More than 150,000 expected to enjoy Lake Mead this weekend

Brian Ogden hurriedly lowered his 21-foot bass boat into Lake Mead on Thursday morning -- anxious to catch some fish before the wind picked up.

His white vessel bobbed atop the waves of the desolate lake, a scene he was grateful to find before the crowds set in this weekend.

"I'm not into all the boat traffic," said Ogden, who will avoid the lake at all costs this Memorial Day. "I avoid all that nonsense."

Ogden said he tried out the holiday weekend party scene at Lake Mead National Recreation Area when he had a bigger boat three years ago, but he wouldn't go on Memorial Day weekend again.

"I don't participate in all that drunken partying," he said. "I'm not a big crowd person."

And a crowd is definitely what's expected this holiday.

The National Park Service estimates between 150,000 and 180,000 visitors at Lake Mead throughout the three-day weekend, which is on par with how many visitors the lake had last year.

"We are gearing up for our biggest weekend of the summer," said park service spokesman Andrew Munoz.

Memorial Day weekend also typically brings thousands of visitors to other recreation areas in town, including Mount Charleston and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It is recommended that visitors arrive early, and with patience, to any of the three outdoor locations.

While chances of securing a camping spot at Mount Charleston are little to none, Red Rock is expected to have sites available before it closes for the season Tuesday.

Despite the wind, the weekend should offer nice weather with temperatures in the low to mid 80s both at the lake and around town, according to Maria Torres, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Gusts of up to 35 mph are expected Saturday and Sunday, and up to 40 mph on Monday.

LAKE MEAD

The park service suggests lake-goers make this weekend a time to ensure their boats are ready for the summer season. Lifejackets for every person on board a vessel, a working horn, fire extinguisher and flares are all required equipment on each boat. Children younger than 12 must be wearing a life jacket at all times while on a boat. Although jackets are not required for swimmers, Munoz said they are strongly suggested.

The majority of the lake's drowning victims are swimmers, he said.

Even adults are susceptible to drowning in a matter of seconds when factors such as alcohol and heat accelerate dehydration, making a person tire quickly. Nine people drowned in the lake last year, Munoz said.

Munoz suggests designating at least one adult to keep constant watch on swimmers in the water to avoid any drownings.

The lake's level is expected to rise this season, leaving vegetation close under the surface, which can be hazardous to boaters, he said.

MOUNT CHARLESTON

Mount Charleston is also expecting a busy weekend, although an estimate wasn't available, said Judy Suing, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service.

Campgrounds are already full, with the exception of a few first-come-first-serve spaces. The picnic area at Old Mill off of Lee Canyon Road will be available for tent camping as well, she said. "The earlier people arrive the better chance there is for that," she said.

Campfires are allowed in designated camping areas.

An added safety concern comes in the higher elevations this season, where some snow still covers the ground as remnants from the harsh winter.

"The weight of all that snow broke a lot of branches throughout the forest," Suing said. "We ask people to look up and be aware of any branches that might fall."

RED ROCK CANYON

About 12,000 people are expected to visit Red Rock this weekend, which is about the same as last year's turnout, said Kirsten Cannon, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Land Management.

The campground isn't expected to fill up this weekend, even though it will be closed for the season starting Tuesday.

The conservation area will likely be busiest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. before the day reaches its hottest point, Cannon said.

On Saturday, Red Rock will host "Butter­fly Weekend" with a guest speaker from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the visitors center.

COUNTY POOLS

This Saturday marks the opening of Clark County pools for the summer.

Pools open noon to 6 p.m. will include: Cambridge Water Park at 3930 Cambridge St.; Desert Breeze Water Park at 8275 W. Spring Mountain Road; Paradise Water Park at 4770 Harrison Drive; and Walnut Water Park at 3085 Cecile Ave.

The Logandale Pool, 3280 N. Nevada Blvd., will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Monday.

Contact reporter Jessica Fryman at jfryman@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.