Nature Walks: A Breath of Fresh Air
Here at OBB, we love a good time in nature and the importance that it has in all of our lives. Even in the most urban environments, we can still find ways to connect with the wilderness that still graces the natural world. One of the ways that we can get back into nature is exploring your local nature walks. As our home base is the Mojave Desert in Las Vegas, Nevada, we wanted to celebrate some of the walks located here in our home state!
So, why are nature walks so important to us? Many of us live in urban and suburban settings- surrounded by glass, concrete, and lumbered wood. The only nature we might see on any given day are the sparse tiny plants that take root between the cement seams. Connecting with nature in today’s world can be as difficult as connecting all of your devices to a new wifi network. However, interacting with nature has proven to be very beneficial to people, even if it’s just a short walk. Hiking, for example, is a great way to promote increasing your lung capacity, which allows you to take on more difficult and challenging hikes with enough training. (And it’s a good way to see how your Original Breath Builder’s been improving your lungs too!) If you're looking for a new healthy, sustainable hobby, then there is none better than hiking!
You might be thinking, “Who would want to go hiking in Nevada?” Yes, you could gamble on the Strip or shop at local businesses in Henderson. You may even be trying to avoid the dreadful year-long heat, like many tourists and even locals do. But, we can assure you that the state’s natural beauty will be enough to encourage your next nature walk. From Red Rock and Charleston to Valley of Fire and the Wetlands, there's a ton of different environments to explore.
Let’s start with Red Rock’s Grand Circle Loop. The Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas has many different walks to explore, each offering a different experience. But if you’re looking for a walk that has it all, give the Grand Circle Loop a try. Located within the park’s Scenic Drive, this walk provides excellent views of the crimson mountains that surround the park. It even has five entrances, giving you a different start for each of the walks you take.
Then there’s Mt. Charleston’s Eagle’s Nest Trail. An easy, but ever-popular trail, Eagle’s Nest is a great hike for anyone. It also provides a nice natural contrast from the desert landscape of other trails.Mt. Charleston is unique for its plentiful forests. This provides shade to help cool down on even the hottest of days, while still allowing you to enjoy the hike!
Third, there’s Valley of Fire’s Mouse’s Tank. Easily the most family-friendly walk in the Valley of Fire, Mouse’s Tank is easy while still being fun. The trail goes through a small canyon populated by a few petroglyphs. There’s also an interesting story about the outlaw Mouse associated with this trail, making the walk even more engaging for younger hikers.
Finally, there is Clark County Wetlands Park’s Loop Trail. If you’re not looking to leave the city, then the Clark County Wetlands Park is the choice for you. The main hike is the Loop Trail, a 14 mile walk that takes you around the whole park. It also offers a nice mixture of the various sights in the Wetlands, such as the Las Vegas Wash that lies in the middle of the park. The park is also well-maintained and has friendly staff. If you’re looking for an easy, organized hike, then give this one a try.
And, one of our writer’s favorite spots is technically in the Wetlands, but if you just go down Galleria Drive towards Lake Las Vegas, there’s a long stretch of trail right beside the wash that is stunning at sunrise and sunset- even on the hottest days ahead of us.
We hope that this list gives you some inspiration to explore not only Nevada, but all types of landscapes around you. Nature walks allow people to easily connect with the beauty of nature, even if they are used to the control of city living. Next time you're looking to connect with the natural world, make sure to give your local nature walks a try.
