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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LVBareHiker |
Posted - 12/31/2003 : 4:40:31 PM
Goldstrike Hot Spring is a series of natural hot springs located in primitive Goldstrike Canyon near Hoover Dam, less than 40 miles from the famous Las Vegas Strip. It's accessible by hiking either down the canyon from a wash just off of Highway 93, or hiking up the canyon from the lower Colorado River, if you have a boat or jet ski. The source of the springs begins to surface from the ground about 2 miles down from the trailhead. Water seeping from more springs further down the canyon joins to form a small creek that flows about a half-mile or so into the Colorado River, where Goldstrike Canyon joins Black Canyon.
Directions to Goldstrike Hot Springs: From Las Vegas, take I-515/US Hwy 93/95 south through Henderson, and stay on Hwy 93 south to Boulder City at Railroad Pass. Continue south on US 93 through Boulder City toward Hoover Dam (from the intersection of US 93 and Buchanan in Boulder City, it's about 4 miles to the Alan Bible visitor center, located at the left turnoff from Hwy 93 to Boulder Beach). As you pass the main entrance to the Hacienda Hotel & Casino (used to be named Goldstrike before it burned down), reset your vehicle trip odometer. At .5 miles past the Hacienda entrance, look for an opening in the guardrail on the right side of the highway, with a dirt road sloping down from the highway. This is the turnoff to the trailhead. Be sure to slow down before you get to this point, as it's more than a 90 degree right turn and a steep drop from the highway shoulder. If you're approaching this road from the Hoover Dam, look for a brown sign with white lettering that informs travelers to tune in to your radio to 1610AM for Lake Mead info. This sign is located at the end of a paved turnout, and the road to the trailhead is directly across the highway.
Follow the dirt road to the bottom of the hill, take the first left, and continue down the wash for less than 1/4 mile. This road is passable with 2WD passenger cars. The road ends where the canyon starts to narrow. Find a parking spot, and start hiking down the canyon. The hike is along mostly gravel wash at the bottom of Goldstrike Canyon. There are a couple of boulder jams along the way to negotiate, but nothing too difficult. It's about 2 miles to the first set of hot spring pools. Most people stop there, since these are the best soaking pools in the canyon. It's about another half mile to the Colorado River from the first pools. The lower canyon is the most difficult to hike, with several large boulders, some steep drops, and tamarisk and cat's claw trees providing obstacles. Ropes are usually present at a couple of the tougher boulder scrambles. Near the Colorado River, also called upper Lake Mohave, there's another set of warm pools and a hot shower flowing from the canyon wall. From there, it's about 100 yards to the refreshing waters of the river (53 degrees F year-round).
An alternate route to the springs is to continue 1.2 miles past the Hacienda entrance, and park along a dirt turnout area on the right side of the highway, located between two power line service roads. If you look over the edge of the turnout, you'll notice a trail at the bottom of the steep drop-off. Follow this trail downhill and continue to the right where it connects with a small, shallow wash. Continue along the wash for about 30-40 yards after it enters a narrow canyon. Look for the trail where it breaks to the left and goes uphill. If you get to the sharp right turn in the deepening canyon, you've probably missed the trail to the left. The uphill trail summits a small ridge, then descends down a steep canyon on the other side, along a few switchbacks. At the bottom of this canyon, the trail connects with Goldstrike Canyon (the first route described). Turn left at Goldstrike Canyon and continue for about 150 yards to the first pools.
Best times to hike are October thru April. When the daytime temperatures rise above 85F,desert hiking combined with< |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| TonyDancer |
Posted - 08/14/2013 : 3:35:36 PM
Trail is open and ready for nude hiking. Was thinking of going in the morning as it's too hot for mid day. Would be great to find like minded individuals with no hang ups about dropping trou and enjoying nature. |
| LVyoungdude |
Posted - 03/14/2011 : 01:04:05 AM
Hey Doug, we still had a great hike and it is like perfect weather right now to go so it might still be worth the trip. Its about a 20 minute drive from Vegas tot he parking area and about a hour hike from the trail head. I haven't found too many areas around here to go relax au~natural. Maybe a secluded part of lake mead? |
| LVyoungdude |
Posted - 03/13/2011 : 3:50:08 PM
Hey new to Vegas and this forum but just wanted to give my fellow man a trip report on my journey to Gold Strike. We found the parking easy right off the main highway and trail head is pretty clear, basically just following the footsteps into the canyon. We had three people and a large dog in the small car. No need for any kind of 4X4 car on this journey is graded dirt road for maybe 200ft. I will definitely leave the dog at home next time that was a bad idea trying to get her done boulders, unless you have something small you can put in a backpack leave the dog at home. The pool are nearly dry except the two largest ones which wear pretty stagnant water, didn't want to do more then put our feet in. We ending up going all the way down to the Colorado river just to cool down in the water. Honestly there wear so many people and tourist on this hike I couldn't really see anyone disrobing, we wear ready to go bare ass into some water but WAY too many people around. We will try it again maybe int he late spring or early fall. |
| Safebare |
Posted - 05/29/2010 : 6:43:10 PM
That is a great post!
Thank you, Acoustixman
"Wearing nothing is devine, naked is a state of mind." |
| acoustixman |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 3:14:41 PM
Don't know if this is soon enough to help; it is as it was 1.5 years ago; the pavement has recently been finalized at the upper end of the turnoff; it is just as safe as a city street to get in and out. 35mph speed limit on the highway at that part (winding turns and grade down to Hoover Dam) doesn't hurt either.
I recommend for anyone to hike all the way to the river's edge; the high-arch bypass bridge is nearing completion and it is truly breathtaking. Much of the bridge is in view from the mouth of Gold Strike Canyon, however the dam itself can not be seen at all. Any view of the bridge is great (such as from the dam) but I prefer the vantage from the apex (actually the low point, but the farthest out) of a naked hike.
Upper springs seem to be just a little drier each time I go down there (monthly is probably not frequently enough), but there are still a few great pools just over 100F. Especially one almost at the bottom in the most open part of the canyon, a couple hundred yards back from the river, favoring the northern grade of the canyon (toward left on descent).
Parking still the same at trailhead; for the sake of all, please leave it cleaner than you found it.
I went down there last Sunday around midday (actually went through a different canyon for an experimental approach and wound up all the way to the hot pools)... I ran across all sorts of people including families and couples; not one complained or even gave dirty looks (mostly either looking away, apparently approving, or having a brief chat with me). That there was so much acceptance was fortunate since the only clothing I had was miles away with my vehicle. The overwhelming feeling I got was that parents were respectfully treating their kids like adults; first by taking them to such a beautiful but challenging hiking venue, but also since no one raised alarm about me, and not one mistake was made by anyone. I was doing my thing and they were doing theirs, and it was wonderful. I've been down there scores of times but this is the first when I allowed myself to be planted right in the middle of family hour; Didn't really intend to but once I did I believe I found the best kinds of humanity down there.
Seeking my role in opening the eyes of the world to the simple harmless pleasure of being naked in our great outdoors. |
| Merlin17 |
Posted - 04/26/2010 : 10:42:26 AM
Does anyone have more up to date information about Gold Strike or other nudist destinations in the Vegas/Henderson area? We will be out there at the end of May and would like to get some nude time in. |
| acoustixman |
Posted - 08/08/2008 : 7:08:30 PM
Howdy all, with a new update on Gold Strike Canyon access. Based on the initial posting in this thread (great directions LVBH; thanx!) I recently ventured down there... The Hoover Dam Bypass project has progressed to the point that the access is open again, apparently for good! The turnoff is the same, only now it's paved (and thus much easier to safely depart than I'd heard prior). Just drive under the new overpass where there is a set of ramps for bypass access, continue through and follow the road down to the left, where it goes back to a dirt surface, and parking is where the road deteriorates, as before.
Having lived in Boulder City for 8 years, I'm not sure why I never went down there before, but what a nice hike with a bit of 'bouldering'. I left my clothing at the car other than the sneakers, socks and hat. As prepared as I was, I didn't see a soul. I was a little scared to go in over my neck because of the Amoeba scare, but oh well. Tremendously worthwhile trip which I will make more often...
Seeking my role in opening the eyes of the world to the simple harmless pleasure of being naked in our great outdoors. |
| J0hnnyVegas |
Posted - 01/27/2008 : 04:26:12 AM
i read somewhere that there were two ways to get to the hot springs. i went out there on a whim a few months ago and i think i took the hard route there. i got as far as that huge drop off. i had to turn back because there was no other way to get down other than to have ropes and all that stuff.
has anyone been to sauna cave? your help is much appreciated. |
| nudeisntlewd |
Posted - 01/27/2004 : 03:28:34 AM
Thanks, LVBareHiker. If I finally get the chance to go, I'll check back for updates.
Randy |
| LVBareHiker |
Posted - 01/26/2004 : 1:56:48 PM
FYI, Goldstrike Canyon is closed! On my way home from the Arizona Hot Srpings this weekend, as I approached the check point by Hoover Dam, there was a sign that indicated the GS Canyon is closed, this is due to the construction of the Hoover Dam bypass. It still might be possible to visit these springs during the weekend, when there isn't any construction or blasting. I always liked to alternate my hikes between AZHS and GSHS, I will miss going to Goldstike.
Note: you should still be able to hike up from the river to the the springs at GS; I need to get a boat! |
| nudeisntlewd |
Posted - 01/18/2004 : 12:07:46 AM
Yeah, it did suck. Mostly the recovery. I did recover quickly though. Even in the recovery room, they caught me out of bed sitting in the chair, and forced me to lay down again.
Randy |
| Kimberly |
Posted - 01/17/2004 : 5:05:00 PM
Wow Randy that sounds terrible, and at such a young age, glad you pulled through it and are able to enjoy life again. Sounds like you are doing all the right things now.
Kim =^.^= |
| nudeisntlewd |
Posted - 01/08/2004 : 3:33:01 PM
Kim, you're embarassing me. Please go on! (Just kidding.)
Thanks, I do take care of myself as much as I can, but 7 years ago when I was 40, I had a quadruple bypass.
Randy |
| Kimberly |
Posted - 01/08/2004 : 07:32:36 AM
Uhm; Randy, you look pretty fit to me.
Kim =^.^= |
| nudeisntlewd |
Posted - 01/08/2004 : 05:19:50 AM
Thanks for the info. What about access? It sounds like a major hike. I'm not as young as I used to be. Could I, and/or should I bring a little tent in and camp?
Randy |
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