Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail
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(702) 293-8906NileGuide Expert tip:
The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City has more information about railroads in Nevada.Description:
When Hoover Dam was under construction, a railroad was constructed to help bring supplies to Black Canyon. Today, the railroad is gone, but a portion of the railroad's route is a hiking/biking trail. Sometimes called the Five Tunnels Trail, the trail takes hikers through huge tunnels built to accommodate trains and the large equipment they carried.Located just outside Boulder City, the trailhead is near the Alan Bible Visitors' Center at the intersection of U.S. Highway 93 and Lakeshore Road. Views of Lake Mead are great from the trail, which is high above the lake. Many people hike to the last tunnel and turn around, but the trail extends all the way to the Hoover Dam parking garage, almost four miles from the trailhead.
The tunnels have sustained some damage over the years, but have been reinforced and restored. Daylight is visible from within the tunnels, which are each about 300 feet long and 25 feet in diameter. In warmer months the tunnels provide a welcome respite from the heat. After the trail passes through the last tunnel, a steeper grade makes it more challenging—and there's no more relief from the sun. It's best to hike the trail in the cooler parts of the day, or to tackle it in fall, winter, or spring. In summer, temperatures in the area can reach triple digits. As with any desert hiking, always come prepared with water, no matter what time of year it is.
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