“Traveling is like flirting with life, it’s like saying, ‘I would stay and love you, but I have to go; This is my station.” – Lisa St. Aubin de Teran
Consider this post my Valentine’s edition. While most people (who are married or in relationships) are planning romantic dates this time of the year, I’m busy finding new places and hiking paths to explore. Yes, this is my life. I fall in love with sunrises, sunsets, cloud formations, amazing views, rocks, arches – I think you get the picture right? As I got older, I found I liked my company more and others a lot less. This is probably why this trip was so memorable. It was my first solo trip in a long time.
In Boulder, NV there’s the famous Historic Railroad Tunnel that I have been wanting to visit for a while now. This hike has panoramic views of Lake Mead and consists of five large tunnels. This trail was designated as a national recreation trail on June 4, 2015. I absolutely loved this hike because it was extremely easy and scenic the entire way. Once again, I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
I hope you enjoyed the pictures and you would add this to the list of places to visit.
Tips for this trip:
1. There’s a huge warning sign at the start of this hike. So try to avoid the hikes during the months indicated in the photograph because it gets extremely hot.
2. I consider this hike a beginner’s hike. The trail is wide and completely flat with minor elevation. Also, it’s not as isolated as the picture shows. There were a lot of people cycling, hiking, and taking pictures. From the trailhead the distance to the fifth tunnel is around 2.2 miles roundtrip will be around 4.4 miles.
3. Bring the essentials while hiking – water, first aid, clothing, food/snacks, compass, swiss knife. Please visit my website for complete hiking gears:
Disclosure: Please be aware I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no additional cost to you. Please read Amazon Affiliate Disclosure and Affiliate Disclosure
https://nothingbutgears.com/product-category/hiking-gears
or visit Amazon link below
Hiking Essentials
4. Parking is before the Lake Mead entrance and is completely free. There are no entrance fees to this hike. (Yay!)
5. Bring a camera. Some of you have asked me about what kind of camera I use. To be honest, when it comes to my hikes I just bring my cell phone and a point and shoot camera. Nothing fancy but it gets the job done. Here are a couple of my recommendations from Amazon:
Canon PowerShot SX620 Digital Camera w/25x Optical Zoom – Wi-Fi & NFC Enabled (Black)
Sony DSCW830 20.1 MP Digital Camera with 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver)
You may follow me on Instagram/Pinterest/LindkedIn which is found at the bottom of my website.
Thanks for reading and feel free to comment below. I would love to hear from you.
-Bel
P.S. Hope you all have a great Valentine’s!
roads bel travelled 
your pictures are phenomenal
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! 😊
LikeLike
That trail is still on our bucket list. This year [on the 16th of this month actually] we’ll be leaving for another of what we call “RailTrailsRoadTrip”, which will take us east and north. I’m planning to do the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama, and the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia. And then my wife and I will do more (rail) trails in other states, but partially only. Our goal is to do at least 10 miles on a bicycle in each of the states.
If you’d like to read about our previous road trip, check them out here:
– https://is.gd/svxbSs
– https://is.gd/WFxcoZ
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s awesome! I’m sure you’d love it as much as I did – I like the railstrailsroadtrip idea…sounds like it’s going to be quite an adventure 😊
LikeLike
Beautiful. There is a very short walk in south Wales through tunnels at a place called Saundersfoot…beautiful, by the sea….
LikeLiked by 3 people
That sounds lovely! I will add that to my list. Thank you 😊
LikeLike
You are welcome xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had no idea these were here. Will have to visit next time in the area. Interesting article
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s a pretty hike. I’m sure you’ll love it 😊
LikeLike
Beautiful
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
Love your blog!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
great adventure, beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on davidbruceblog #2.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for the reblog 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on The Liz Lea and commented:
The pics are amazing!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. The place itself is amazing 😊
LikeLike
Great shot of the tunnels (just before the warning sign). I used to do more of this kind of thing when I was younger, and still do when an opportunity presents itself. And I’ve always loved roadtrips!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks! Yeah, it’s always fun to explore and discover new things along the way. Roadtrips are the best 😊
LikeLike
Hi Bel, I love the views in your pictures, they are absolutely beautiful, and they are views to kill for. Thank you for sharing your travel and photos to us and the world. Continue to do so!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I loved this hike. I did this alone and there were only a few people along the trail and there were benches along the way – so you could just sit and admire the view. It was absolutely amazing. Thanks for your comments. Truly appreciated. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pictures. Takes me back to the days we travelled Arizona, California & Nevada.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! It really was a lovely place 😊
LikeLike
What a beautiful view. Looks perfect for a Spring weekend up from San Diego. Once I heal up of course. We’ll see.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m sure you’d love it. I found it perfectly serene and just my kind of scene 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
What beautiful pictures! Due to chronic illness, I’m not able to do much traveling anymore. So I’m following your blog so I can travel vicariously. Thanks 😊
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you for your comment. It means a lot that you follow my blog. Truly appreciated and I hope that you will be able to travel again soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
First time on your blog and I enjoy it a lot! I am at the same period of life: I need solo travels once in a while. It gives me time for my thoughts, my feelings, my life. Good luck and many beautiful hikes!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you. I love travelling solo..I get to do whatever I want 😊 There’s just a certain kind of freedom that comes with it. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really do think spirits of the past accompany us on historic trail hikes. Even speak to us if we learn how to listen. I felt it deeply when I visited the Gettysburg battlefield.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree sometimes I feel like there’s someone walking beside me when I hike alone in places like this…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting hike. Thank you for the advice.
LikeLiked by 4 people
You’re welcome 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Cammie! I just visited your blog and commented. Appreciate the nomination 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
In love with your posts 🙂
Quite impressive ..
Good luck !
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Nisha! Thank you 😊 Glad you liked it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most beautiful pics n adventruos trip by you as solo traveller.dear!!where are these place situated and lake mead?
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! It’s in Boulder Nevada. Right before the main entrance to Lake Mead you’ll see a small parking lot then there’s a path you take that leads you all the way to the tunnel hike. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my God!! Nevada -i have seen dt place in movie.wonderful place.i will send you d song picturized at Nevada.plz see that video.
LikeLiked by 3 people
For sure 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You make life looks like really really worth living. And yey to travelling solo and finding a little self peace! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Life is tough. I have to find a way to not let the daily grind get to me by adding a little color to it. Thanks so much and Yay to solo travelling 😊
LikeLike
Like you, I enjoy “snooping around” Historic places. There is a old railroad bed not far from me that is just about the same thing. It’s now used as a walking, bicycle trail. Named the Bartrun Trail, it is 7 miles one way. Good Post. I am following.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Isn’t it fun to explore? And the great thing about it is – what we discover and learn along the way. Experience is really an amazing teacher. Thank you so much for your comment 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your very Welcome, Bel.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Spring it would be!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure they are. I’ll be planning the next vacation there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll love it! Just avoid the summer months because it’s not advisable to go at that time…😊 Fall or Spring is better….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yours is one of the best travel blogs I’ve seen. The pictures are quite beautiful too. Amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy that you liked the pictures. It was truly an amazing place to visit 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an adventure!! You know, even for us celebration be it anniversary or birthdays is equivalent to exploring new places. I’m addicted to road trips and finding new experiences.
Cheers.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes it is truly a great experience and quite an adventure. Road trips are the best 😊 Glad you can relate!
LikeLike
☺️☺️☺️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi, just wanted to let you know i nominated you for the Sunshine bloggers award. You don’t have to participate if you don’t want to but here is the link if you do
https://ourlittleredhouseblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/03/sunshine-blogger-award/
Thanks so much for visiting my site. I always love reading about your adventures, so thank you for sharing that with us all.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for the nomination. I appreciate it as well as the kind words about my blog. 😊
LikeLike
great post glad I found your blog. following
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Looking forward to reading more of your blog as well.😊
LikeLike
Interesting Bel, but I spent summers in Vegas then south Vegas near Henderson then Searchlight, and never saw this. Didn’t even register the location when I first read the post. Thanks for enlightening us!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yeah it’s a pretty neat place and definitely worth a visit 😊
LikeLike
Hiker named sorryless, know him?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, no…?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just was thinking you should WP meet as you both blog on hiking.
LikeLiked by 2 people
There are so many hiking blogs out there it’s so hard to keep up! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s the site in case you’re interested. I gave him yours, too. Just a thought. https://sorryless.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay thanks. I’ll check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this. Traveling is like flirting with life…. 💖
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful post.
Being fond of travelling myself, I love your opening quote!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you! I appreciate it. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a great quote! Looks like quite the hike too!
LikeLiked by 4 people
It was a very easy hike with amazing views! I loved it 😊
LikeLike
Wow… Hope to do this someday
LikeLiked by 5 people
I’m sure you’d love it! The view is amazing 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
I always love to see the blue sky. Thank you for posting such nice pictures, Bel.
LikeLiked by 5 people
You’re welcome. Glad you liked it 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those photos of the land I’d never see mesmerised my thought. I love to see your travelling places.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It’s really lovely. Thank you! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are blessed to have seen so many places. Very good blog! It’s been almost a year since i follow you.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I appreciate it. Yes, I feel blessed to have seen these places and am thankful for people like you who take time to read and follow my blog. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, the pleasure is mine. Stay blessed!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great post. I love old train tunnels and the amazing hiking trails that connect with them. I’ve had some amazing bike rides down old railway beds as well. My favorites are the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho/Montana for the height of the trestles and variety of tunnels, and the Snoqualmie Tunnel & Iron Horse Trail for the uniqueness of the experience. The Snoqualmie Tunnel is long dark and cold all year, so you need to be prepared, but it’s really cool. I liked it better on a bike, but hiking through it was surreal and I’ll never forget it.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Wow those hiking trails sounds pretty cool! And yeah I would rather bring my bike and ride through it especially if it’s long and dark. Thanks for sharing! 😊
LikeLike
Loved every inch of this. I’m an avid hiker, and I need to get out to this trail.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi, Jake! You really should…the view is amazing and I just love the tunnels! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sold!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep me posted once you do it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
10-4. I’m based in the southeast, so I’m pretty much limited to Appalachia, but I’m planning a West trip for this summer. I think this just made the list.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve never hiked the Appalachian and would like to someday – so that one is on my list 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
AT’s fun. I’ve hiked it through Tennessee. The periodic lean-tos are pretty nice. Fun way to meet cool people, and you don’t have to pitch bear lines and risk hurting trees.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds awesome! You really get to meet interesting people outdoors…😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Definitely. I could write about trail friends for ages. Might be enough to fill a blog, who knows.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should! I’d love to read about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like the area around Lake Mead. I’m from Phoenix and visit my sister in Kingman. Great pictures. By for now.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks! It’s really pretty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I trek alone with my dog so I’m with you on all counts. It’s nice alone because if you find something nice and want to spend some time to photograph etc it’s no problem. Others don’t. It’s always “come on we need to reach point B” I don’t care for point B personally.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Yeah and I’m not a fast hiker – I take my time and admire the view along the way. Some are always in a hurry that they forget to enjoy the actual journey. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I find myself wanting to plan this hike which seems to be my speed. I love the West with so much to see of nature. Hot and dry temperatures appeal as well. Thanks for a lovely visit today.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Hi Mary! Yes, I like to hike but not really into extremely difficult hikes on most days. This one was so relaxing with the views visible right away…no need to climb the top to see it like a lot of normal hikes 😂 I’m pretty sure you’d love it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree I would love it. My daughter and I spent two glorious weeks in Sedona, Arizona last summer and enjoyed the many vistas. Red rocks, warm temperatures and so much to gaze at for future poetry from me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I adore Sedona – in fact, I like it more than Grand Canyon. It has that kind of charm that draws me in…you’re right about the poetry. You’d probably be writing lovely poems while you’re there…
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re on the same page with Sedona. I wrote when I returned home but made mental poetry which, when I view nature, seem to frequently do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah sometimes I can’t put the words in my mind on paper…Glad you feel the same about Sedona 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
After the images are in my brain, I mull it over and then words flow. Sedona is simply stated: awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Enjoy the remainder of the weekend and week ahead!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! You too 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellent information and photos
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you! 😊 Glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
New follower here! This is a great post and nice pictures! I look forward to your next post!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Wow thanks! I’m glad you liked the pictures. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That looks like a wonderful hike, Bel. I love the views and the terrain and the huge lake. And the tunnels look so clean. I hiked through an old train tunnel in the Cascades and it was pitch black in the middle. We just had to aim for the pinprick of light at the end. We couldn’t see the walls at all kept bumping into them. When I came out the other side I was painted head to toe in soot. Ha ha ha. But I never forgot the experience. 😀
LikeLiked by 3 people
You have such fun adventures – you should start a separate travel blog and I’d be your number 1 fan. They said that bats sleep in the tunnels certain times of the year and that they should be left in peace. Too bad there wasn’t any when I was hiking through it. I could just imagine you and your husband covered in soot after a hike in the Cascades – that’s one funny story….where’s a flashlight when you need one right? 😂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had borrowed my niece’s pink sweatshirt and totally ruined it. 😦
And bats! The place totally squeaked, but we couldn’t see them, so it was okay. Ha ha.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol I’m not that brave! The Pink sweatshirt for the win 😂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your photos are just stunning! So beautiful! Thank you and greetings.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Hi Cecilia! Thank you. It was a very scenic hike and I loved it 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! I’ve really enjoyed your blog. I wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award. For more information, please go to: https://feelingsuicidalblog.wordpress.com/2018/02/07/blogger-recognition-award/
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi Leeanne! Thanks for the nomination. Glad you liked my blog 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice place. I like the tunnel 🙂
LikeLiked by 6 people
Yeah it was pretty neat! Thanks Laura 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing! This hike is on my bucket list. I used to live and Vegas and I am still kicking myself for never having done it.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Hi Anne! It’s a lovely hike and you definitely should do it once you get the chance. It’s pretty cool 😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Nice photos ! Looks professional 😉
LikeLiked by 7 people
Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos, as always!
Wide, flat trails, NO elevation – you’re speaking my language, Bel! 😉
I prefer my own company too…um…but don’t tell my husband I said that. He’s sensitive. 😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 7 people
I knew it would appeal to you!! And with the amazing Lake Mead view from start to end…they also have benches every half a mile!! It’s paradise – I tell you! Don’t worry your secret is safe with me 😜
LikeLiked by 3 people
My sisters and I are supposed to visit family in Vegas before spring. I’ll see if I can talk them into this. Thanks! 😉
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re welcome 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the reblog 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people