Spring Mountain Ranch great for picnics, hiking

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park boasts a superb setting at the base of beautiful cliffs within the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Blessed with natural springs, this oasis first drew early native people. A parade of frontier charters followed, including mountain men, explorers, rustlers, slave traders and pioneer ranchers. Successive owners in modern times were just as colorful.

Nearly lost to development, the 520-acre historic ranch became part of the Nevada Division of State Parks in 1974. Spring Mountain Ranch offers daily year-round access. Visitors enjoy picnicking, walking tours, historical programs in spring and fall, hot-weather hikes after dark and open-air theater presentations on summer evenings.

Located 10 miles from the Charleston Boulevard exit of the Las Vegas Beltway, the state park lies within minutes of the urban Las Vegas Valley. Follow the extension of Charleston Boulevard, Highway 157, as it heads west toward the vividly colored sandstone formations of Red Rock. This scenic highway then parallels the cliffs as it heads south toward a junction with the Pahrump Highway near the village of Blue Diamond. The state park lies between privately owned Bonnie Springs Ranch and Blue Diamond.

At the park gate, expect to pay an entrance fee: $9 per vehicle for out-of-state visitors, $7 for Nevada residents; visitors entering on foot or by bike or motorcycle pay $1. Frequent visitors to this and other Nevada State Parks can save money with state park passes.

The park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at dusk, except during summer-evening theater presentations or full-moon hikes in summer and fall. The picnic grounds remain open from 8 a.m. to dusk all year. The visitor center adjacent to the handsome 1940s ranch house opens at 10 a.m. for self-guided tours. Guided tours of the historic ranch buildings are available several times daily. The park brochure details various trails around the grounds that help visitors explore the park. Keep in mind during your visit that fire restrictions are in force. For more information, contact the park at 875-4141.

The 2011 Super Summer Theater began with June performances of "Annie." July-through-September productions include three more musicals. "Drowsy Chaperone" runs Wednesday through July 30. "Fiddler on the Roof" runs from Aug. 10 through Aug. 27. "Five Guys Named Moe" finishes the season from Sept. 8 to 24. The gate opens at 5 p.m. The $7 entrance fee applies. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $12 if purchased in advance or $15 at the gate. For details, check the Super Summer Theater website or call 594-7529.

Veteran summer theatergoers bring blankets or low chairs for open seating in the pasture near the stage. On-site chair rentals are available. Most bring portable picnics and beverages. A concession stand is open on theater nights. Dress casually and wear shoes appropriate for walking from the parking area packing your cooler and gear. Everyone needs a light jacket. Evenings cool off fast so close to the mountains. Plan to pack picnic debris home for disposal.

Although daytime temperatures at the park will be cooler than in Las Vegas, hiking here is best left to the cooler months or to summer evenings. The popular full-moon hikes in Sandstone Canyon or the Ash Grove area occur on July 17 and Aug. 12 and 13 from 8 to 10 p.m. and on Sept. 14 and 15 and Oct. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. On Nov. 9 and Dec. 9, the full moon will be visible from 4 to 6 p.m.

The park's fall living history programs include costumed first-person storytellers, re-enactments and demonstrations of pioneer and frontier skills. Visitors are encouraged to participate in hands-on demonstrations.

On Sept. 17, learn more about some of the owners of the ranch.

On Sept. 24, meet early pioneers of the area.

Over the Nevada Day weekend, Oct. 29 and 30, visit Union and Confederate soldiers during a Civil War Days re-enactment.

Leather and fur-clad mountain men rendezvous at the park on Nov. 12 and 13, Veterans Day weekend.

Holiday programs aimed at children take place Oct. 22 with the Halloween Spooktacular and on Dec. 10 for Ranch Christmas, a glance into Christmases past and present.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears Sundays.