Mesquite Nevada Trail System

Introduction

I discovered the Mesquite Foothills about a year ago while looking for hiking in the area. I didn't want anything too crazy, as Mesquite and the surrounding desert area can be fairly remote.

The Foothills trail is a bit of a picnic area followed by about a mile or so of trails.  It is fairly popular with the locals.  There is a bathroom located at the site as well as benches and a covered area for a picnic.

The trail meanders and there are signs guiding you, but it is easy to just sort of blaze your own trail.  And after about a mile, the main trail just abruptly ends.  It does allow you to scramble a bit further where it ends in a dead end where apparently a car that fall off the surrounding mesa crashed.

You can also return to the main road (Lower Flat Top Drive) at various points too.

After the Sun Half Marathon I decided to hope on over and get in a quick walk.  I had done the city trail plenty of times and had often looked at the ATVs ascending a dirt road above me towards the buttes that dot the city's landscape.

Finally, I decided I'd hoof it up the dirt road and see what was up there.  It would've been much easier with a vehicle but within a mile  I had reached the top (and there were a few other hikers who had made the walk).  Incidentally, the parking lot for this trail is located a few hundred yards south of the entrance to the Foothills parking lot.

If you really love the desert, you will love exploring at the top of the mesas.  The trail is very well defined but it is definitely not one you want to do in the dead of summer.  There is no shelter and no water.

For a February day in the upper 50's, it was fun poking around and looking at giant crevices in the earth and cactus.  There is also plenty of cresote and desert brush up there.

This trail was also highly runnable, once you got to the top.  In fact, if I hadn't just eaten and had a pair of shorts on me I would've done some running up there.

Here are some photos of the city trail and the trail above the city trail:

View of Mesquite from the city trail

Another view of a giant rift

I don't think these are wild horses

More trails exist going south

The hill you will have to climb to get to the top of the ATV trail

This Week in Running 1/7 - 1/20 - Plus Desert Run

Looking at the Virgin River, Mesquite, NV

Day	Mileage / Workout	Comments
Sunday	16	Tough long run
Monday	5	Easy run tonight
Tuesday	7	Medium paced run
Wednesday	5	Fairly easy run
Thursday	4	Medium paced run
Friday	Off	Off
Saturday	13	St George Half marathon
Sunday	9	Desert run in Mesquite Nevada
Monday	4	Easy
Tuesday	5	Medium effort with some speedy parts
Wednesday	5	2 miles in 16:05, rest easy
Thursday	9	Medium paced long run
Friday	Off	Off
Saturday	5	Snowy weather. Just logging miles
Weekly: ?? YTD: 115

Week's Summary

Well this past two weeks have been filled with running.  The mild winter continues here in Salt Lake and that has allowed me to continue a full round of training.

In winters past I had to limit my training or reduce the amount of miles because of icy or cold (which rarely stops me) conditions.  In fact, most days I can get away with a very light jacket, shorts and thin gloves.

This week also saw my inaugural race for 2018.  I felt there were a lot of positives but at the same time it was slower than last year.  So in that regard it was disappointing to me.  I had real hopes that somehow I'd be able to get the same or even slightly better than last year.  Hopefully this isn't a pattern for 2018.

My long run to start the two weeks wasn't the greatest either.  I started off full of enthusiasm but I really faded.  All my previous long runs have been pretty good, but this one, I was hurting midway through and it didn't leave me with much confidence.

I also didn't do a lot of speed work leading up to the half marathon.  For whatever reason, any "umpf" I had in my legs was absent.  I also felt like I was getting sick with a cold (there is a nasty bug going around that so far I've managed to dodge).  Luckily, it didn't seem to impact my race (much).

However, this past week I forced myself (I dislike speed work and would rather plod along) to get my usual 2 miles at 5K pace in.  It felt harder than it should but at least my time was reasonable and it counted as quality miles.

Desert Run

Last Sunday I decided to go on a run.  I was in Mesquite for the weekend and I wanted something to do.  I had just done the car show and sat in the jacuzzi and in my infinite wisdom I thought it would be a good time to go for a run (on half marathon dead legs no less).

So I made my way out of the hotel with 28 ounces of Gatorade and figured maybe I'd get 4 - 5 miles in.  I started off trying to find a new route I hadn't taken before and just wound up running a mile around a cookie-cutter subdivision.

I finally made my way out and found a familiar section of the Bunkerville Bike Trail.  I had done this trail before and it wasn't terribly exciting.  I did, however, see some cars coming off of a side road.  I wound up checking with some walkers and they said it was kind of a cool road that lead into the desert.

So I jumped on that.

What followed was a challenging but oh so delightful run along a dirt road.  I figured for sure I could make the Arizona State Line.  I ran 3 miles from that sign and figured I was officially in Arizona (I came to a split in the road).  Turns out, however, I was about a quarter mile shy of the official border.

None the less, it was a pretty interesting and scenic run.  A lot of the sports / desert vehicles were giving me a big wave.  I guess they don't get many runners way out in the middle of nowhere.  It also gave me a chance to go shirtless.

I barely made it back however.  Sitting in the jacuzzi and being in the sun (it wasn't super hot) got me dehydrated.  Once I hit 9 miles I walked the final half mile (or so) back to the Casablanca.  To make matters worse, I had the furthest possible room from where I was located.

I knew once I got to my room that I had a nice Coke to drink that would set me straight.  Unfortunately, my key card no longer worked.  So I had to walk all the way back to the front desk (at this point I was ready to be sick), and have security walk me back to my room since I didn't have ID with me.

To make a long story short, I didn't pass out, although for a while, I thought I was going to.  Dehydration sucks!

Here are the photos I took along the way:

Upcoming Races

Finally some races on the horizon!  They may be short (5Ks) but they are something to train and shoot for.  Definitely looking forward to them.

02/03: South Davis Recreation Center Sweetheart's Day 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
02/10: Candy Heart 5K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
02/17: Saints and Sinners Half Marathon - Boulder City, NV (Maybe)

03/03: March Madness Half Marathon - West Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
03/18: St Patrick's Day Half Marathon (6 Tunnels Half Marathon) - Las Vegas, NV (Unlikely)
04/21: Salt Lake City Marathon (Half) - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed (2018))
11/11: 2018 Las Vegas Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

This Week in Running 5/14 - 5/20

Run along Mesquite Nevada's bike path

Day	Mileage / Workout	Comments
Sunday	3	Easy
Monday	Off
Tuesday	Off
Wednesday	5	Run through Mesquite, NV
Thursday	5	Run through the canyons of Wendover, UT
Friday	7	2 miles hard, 5 fairly easy
Saturday	12	Long run along the Jordan River at 9:15 pace. Solid effort
Total miles for the week: 32; YTD: 782.25

Week's Summary

Well this week was definitely a "down" week for me -- and much needed.  I took some time off early in the week by "only" running 3 miles on Sunday.  Monday and Tuesday I found myself on the Las Vegas Strip.  For those that have gone to Las Vegas, particularly the Strip, it isn't the best area for running.  There is too many intersections with crazy taxi drivers and it just isn't a good place to run for me. Sure I'll do the Vegas Marathon but running from the Mirage just isn't a "good" run.

I finally made it to Mesquite, NV on Tuesday and got a run in.  I love exploring towns and I quickly found a bike trail that seemed to snake its way around town.  I wound up following it for several miles and got a tour of the Virgin River as well as a little goat farm:

On Thursday -- after driving all the way up the eastern side of Nevada I found myself in West Wendover, NV.  I love running the canyons there.  I re-explored an ATV trail behind the cemetery.  I thought it was new but it turns out that I had already been there.  I did get some awesome pictures though and it was an easy and enjoyable run.  I actually spotted some people hiking the canyon, which is like the second time I've seen someone besides me in the canyons there.

Upcoming Races

I might race over Memorial Day weekend.  I haven't completely decided what, if anything, I plan on doing but there is a half marathon on Saturday I am looking at and a 5K (or 10K) on Monday.

06/17: Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon - Lamoille / Elko, NV (Very Probable)
06/24: Utah Midnight Half Marathon - Provo, UT (Confirmed)
07/07: Utah Midnight (Legacy) Half Marathon - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)
08/19: Dam Train Race - 12 KM Race - Midway, UT (Confirmed)
11/12: Las Vegas Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
04/21: Salt Lake City Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed (2018))

Boulder City Nevada Road Trip Recap

Introduction

As I usually like to do after a road is recap what I experienced.  This is more or less for me, as an online diary of my adventures.  It really doesn't have a whole lot to do about running, but it does capture some of the experiences I had -- big and small.

I like to go back, from time to time, and read my previous adventures and remember what I've done.  Often times, the small details of trips fade and without this record, I'd likely forget about them.  So bare with me in this short indulgence.

Friday

Me at the Casablanca Hotel and Casino in Mesquite, NV

The plan was to get home as early as possible from work, throw my stuff in the car and head out before too much Friday traffic delayed me.  I had about a 6 hour drive to Boulder City, Nevada and I was fortunate we had company meetings that ended just before 2 PM.  Shari got home at 2:30-ish and I was itching to go.  

Unfortunately, our 20 year-old cat had other ideas.  She hasn't been doing too well and Friday evening she was sick.  So after some hemming and hawing, it was decided I'd have to go solo (shucks (/wink)).

I beat most of the traffic and made excellent time.  We were having unseasonably warm March weather and by the time I got to the southern part of the state, I was filling up my car in 80+ degree weather.

Another half hour later and I pulled into the Casablanca Hotel and Casino in Mesquite, NV.  Mesquite is the first Nevada town you come to when going to Vegas.  I had a coupon for money off at the buffet, so I helped myself to some cheap carbs..... and it was a bargain too!  I held back on the precracked crab legs (it's never good to eat too much seafood before a race)

I gambled some and actually left up a few dollars.

I made the rest of the way to Boulder City in just under 2 hours.  Traffic was a little tough near Vegas, but by the time I was passing through, it was well after rush hour.

The hotel was nice.  I had visited before and I thought it was very classy.  It isn't like the strip at all... very subdued and quiet.  The casino didn't have a lot of my favorite machines, which was good.  It stopped me from gambling too much (although I did play).  I wound up giving back some of my winnings that I had won in Mesquite but I wanted to go to sleep, so I called it a night fairly early.

Saturday

I slept horribly.  I am not sure why but I think I was nervous about the race and I was bug-eyed from driving.  If I was lucky, I got about 2 hours of sleep and it was fitful at best.

View from my room

In the morning, I wound up running the St Patrick's Day / 6 Tunnels Half Marathon, which you can read here.  

After the race I tried to use the pool at the hotel, but it was out of order -- the entire bleeding weekend.  Argh.  So I wound up eating lunch at the hotel (Rancho Heuvos) which wasn't too bad and it certainly was filling. I also sucked down a ton of Arnold Palmers.  I was completely dehydrated and I wound up drinking a lot throughout the day.

After eating I was kind of depressed with my time at the race, so I headed upstairs to lay down in the room and find something to watch on the 20-channel TV (that had a line of static running through it).  I was starting to fall asleep -- in my over caffeinated state -- and there was a knock on the door.  Housekeeping....

So I had to find something to do.  I suppose I could've hung out in the room, but I didn't want to just hang around, so I wound up filling a water bottle up and walking to the Hoover Dam along the Lake Mead Train Hike, which you can see here.

I had a strange occurrence as I was coming back to the hotel.  I was walking through the parking lot and a big burly Harley Davidson riding motorcycle guy pulled up next to me and asked me, "Hey... what kind of car do you drive?"

I was like, "uh?"

He was obviously pissed off and asked his question again.

I explained to him that I had just finished a hike and I hadn't driven my car in several hours. 

He looked me up and down and gave me a dirty look and sped off.  I figured he was looking to kick someone's butt after a road altercation (and it would've been no contest versus me).

He sped off north and not more than a few minutes later paramedics came flying down the road from the opposite direction.  I tried to find something in the paper but to no avail.  I suspect he had witnessed a hit and run and was looking for the culprit.  Just glad it wasn't me.

I cleaned up and gambled some more at the hotel and I wasn't having any luck.  Luckily, I wasn't too into gambling and decided I needed to find some place to eat for dinner.

I Googled around for a cheap buffet.  I was thinking of trying the Railroad Pass Buffet up the road but decided I wanted to go the Fiesta Hotel and Casino.  Usually the Station Casinos do a good job and I know they'll have a decent casino.  I just hoped that the line wouldn't be too bad.

I got there and it wasn't too busy.  I wound up blowing some money on Fu Dao Le and my minimal losses turned into a slightly larger one.  Luckily I knew when to quit and found the buffet.  It wasn't too bad for $10.  They pretty much had the same food as the other Station casino buffets, but the upkeep wasn't as good and there weren't any premiums (other than the Mongolian grill).

I made my way back to the Hoover Dam Lodge and played a bit more there but once again Lady Luck wasn't with me and I called it quits after about 15 minutes.

Sunday

In the morning, I woke up early and went for a quick run.  I was still sore as anything from the day before, so it was more or less a shuffle for about 3 miles.  I wound up taking a few pictures as well.  There were a few other runners out and it was a really nice and peaceful run.

After cleaning up, I checked out and went and visited my aunt and uncle in Summerlin at the Rampart Hotel.  I haven't seen my uncle since -- well, when I had a full head of hair.  Probably since the early 90's.  We caught up over breakfast and I wound up winning about $10.  

Originally I had planned on taking Monday off and staying the night in Mesquite (I'd get it for free) but I wasn't terribly in the mood for gambling and I didn't really want to blow a day off.  So I wound up driving from Summerlin back to Salt Lake City.

Traffic going north is starting to resemble what I experienced going from Las Vegas to California on a Sunday evening.  Utah's speed limits aren't for the faint of heart and people were driving like maniacs.  I don't think I'll ever do that again.

I did make it home safely -- and 4 days after running the half marathon, I am still fatigued and even a little sore from it.

But I have a lot of good memories about this trip.  It was nice to get out on my own and really tear up the hiking trails.  I've wanted to hike the Lake Mead trail for a very long time -- and I even got a chance to run it.  Maybe next year I'll repeat this trip...