T-Dub'ing to Lava Butte

While Martha went to do some shopping in Henderson, I rode out this morning on Yagi, my TW200 to check out Lava Butte.  It lies outside, the borders of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

The beginning of the trail, shortly after it becomes a dirt road from the trailhead off of Lake Mead Boulevard was pretty rough, you definitely need 4x4 and good ground clearance just to get on the trail!  (Big boulders and ruts with a decent slope)

Here was today's objective:

The way to the butte was not bad at all after the entrance, I experienced not too many technical bits along the way except the last steep hill before google maps said I was at the butte.  It was quite steep but Yagi did it with no issues, in spite of my reservations.

Lava Butte

I continued on the "designated route" on this BLM land, detouring slightly at times for pics:

Yep, this is the "designated route"

This rock formation caused me to detour slightly,

and no, I didn't ride closer...

Back on the designated route, I caught up and passed a white pickup truck only to see a spot for pics, so he ended up passing me anyways.  It's always nice when slower vehicles yield the road to faster moving vehicles when off-roading.

You can see southeastern Las Vegas Metro

I left Yagi after taking the above pic and wandered over to the nearby cliff edge seeking views of the valley next to me:

While at the edge, I saw this colorful rock formation...then I spotted the car.  See it?

Yep, either idiots dumping an old car after using it as target practice or remains of some of Las Vegas' mobster history...probably the first theory.  :)

A view of the valley, colorful right?  This is in spite of the light due to overcast skies.

Looking back the way I walked, can you see Yagi?

Once back on Yagi, one last pic of the cool rocks forming the cliff edge:

Soon after the above pic, I was at the Wet Lands Conservation Park and motoring along a sedate dirt road towards the outskirts of northeastern Las Vegas.

As you can see, storm clouds had been steadily gathering and I was anxious to get back to the camper before the rains came at Noon.  I would make it through the city tangle and back onto Lake Mead Boulevard without any issues and only got a little bit wet from scattered showers.

Not a bad little route, this Lava Butte trail, I'd rate it as moderate for a rider with my lack of off-road riding skills.