Hiking Around Las Vegas, Lake Mead National Recreation Area
 Natural Bridge (view NW from downstream) |
Overview Natural Bridge Canyon is a pleasant route that runs for 0.8 miles through a geologically interesting area to a spring and a natural bridge. The route starts on a use-trail (or on a short dirt road for less adventuresome drivers), crosses a couple of low ridges, drops into a wash, and runs down a shrub live oak-filled canyon to the bridge. The spring seems to provide a small amount of water, and the bridge spans the canyon. The bridge is about 25 feet long and about 10-feet thick at the center -- quite impressive. I wouldn't drive out there just to do this hike, but if I were in the Nelson area, I certainly would take this short hike to see the bridge. Presented here are photos of the return. For a detailed description of the route, including directions, maps, GPS coordinates, and photos, see Natural Bridge Canyon. |
 Natural Bridge (view NW from downstream) |
 Natural Bridge (view NW from downstream) |
 Natural Bridge (view up) |
 Hiker departing Natural Bridge (view NW) |
 Hiker working up through boulders in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW) |
 Hiker working up through boulders in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW) |
 Water trickles over the bedrock in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW) |
 Water trickles over the bedrock in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW) |
 It is best to stay against the north slope to avoid shrubs (view NW) |
 Working up through boulders in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW) |
 Easy walking in the open wash (view NW) |
 Returning past the Easter Island moai (view NW) |
 Route stays right in the main wash (view NW) |
 Route runs up wash (right is not a trail; view NW) |
 Returning past the red outcrop (view W) |
 Hiker returning up the sandy wash (view W) |
 Hiker returning up the bedrock wash (view W) |
 Hiker returning up the bedrock wash (view W) |
 Hiker returning up a trail along wash (view W) |
 Hiker returning up a trail along wash (view SW) |
 Hiker about to turn out of the wash (view SW) |
 Hiker on hillside beyond the wash (view W) |
 The trail leaves the wash (view W) |
 Hiker climbing towards the second saddle (view NW) |
 Hiker arriving on Second Ridge (view NW) |
 Trail crosses Second Ridge and angles across next hillside (view SW) |
 First Ridge (view NW from Second Ridge) |
 Trail angles across next hillside (view SW) |
 Trail angles across next hillside (view W) |
 Hiker climbing onto First Ridge (view NW) |
 Trail runs up the ridge with views back towards Nelson (view NW) |
 Hiker arriving atop First Ridge (view NW) |
 Hiker crossing over First Ridge (view NW) |
 Hiker arriving the trailhead (view NW) |
Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240326
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