Landmine Loop is a trail system in the southern region of the Red Rock National Conservation Area between Nevada Route 160 and Bonnie Springs Ranch. The trailhead is in the Town of Blue Diamond across the street from Blue Diamond Park. It is close to the Las Vegas metropolitan area but takes your spirit so far away. It is really the crossroads of stress at serene. Once you park your vehicle at Blue Diamond Park and step foot on an unpaved yellow dirt road you have left the world of stress and are headed for the World of Oz. Here the world of Oz is transported into the delightful landscape of the Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area where the Wild West comes alive. Landmine Loop leads the hiker on an adventure where fantasy and western unite. It is a fantasy western adventure that I recently had the privilege of partaking in. Description of the Landmine Loop: The cool thing about Landmine Loop is that there are so many choices where to star in your hiking adventure. The general trailhead(unsigned) is across from Blue Diamond Park. Up til recently, burros costar red in the leading scene. When you look at pictures of the Blue Diamond business listing, there are touching scenes with burros. Unfortunately, from my understanding they have been hoarded and released somewhere else. The trail commences in a residential community as it follows a wash in the shadow of State Route 159 and Blue Diamond Hill. As you follow the walking path with dips in elevation where mountains that include Mount Wilson tower above on the left and in the distance ahead, you are in a landscape in the Red Rock Conservation Area that is south of Bonnie Springs, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, and the 13 Mile Scenic Drive. The upshot is that you are walking with fewer hikers and most likely found a parking spot with minimal effort. The trail gains elevation as it travels away from the wash and further from the Town of Blue Diamond. As you progress further, an oasis of greenery interrupts the desert carpet of creosote interspersed with yucca. This is Wheeler Camp Spring and Oliver Ranch. Just when it seems that the trail is leading to the spring, it swerves away from the shadow of State Route 159 toward higher terrain. At this point, the trail takes on characteristics of a hiking and mountain bike trail as the mountains of Red Rock become nearer. Numerous trails that are part of the Landmine Trail system branch out from the primary trail that is bound toward the vicinity of Bonnie Springs. These trails are the pathways to different adventures. If you follow these trails they lead through the backcountry west of the Town of Blue Diamond and ultimately to State Route 160. I cannot say for sure until I do the hike, however I anticipate that one of the trails climbs up a hill that looks over the Town of Blue Diamond and Blue Diamond Hill. It is likewise my understanding that there is a rubber ducky tree in this backcountry. On this hike, I headed away from the Town of Blue Diamond and State Route 160 toward the Old West of Bonnie Springs. As the trail headed northwest, it ascended a ridge. The sound of nature was briefly interrupted by a sound of a gunshot. There is no reason to be alarmed when hearing a gun go off on this part of the trail. This is the staged gun show at the nearby Bonnie Springs. On top of the ridge is the Academy Award Winning moment of this fantasy western hiking adventure: a scene starring Red Rock Canyon icons Bonnie Springs Ranch, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, First Creek, and the Calico Hills. This is an overlook that captures the majestic beauty of Red Rock Canyon. From this point foward, the trail heads toward the back of Bonnie Springs. On the way there is an abandoned car. Legend is that in the old days, criminals would abandon stolen vehicles in this area. Further down the trail that is reaching the elevation as Bonnie Springs with the ridge to the left, a cottonwood tree provides a shady oasis near Mormon Spring. On account of the fact that it was hot outside and I used up half of my hydration supply, I’d turn around and head back before reaching Bonnie Springs. I am optimistic that the spur trails in eyeshot touched Bonnie Springs. Regardless, the trail overlooks Bonnie Springs. Each way, the hiking adventure between Blue Diamond Park and the preiphery of Bonnie Springs Ranch is approximately an hour. Altogether excluding rests, it is around two hours round trip. Final Thoughts on Landmine Loop Trail: My philosophy is that you live once. So why not make the most of a life free of drama and full of adventure. The Landmine Loop is the perfect place where you briefly live life starring in a fantasy western hiking adventure that rises above drama. It is a fantasy western adventure worthy of four stars.
