Wetlands Connector Trail

All downhill from south to north but beware of climbing it in headwinds! Electrical zaps can sometimes be heard and felt when cycling up next to the power lines.

The Wetlands Connector Trail is a short trail that connects the River Mountains Loop Trail from the south to Wetlands Park and Lake Las Vegas to the north. Using a highway analogy, the River Mountains Loop Trail would be Interstate 215 (a recreational beltway around the River Mountains) and the Wetlands Connector Trail would be the Airport Connector (a spur trail to major destinations).
Wetlands Connector Trail is truly an electrifying trail. The majority of it follows the powerlines. When I hiked it, the powerlines dominated the landscape. This is one hiking adventure where the buzz of high voltage wires is the soundtrack. In a sense, walking along and under the powerlines on flat stretches of trail reminds me of walking on a recreational New Jersey Turnpike.
As I write this, Henderson tax dollars are being used for improvements. At this time, the paved trail starts in the middle of the desert off an unpaved Pablco Road west of the Lake Las Vegas Fire House. Much to my disappointment, the trail is temporary closed immediately north of the Lake Mead Parkway tunnel connection to the River Mountains Loop Trail. The good news is a future connection to an east to west trail under construction that will parallel the north shoulder of Lake Mead Parkway. Contradictory to our tax dollars being used for trail improvements, segments of the established trail are neglected. I was slightly disappointed by the hazardous stretches of rock and gravel. This is dangerous if you are speeding on a bike. Then again, this slows down bikers. And ATVs are a concern. On my walk back, they scared a coyote which was the one wild animal that I saw. Fortunately from a distance.
The northbound scenery is more attractive than the southbound scenery. Headed southbound the powerlines take up the majority of the scenery. However walking northbound, there are mountain and Lake Las Vegas vistas. Walking either direction, there are nice views of Wetlands Park with a distance Strip skyline. The 20 minute walk from Wetlands Connector Trail to Lake Las Vegas Parkway is ordinary.
The challenge level of this hike is easy. There is no significant elevation gain.
If you are looking for a two hour hike in the vicinity of Lake Las Vegas, then follow this advice. Walk toward Lake Las Vegas Parkway. Use caution when crossing because crosswalks are nonexistent. Turn on Pablco Road (west). Travel past the Fire Station. Continue on Pablco Road when it develops into a dirt road. A few hundred feet past the powerlines, the Wetlands Connector Trail begins.