Whitney Mesa

Another day, another hike. This time we stayed within city limits – Henderson city limits, that is.

Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve is managed by the Henderson Department of Parks and Recreation. As noted on the city website linked above,

Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve features many unique geologic formations, an active stream, and diverse flora and fauna. Amenities include a 1-mile trail (including a portion that is ADA accessible) and interpretive centers and kiosks. The nature preserve is located just down the street from Whitney Ranch Recreation Center and is adjacent to the Clark County School District’s Whitney Mesa Outdoor Science Laboratory, providing educational opportunities for students throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

It functions at least as much as a city park than as a nature preserve. In addition to the amenities listed in the quotation, there are barbecues, picnic shelters and tables, restrooms, a BMX track, a basketball court, and what looked like sand boules courts. I suppose I may be conflating the nature preserve with the recreation center, though it all seemed to be a single place to us.

We, of course, focused on the hiking trail. Although the main website says the trail is only a mile long, I think that may refer to the paved portion only. There are numerous offshoots, some more groomed than others, which, it seems, extend well beyond that single mile. If you follow the link to the city's hiking map it says the "Whitney Mesa Trail system offers a variety of natural trails totaling 4.09 miles in length." I guess my supposition is reasonable. There is a school adjacent to the park. I imagined that the cross-country team (if there is one) would practice there.

The mesa quite literally stands out above the city.

Neighborhoods are built right up to the base and abut the mesa.

Of particular interest to us, the Las Vegas Airstream dealer was also nearby.