Tag: Trails

4×4 trails offer enthusiasts an exhilarating blend of rugged adventure and natural beauty. These trails wind through diverse terrain, from dense forests and rocky mountainsides to muddy river crossings and sandy dunes, presenting a challenging playground for off-road vehicles. Each trail brings its own unique obstacles and breathtaking vistas, inviting drivers to test their skill and their vehicle’s capabilities. Whether navigating steep inclines, conquering deep mud pits, or maneuvering around fallen logs, 4×4 trails provide an immersive experience in the heart of untamed landscapes, where every turn promises both adrenaline-pumping excitement and moments of serene wilderness immersion.

Fish Canyon Escape Trail

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William Lewis Manly (April 6, 1820 – February 5, 1903)
William Lewis Manly (April 6, 1820 – February 5, 1903)

The Fish Canyon Escape Trail is a route discovered by William Manly as an escape route from Death Valley in 1849.  The group tried to navigate the hot and dry Mojave desert with hand drawn maps, which supposedly showed short cuts across the desert. After being lost of months in the wilderness of Death Valley, William Manly and a group of emigrants headed to California. William Mandy set off and finally discovered a route out of Death Valley.  

William Many was like many man of the era. He made his living as a guide, fur hunter, farmer and later in life a writer. In 1849, he followed thousands of other young men and travelled to California to join the Gold Rush. He was 29 years old at the time.

Near Provo Utah he joined other travels to cross the great basin to Southern California. In December, the group became lost following the inaccurate maps which they brought with them. For three weeks they struggled in Death Valley. With food supplies depeleted. Manly and John Haney Rogers walked the Mojave for 250 miles, finally reaching Rancho San Fernando.

On his return with food and horses, he discovered that only two families, the Bennett and Arcane, survived his absence. This trail is part of his route.

The trail is mildly rocky and suitable for most SUV’s

Further Reading

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Bitter Springs

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Bitter Springs is a 28 miles back country road which connects I-15 to the North shore Road highway 167 located inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Echo Bay.  The trail takes you by old mining roads and washes throughout the Muddy Mountains.

To reach the trail head, head North on the I-15 from Las Vegas. Exit the Valley of Fire offramp (exit 75), and turn right towards the state park, Valley of Fire. There is a lot of excellent camping in Valley of Fire.

Unless you have a need for fireworks or booze, proceed past the Moapa Indian Reservation store. After three miles the paved road bends left. The trail is the dirt road heading straight into the dessert towards the mountains.

Once you hit the Muddy Mountains, you will be greeted with large red rock out cropping. Keep on eye out on the right side of the tail for a small damn and water hole. Should you visit at the correct time, you will see tadpoles and frogs in the water.

As you proceed into and through the muddy mountains, there are numerous places to stop and picnic or camp. There is a small quarry that sits on the trail, so be sure to travel carefully if there are workers.

Once you are through the pass, the trail gradually follows the alluvial fan into a drainage. Once in the drainage section, the trails turns into pure sand. Be sure to check the weather when travelling this portion of the trail and keep an eye open for Big Horn sheep and wild horses.

Bitter Springs Trail Map

Nellis Cove

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Nellis Cove Road short east trail from Lake Mead Powerline Road to Nellis Cove on the shore of Lake Mohave, Nevada. The route is fairly flat and easy, a suitable for almost any vehicles. However, you may wish to have some tires which are good in the sand. For those interested, overnight camping is allowed up to 15 days.

Lake Mojave is a wonderful destination to visit during the summer months. The waters of the Lake are cool in temperature and offers a great chance to swim, relax and cool down from the scorching sun of the Mojave. I can speak first hand, that a cold beer in the shade while soaking your feet in the cool water is a wonderful thing.

The beaches of Lake Mohave vary in size depending on the water output of the Hoover and Davis Dams. They beach is built up from sand and decomposing rocks, so beach shoes would be recommended. Nellis Cove camping is large enough to allow 4 – 5 campsites. This is a dry camp site in a desert, so although there is a lake, please be sure to bring plenty of water.

Campground Summary

NameNellis Coe
LocationLake Mohave, Clark County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude35.403584, -114.659445
Elevation655 feet
Sites4 – 5
AmenitiesVault Toilets

Nellis Cove Trail Map

References

Sandy Wash

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Sandy Wash is a short trail which leads from the Mead Davis Power Line road down to the shore of Lake Mojave, Nevada. We opted to drive Empire Wash off the 95 and turn left of Mead Davis Power Line Road and the right down Sandy Wash.  

Sandy Wash offered a nice remote beach to enjoy on Lake Mojave
Sandy Wash offered a nice remote beach to enjoy on Lake Mojave

The small beach at the end of the trail offers a wonderful location, to picnic, camp, or jump into Lake Mojave to cool off with a swim.  The beach is surrounded with Tamarisk bushes and willows to offer some privacy and the true feeling of being in a remove spot.   The rocky beach is located in a small cove, and there is a small arch just at the water line. On the day we did the trail, the air was rather hot, but a monsoon blew in while we swam and enjoyed and very cold beer.

Driving onto the beach at Sandy Wash, Lake Mojave
Driving onto the beach at Sandy Wash, Lake Mojave

The road for the most part is very easy by 4×4 standards and should be passable by most vehicles.  This is true with the exception of the last 100 feet of the trail which contains a water crossing about 30 inches deep and 100 feet long.

Looking back at the water crossing
Looking back at the water crossing

The two approaches to the trail head are from Mead Davis Power line road, or the much more scenic Empire wash.

Sandy Wash Trail Map

Empire Wash

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Empire wash is a short cut from Cal Nev Ari to the Lake Mead Davis Powerline road through a narrow canyon. This offers great access to several of the wash roads which take you down to Lake Mojave by connecting to the southern end of the Lake Mead Power Line road.  A easy and fun trail which leads you to better destinations.

The kids go for a walk while we air down at Empire Wash
The kids go for a walk while we air down at Empire Wash

Just off the pavement, we opted to air down the jeeps to bring some comfort to this long road. We did not need any more traction, we just opted to float across the desert. Empire wash runs through the mountains in the distance.

Empire Wash - You know you are not lost when there is a sign.
Empire Wash – You know you are not lost when there is a sign.

Once you approach the mountains, a nice little sign reminds you that this can be rough county. From the looks of the sign, there is quite a bit of evidence of flooding from the level of sand piled around the base of the sign.

A narrow valley on the Empire Wash Trail near Lake Mojave
A narrow valley on the trail near Lake Mojave

The road and canyon twist and turn through the mountains. This was a lot of fun to drive. Although overcast on our trip, we looked forward to swimming in Lake Mojave at the end of the next trail. On this day, we chose Sandy Wash.

Empire Wash Trail Map