Terrazza Park

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This page last updated on 01/30/2018

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Description: Henderson's newest park, at a cost of more than $5 million, Terrazza Park is located at 1992 Galleria Drive near Lake Las Vegas. It has a basketball court, open turf area, picnic areas and access as a trailhead with access to the Wetlands Connector Trail and Clark County Wetlands Park (Fig. 02).

01/31/2018 Visit Notes: Bob Croke, Harvey Smith and I decided to walk this morning along the Las Vegas Wash from the Terrazza Park. We met about a mile and a quarter west of Terrazza Park, at the Wells Trailhead (Fig. 02), also located off of the newly paved Galleria Drive (04). This trailhead provides a parking lot, restrooms, shaded picnic areas and a short walk through the desert scrub habitat that leads you to a hilltop viewing area with benches (Fig. 04). This scenic overlook (Fig. 05) high above the Las Vegas Wash, provides enjoyable vistas of Las Vegas. Near the eastern end of the Clark County Wetlands Park, trails to the west and east connect to the Wetlands Park loop trail, as well as the River Mountains Loop trail. Over the years this property has been severely damaged by erosion from the Las Vegas Wash and they are doing a lot of planting in an effort to prevent soil erosion. We left one car here so we wouldn't have to hike the same trail back.

We then drove to the Terrazza Park and began our hike (Fig. 06). If you walk east of the parking lot you pass a small waterfall area (Fig. 07) on the way to a heavy steel grate (Fig. 08) where the wash appears to disappear into the two tunnels that run under Lake Las Vegas on its way to Lake Mead. Read more about the wash and Lake Las Vegas here ... Lake Las Vegas and Las Vegas Wash. We then walked back up the wash to the park.Back at the park we began our hike by heading west toward the steel bridge that crosses the wash (Fig. 01). (notes con't below)
                                 

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Hike notes continued:  As we walked across the bridge, the noise of the water running over the stones in the wash was extremely loud. There were even a few birds perched on the edge of the stones (Fig. 10). We walked until we reached a man-made falls (Fig. 11). Refer to the map in Figure 2. We then backtracked across the bridge and hiked the Wetlands Loop South trail up the wash to the  to the Wells Trailhead. Though this was not an overly interesting hike, we did see many birds and ducks (Fig. 12), a couple of great blue herons, and spotted a couple of wild coyotes (Figs. 13-15). I guess the coyotes were the highlight of the day. We then retrieved the car at the Wells Trailhead and drove back to Terrazza Park and had a picnic lunch. All toll we walked over 3 miles. All it all, it was a beautiful sunny day in the upper 50's. 
                                         

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Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (TUSK) - Trip Notes for 02/21/2018

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This page last updated on 02/22/2018

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Directions: There are three commonly recognized entrance locations for the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument; refer to the "future  kiosk" (in red) on the map in (Fig. 02). When looking for the area of the area of the 1962-63 "Big Dig", a four-month intensive study chronicled by National Geographic, this 1,000 plus acre site is represented as the verticle hatched rectangle on the map in (Fig. 02). It is east of Decatur and north of Horse Drive. The intersection of Aliante Parkway and Horse Drive is the best location for entering the area of the archaeological site containing several parts of the trenches dug during the "Big Dig" and the original camp site.

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02/21/2018 Trip Notes: Today, Bob Croke, Jim Herring, Ron Ziance, and I drove to the Aliante Pkwy location to enter the Tule Springs Archaeological Site in the TUSK National Monument in search of the trenches dug during the "big dig" (Fig. 01). The picture in (Fig. 01) beneath the sign was taken at the corner of Aliante and Horse Drive looking due north. The sides of the road in this area are fenced and marked "TUSK" as the boundary of the national monument in an effort to prevent people from taking off road vehicles onto the site. (Fig. 03).  The view in (Fig. 01) was taken at this location looking out into TUSK. To read more about this national monument go to ... Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (TUSK) - Summary Page. In 1933, quarry workers unearthed a pile of bones from a mammoth. The site became known as "Tule the Baby Mammoth." This discovery led to the Tule Springs expedition, led by paleontologist Fenley Hunter of the American Museum of Natural History. During the "Big Dig" of the 1963-64 They had one of the world's largest bulldozers dig nearly two miles of trenches in search of fossils (Fig. 04). Though they were originally quite deep, some of them were subsequently partially filled in. The location of this trench can be seen on (Fig. 05). Then, in 2004, it is said that almost 10,000 fossils were removed from the southern portion of the area and curated in the San Bernardino County Museum in California. Of the thousands of fossils that have been excavated within the now Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, probably the most recognized fossil is the tusk of a Columbian Mammoth (Fig. 06). The map below is an aerial view of the area we hiked (Fig. 05); the area where the "big dig" occurred. As we entered the monument, we headed out across the barren Las Vegas Wash in a north westerly direction (Fig. 07). (Con't below)

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Trip Notes Continued: From this point we weaved our way across the wash (Figs. 08-10). Once we reached the power line we turned west until we encountered what we thought look liked a large trench (Fig. 11) facing north. Turning and heading south (Fig. 12) we eventually came to the entrance of a crumbling trench that had signs on both signs saying "No Entry". At the very end of this long trench we came upon a grouping of shells and snails (Figs. 13 & 14). On the hike back to our starting point I passed a Desert Tortoise burrow that seemed to be several deep (Fig. 015). Though we didn't see any fossils, it was a pleasant hike. We're looking forward to maybe hiking this area again with a knowledgeable guide in the near future.

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Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument - Trip Notes for 10/30/2012

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This page last updated on 03/29/2018

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10/30/2012 Trip Notes: Though there are several dirt paths leading to the wash from the city's north edge toward the Las Vegas Range and its bajada, we entered the area from the power-line road off of Route 95N, just past the Kyle Canyon turnoff (refer to map in Fig. 05). The top picture, (Fig. 01) is the view we had across the bajadas that come down from the Sheep Mountains and the Las Vegas Mountain Range in the distance. The tallest mountain in the picture in (Fig. 06) is Gass Peak. As we headed out towards the wash, we passed a series of arroyo bluffs (Figs. 03 & 07). Many of these arroyo walls are freshly exposed, revealing intricate layers of sediments. Thick gravel beds represent input from alluvial fans. As we hiked further out, these arroyo walls began to slump into much gentler slopes that hide any possible details of the sediments and fossils. Along the way we crossed several areas that provided evidence of flowing/standing water no more than a two to three weeks ago. After about a mile out, we came upon the corner of a wooden fence line that stretched at least a 1/2 mile in opposite directions. Though we were unable to find the location of the 60’s paleontological dig or any fossil remains, we did come across the hollow shell and burrow (Figs. 08 & 09) of a long deceased desert tortoise that we estimated to be approximately 50 years old. Click here for more … Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii.
                                 

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Upper Las Vegas Wash

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This page last updated on 01/312018

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Wash Description: The city of Las Vegas sprawls across a wide bowl that is ringed with mountains on all sides. Often called, the Las Vegas Valley, it is drained by the Las Vegas Wash which eventually runs into Lake Mead. North of the city, Upper Las Vegas Wash is a series of aprons — bajadas — that fringe the rugged ranges of the Sheep Mountain Range. Though this part of the wash is normally dry, except during the monsoon season, it has been accumulating sediment for many centuries, leaving a sedimentary record of conditions and ecosystems covering millions of years. The Las Vegas bearpoppy, Merriam’s bearpoppy, and the Las Vegas buckwheat are three rare Mojave Desert plant species found in the Upper Las Vegas Wash.

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Paleontological History: Even in today's more dry conditions, the present stream is cutting an arroyo into the ancient sediments, exposing a remarkable fossil record from late Pleistocene times as old as about 200,000 years. This deep drainage, cut by thousands of years of run off and flooding, contains significant paleontological, botanical, and cultural resources such as extinct mammoth and ground sloth fossils. Herds of Ice Age Columbian mammoths – the largest of elephant species with tusks longer than six feet and molars the size of a human head – once roamed the lush and verdant wetlands of Las Vegas. In an area alternately known as the Upper Las Vegas Wash or Tule Springs their fossil remains (Fig. 02) have laid undisturbed for centuries. Bill Gilcrease discovered the lower molar of a Colombian mammoth on a northeast corner of his land in the early 1960s. Scientists excavated the land in a 1962-63 dig and found teeth from Camelops, larger versions of today’s Bactrian camels, and American lions, weighing up to 1100 pounds, also made this area their home along with at least three species of ancient horse and massive sloths. These camels, horses and Colombian mammoths probably lived on the land during periods of drastic climate change and fell into and died in its spring mounds. Thousands of Pleistocene-era fossils have been found in Tule Springs, and thousands remain for scientific excavation, examination and public viewing. What makes this area unique is the vast span of time the fossils represent. Fossils and fossilized pollen in the area span nearly 250,000 years of time, offering important insight into at least two Ice Ages and multiple warming and cooling periods. Since their original discovery, there has been a movement to distinguish the Upper Las Vegas Wash as a national monument and future home of the Ice Age Park of Southern Nevada, a proposed tourist destination, research facility and home to the thousands of fossils already discovered here now being stored at the San Bernardino County Museum in California. As recently as last year, a team from the San Bernardino County Museum has pulled more than 500 bones from a single spot - the highest concentration of fossils yet found in an area paleontologists have explored since the 1960s. On March 30, 2012, a notice published by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register announced the availability of the BLM’s Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and issuing the Record of Decision that addresses boundary adjustments to the 5,000-acre Conservation Transfer Area, also known as the Upper Las Vegas Wash, in the northwest Las Vegas Valley. In June of this year, a bill was introduced in Congress that would set-aside 22,650 acres into what would be known as the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument.

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10/30/2012 Trip Notes: Though there are several dirt paths lead to the wash from the city's north edge toward the Las Vegas Range and its bajada, we entered the area from the power-line road off of Route 95N, just past the Kyle Canyon turnoff (refer to Fig. 03). The top picture, (Fig. 01) is the view we had across the bajadas that come down from the Sheep Mountains in the distance. The tallest mountain in the picture is Gass Peak. As we headed out towards the wash, we passed a series of arroyo bluffs (Fig. 04). Many of these arroyo walls are freshly exposed, revealing intricate layers of sediments. Thick gravel beds represent input from alluvial fans. As we hiked further out, these arroyo walls began to slump into much gentler slopes (Fig. 05) that hide any possible details of the sediments and fossils. Along the way we crossed several areas that provided evidence (Fig. 06) of flowing/standing water no more than a two to three weeks ago. After about a mile out, we came upon the corner of a wooden fence line that stretched at least a 1/2 mile in opposite directions. The view in (Fig. 07), taken from just inside this fenced area, is looking back toward our starting point with the Spring Mountain Range in the distance. Though we were unable to find the location of the 60’s paleontological dig or any fossil remains, we did come across the hollow shell and burrow (Fig. 08) of a long deceased desert tortoise that we estimated to be approximately 50 years old. Click here for more … Desert Tortoise (gopherus agassizii).

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Lower Las Vegas Wash

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This page last updated on 01/31/2018

Destination: (Lower) Las Vegas Wash Distance from Point of Origin: 48 miles. Estimated (One Way) Travel Time: One hour. Directions: Las Vegas Wash is located inside the Lake Mead Recreation Ares, east of Las Vegas on the western shore of Lake Mead. From the Stratosphere Casino head northeast on Las Vegas Blvd about 3 miles and turn right to merge onto US-93/95. Go 12.5 miles and Merge onto NV-564 E/W Lake Mea Pkwy via Exit 61B. Heading east on NV-564 (Lake Mead Blvd) go over the mountains (passing between Frenchman Mountain to the south and Sunrise Mountain to the north) to the park entrance station. Pay the entrance fee ($5 per car or an annual pass), and proceed to the T-intersection with Northshore Road (NV Rt 167) and Lakeshore Road (NV Rt 166). Bear left and drive north on Northshore Road (NV 167) for just a few miles until you are opposite Lake Las Vegas, turn right and park. General Description: A natural wetlands area, the Las Vegas Wash is a 12-mile plus tributary that channels storm water, urban runoff, shallow groundwater and highly-treated wastewater, an average of more than 150 million gallons a day, through the wetlands and into the Las Vegas Bay at Lake Mead.  Approximately 2 percent of Lake Mead's water comes from the Wash. It is fed by several natural and man-made sources including Duck Creek, Las Vegas Creek, Flamingo Wash, Pittman Wash, Monson Channel, Sloan Channel, Meadows Detention Basin, and the Tule Springs Wash which is often referred to as the Upper Las Vegas Wash (see map below). Near its terminus at Las Vegas Bay, the wash passes under the man made Lake Las Vegas through two 7 foot pipes. Special Attraction or Points of Interest:  The Las Vegas Wash is an important ecological resource for Southern Nevada providing habitat to about 300 fish and wildlife species and more than 200 species of upland, riparian and wetland plants. Though sightings at this location may be scarce depending upon when you visit, it is a place where one can seek refuge from the desert and watch waterfowl, herons, grebes, shorebirds, pelicans, and other birds associated with water. You will find much more to see and do at the Wetlands Park located on Wetlands Park Lane at the end of Tropicana on the eastern outskirts of Las Vegas, which by itself, is another daytrip. Primary Activity: Hiking/Birding Secondary Activities: Photographing and Rock-hounding. Elevation: Approximately 1,200 feet. Best Time To Visit: After a major rainfall. Difficulty: Moderate. Easy hike down to Lake Mead’s shoreline, however, it can be much more strenuous on the way back up to the parking area depending upon which route you take back. Facilities: None. Estimated Round-trip Time: Three and 1/2 hours.

For More Info on the Wash go to: http://riparianhabitatrestoration.ca/LAME/lvw.htm

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12/08/2011 Trip Notes: There really isn't much to do here except to hike along the wash as it makes it way into Lake Mead. If one has enough time to sit and be patient, there are opportunities to do some birding and maybe capture a few pictures. Here are some of the pictures I shot on today's hike.
                     

The three pictures above are looking upstream towards Lake Las Vegas. Click on the small picture on the upper right to enlarge and will be able to find a bird and some cormorants. The two pictures below are looking downstream from the waterfall above as the wash winds its way toward Lake Mead.

01/20/2011 Trip Notes: I first visited the (lower) Las Vegas Wash on 01/20/2011 on the return of a Lake Mead Northshore Road daytrip with the rock hounds from the Heritage Park Senior Facility.

I give thanks to Jason R Eckberg, Environmental Biologist with the Southern Nevada Water Authority for providing me with the name of this plant. It is a Atriplex Hymenelytra, a species of saltbush commonly called the Desert Holly. This gray-white sub-shrub grows from Utah to southern California. This is a desert-dwelling shrub reaching heights of between 1.5-3 feet. It is generally a rounded bush covered in distinctive reflective silver-gray, twisted, oblong, many-pointed leaves. The fruits are enclosed in disc-shaped bracteoles after flowering. The toothed leaves and the small reddish fruits borne on the plant give it a passing resemblance to the unrelated European holly.

(OPTION 1) Each show is designed to run automatically in place, without leaving the current browser window. If the show is not already running, just click the large "Play" button in the middle of the picture and let it run. (OPTION 2) Running the cursor over the picture being shown will PAUSE the show and bring up a navigation bar at the bottom of the slideshow window with Pause, Forward and Back buttons, allowing you to start, stop or manually forward or back up pictures one at a time.

Slideshow Description: This is a 21 picture show showing shots of the wash as it flows towards Lake Mead. I have also included several shots of plants and vegetation found along the way.