NPS Arrowhead graphicNational Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior		 Lake Mead
National Recreation Area		 601 Nevada Highway
Boulder City, NV 89005

702 293-8947
702 293-8936
Lake Mead NRA News Release

November 30, 2001
For Immediate Release
Bert Byers 702-293-8947
berton_byers@NPS.gov

Lake Mead NRA schedules hikes, programs, open house for December

Lake Mead National Recreation Area rangers from the Alan Bible Visitor Center at Boulder City, have scheduled nine programs for the month of December.

In addition to the scheduled programs and hikes, an open house at the Alan Bible Visitor Center, Dec. 14 and 15 will offer opportunities for visitors and residents to see the new "hands-on" exhibits. On Friday, Dec. 14, all books and other merchandise in the bookstore will be discounted 15-percent.

Park rangers will present short programs at the Visitor Center throughout both days; free holiday goodies, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee, will also be available.

"This is a great opportunity to learn more about the wonders of the desert while doing some Christmas shopping," said Kay Rohde, the park's chief of interpretation.

"The Southwest Parks and Monument Association, who run the book store, has agreed to offer the discount for purchases made Friday, Dec. 14. Many of the sale items will make great holiday gifts," said Rohde.

A percentage of the sales from the Visitor Center Bookstore is returned to the park for educational programs and exhibits. Five of the programs offered during December are hikes and require advance reservations. Hikers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, bring their own water, wear a hat and dress for the weather.

Reservations can be arranged by calling or visiting the Alan Bible Visitor Center at (702) 293-8990 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The visitor center is located just off Highway 93, northeast of Boulder City.

The Alan Bible Visitor Center and Katherine Landing Ranger Station in Arizona host a variety of educational programs and hikes throughout the year. For details on the most current programs available, check the Lake Mead NRA web site, http://www.nps.gov/lame, or call the visitor center.

Monthly schedules can also be obtained by calling the visitor center and ask to be placed on the monthly mailing list.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park Service.

Program schedule for Lake Mead National Recreation Area
December, 2001
  • Dec. 1 - Eye to Eye with Nature's Strange and Bizarre – 7 p.m. at the Boulder Beach Amphitheater. This one-hour evening program at the will take a close look at some of the hundreds of species of animals that survive in the harsh environment of the Mohave Desert, in and around Lake Mead NRA.
  • Dec. 2 - Redstone Discovery Hike – 9 a.m. at Mile Marker 25.5 on Northshore Road. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound on this moderate, five-mile hike that leads through brilliant red sandstone formations. Bring your camera. For reservations call (702) 293-8990.
  • Dec. 7 - The Desert Tortoise - 7 p.m. at the Alan Bible Visitor Center. This one-hour evening program focuses on the desert tortoise and its struggle to survive in its ever-shrinking habitat.
  • Dec. 8 - Fortification Hill Hike - 9 a.m. at the Alan Bible Visitor Center. Reservations required for this strenuous six-mile hike. Fortification Hill is an imposing mountain with multicolored, 2,000-foot high cliffs that overlook Lake Mead's Boulder Basin. Bring your camera and capture some commanding views of the surrounding area. This is an adventure hike; some rock scrambling is required! For reservations call (702) 293-8990.
  • Dec. 9 - The Bats Around Us, Getting to Know Your Neighbors - 7 p.m. at the Alan Bible Visitor Center. Discover the misunderstood life of one of the world's most common mammals. Myth will be separated from reality in this one-hour evening program.
  • Dec. 14 &15 - Holiday Open House at the Alan Bible Visitor Center. Join park ranger staff at the for a holiday open house. Holiday goodies will be served. Browse the bookstore for books on the local history and natural resources. Rangers will be offering special programs throughout the day. Experience the new "hands-on" exhibits in the Mojave Desert Discovery Center.
  • Dec. 15 - Mysteries of the Deep - 7 p.m. at the Alan Bible Visitor Center. This one-hour evening program explores the impact on people and land when the Colorado River was backed up to form Lake Mead.
  • Dec. 15 - Railroad Tunnel Hike – 9 a.m. at the Alan Bible Visitor Center. The railroad was built to transport supplies to the dam while it was being constructed in the 1930's. Now besides the commanding views of Lake Mead's Boulder Basin, it is a popular hike destination. Reservations for this moderate five-mile hike can be arranged by calling (702) 293-8990.
  • Dec. 16 - Cholla Forest Hike – 9 a.m. at the Alan Bible Visitor Center. This six-mile, moderate hike permits hikers to view several species of desert plants on this hike, following an approved road to a secluded Teddy Bear Cholla forest. For reservations call (702) 293-8990.
  • Dec. 16 - Bluffs Hike - 9 a.m. at the Las Vegas Bay Ranger Station. Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities can be expected on this moderate, three-mile hike that explores the edge of the desert around Las Vegas Bay at Lake Mead. For reservations call (702) 293-8990.

    • -NPS-

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