Las Vegas, NV: Anniversary Narrows Trail
Sparkling gypsum deposits, weathered mining ruins, and a twisted slot canyon highlight this scenic 6-mile hike—less than an hour from Las Vegas.
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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
