Note: Details of this road are in flux as the mine operator keeps changing things, and the road is totally washed out where it crosses Lovell Wash. The fence and signs washed away too, but the area remains private property, although the land owner does not seem to be defending his property lines.

Overview

Anniversary Mine Road is now a well-used road that runs north from Northshore Road into the wild backcountry of Lake Mead National Recreation Area (which is actually BLM land) and provides access to an active mining operation, primitive campsites, the Ore Car Mine, the Anniversary Narrows Route, and hikes in the Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area. This road leads through spectacular country for about 1.6 miles to the edge of the wilderness area and the mouth of the narrows.

Getting into and driving up Lovell Wash requires a carefully driven high-clearance vehicle, although 4WD would be safer, and for now, the road is open all the way to the mouth of the main narrows.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this is a fairly easy drive, but it is not a piece of cake. Trucks from the mine can churn up deep sand where the road crosses Callville Wash and deep dust farther out. When the road is recently maintained, it is suitable for a carefully driven sedan out to the edge of Lovell Wash, but under normal conditions, the road requires a high clearance vehicle, although the Park Service recommends 4WD. In my jeep, I stayed in 2WD for the deep sand in Callville Wash, but it was reassuring to have 4WD just in case. Watch for mine trucks traveling too fast around blind corners.

While out, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this road is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials. Stay out of the mines.

Getting to the Roadhead

This road is located along Northshore Road in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, about 45 minutes northeast of Las Vegas. From town, drive out to Lake Mead, and then to the Anniversary Narrows Trailhead at Mile Post 16 on Northshore Road.

The Road

From the pavement (Table 1, Site 0782), the Callville Wash North Road (Road 94) passes a broad, flat turn-off area (Site 1061) where hikers with 2WD vehicles often park to begin their hikes. The road goes down a short but relatively steep ramp into sandy Callville Wash. At about 0.2 miles from the pavement (only a few moments in the wash), the Callville Wash North Road forks (Site 0784). Callville Wash North Road (Road 94) continues up the broad, sandy wash, while the Anniversary Mine Road (Road 94a) turns left and out of the wash.

Turning onto Anniversary Mine Road, the road runs northwest, crosses firm soils, and then crosses the rest of Callville Wash, which often looks more sandy than it is. Continuing up a side wash, the road winds up a narrow canyon and eventually climbs out of the wash and runs on firmer ground.

At about 0.4 miles up the Anniversary Mine Road, the road passes out of Lake Mead National Recreation Area and onto BLM land. Sometimes the boundary is marked with a red carsonite sign, but don't expect to see a formal sign. There is a large, traditional campsite at this point.

At about 1.0 miles out, Anniversary Mine Road passes the parking for the Ore Car Mine, a mining claim owned by the Las Vegas Gem Club (Southern Nevada Gem and Mineral Society). The sign implies that "all gem material collectors" can work the claim, but I've been led to believe that the sign means members of any gem club. For all the times I've been out the road, I've never explored the claim, but the sign indicates that they get agates here.

Immediately past Ore Car Mine parking, a road to the right (Site 1346) forks off to active mine works. Anniversary Mine Road continues straight heading northwest. At 1.5 miles out, Anniversary Mine Road arrives at another spur road to the right (Site 1347) that leads to the same active mine works. Again, Anniversary Mine Road stays left continuing northwest.

The road continues another 0.15 miles northwest to the top of a cliff overlooking Lovell Wash (Site 0785). There are wide spots here that serve at the trailhead parking area. This is the place to stop; drive no farther.

The road continues north and drops steeply towards Lovell Wash. The edge of the wash, however, is washed out and forms a cliff several feet high. Anyone that drives down here will be backing back up the road to the trailhead parking area.

Across the wash, hikers can follow the road as it winds back out of the canyon (initially heading southwest) and up to the top of a huge pile of pink mine tailings, which can also be reached via rough roads from West End Wash Road.

The mine company had closed the road through the first narrows, but flash floods washed away the gate and fencing. Hikers can now walk up the canyon to the main narrows (Site 1348)

This issue of access is under dispute -- see details.

When walking into the narrows, hikers also walk into the Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area.