Category: Off The Beaten Path

On This Date: July 21, 1948 B-29 Superfortress Bomber Crashed into Lake Mead

June 21, 2017
A Modified B-29 (F-13) crashed in to Lake Mead on July 21, 1948

On July 21, 1948 a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (F-13)  crashed in to Lake Mead. The Bomber was modified from a B-29 into a F-13. The "F" meant that it was modified for photo reconnaissance. It was on a special mission to conduct atmospheric research using an instrument called the "Sun Tracker".  Painted on the nose of the plane was the words "Cosmic Ray Research".  The plane operated as high as 30,000 feet down to just about as low as you can fly.

While on mission, the plane was making a very low pass over the Lake Mead surface with what is described, "glass like" when it hit the water.  The plane was traveling at about 250 mph as it crashed and skipping across the surface for over a quarter of a mile.  Five men on-board escaped via life rafts before the plane sank in water over 170 feet deep.  The crew was rescued from the lake six hours later and was instructed not to disclose any details of the flight, its mission or its loss. As the mission was classified, these details were not released until fifty years later.

In 2001, a private dive team searching for the B-29 using side-scan sonar found the wreckage in the northern arm of Lake Mead. Because the bomber lay inside a National Recreation Area, responsibility for the site fell to the National Park Service. Due to the cold deep water, the plane  has been well preserved. Currently the site is off limits to divers.

Photo By: Wikipedia.com – Public Domain

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Day Trip To Clark County Wetlands Park

February 24, 2017
Las Vegas Wetlands Park

Las Vegas Wetlands Park – source: Wikimedia

The Clark Country Wetland Park is a 2900-acre park; the largest in the Clark County area. It is open daily from dusk until dawn, and admission is free. There is a visitor’s center onsite and an exhibition hall. They are open from 9am until 4pm. The Wetlands Park was constructed as a wetland in order to reduce the environmental impact of waste water, but has since become an excellent attraction for a day trip. The atmosphere is relaxing, and there are hundreds of species of plants and birds to be seen. The nature center is also a great resource for education about wildlife and ecology.

The Clark County Wetlands Park is located 20 minutes drive East of Las Vegas, near to the Sam Boyd Stadium. To get there, follow the 515 South, and then turn left onto East Tropicana Avenue. You can find the park at 7050 Wetlands Park Lane, NV89122. If you can pull yourself away from the neon lights and poker tables for a few hours, this trip doesn’t take long, and is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the strip.

Map of Las Vegas

Click to Enlarge – source: maps.google.com

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On This Date: January 27, 1951 First Nuclear Bomb Detonated at Nevada Test Site

January 27, 2017
Able- First Nuclear Test At the Nevada Test Site January 27, 1951

Able- First Nuclear Test At the Nevada Test Site January 27, 1951

The first nuclear bomb was tested at the Nevada Test Site on January 27, 1951. The Nevada Test Site is located 65 mi northwest of Las Vegas. The series of test was called Operation Ranger it was the fourth American nuclear test. The nuke shot was called  ‘Able’ and it was the first air-dropped nuclear device to be exploded on American soil. The test took place on Frenchman Flat, a dry lakebed in the Nevada Test Site (site 5). The .5-kiloton explosion was the first series to be carried out at the Nevada Test Site. The bomb was dropped by B-50 bombers and exploded in the open air over Frenchman Flat (Area 5).

Photo:  Department of Defense

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Raintree – Mummy Springs Hike (Mt. Charleston)

June 6, 2016
Raintree

Raintree is a 3,000-year-old Bristlecone Pine Tree

One of the Oldest living things in the State of Nevada is a 3,000 year+ Bristlecone Pine Tree called “Raintree”.  This 6 mile round trip hike  has about 1700 ft. elevation gain and altitudes over 10,000 ft. It takes about 3.5 hours. Once you make it to the “Raintree” it is about 1/3 mile to  Mummy Springs veering right on the trail.

The trailhead is located up in the Spring Mountains on Deer Creek Road between Kyle and Lee Canyons, about 1 hour northwest of Las Vegas.

From town, drive north on Highway 95 to Highway 157 (Kyle Canyon Road). Turn left onto Highway 157 and drive west for 17.1 miles to Highway 158 (Deer Creek Road), which is just past the Mt. Charleston Hotel. Turn right onto Highway 158 and drive north for another 4.8 miles to the second turnout past Hilltop Campground. Watch for a paved parking area on the west (left) side of the road with a large sign. Trailhead starts here.

North Loop Trailhead for Raintree/ Mummy Springs

North Loop Trailhead for Raintree/ Mummy Springs

Raintree Mummy Springs

Raintree / Mummy Springs Hike in Mt. Charleston

Tree that looks like an Elephant

Tree that looks like an Elephant on the trail

Please respect the Bristlecones, as well as the other trees and do NOT remove or deface them in anyway.

Photos by: Lasvegas360.com

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Sunday Drive: Summerlin – Red Rock to Blue Diamond Nevada

June 5, 2016

A quick drive from Summerlin throught Red Rock to Blue Diamond.

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Mount Charleston On Fire – Carpenter 1 Wildfire: Update 7:22 pm 7/8/2013

July 1, 2015
Carpenter 1 Fire in Mount Charleston

Carpenter 1 Fire in Mount Charleston as Seen From Summerlin on July 5, 2013

The Carpenter 1 Fire which started on Monday July 1, 2013 by a lighting strike has expanded to over 11000 acres, the fire started on the west side of the Spring Mountains or as we call it, the Pahrump side of the mountain. The Fire has been burning for over six days and has crossed over the ridge and has descended on to the Kyle Canyon side of the mountain. Over 400 firefighters, five helicopters and four heavy air tankers are currently assaulting the fast burning fire.

The Red Cross has set up two shelters, one at Hafen Elementary in Pahrump on the south and west side of the fire and the other at James Bilbray Elementary at 9370 Brent Lane in Las Vegas on the east side of the fire.

The shelters are open 24 hours a day. Local governmental partners are making animal sheltering available for animals and pets of all types. Red Cross also delivering food and water to residents gathering at the perimeter of the evacuation areas.

Road closures include: Lee Canyon Road. (State Route 156) is closed at U.S. 95., Kyle Canyon Road (State Route 57) is closed at U.S. Route 95, Trout Canyon Road is closed at State Route 160, Lovell Canyon Road is closed at Trout Canyon Road. Mt. Charleston is located 40 mins Northwest of Las Vegas.

Photo By: LasVegas360.com

Update: Burn Area or Hot Spots

Orange – Area of Satellite Indicated Hotspots, Red – the Original Carpenter 1 Fire

carpenter-fire-mt-charleston

Red Carpenter Fire, Orange is Satellite Hot spot Areas – click to view larger

MODIS hot spot from satellite sensor, estimated location (1km).

Source: ESRI http://www.esri.com/services/disaster-response/wildlandfire/user-maps

New Large Map as  July 7, 2013 9:30 pm PDT

Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 6, 2013 4:15 pm PST

Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 6, 2013 4:15 pm PST – Click to view Large Map

 

Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 6, 2013 10:15 pm PST - Click to view Large Map

Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 6, 2013 10:15 pm PST – Click to view Large Map

Update: July 7, 2013 9:30 pm PDT – now 14,458 acres now burned

Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 7, 2013 9:00 pm PST - Click to view Large Map

Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 7 2013 9:00 pm PST – Click to view Large Map

Carpenter Fire 1 7/8/2013 7:20 am

Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston 7/8/2013 7:20 am – Click to view Large Map

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin Monday July 01st, 2013 approx. 12:00 PM
Location Fire location is one mile from Kyle Canyon
Incident Commander Rich Harvey

Current Situation

Total Personnel 753
Size 14,458 acres
Percent Contained 15%
Fuels Involved Pinyon Juniper
Fire Behavior Running fire behavior with short crown runs. Group tree torching and spotting.
Significant Events The Great Basin Incident Management Team #2 assumed command of the Carpenter 1 Fire at 0600 on Sunday, July 7.

Outlook

Planned Actions Crews continue to do structure protection. Assess possible containment strategies.
Growth Potential High
Terrain Difficulty Extreme
Remarks PROJECTED FIRE MOVEMENT: North into Kyle and Lee Canyons, southwest toward Trout Creek and east to Lovell Canyon and Harris Springs Canyon. During the next 24 hours, it may hook north into the lower end of Kyle Canyon.

Info As of 7:22 pm PST July 8, 2013 : http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3481/

 

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