NATURAL

By Paula Jacoby-Garrett & Kimberly Reinhart

By Kimberly Reinhart & Paula Jacoby-Garrett

If you are a hiking veteran like us, you’ve likely been blown away by the increased popularity that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the hiking trails around Southern Nevada and are constantly on the lookout for a trail less traveled. In these times, “getting away from people” is nearly impossible at the always popular Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston, and Valley of Fire hiking trails. So where do you go if you and your dog are looking for more nature with fewer people? Natural Bridge Canyon near Nelson is a great option. This hike offers beautiful landscape views, moderate scrambling, and a 25-feet long rock bridge.

To get to the trailhead, drive south on I-11 toward Boulder City. Exit south onto Highway 95, toward Searchlight. Drive south for approximately 10 miles to Nelson Road and turn left onto Nelson Road. Drive 9.5 miles and watch for a small dirt parking area on the left. The trailhead is unmarked but Google Maps shows the location as the El Dorado Trailhead.

From the parking area, walk east on the dirt road. After a short distance, a worn trail can be seen on your left going up a steep ridge. Follow the trail as it winds up and over two ridges then drops down into a wash and subsequently into a canyon leading to the Natural Bridge. The trail isn’t always obvious, so pay attention to your surroundings and watch for blue dots of spray paint along the route.

The hike to the Natural Bridge is approximately 1 mile, one-way; however, it requires climbing around boulders and a couple hundred feet of elevation change. For a bit of fun, after your hike head east to Nelson on Nelson Road. This is a fun old mining town with an eclectic collection of old cars and funky buildings among other gems. Past Nelson, the road leads to an access point to the Colorado River. There is a great beach for swimming. As always, remember to leave no trace on your adventure, which includes cleaning up after your dog.

By Kimberly Reinhart & Paula Jacoby-Garrett Great guide with recommendations for more dog-friendly hiking trails within 3 hours of Las Vegas.

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Springtime in Las Vegas is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors– hikes, camping, water activities and picnics. Mt. Charleston and Red Rock Canyon are wonderful places for day hikes. There are opportunities for camping at Mt. Charleston or check out places in Utah, California and Arizona that are only a few hours away. Lake Mead National Recreational Area offers scenic trails, water fun and camping. The parks in Las Vegas and Henderson offer picnic areas and many feature other amenities as well for enjoying the beautiful outdoors!

By Samantha Radcliff-D’Arrigo – Vegas Rock Dog Radio Pet suffocation happens every day and it’s a shock to pet parents who lose a pet in this manner. But what is it that’s causing pets to needlessly suffocate? Would you be surprised to learn that the main cause of suffocation is something that you have in your home? I’m talking about snack bags, chip bags, and other food containers like yogurt pots. Pet parents who discovered their pet had died from suffocation are devastated to find out it was something as simple as an empty bag. Pets love the smell of food and a snack bag that’s easily accessible is a tempting danger. When a pet gets hold of a potato chip bag and put its head inside to lick it, the pet may be unable to get the bag off its head. The pet then panics and hyperventilates and the bag tightens around the face and neck. The scared cat or dog starts to run around in a frenzy and often defecates itself before succumbing to suffocation. This tragedy happens in a matter of minutes and this is completely preventable by implementing some simple precautions. Transfer snacks into locking containers high on a shelf, always eat snacks from a bowl, not a bag, cut up your snack bags and food wrappers, buy a locking trash can, and get pet CPR certified. If you have company staying or use a pet sitter you will need to educate them on the dangers of pet suffocation and show them what do to keep your pets safe. Small changes to you and your family’s daily routine will help prevent your pet from becoming a statistic.

For more information about pet, suffocation listen to my interview with Bonnie Harlan, founder of Prevent Pet Suffocation, at www.vegasrockdogradio.com or visit Bonnie’s site at www.preventpetsuffocation.com.