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| - Lake Mead - Its the best for recreation and it's our drinking water source. What could be better? There's hiking, boating, camping, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, scuba diving and so much more. Why build a water park when you have this so close by???
I'm sure most of you know the normal amenities offered by this National Park Service: Boulder Beach, coves accessible by boat or vehicle, Calville Bay, boat rentals, jet ski rentals...
But here's something different to check out at Lake Mead: St Thomas! It's a little known treasure and worth the drive out of town! A former town that once was on the lake floor and now it is exposed.
Here's a little background. The town was originally inhabited by Mormons who didn't realize they were in Nevada. When NV wanted some $$, the Mormons burned the place done and left (except for one family who stayed behind).
In the early 1900s the town was settled again. But low and behold...the dam conceived. The newfound settlers were asked to leave when the lake was filled. As the story goes, the last man woke up to water at his feet and rowed a boat out of there. But true to his Mormon predecessors, he set fire to his abode before bidding adieu.
Since lake was filled, St Thomas was once only accessible to divers because it was completely underwater - 60 feet at times.
But now, the Lake level is low and this gem can be accessed by foot. It's an easy hike and dog friendly.
Location: north on I15, exit the Valley of Fire/Lake Mead exit. Enter lake mead, past the fee station, first right just after the fee station (there's a sign). Take the dirt road approximately 1-2 miles to the trailhead with an interpretative sign. Follow the trail to the town.
Note: there is a fee to drive through the Valley of Fire and a separate fee to enter Lake Mead. The Valley of Fire fee can be avoided by going through the town of Overton, but it's ~20 miles out of the way and not nearly as scenic!
What you see: lots of building foundations (homes, a school, church, ice cream parlor, general store...) roads, walkways, glass bottles, and cisterns.
Other info:
Don't expect to by lakeside for this hike. You'll have to get back in your car to experience water. With that said, bring a gallon per person & dog.
This is an easy hike. Ask the park ranger at the fee station for a map. This will be handy, as you can identify the buildings you are looking at. There aren't any interpretative signs on the trail (it was under water). If there isn't a ranger, you can Download a copy from the NPS website.
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