The Forest Service (FS) and Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (NRA) are interested in receiving feedback from the public on two proposed projects.

The first is a new trail system, trailhead and dry stream crossing in Lovell Canyon near the intersection of Forest Roads 537 and 536. The second is a new access trail from the top of Griffith Peak Trail to the top of Griffith Peak.

The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) will fund the trail system and trailhead at Lovell Canyon as well as the Griffith Peak project. Funding for the dry stream crossing will be requested from the SNPLMA in the future.

The projects have several purposes. One is to give automobiles and horse trailer rigs access to the trailhead. The new construction would also help increase the area's recreational development and use. Also, the project would provide recreational sites that are away from the more sensitive species and habits in the area, thus protecting Griffith Peak's plants and wildlife.

The new trails in Lovell Canyon would result in approximately 10 additional miles of pathway, which would be located primarily in the La Madre Mountain Wilderness Area, on the Pahrump Valley side of Red Rock Canyon. The trail would be for use only by pedestrians and equestrians, however, and motorized and manual mountain bikes would not be allowed access to the trail.

The Forest Service recommends using these trails in the spring and fall, as it is likely to be hot during the summer due to its lack of large trees, low elevation, and southern exposure. The trail may be used in the winter some years.

The proposed trailheads have room to accommodate 10 parked vehicles, including up to five horse trailers. Informational signs and turn-around room will be provided, but restrooms, trash pick-up, and water will not be. Overnight parking would be permitted for trail users, but there will be no camping at that trailhead.

To provide access to the trailheads, some road improvements will take place. The 536 will remain a dirt or gravel road, but Cave Spring Crossing will have a culvert installed. Lovell Creek itself will be forded on Road 536 just west of where it intersects with Road 537.

For additional information, contact Paul Schaefer, the project team leader at the following address. Comments about the proposals should be submitted to the following address as well within the next 30 days:

Spring Mountains NRS

Attn: Paul Schaefer, Project Team Leader

4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive

Las Vegas, NV 89103

Schaefer may be reached by phone at (702) 839-5560 or by e-mail at pschaefer@fs.fed.us.