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Natural Bridge Canyon and Bridge Spring
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge (view NW from downstream)

Overview

Natural Bridge Canyon is a pleasant route that runs for 0.8 miles through a geologically interesting area to a spring and a natural bridge. The route starts on a use-trail (or on a short dirt road for less adventuresome drivers), crosses a couple of low ridges, drops into a wash, and runs down a shrub live oak-filled canyon to the bridge. The spring seems to provide a small amount of water, and the bridge spans the canyon. The bridge is about 25 feet long and about 10-feet thick at the center -- quite impressive. I wouldn't drive out there just to do this hike, but if I were in the Nelson area, I certainly would take this short hike to see the bridge.

Presented here are photos of the return. For a detailed description of the route, including directions, maps, GPS coordinates, and photos, see Natural Bridge Canyon.

Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge (view NW from downstream)
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge (view NW from downstream)
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge (view up)
Natural Bridge
Hiker departing Natural Bridge (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Hiker working up through boulders in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Hiker working up through boulders in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Water trickles over the bedrock in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Water trickles over the bedrock in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW)
Natural Bridge
It is best to stay against the north slope to avoid shrubs (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Working up through boulders in Natural Bridge Canyon (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Easy walking in the open wash (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Returning past the Easter Island moai (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Route stays right in the main wash (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Route runs up wash (right is not a trail; view NW)
Natural Bridge
Returning past the red outcrop (view W)
Natural Bridge
Hiker returning up the sandy wash (view W)
Natural Bridge
Hiker returning up the bedrock wash (view W)
Natural Bridge
Hiker returning up the bedrock wash (view W)
Natural Bridge
Hiker returning up a trail along wash (view W)
Natural Bridge
Hiker returning up a trail along wash (view SW)
Natural Bridge
Hiker about to turn out of the wash (view SW)
Natural Bridge
Hiker on hillside beyond the wash (view W)
Natural Bridge
The trail leaves the wash (view W)
Natural Bridge
Hiker climbing towards the second saddle (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Hiker arriving on Second Ridge (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Trail crosses Second Ridge and angles across next hillside (view SW)
Natural Bridge
First Ridge (view NW from Second Ridge)
Natural Bridge
Trail angles across next hillside (view SW)
Natural Bridge
Trail angles across next hillside (view W)
Natural Bridge
Hiker climbing onto First Ridge (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Trail runs up the ridge with views back towards Nelson (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Hiker arriving atop First Ridge (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Hiker crossing over First Ridge (view NW)
Natural Bridge
Hiker arriving the trailhead (view NW)

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240326

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