Everyone has a magical place to go to where negativity disappears. One of the magical places I go to is the Magic Tree in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area off of the River Mountains Loop Trail at Mile Marker 13. The Magic Tree is a tall cottonwood tree that got its name from it being magic that a tall cottonwood thrives in the desert. In an exaggerated way it reminds me of the Tree of Life in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. Seeing it in proportion to the desert, the Magic Tree looks monumental. Then again, it isn’t an exageration that the Magic Tree is The Tree of Life. When my spirit is dying and I have worries, this is a special spot where I leave the material world to open up my soul. This has been a place where I have prayed and spent time in reflection. If anything it has improved my quality of life. This is a magical place that is accessible by a 1.2 mile hike or bike ride on the precious River Mountains Loop Trail(abbreviated RMLT). To reach the parking lot from the Las Vegas Valley, you want to head eastbound on Lake Mead Parkway(Nevada Route 564) all the way to the boundary of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area border. Immediately before the Fee Station, you will turn right into the RMLT parking lot. This is a modern parking lot with sufficient parking spaces. From the parking lot you will head toward a kiosk. Here, you will see some useful information about the area. Beyond the kiosk is a short RMLT spur. At the T-intersection, turn left on the River Mountains Loop Trail. The paved trail starts off straight as it brings you into the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. At this point the trail transitions into a rural landscape with a parallel equestrian trail. The trail gains elevation as the ‘s-curves blend into the contours of the desert hills. The scenery improves with a scenic overlook of Lake Las Vegas and a vista of the rolling desert carpet reaching toward the mountains and Lake Mead. In the distance below, you could make out a Circle of green. This is the Magic Tree. The RMLT winds along another s-curve as it lowers back to the desert floor. It soon straightens out as it rejoins the equestrian trail. Near the mile marker 13, it will separate from the equestrian trail again. Now you want to keep right on the equestrian trail that will reach the Magic Tree in a short distance. The Magic Tree looks more like a savanna than a desert. It is an oasis. When you look at the Magic Tree you will notice a pipeline travelling horizontal in its shadow. This pipeline itself is interesting for the fact that it is one of the first water pipelines from Lake Mead. This very water is part of the soundtrack to a visit to the Magic Tree. If you close your eyes, it has that nice sound of a waterfall. To take in the Grand views of the Magic Tree, I suggest that you duck under the pipeline. This is the spot to spend time in reflection at the Magic Tree. Beyond the Magic Tree is a magical world of hiking trails. I call the trail originating from the Magic Tree toward the River Mountains foothills the Magic Tree Trail. It travels on a rocky topography through small canyons with slight elevation gains. In March, the wildflower bloom brings the desert to life. This is an area worthy of exploring. I give the Magic Tree five stars. How can I give a magical place any less?
