Hike St. Thomas Trail, Nevada

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See the town that was swallowed by Lake Mead in the 1930s! Originally settled by Mormons in 1865, and others in the 1880s, St. Thomas was a thriving community and stopping point between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. A farming town that reached a population of 500 at its peak, St. Thomas boasted a schoolhouse, post office, general store, hotel and even an ice cream parlor. Today, remnants of the town can be seen thanks to the lowering water levels of Lake Mead. At the lake’s highest point, the surface rested 60 feet above St. Thomas’s tallest structure. Now you can walk through and discover what remains of this true western ghost town. Access: The hike begins with an 85-foot descent to a flat loop that follows the old roads of the original settlements of St. Thomas. Take Northshore Road just past mile marker 46 and turn onto Old St. Thomas access road, which is dirt and sometimes bumpy (4x4 recommended). The trailhead is located at the end of the 3.5-mile access road. Park Entrance is $10 per vehicle TIPS: 4x4 vehicle recommended for Old St. Thomas access road. Bring water - temperatures can reach 115 degrees in Summer. Best times to visit are November to April Wear a Hat - There is no shade on this trail Pets must be leashed DO NOT REMOVE ARTIFACTS: the Archaeological Protection Act of 1979 protects these artifacts for the benefit of all visitors. Any person who, without authorization, excavates, removes, damages or otherwise defaces any historic or prehistoric site, artifact or object of antiquity is subject to arrest and penalty of law. If you see someone violating this act, please contact the National Park Service at 1-800-680-5851. Watch out for tamarisk - this invasive plant species can pierce shoe soles. Be careful if wearing sandals Checkout this field guide for a list of St. Thomas sites and photos: http://bit.ly/2wgXnTD

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