About David Smith | Las Vegas Area Trails Journalistic Legacy Website

Learn the background of David Smith, and how he turned his passion into his legacy with LasVegasAreaTrails.com, his Journalistic Legacy Website. Do you have a passion you would like to turn into your own legacy? Find out how.
Las Vegas Area Trails | Wilderness Hikes, Runs and Climbs Around Las Vegas, Nevada

Find wilderness hikes, runs and climbs within about 150 miles of Las Vegas, Nevada. Mt. Charleston Wilderness, La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, Death Valley National Park, Zion National Park and much more! A new adventure added every week since 2018 with around 400 wilderness adventures and counting. Each includes full descriptions, videos and images. Click image or title above for more…
01 Las Vegas Metro Area Trails Overview | Nevada

Vegas Metro Area Trails, Nevada, is a category that includes trails both within the Las Vegas Metro Area and on the outskirts of Las Vegas, but not within any of the surrounding wilderness areas. Las Vegas is surrounded by some of the most spectacular wilderness areas in the U.S. However, there are trails in and near Las Vegas where the hiker, trail runner, biker or climber may enjoy a wilderness experience close to home. The trails in this category fit that scenario. There are places here that can transport you instantly into a wilderness setting. Best time of year for adventures here: Mid-Fall to Mid-Spring. When temperatures in the Las Vegas Valley rise above 75-80 degrees these destinations can become uncomfortable and even dangerous. However, during the Winter months expect comfortable mid-day temperatures around 60 degrees. Follow the thumbnail images on this page to detailed adventure descriptions complete with videos and images. Click image or title above for more…
Western Trails and Ridges | Blue Diamond Hill, Nevada

4.5-million-year-old fossils everywhere along this route! These Western trails on Blue Diamond Hill include Fossil Ridge, First Finger, Second Finger, Cat in the Hat and Bunny Trail. Spectacular rock formations on Kibbles ‘N Bits Trail. Great views of Cowboy Canyon and Echo Canyon. Great views of Cowboy Canyon and Echo Canyon. Distant panoramas include The Rainbow Mountains, Red Rock Canyon and the cliffs of the Keystone Thrust in the La Madre Mountains Wilderness. Route Details: About 6-8 miles, multiple times ascending Blue Diamond Hill, good trails. Best time of year: Mid Fall through mid-Spring. Click image or title above for more…
Turtlehead Peak with a Twist | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

View detailed directions and a video for hiking from the Sandstone Quarry parking area in Red Rock Canyon, NCA to the summit of Turtlehead Peak, along with tips. Also find directions for a cool alternate route to the summit. The alternate route is why this is called Turtlehead Peak with a “Twist”.