Lone Palm Trail - Lake Mead - Arizona

Lone Palm Tail

A difficult, but beautiful trail that takes you down to the Colorado River near the Hoover Dam. The views of the bridge over the dam, spiraling red rock formations, steep rock cliffs, and  Liberty Bell arch in the distance are spectacular. The destination can be attained via several different routes.  The routes have changed somewhat since the new bridge was put in.  Also the routes are not well marked so make sure you bring printed directions and look back on the route you take every hundred feet to remember how to return.

Even with a map we had difficulty finding our way and did some backtracking. Unfortunately we didn't make it all the way to the river.  We took the long route that descended into the canyon (wash) and then climbed back out through another wash that entered from the left.  The wash took us south along the freeway about one mile and then we descended into the main canyon following a trail that petered out on a smooth slope.

There are two other routes one that takes down the main wash almost to the end and then turns south. (This is the shorter way.) There is also another trail that takes you the same way we went but you don't go down through the canyon but say on the ridge above the canyon.

Once you get down into the canyon you have to climb up and around several dry falls that are way to high to navigate without ropes.

This is part the route around the highest dry falls on the hike.  Once you get to the bottom you can see how the dry falls which has an over hang and soft sandy floor.  It would be amazing to see these fall in a flash flood, but not advisable. The red rocks only found in this area of  the hike.

Falling the main wash down this is the first dry fall you have to circumnavigate. This is a view from the top of the first trail that goes around the dry falls. The hike down is through loose rock that break easily.  My friend fell coming back up this trail because a rock broke under her foot. Be very careful and don't hike too close together to avoid falling rocks. 

There are several other dry falls that you have to circumnavigate that take you over steep hills with loose rocks. A hiking pool helps tremendously. This hike is not that long, but the footing is unsteady so you really have to watch every step you take.

View from inside the main canyon (dry wash)

There are several small slot canyon that are fun to go through.

Steep cliff walls make great scenery.. The trail we came is up above these walls. This picture is from down in the wash. 

There are great views of Liberty Bell that is located across the Colorado River.

Travelling down the main wash. The new bridge bypass  can bee seen in the distance.

Local Fauna on the trail - Tarantula that seemed dead.

We couldn't find the wash that went back down into the main wash. Too tired to keep searching we ended up digging under the fence to get to the road so we could get to the parking area. Mark your trail as you go, it can be very confusing.

Fortification Hill Hike

Fortification Hill from Kingman Wash Road. The Trail is on the backside of the Mesa.

Fortification Hill is a steep hike up the ridge of a hill to the base of  the mesa wall where you make a short scramble over the wall to the top of the mesa. At the top you can see Lake Mead, the bridge over the Colorado River, Boulder city and much Las Vegas.

To get to the trail head take exit 2 to Kingman Wash Road just over the bridge on the Arizona side. Travel 4 miles until you see the outhouse.  Turn right towards the outhouse and take the road to the right another 2 miles.  Keep going until you see the trailhead sign and parking area.  The road is a bit rough and 4-wheel drive is recommended, but a car would be able to navigate it.

The trail follows the ridge up to the base of the rock wall surrounding the mesa.

The trail starts ascending at the very beginning. Climb up the ridge to the right or take the wash to the left of the ridge until it meets up with the ridge trail about half way up.

There is a short scramble at the base of the mesa. 

Once you get to the rock wall there is a short scramble that isn't difficult up over the ridge.

Helicopters fly by taking tourist to the Grand Canyon.

The view from the top of the mesa is spectacular! Helicopters fly through the valley below taking tourists to the Grand Canyon.

View of the mountains to the south

View of Lake Mead, Bridge over the Colorado River, Boulder City and Las Vegas from the top of Fortification Hill