Bolder City, NV
On Saturday we left Valley of Fire and moved south of Las Vegas to Boulder City. After moving every two or three days for the past month, we took a site in Canyon Trail RV Park for two weeks. The park is only a few miles from the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which is just full of interesting hikes and Jeep roads, so we need some time to explore. Who knows, a hike through the casino canyon known as The Strip may be in our future!
For our first hiking adventure we drove south across the Colorado River into Arizona to the White Rock Canyon Trailhead, where we intended to hike to the Liberty Bell Arch. From the parking area the trail immediately drops into a wash and goes under Rte. 93.
The first half mile is in the wash on a flat walk toward the hills to the west.
Soon the wash drops as it enters into a narrow canyon. After a while it was obvious to us that we had gone too far and missed the turn on to the trail going to the Liberty Arch. OK, we’ll continue down into White Rock Canyon and hike to the Colorado River, a hike we intended to do in the future anyway.
As we hiked through the canyon we spied some fellow hikers moving along the canyon wall above us.
Seven Desert Big Horn Sheep of various ages made their way along the canyon wall. We soon lost sight of them and continued down the canyon. But just down the trail we spotted someone checking us out just a few yards down the trail.
We stopped to watch him when part of the herd jumped onto the trail in front of us to feed on the brush.
All the while one of the elders of the herd kept us in view.
The big guy must have just run a race, as he was still wearing his bib number (77).
Even the young one in the group kept an eye on us.
After the sheep cleared the trail we continued hiking down to the river. It turns out the sheep were on the same hike, as they were enjoying a drink when we arrived.
As we slowly passed the herd, one big guy strutted his stuff on the neighboring hillside.
After hiking for over three miles through desert conditions it is amazing to come upon a beautiful river.
We knew from the map at the trailhead that the Arizona Hot Springs were located near where we were along the river, but since we had not intended to hike to this point we did not research its exact location. We spoke with a young couple eating lunch along the river and found out they were from nearby Henderson and knew the trails well. They gave us directions to the hot springs in a nearby canyon and suggested that we return to the trailhead by continuing up that canyon to make a loop. We liked that idea but had reservations, as going up that canyon required a bit of wading through water above the knees, a climb up a ladder, and some rock scrambling. In fact, the map at the trailhead labeled the hike up this canyon as very difficult. But let’s give it a try!

A shallow creek at the start

The first of three hot pools, easy to get around
After passing the first pool we rounded a bend and came to the ladder. If climbing a ladder up about fifteen feet wasn’t interesting enough, water pouring over the top above you on to the ladder just adds to the adventure.
After climbing the ladder we immediately came to another pool, this time one that we couldn’t go around. So off came the boots, pockets were emptied, and shorts were rolled up for a walk through the hot water.
Not far from that pool was another that required a bit of wading. The pools in this canyon are deepened by sand bags placed in narrow spots to dam up the water.
After this last deep pool we spied the source of much of the heated water. Along the side of the canyon was a small opening. A strong stream of very hot water about two inches in diameter shot out of the rock and into the stream.
After re-booting, we continued up the canyon where things quickly changed. In just a short distance we left the moisture of the hot pools and returned to the arid conditions of the desert.
As we hiked up the canyon we came to a number of spots that required some scrambling. Most presented a challenge, but we were able to keep going.
At one point we came upon some petroglyphs, or as John calls them, ancient graffiti. He always imagines a group of indigenous people moving through the canyon. A mother yells at junior to quite marking up the rocks and keep moving with the group.
We continued hiking over a number of pour overs, but again nothing we couldn’t handle.

Looking back after climbing up this pour over
Eventually we came to a spot where it was just too high for us to scale. We thought we would have to go back down the canyon a mile or so and take a side trail up over the hills. But we noticed a spot along the side of the canyon where someone had placed a few rocks along the wall like a stair step. So, up we went and climbed over the rocks and around the obstacle.

Up, over, and around the obstacle
Finally, we came up and out of the canyon. We agree with the label at the trailhead marking this trail as “very difficult.”
Tomorrow we’re going back to this trailhead to see if we can find the route to the Liberty Bell Arch.
More on that later . . .
Sounds like a great adventure. But I don’t think I’d have been brave enough to continue without a map!
The couple that talked us into going out this way promised we wouldn’t get lost. We knew we just had to follow the wash. Since we rarely ever have a map, we are kind of use to fumbling around:)
What an awesome hike! Love the sheep!
All the hundreds of hikes we have been on, we have never seen a lamb let alone a Big Horn sheep! I love the photo of the…big guy strutted…how cool. I am so jealous.
Nothing is ever too difficulty for the seasoned hikers!
Another awesome hike with just about anything and everything you would want in a hike. Did you go for a hike or a swim?
Thanks, Marsha! It was an a fun hike that we didn’t know we were going to do:)
sounds like a really neat hike you found there…
We never see any wildlife! I want to go hiking with you! What awesome pictures of a fun day exploring! We will have some time in April…I am certainly marking this spot!
Gay, if should come and do this hike which we found on birdandhike.com, go in to the springs following the unmaintained trail and come out the main trail. We hit two very difficult areas coming out. One required John to push and lift me up high enough to get a foothold and then I had to help pull him high enough to get the foothold.
That sure turned out to be a fabulous adventure! Sheep and water, how could you go wrong! I want to go on that hike!
You and Hans would really enjoy this hike. However, I would go in on the unmaintained trail and come out the main trail. There are two very difficult walls. One John had to help push and lift me first so I could then help pull him up. The foothold was just too high. Coming down both areas would be much easier.
Oh wow! Beautiful scenery, river, big horn sheep, and HOT SPRINGS! That is my idea of a perfect hike. I wonder what the weather is like in January/February. Maybe we could head that direction during the winter….
Laurel, this is Vegas weather. I believe the winters are mild but it can get cold at times. It did turn out to be a perfect hike.
What a delight to share the trail with the herd; you really got some great shots. I don’t think I would attempt coming down that ladder, but maybe going up 🙂 The hot springs are awesome, and it would be very tempting to stay and soak for a bit. Can’t wait to see what you two get up to next!!
Jodee, it was great fun following the sheep. They are so adorable as they watch you. Going down the ladder would be a little trickier since it would be tough getting on to it, I think. The second spring (the deepest) was a perfect soaking temperature. It was tough to not just sit down.
Love the sheep encounter and your photos. Difficult trail? Not for you two 🙂
Thanks, Ingrid! Seeing the sheep so many times and so close was very exciting. The trail was rather challenging in a few places, for sure. My banged up knees and elbows will attest to that:)
Isn’t it amazing the things one sees if we just leave roads well traveled and hike into the unknown, or somewhat unknown? The sheep and the river view alone seem worth it, let alone the pure adventure of it. Sure looked like fun. We’re definitely jealous.
Thanks, Ed! We seem to find ourselves on these roads less traveled often:)
I just love that you missed your turn and your mistake turned into this fabulous hike. Your bighorn pictures are just fantastic. Bet you wished you’d had your bathing suits to hang out a while in those pools. They look so inviting.
Thanks, Sherry! We were glad we missed the turn, also. It turned out to be a great adventure. The second pool, which was the deepest, was a perfect temperature. I would have enjoyed just sitting down.
Big horn sheep, hot springs, ladders, boulder scaling, and a lovely river, just another day in the Wright’s hiking life. Beautiful images! 🙂
Thanks, Lu! It was a very cool day full of unexpected adventure:)
Sounds like a wonderful adventure! 🙂
Fascinating hike … but then what else would we expect from you guys. The wading through the water part might have done me in.
It almost did me in, also, Erin. But I knew we had a towel with us to dry off, and I said if the water was clear I’d do it. It was so off we waded…good times!
Adventure indeed! What an amazing hike… It seemed to have a little bit of everything and a good bit of risky passageways. Oh, how I loved the big horn sheep photos. The picture of that one strutting is priceless! Hiking with you guys, even following along in a blog, is always an adventure.
Thanks, Holly! Yes, our hikes are an adventure, never sure what we will find or where will go:)
We did the hike today (4/14/2017). It was beautiful. No Bighorns as I think there were too many people down past the springs. There was a group of at least 50+ that had setup camp and hauled everything in via multiple canoes. We walked right through the water with our Moab Ventilator Hiking shoes and had no issues. Thanks for the tip!
Great! It was a fun time:)