Las Vegas, NV: Anniversary Narrows Trail

This 6-mile hike begins 30 miles east of Las Vegas’s Strip in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Start walking northeast on dirt road through Callville Wash. At .2 mile, the trail leaves the wash and winds to the northwest on quiet 4WD roads until it enters Lovell Wash at 1.7 miles—sparkling deposits of gypsum and faded remnants of old mines punctuate the surrounding landscape. At 2.6 miles, multicolored canyon walls (stained by various minerals) narrow as you near the hike’s only slot canyon. The final .4-mile stretch weaves through a tight corridor of pinched rock walls, requiring a few non-technical boulder scrambles.
Caution: Check the weather for flash floods before attempting this hike.
Mapped by Heidi Sackreuter

Trail Facts

• Distance: 4.9

Waypoints

ANH001

Location: 36.1967163085938, -114.687271118164

Hike northeast along unmarked, unmaintained 4WD road in Callville Wash.

ANH002

Location: 36.1985702514648, -114.684516906738

Turn left @ Y-junction onto unmarked dirt road; hike north.

ANH003

Location: 36.2019424438477, -114.686889648438

Continue straight on the dirt road, which occasionally crosses the wash.

ANH004

Location: 36.2084655761719, -114.696250915527

As you hike along the road, look for a sign marking the abandoned Ore Car Mine. Geodes (egg-shaped rocks that have crystallized in the center) can be found along the road. Look closely for geodes that have been cut in half by local gem clubs, displaying the gorgeous natural colors and layers within the rocks.

ANH005

Location: 36.2113151550293, -114.704223632812

Turn left @ T-junction, heading west, then north into wash. Ahead, trail leads toward cliff walls stained by multicolored mineral deposits, creating a rainbow of stripes across the rock face (red indicates iron oxide deposits; green indicates copper deposits; and yellow indicates sulfur deposits).

ANH006

Location: 36.2135162353516, -114.706680297852

Bear right @ 3-way junction. Look for pieces of gypsum (identified by its clear to whitish color) scattered along the wash and intertwined into seams along the canyon walls

ANH007

Location: 36.2160873413086, -114.70581817627

Look for ore cart tunnels carved into the cliff on the right; the ruins of ore cart tracks are also scattered around.

ANH008

Location: 36.218147277832, -114.70531463623

Pass the remnants of a closed mineshaft (do not enter). The shafts—home to desert animals, including rattlesnakes—can be extremely unstable.

ANH009

Location: 36.2205924987793, -114.702819824219

The canyon walls narrow to form a slot canyon. Ahead, non-technical boulder scrambles. After a heavy rain, pools may form, so be prepared to get wet.

ANH010

Location: 36.2232627868652, -114.699020385742

Turn around and retrace your steps back to Waypoint 1 at the end of the narrows. Add mileage: To extend the hike, continue scrambling up the wash for stunning desert views.

Mineral-stained slopes

Location: 36.2137680053711, -114.706390380859

Old mining tunnels

Location: 36.2157859802246, -114.70613861084

Mining remnants

Location: 36.2162895202637, -114.70548248291

Slot canyon

Location: 36.2207260131836, -114.702362060547

Pinched rock walls

Location: 36.2224884033203, -114.699737548828

End of the narrows

Location: 36.2232437133789, -114.69873046875