Wetlands Park Nature Preserve, Las Vegas

April 26th, 2016

We went to the Wetlands Park Nature Preserve and walked some of their trails.  It is located on the East side of Las Vegas, off of Tropicana Avenue, behind Sam Boyd Stadium.

There is no entrance fee and parking is also free. We parked by the Nature Center.

Here is a Trail map that shows you the different trails and areas that are available to explore.  There are a lot of different options here.  We picked up a more current version at the Nature Center.

After a quick look I decided to start on the East side and we took the outer loop past Vern's Pond and over Beaver Bridge.

Beautiful plants and flowers

Beaver Bridge

We continued North towards the Las Vegas Wash.  The view towards the mountains was superb.

Las Vegas Wash stream

Here's a VIDEO where you can see and hear the strength of this stream.  I was surprised there was so much water in Las Vegas, a lot of this is reclaimed runoff water, although we had had some rain a couple of days prior to this.

I can watch water forever, it fascinates me.  I'm not sure why, as many of you know I have a fear of getting my face wet and can't stand being under water or getting splashed.  This has stopped me from learning to swim.  I feel as though I have missed out on a lot of fun because of this but it is what it is. I did ask Mum if she had tried to drown me at birth but she denied it, ha!! ha!!  I think a more reasonable explanation is that I was a witch in a prior life and I was dunked.  I do have some witch like tendencies at times. So, for me to love being around water is strange.  My ideal home would be with a view of the ocean and we are hoping some of our campsites this summer will give us that.

These coots were fishing as the water went over the ledge.

                           
                           
                           

There were informative signs on the pathways.  Most of the park is easily accessible for strollers, and wheelchairs.  Bikes are not allowed in this section but there are miles of trails where they are allowed.

 

 

   

   

The Stratosphere Tower in the distance

   

    

Weir Bridge (Big Bridge)

Can't you just hear the water going under the bridge.

                              

We walked westwards towards the inner paths across Cottonwood Crossing.

The sun shining through the trees.  It was a beautiful day.

     

       

This reminded us of an animal as it sat on the pathway. It was a piece of driftwood.

       

We then headed back south along an inner pathway which was bordered by a small stream, past the Middle Ponds.

       

       

       

       

We had a short rest at Cottonwood Grove.

         

Past the Fire Site where there is still evidence of a fire in March 2014.

         

          

Sue playing peek-a-boo!!

We spoke to a ranger who asked what we had seen and was telling us about the park.  She was very helpful and when I said I had been looking for turtles and frogs but hadn't seen any she told us to look at the Boardwalk Pond.  This was on the west side of the park that we had already discussed about coming back to visit.  She told us it was only about a 5 minute walk from the car park and so we thought we might go and take a look today.

We continued to walk back toward the Nature Center and car park through Gooding's Willow Grove.  Bryan finally managed to get a picture of a rabbit.  They had been alluding us all day.  This one was busy eating a reed.

                        

         

         

           

This bird nest was in a tree by the car park.

           

When we got back to the car park we decided to go home and come back to the Turtle Pond on another visit.

We really enjoyed this park in the middle of Las Vegas.  It was truly a nature escape.

 April 29th, 2016

We returned to the Nature Preserve and took the North West pathway on the left side of the restrooms by the parking lot.

               

We found the Boardwalk & Turtle Pond.  This black crow welcomed us, squawking loudly.

                 

 
                                     

Then we spotted this turtle who also came to say hello!!!  We saw several turtles here and stayed and watched them for a while.

                   

                   

There were koi fish here as well.  These have been placed here and are not natural for the area.

                    

                     

                     

                     

                     

We carried on walking north.  The mountains and the clouds were beautiful in the distance.

                     

                       

There was a stream by the pathway.

                        

                         

We went west on a smaller pathway to the West Upper Pond. The ducks were here.

                         

                           

Can you see the dragonfly on the stone?

                           

                           

We walked around the pond and headed south back to the Boardwalk Pond

                           

Not sure what this bird is with a thin beak.

                          

Which path shall we take.  The short route back or the slightly longer one.

                           

Our noisy crow was still hanging around.  He told us to take the slightly longer route which we did!!!

                          

                          

I liked the shadows on the mountain.

                           

                           

I took this picture of Bryan taking a picture.

                          

                          

This quail was running around under a tree,

                           

and these rabbits were playing close by.  They were cute as they would keep jumping over each other and running around.

                            

We finally got back to the car park.  These bushes were at the car park.

                            

We didn't walk so far today but still saw a lot of great things.  We still need to do the Northern part of the Nature Preserve.  We will save that for another time.  Of course, there are four other trailheads, a bike trail and a neighborhood park here as well.   Lots to see and all free!!!!