Text and photos by Mark Petterson, Henderson

Overview

The Callville Wash South Road is a backcountry route that follows the bed of Callville Wash south from Northshore Road into the wild backcountry of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and ends near the edge of Lake Mead near Callville Bay. This road, about 5 miles long, leads through a rugged desert landscape with colorful sandstone bluffs, imposing black volcanic mountains, and other fascinating geologic features. There are no structures or services of any kind along this road.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ... the route is safe from a safety point of view, but it is rough and should be driven only in a 4WD, high-clearance vehicle.

The road surface in the first portion is rough, rocky "desert pavement" above the wash and fins of exposed rock in the wash. Without high clearance, expect to hit bottom while crawling across irregular rocks in the wash. After the road climbs out of the wash, makes a hairpin curve, and drops back into the wash, the road surface becomes primarily gravel. Most of it is fairly hard and firm, but there are soft, sandy spots as well, so be careful to avoid getting stuck.

As a general rule of thumb on this road, be very careful to follow the existing tire tracks to determine the safest and most time-proven route.

While out, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this road is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials. Be aware of the weather report and stay out of this area if rain is expected; you don’t want to get caught in a flash flood.

Getting to the Roadhead

This road is located along Northshore Road in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, about 1 hour northeast of Las Vegas. From town, drive out to Lake Mead, and then to the Anniversary Narrows Trailhead.

Callville Wash South Road is almost directly across the pavement from the Callville Wash North Road.

At the turnoff, watch for a brown backcountry road sign giving the name of the road or a post with a numbered yellow arrow. Approved roads are signed with yellow arrows. The black number in the center of the arrow designates the road number. Driving on roads or trails not marked with the yellow arrow is prohibited. Driving off roads, in washes, or cross country damages the fragile desert soil and is prohibited by National Park Service regulations. Please check with local rangers on the road conditions before driving into the backcountry. Maps of approved backcountry roads are available online and at the Alan Bible Visitor Center.

The Road

From the pavement (Table 2, Site 00), the road crosses a short section of flat land before dropping into the wash. At this point, it is possible to follow the bed of the wash, but there are many fins of rock lurking that could get wedged under your vehicle or otherwise damage it.

After a short drive in the wash, an alternate route exists on the east side of the wash. The wash soon makes a bend to the west (Site 02), and at this point you have no choice but to drive in the wash. The rocky outcroppings in the wash are particularly tricky in this area, but it gets better after Lovell Wash comes in from the north (Site 03). Callville Wash turns south again.

Drive southwest in the wash and keep your eyes peeled for a road heading up a hill on the right (west) side of the wash (Site 04). If you miss this road, driving in the wash becomes quite hazardous if not impassable. The road parallels the wash for a while, then makes a sharp turn to the right and goes around a steep hairpin curve.

At this point, look to your left (south) for a beautiful view of badlands with banded layers of red, white, orange, and pink (Photo 0792). After the road drops back into the wash (Site 05), the most difficult part is over, but be careful to follow the established tire tracks.

The wash takes a broad bend to the south and a geologic phenomenon appears in front of you – pinkish orange sandstone mounds have been exposed on the flank of a black volcanic mountain (Photo 0772). To your left are the rugged crags of the Black Mountains (Photo 0774). A short distance later, a layered cliff face on the left (east) side of the wash has collapsed, with the layered pieces visible like a jigsaw puzzle (Photo 0777).

After another bend or two, the "bathtub ring" marking the old water level of Lake Mead becomes visible with the hulking black mass of Fortification Hill looming in the distance (Photo 0778).

Soon you will reach the old lake bed, which is very sandy, so be careful not to get stuck. If you down through the bushes towards the water (Site 06), you will end up at an open area that provides a nice view of the Callville Bay Marina (Photo 0780).

Return the way you came; on the way back, you will see an interesting outcropping of green volcanic ash right in the middle of the wash (Photo 0786). Then be on the lookout for the road going up a hill on the left (northwest) side of the wash (Photo 0771), which leads to the hairpin curve and avoids the most hazardous part of the wash. When that road drops back into the wash, carefully follow the tire tracks back to Northshore Road. It is easy to miss the turnoff to the last section of road that leads to pavement. Just before you make that last turnoff, look north and enjoy the view of the scenic Gale Hills (Photo 0796).