Wetlands Park Trail, Henderson Biking | Bike Fitness Camp
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
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Are your biking skills up to the challenge of the Wetlands Trail? DebraStefan.com/Biking
Before making that decision, view my aerial maps with GoPro video clips of the Wetlands bike route, then let me know what you think.
I’m Debra Stefan, 2020 Educator of the Year for the League of American Bicyclists. Learn Smart Cycling to bike safer and more confidently on the road or trail.
Once you see these views of the Wetlands Bike Trail, you’ll know that there is a vast difference in the Wetlands trail on the north side of the Las Vegas Wash. Do not confuse this trail with the Pabco-Wells easy trail on Galleria--the south side of the wash. Don’t confuse it with the 1.5-mile loop at the Wetlands Nature Park, either. Watch and learn.
But before you ride, as a smart cyclist, please have your ID, medical insurance card, emergency contact information, and a fully charged cell phone. Here’s where I will insert a brief recommendation clip for managing personal essentials on your bike ride. Since you’re still with me, don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notifications bell icon for future content of this nature.
Wear a helmet, eye protection, gloves, and bring a spare tube, C02 cartridge, or a small bike pump. Bring plenty of water to do this ride. I will consume a liter of water on this route and I start hydrating upon arising on the mornings that I ride.
The video bike route starts at Terrazza Park in Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada. Locals and visitors can rent bicycles and e-bikes at the River Mountains Bike Shop nearby.
For locals choosing to bike to the trail, I’m showing two different routes to get there. Ride from Galleria down Weston Ridge to the Pabco Trail or from Galleria to Terrazza Park in the bike lane on the roadway. A third way shown is on my topographical map where I racked the bikes and drove to the Clark County Wetlands Park trailhead. This starts at mile marker ONE biking out to the 9.5-mile marker at Wells Trailhead by Galleria to bike a round trip. These are the three options covered in this video.
From Terrazza Park (off Galleria) cross the bridge over the Las Vegas Wash into your first and most qualifying climb of the route. This 7-mile stretch of the Wetlands trail has been called a glorified mountain bike trail that’s been paved. You’ll need to ride alert and ready to react to steep descents, blind corners, sharp turns, and abrupt uphill climbs with an overall gain of 1107 feet. Add the unexpected hiker with a dog off-leash, an unauthorized dirt biker, or an ATV and the thrills begin!
Boulder Highway in heavy traffic may be safer or at least more predictable. I’m just saying, don’t take this trail too lightly. On the road, you have the law, but on the trail, you rely on courtesy that other trail users may or may not choose to use.
A cyclist needs full control of bike handling skills without risking a fall on the Wetlands Trail. I’ve seen people fall off the bike at high downhill speeds and I’ve seen them fall uphill from losing momentum. One student shared his leg-breaking experience falling up a steep hill and jamming his leg through the frame on a solo ride. You’ll see this hill pictured in the video. Another dangerous hill pictured is the steep descent with a blind corner. One day, I met a cyclist as he faced the scene of his accident there. He described his uncontrollable downhill speed, encountering an off-leash dog at the blind corner. This caused him to bike off the cliff into the Wash unconscious before waking up hospitalized from a coma.
So, be prepared with the skill and physical fitness to take on this Wetlands Bike trail route. Even if you are on an electric-assisted bicycle, you still need handling skills to bike safely and confidently.
In this video, I’m sharing two different routes to access the Wetlands Trail. First, I biked from the Pabco Trailhead passing the Wells Trailhead along Galleria, then to Terrazza Park to start to the actual Wetlands Trailhead. According to the Clark County Wetlands Park mile markers, the trail starts at the Wetlands Nature Park (north of the stadium) and ends with the 9.5-mile marker at the Wells Trailhead. There is a noticeable difference in the skill and exertion required on the north side of the wash and the south side by Galleria. Crossing the wetlands bridge from Terrazza Park begins 7 miles of the Wetlands Trail heading west to the bridge at the Wetlands Nature Park route completes the 9.5-mile distance from the Wells Park trailhead. It can be biked as an “out and back” or like I’ve shown, the vehicular cycling option on the roadway.
So there you have my favorite options. Bike a round trip from start to end or double back or make a loop using the roadway.
Disclaimer:A lesson in vehicular cycling is highly recommended so that you know how to bike predictably and be conspicuous to motorists sharing the roadway. Have I mentioned the Smart Cycling course?
Over the years I have biked many Henderson trails with Debra and the Wetlands Trail is my favorite. While a gym spin class is a good workout, it lacks the stimulation of this trail: a workout uphill, speed downhill and a variety of curves, all in the fresh air of the outdoors. I still remember the coyote sitting on his haunches by the side of the trail calmly checking us out as we cycled by.
I agree! The wildlife on this trail early in the morning is incredible. Coyotes and roadrunners!
Thanks for reminiscing on those early morning rides! Birdwatchers are always out with telescopic cameras to view the migratory birds, Osprey, Heron, Egrets...
Beautiful ride!! Great video. I look forward to the next one.
They will keep coming, Karey!
A wonderous bird's eye view of lovely desert sunrise vistas. Well narrated. Next best thing to being there.
Thanks, Ruth! Remembering you telling me about your bike ride in Mount Charleston some while back. As you know, Southern Nevada sunrise is nature's gift.
great video highlighting the Wetlands trail. I am grateful for the different route options provided. I love this trail because of the amazing wildlife you will see. Great job Debra.
Thanks Brett! I was talking about you regarding the steepest hill🚴♀️
What a wonderful virtual ride!!!
Thanks for your appreciation! This was a challenging video to produce. Love my GoPro!
my favorite out and back.
terraza park to wetlands and back... the hills and turns are FUN. 😁
Thanks VegasVampire! We locals love this trail.🥰
Debra: Great Video - So glad I know you. You definitely are a huge asset to the League of American Bicyclist and to the Southern Nevada Community. Great Voice - you make me laugh - lots of work went into this video.
Lori, it means a lot to me for you to see me rock on as 2020 Educator of the Year. Were it not for you, I could have given up the cause for becoming a League Cycling Coach in Nevada. My goal is to make bicycle education available in Nevada so no one has to travel out of state like I did. Thanks a million for being there as my bike coach!
I love the maps. The list of what to carry with you IS important.
Right, Linda. There are so many details to habitually attend before taking off on a ride. This is the very trail where your brother and Charlie met me for a tour several years ago. Neither one had a helmet, water, or a spare tube. The best thing happened after the reality check. They both got in shape and biked sensibly because of the lesson learned. Since then, I require people to take a private lesson before taking them on this trail. Everyone thinks they know what to expect, but can quickly find out differently.
Very informative, good safety advice and well described routes. Thanks.
I appreciate your comments and approval, Tom. Being comprehensive is important when it comes to safety issues.
4:52 that hill climb always gets me grrr; have to walk up the last part of the hill lol
What are you riding and what gear are you using when you’re needing to walk?
Great video with a lot of information to help keep everyone on the trail safe !!
Thanks for viewing, Ray! You’ve biked many of the great trails in this area with me. I still love my video of your dog riding with you.🥰
The trail looks beautiful! Really enjoyed the aerial maps. Can't wait to get out there and give it a try!
Thanks for your comments, Brian. Southern Nevada has a different beauty than New Jersey, but outdoors is always the best place to be.
Debra, this video is very interesting, informative and best of all shows the beautiful scenery while biking in Nevada. You make it look so easy and fun to spend a couple of hours enjoying the outdoors.
Thanks for watching, Sam. Southern Nevada is certainly a different environment for you and your family relocating from the Chicago area. Its great to live so close to these trails.
It's a great ride! Great video, good safety tips. Makes me want to ride in the desert.
Ashley, thanks for watching. I knew it would excite you to recall your great strength at biking these hills! Vermont woman from the woods, you're a natural :-)
Great informative video!
Thanks David! A nice change from your usual golfing?!
As a former client of Debra Stephan I can truly say that not only are these some of the best bike trails around.
Debra is instructor extraordinaire she not only introduced me to these fabulous bike trails in Las Vegas she taught me the rules of the road for a cyclist.
Best experience. Highly recommend it.
Thanks J! I enjoy seeing your bike rides on our shared app to know that you continue in your own location as you did at mine.
You do a wonderful job on these videos, Debra! So much good information and so well-presented! I have watched you train many clients to become safe, competent, confident cyclists. You know your stuff, and you are an excellent teacher and coach. Kudos!
Thanks, Jan! As my neighbor in our scenic backyard, you've seen the multitudes over the years. Even reality TV people. Stay tuned and watch more of the action pick up soon!
Great trail Debra. Thanks for all of the safety tips.
I just got the GoPro8 for my Bday. Can’t wait to try it out on the trails.
Happy birthday! GoPro is like having a dashcam on your bicycle and more. Talk to me about mounts because I've used helmet, shoulder, and chest. I love my chest harness most of all because it shows hands and arms on the handlebars which gives the illusion of the viewer steering the bike.
Thank you Debra. I found this video extremely helpful for safe biking!
Glad it was helpful!
Debra, Great video bike ride. Thanks for taking the time and hard work to create this video. Lots of tips and important information on what to bring along and best way to store them. Kudos to you !
Glad you enjoyed it, Sharon! The fitness utility belt is the same that I wear in our step aerobics class. I like to keep my essentials literally on my person at all times :-)
Hey Debs,
Great job on the biking trails video! Very professional. Like every thing you do.
The video certainly brought back some very fond memories. I really enjoyed the invigorating rides, the comradeship , the beautiful scenery, and that fantastic high desert air. Thanks for a very memorable experience.
FYI, I have continued to use your teaching and couching as encouragement and inspiration to maintain a good exercise regimen. It’s more vigorous and comprehensive than what I was doing before l went through your program. Even though I’ve had my 78th birthday, I am both stronger and more flexible than I was when I first showed up in Henderson.
Thanks for all you did, and congratulations on that beautiful and inspiring video!
Take care and God bless,
Tom
Tom, I still love that video of you and Byron conquering the hill featured in this video! It is a testament to both of us when a highly coachable biking student adapts quickly to these challenges. Thanks for your appreciative comments.
Great video as always!!!
Thanks, Sreeja! You know what it takes for UA-cam videos to get views😊
Great video so glad I watched. Yesterday was my first time biking at the wetlands park and I must say there it is not for the faint of heart. I only went around the first lube near the visitor center but next time I know for sure to definitelyPrepare for a very long trip.
Thanks Zakeia! It’s good to hear that my efforts are helpful. 🚴
Nice description of alternative access points to the paved bike trail north of the Las Vegas Wash. The City website does not clearly identify the trail or show it very well on its maps. Good work Debra!
Thanks, that's why I call myself the "Henderson Trail Watch Ambassador" as a passionate volunteer and safe biking advocate.
This trail is a popular favorite for tourists and locals. Most people stay on the south side of the Wash toward Pabco and the Wells Trailhead where it's easier.
Those are the people who know their limitations who stay on the easy trails :-)
Congrats Debra, for receiving the Educator of the Year 2020. That is awesome. I loved the video it had a lot of great information! Can't wait for the next video!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Brandon. The biking activity is one I haven't shared with you yet, but I assure you that its even more fun that flipping tires at my place!
I ride there too.and love video👍
Thanks ✌️ I'll be seeing you on the trail soon!
Good overall coverage of training & tips for riding some wetland trails in the desertic environment south of Vegas, in Henderson, NV. Nice and challenging trails there. I enjoyed the video and give it a thumbs up... this production was done by an avid cyclist and League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor.
Thanks, Howard! The support of League Cycling Instructors like you has been valuable to me. I can always count on you to share an educated opinion when it comes to bicycling.
As is the case with all Ded does reflecting her 2020 title as the best, this superb multimedia educational piece is professional , extremely informative and takes special care to emphasize safety
Great Job!
Dr Kevin Ryan
Professor of Medicine
UC David
Colonel USAF ( ret )
Thanks, Colonel! I'm glad that I had the opportunity to share the biking experience with you during your 7-week visit at my place. I'm the quintessential bike trail ambassador now :-)
Debra, CONGRATULATIONS on earning "Educator of the Year" 2020, for The League of American Bicyclists! 🚴♂️ Truly deserved 👏! Finally, thanks to you and this detailed post, I will be able to make smart choices in bike path selection. What a time saver for me to have the benefit of your experience with all this terrain. By the way, besides wearing neon green, and having strong lights for evening time, what other ways can I be more visible, especially where cars are sharing the road? Thanks for keeping us all fit and healthy. You're amazing!
Thank you for the recognition as well as appreciation of my work. If I had to encapsulate a 10-hour Smart Cycling course, I would say, "be conspicuous and predictable." For example, using arm signals and gestures to indicate your intentions. Turning your head to scan before changing positions indicates that you're checking for a gap in traffic before moving over. Ride in the rightmost portion of the roadway that serves your destination, (but no closer than 18"-24" from the curb where its uneven). Avoid the right turn lane unless you intend to turn right. Be assertive in "taking the lane" when necessary. There is so much more to it than what most people realize. In fact, most cyclists are merely winging it until they get bicycle education. When you know the best bike safety practices, you ride with confidence and assertiveness. Thanks for asking :-)
Yeah … motor bikers are my most dangerous encounters
You can say that again!