Lake Mead Cooling off points and tips for summer.
Get out of the heat this summer and escape to some of the hidden gems of Vegas beyond the strip. For those of us who's lived here for some time knows that Vegas gives sparse warning to high temperatures. If you're new here, here's your warning! Nothing is better than relaxing by the pool or heading out to Lake Mead for some R & R!
Lake Mead -Hoover Dam has a charm and a visible beauty of being a cool blue diamond in the desert, but it also has a secondary beauty of recreational versatility.
No, not rest and relaxation, riding ridiculously fast on the water. Okay, anyhow, so that you to are not a summer lake "statistic", here are a few reminders when we’re out there throwing caution to the wind. That includes diverse activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and camping.
Beaches are open dawn to dusk while the entire recreation area is open 24/7. Originally built in 2005 on the footprint of the historic Desert Inn Hotel course, the Tom Fazio-designed Wynn Golf Club was renovated and reopened in fall 2019 with eight new and 10 revamped holes. Redesigned amenities also include a new 6,500-square-foot practice putting green and netted full-swing warm-up area. For golfers looking for dramatic elevation changes, and stunning views of desert landscape, the renowned Wolf Creek Golf Club in Mesquite is a bucket list experience.
An hour and a half north of Las Vegas, this challenging 18-hole course offers unique viewpoints of green fairways meandering through red rock canyons. The Sky’s the Limit- Take to the skies and get a bird’s eye view of Southern Nevada from a helicopter or zipline. Maverick Helicopters, Sundance Helicopters and Papillon offer high-flying adventure featuring breathtaking views of the Strip, the Grand Canyon, Red Rock and Hoover Dam. Tours span from 15-minute flights over the Las Vegas Strip, to half and full-day adventures to the scenic landmarks of the Southwest.
To ensure that you're as safe as possible on the water, here are a few basic guidelines that should be followed:
1. Always make sure that the body of water is large enough to accommodate wakeboarding, skiing, boating. The water should be at least five feet deep and 2000-3000 feet long. Watch those shallow coves. (You’d be surprised how many do not). This means we can still ski Lake Mead…amazing!
2. Keep your distance in water There must be enough room for all of the vessels on the water to have at least 100 feet of open space in all directions.
3. Be familiar with the body of water. Some will contain buoys, stumps, or pilings be sure you know the locations of all these obstacles before you begin skiing. If you are not familiar with the location, ask someone who is.
4. Know your safety limitations. You should generally avoid water-skiing either when wind is making the water choppy, or when rain is significantly decreasing visibility. Lake Mead can get rough with very little warning. Remember those undercurrents too.
5. Have someone with you. There should always be at least one person in the boat besides the driver; this person should keep an eye on the skier and alert the driver to any problems and please remember to use the orange caution flag when the skier is in the water waiting to get up or is down.
6. Have the proper equipment and safety gear. Also, the skier should always be equipped with a well-fitted lifejacket, as should all the individuals on the boat.
7. If you are towing skiers, try to avoid crowded areas and other vessels. Be aware of how the wake generated by other boats might affect your skier. Never ski or tow skiers at night or in conditions of poor visibility.
8. Know the basic set of hand gestures that have become conventional in skiing and are essential to maintaining good communication between the skier and the driver of the boat. Some of the basic hand gestures are as follows: an extended left hand is a request for a left turn; an extended right hand is a request for a right turn; a thumb pointed down is a request for a slower speed; a thumb pointed up is a request for a higher speed; a hand raised with the palm out is a request for the boat to stop; and a circle made with the index finger and thumb indicates that the skier is doing well.
9. Hydrate with water. Yes, we know there is water in beer, but straight water, even have some on the rocks. Just don't end up on the rocks. Get my point?
"Wise Choices Is an Investment Into Your Future."
Lake Mead has a charm and a visible beauty of being a cool blue diamond in the desert, but it also has a secondary beauty of recreational versatility. That includes diverse activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and camping. Beaches are open dawn to dusk while the entire recreation area is open 24/7.
Callville Bay Marina is a mere 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. This is a place where you can go jaunting on a rented Jet Ski or leisurely relaxing with your “honey” on a rented houseboat. Then there are activities for what I call the in-betweeners. You know, the group of people that feel jet skis are too fast and houseboats too slow. How about more of a standard boat rental? That can also be had at Callville Bay Mariana too.
The real “cool” at Lake Mead is in the water when you’re swimming. The major fill factor for the lake is snowmelt from the Colorado Rocky Mountains. While the summer temperature soars to 110 degrees plus highs a few inches below the surface of our lovely lake the temperature rarely exceeds 85 degrees. The instant 25-degree cool down is an eye opener even for the hardiest swimmer. Please note there are no lifeguards or designated swim beaches at Lake Mead. Swimming is also not allowed at any marina or launch area. Wearing of life jackets is always recommended.
Las Vegas is a very water conscious destination:
Resorts use water conserving fixtures
Resorts utilize reclaimed and potable water for fountains and attractions
Conference centers use pitchers instead of bottled water
Restaurants serve water only on request
Courtesy of: Terry Kneise / Southern Nevada has several natural attractions based on water
Lake Mead Hoover Dam Colorado River