picnic areas with picnic tables and barbecues. The collage in (Fig 05) shows us gathered around our picnic table. The view in (Fig. 01) was taken looking west from our picnic table. If you continue straight the road leads to a large parking area at the top of the hill before you descend down to the launch ramp (Fig. 04). The boat launch ramp was widened and extended for more boat traffic. South Cove is a picnic area and a boat launch site. Pierce Ferry, 4 miles further northeast by road, lies beside the Colorado River, and is the point where the Grand Canyon begins (or ends)(Fig. 03).

(Fig. 04)

(Fig. 05)

02/08/2018 Trip Notes: Today Harvey Smith, Bob Croke, Jim Herring and I took a ride to South Cove in Arizona for a picnic and day of hiking. The Pierce Ferry Road to South Cove and Pearce Ferry Landing is 52 miles long, starting from US 93 half way between the Hoover Dam and Kingman. This is a interesting drive that passes by much dramatic scenery and several places of interest. The first 8 miles are across the flat Detrital Valley, through Dolan Springs - a typically scattered desert town with isolated houses surrounded by a large selection of broken vehicles and old pieces of machinery, all rusting away under the sun. The local general store is worth a visit as it stocks every conceivable item and has a good collection of western memorabilia.

(Fig. 06) Click to Enlarge

Beyond the town of Doland Springs the road climbs into the White Hills and then across the Hualapai Valley. Joshua trees begin to appear and grow steadily thicker eastwards, and around the hills at the far side of the valley. At elevations of 4,000 feet, they grow as densely as anywhere in the Southwest (Figs. 06 & 07). The trees are large, old and well-branched, and the whole spectacle is even more impressive than the Joshua Tree National Park in California. Just before the main concentration of trees, the Pearce Ferry road meets with Antares Road, a long dusty track linking with old Route 66. As the main road climbs, and the Joshua trees are replaced by various species of cacti - several types of spiny opuntia, clusters of echinocacti and large barrel-shaped ferocacti. A side road forks east, passing through rocky, uninhabited land to the Quartermaster Viewpoint, a high plateau overlooking the Lower Granite Gorge, part of the western end of the Grand Canyon. It then meets the Buck and Doe Road that links Peach Springs with Grand Canyon West, where the Hualapai operate the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a projecting walkway over the canyon which has become by far the main tourist attraction of the Hualapai Indian Reservation. Further along the main road there is more scattered habitation until it reaches a spot that is about 5 miles from the edge of Lake Mead. Here the paved road turns left towards South Cove.                              

(Fig. 07)

Trip Notes Continued: The four mile road to South Cove and the edges of Lake Mead descends 1,475 feet, winding its way through some unique cliffs. At the end of the road there are several parking lots, a large paved boat launch (Figs. 08 & 09) and a picnic area with covered picnic tables, grills and stone outhouses. This cove is located in the middle of an area of Lake Mead known as the Gregg Basin, some of the best water at the east end of Lake Mead. Glass conditions are almost guaranteed in the morning and expected in the late afternoon in the East Lake area.  But even at mid-day with moderate wind you can always find coves and channels that are vacant and sheltered to accommodate smooth water-play. There are a couple of reasons for such nice water.  First, fewer people visit this part of the lake because of it's remote location. Second, the higher cliffs of the mountains can protect the water from potential wind. It's definitely the place to go to water-ski, camp on the lake, or sightsee, especially if you're staying more than a weekend. The fishing is good too!  Anyone that knows the area will tell you it's the best kept secret on the lake. In the 4-5 hours we spent there we observed at least 6 boats that were out on the lake, one right below where we were eating lunch (Fig. 10). Before we had lunch, we all spent time hiking around the shoreline (Refer to Fig. 08), in and out of some of the smaller inlets and coves (Figs. 11 - 13). The water views were absolutely beautiful. (con't below)

(Fig.08)

(Fig. 09)

(Fig. 10)

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(Fig. 13)

Trip Notes Continued: The view, courtesy of Robert Croke in (Fig. 14), was captured at a "scenic overlook" pullout on the way to South Cove. You could even see the snow on top of Mt. Charleston more than 90 miles away. Even though we did not drive on to Pierce Ferry Landing on today's visit, continuing ahead on Pierce Ferry Road, the surface becomes unpaved and the track descends quite steeply along a dry, sandy valley (prone to flash floods) towards Pierce Ferry Landing and the waters edge. Pierce Ferry is the final destination for raft trips down the lower Grand Canyon, particularly those run by the Hualapai Indians, which depart from near Diamond Creek at the end of Peach Springs Canyon in the morning and emerge late afternoon onto the calm waters of the lake after around 8 hours sailing. The rafts pass in front of the high red cliffs that form a backdrop to the east end of the lake, and which are particularly striking at sunset. For pictures and to read more about Pierce Ferry click here ... Pierce Ferry Landing.

(Fig. 14)

Pierce Ferry Landing - Arizona

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This page last updated on 02/08/2018

(Fig. 01)

(Fig. 02)

Directions: Pierce Ferry is about 110 miles from Henderson. Driving on US 93 South through Boulder City, over the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial bridge, cross into Arizona and drive approximate 50 miles before turning left onto Pierce Ferry Road at the Dolan Springs, Meadowview, Pierce Ferry exit. Refer to (Fig. 02) above. It is then about 52 miles to the Pierce Ferry landing the end of Pierce Ferry Road. Starting just after the turnoff for South Cove (Fig. 03), the road becomes well graded gravel road for the remaining five miles to the Pierce Ferry Landing.

(Fig. 03)

05/20/2014 Trip Notes: A beautiful sunny morning, Harvey and got an early morning start as we headed out for South Cove and Peirce Ferry Arizona. The first 8 miles crosses the flat Detrital Valley, through Dolan Springs. This is a typically scattered desert town with isolated houses surrounded by a large selection of broken vehicles and old pieces of machinery, all rusting away under the intense desert sun. Beyond town, the road climbs into the White Hills and then across the Hualapai Valley. Joshua trees begin to appear and grow steadily thicker (Fig. 04) as you drive eastwards, and around the hills at the far side of the valley. At an elevations of around 4,000 feet, they become as dense as anywhere in the Southwest. The trees are large Fig. 05), old and well-branched. This was the most impressive stand of Joshua Trees I have ever seen. As the main road climbs, the Joshua trees are replaced by various species of cacti - several types of spiny opuntia, clusters of echinocacti and large barrel-shaped ferocacti until it begins to level off at the town of Meadowview. Meadview lies at elevations between 3100 and 3500 feet. The Ute Trail, used for centuries by Indians crossing the Colorado River, is in the Grapevine Wash located east of Meadview (Fig. 03). The trail continues to the south of Grapevine Wash with one branch continuing to the west at Cottonwood and the east branch crossing Hualapai land to reach the Hopi. The community of Meadowview is of recent origin, having been started in the early 60’s as a retirement community. One of our goals for the day was to explore several old mines located west of the town of Meadowview. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate any roads that weren’t labeled “private property – keep out” or that didn’t appear to be private driveways. Abandoning our mine search, we continued on just a few miles past the town, to the road that headed west, down to South Cove, located at the southern end of Gregg Basin (Fig. 03).

(Fig. 04)

(Fig. 05)

South Cove: Just before reaching the road to South Cove there was a scenic pull-off that provided a great view of Lake Mead, south of the cove (Fig. 01). Only a mile or two upstream is Sandy Point, a popular camping area with some beautiful sandy beaches. Managed by the National Park Service, this popular picnicking and fishing spot (Large mouth Bass, Striped Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Channel Catfish and Carp) has several restrooms and covered picnic tables scattered along the upper shoreline The boat launch ramp has recently been improved with 3 paved parking lots, lights, and a more picnic tables. There is also an emergency call box at the top of the boat launch ramp. As you can see from (Figs. 06 thru 09), the road to the cove, the river and the surrounding mountains provided some outstanding views. Click to enlarge and see if you can find the fisherman in (Fig. 08). After hiking around the area for a while we headed out for Pierce Landing.

(Fig. 06)

(Fig. 07)

(Fig. 08)

(Fig. 09)

Pierce Landing: The road that continues down to Pierce Ferry becomes unpaved as the track descends quite steeply along a dry, sandy valley overgrown with tamarisk as it winds it way towards the waters edge (Fig. 10). Pierce Ferry is located at the very end of the 52 mile road that starts from US 93 half way between the Hoover Dam and Kingman, and marks the boundary between Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon, where the low sandy banks around the lake give way to imposing, colorfully-layered cliffs that enclose the Colorado river for the next 280 miles upstream. Pearce Ferry was started in 1863 by Jacob Hamblin, bought by Pearce in 1876, and operated until 1891. His "Colorado Crossing," one of several ferry routes across the river, was intended for Mormon settlers traveling south from St. George, Utah, to new farmland in Arizona. The first party crossed at Pearce Ferry in 1877, ferrying wagons, and herding livestock through the current. But the terrain to the south proved so difficult for wagons that few other settlers followed. After six years, Pearce abandoned his ferry. All of the ferry crossings were covered by the waters of Lake Mead when the lake was formed after the building of the Hoover Dam in 1935.The picture in (Fig. 11) is looking north, down river from the raft “take-out” ramp. The view in (Fig. 12) is a view looking up the heavily silted river as it emerges from the Grand Canyon to the east                          This area became popular again during the Grand Canyon-Boulder Dam tours in the 1940's. A concession maintained a floating dock, supply depot, dining room, and had elaborate plans for improvement. The tour boats left Hemenway, stopped at Pearce Ferry, continued to Rampart Cave (discovered in 1936 by Willis Evans) and then on 12 miles into the Grand Canyon. The tour cost $101. With the filling of Lake Mead, a delta formed at Pearce Ferry. This silting in, followed by the lowering of the lake level after 1941, forced the concession to be abandoned. Scenic flights were also part of the tourist trade in the 1930's and 1940's with airplanes landing on the strip at Pearce Ferry. Today its main function is that of a “take-out” ramp for rafters coming down the Colorado River. Pearce Ferry is the final destination for raft trips down the lower Grand Canyon, particularly those run by the Hualapai Indians, which depart from near Diamond Creek at the end of Peach Springs Canyon in the morning and emerge late afternoon onto the calm waters of the lake after around 8 hours sailing. Though there are a few campsites just south of the area, the brown silted waters here were a visual disappointment when compared to those at South Cove.

(Fig. 10)

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(Fig. 12)

On our return we decided to head south on Stockton Hill Road (Fig. 02) towards Kingman, Arizona. This 40-plus mile drive through Hualapal Valley is flanked by the Mt. Tipton Wilderness Area and the Cerbat Mountains to the west, and the dried up Red Lake and Grand Wash Cliffs to the east. There were several areas along the east side of the road that showed evidence of farming, most likely supported by the runoff from the mountains that often flood the valley during heavy rains. Upon reaching Kingman we stopped for lunch at the famous Mr. D’z Route 66 diner (Figs. 13 & 14) before the ride home.

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