Thursday

Daytrip – Rogers Spring (LMNRA)

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This page last updated on 06/15/2017
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Destination: Rogers Spring. Distance from Point of Origin: 54 miles. Estimated (One Way) Travel Time: 1-1/4 hours. Directions: The location for this popular picnic area is northeast of Las Vegas along the Northshore Road in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. From the Stratosphere Casino head northeast on Las Vegas Blvd about 3 miles and turn right to merge onto US-93/95. Go 12.5 miles and Merge onto NV-564 E/W Lake Mead Pkwy via Exit 61B. Heading east on NV-564 (Lake Mead Blvd) go over the mountains (passing between Frenchman Mountain to the south and Sunrise Mountain to the north) to the park entrance station. Pay the entrance fee ($5 per car or an annual pass), and proceed to the T-intersection with Northshore Road (NV Rt 167) and Lakeshore Road (NV Rt 166). Bear left and drive north on Northshore Road (NV 167) for 39 miles and turn left to pull into the picnic area parking lot. General Description: Rogers Spring is a hot spring which is caused by geothermal activity deep within the ground at the base of the hills. This super heated water comes up and then forms several pools within the area of Rogers Spring that eventually flow into Lake Mead. There are picnic grounds, barbeque areas and restroom facilities at this somewhat secluded spot. As the small stream that originates at the spring flows down to Lake Mead, it provides water to dozens palm trees and most of the birds and wildlife that is found in the immediate area. Because it carries a unique type of bacteria that may cause flue-like symptoms and even death, this small pool of water should not be used for swimming or drinking. The water flows over a small concrete dam creating a small waterfall and small creek that eventually finds it way to Lake Mead. Special Attraction or Points of Interest: There are many unusual fish and turtles that live in the pond. Many of the fish found here were imported by the former private owners of the land in and around Rogers Spring to sell the fish to pet stores, and are therefore not indigenous to the area. There are molly's, guppies, ciclids, and more. There are two short trails for the more adventurous. Primary Activity: Photography and birding. Secondary Activities: Hiking. Elevation: Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit is in the spring when the natural vegetation in the area is more green and in full bloom. Difficulty: For those wanting to explore, you can follow the route of the little creek as I did today or take the the trailhead to the right of the bridge across the creek that takes you to a vantage point about 100 feet above the spring. Easy to moderate depending upon which trail you decide to take. Facilities: Restroom facilities and shaded picnic table are available. Estimated Round-trip Time: Four hours.
More Info On Rogers Spring go to : http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM4ZQN_In_the_middle_of_nowhere or http://www.lvrj.com/living/rogers-spring-a-scenic-natural-oasis-69506517.html
01/16/2014 Trip Notes: I made another stop here with the rock-hounds from the Henderson Senior Facility on our return from hiking the ghost town of St. Thomas. It seems that each time I visit this spot I am able to capture some nice pictures. Click here to view pictures from this latest visit ... Rogers Spring Update.                                03/14/2012 Trip Notes: We made a stop here with my sister and her husband on the way to Valley of Fire State Park. Though it was too early to have our picnic lunch, it made for a nice rest stop. Even though it is still winter and a lot of the vegetation has yet to turn green and bloom, the warm mineral laden waters of this small hot spring is still able to provide some colorful shots as evidenced by the four pictures below. 
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12/15/2011 Trip Notes: Even though there might not be enough here to make this a destination point by itself, combined with other stops along the Northshore road, it certainly makes a great place for lunch. A couple of the pictures incorporated here came from a stop Connie and I made here back in 2006. IMG_1512
A view of the pond looking north. Even though we were able to see a turtle and more than a half dozen of different varieties of fish, some up to five inches in length, I was unable to capture and good pictures of them. The picture of the falls on the left below was taken below the foot bridge looking back towards the pond. It has been estimated that nearly 1,000 gallons of water per minute flows from these springs into Lake Mead. The picture on the right was taken looking downstream (south) towards Lake Mead. The next picture, captured little further downstream, shows Lake Mead and the morning sun rising over the Arizona mountains.
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I was intrigued by the leaves on these vine-like bushes that paralleled the stream bed. They appeared to be very similar to a maple leaf. If you know what they are send me an email. Even though it is the middle of December and the start of winter, pictures below indicated that there were still a few signs of life scattered about.
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Slideshow Description: The slideshow above contains 52 pictures that were taken on three different visits to Rogers Spring.