text: Wetlands Trail is a short hike minute walk that wanders along a canyon ridge line and descends to a very short walk along the Las Vegas wash as it flows towards Lake MeadnnVegas is in the desert so this is the best thing we have to a river and it is a pretty thrilling sight to see rushing water moving fast as it leaves manmade Lake Las Vegas and runs downhill towards Lake Mead Sure the Las Vegas wash is recycled waste waster from the Vegas valley and that is a little gross but it produces a beautiful green canyon full of grass and shrubs at the bottom of this hike I would not go for a swim in it but if you are feeling dried out it can be nice to walk along a river and feel moisture in the airnnThe main negative of the walk is the short distance Lake Mead park management does not maintain the Wetlands Trail So over the years the grass and shrubs have grown thick and it is not really possible to follow the trail down to Lake Mead I am sure it is good for the river and for getting pollutants out of the water before it hits Lake Mead but the lack of maintenance ensures the trail is more of a brief overlook walk rather than a hike nnThat said if you just want a short walk the Wetlands Trail offers dramatic views of water in the desert and a nice ridgeline walk to see the lake in the distance and the surrounding mountains It is also a good spot for bird watchers There is occasionally a blue heron bathing in the water and lots of other bird species migrate towards the water and grasses