Pittman Wash Trail | Tales from the Trails

Pittman Wash Trail | Outdoor Nevada Presents Tales from the Trails
SEASON 1: EPISODE 5 | 10/20/2023  

Kalie Crose is the recreation services coordinator for the City of Henderson. She explained that when the parks and recreation department was created, a goal was set to have a park and a trail within a 10-minute walk of every single resident in the city. 

As the city expanded, parks and trails were built to keep up with the goal. Now, Henderson is home to 12 trailheads and more than  200 miles of trails for all ages and abilities. The Pittman Wash Trail is one of those trails. The wash is part of the regional flood control network. It stretches a little over four miles from Pebble Road to Arroyo Grande Boulevard. The City of Henderson lists it as an ‘easy trail.’

Just below the paved path of the wash trail are more primitive trails that are open to the public and preserved for wildlife. It’s there that you can get a guided tour by Nevada’s Department of Wildlife. Lauren Macleod is the wildlife education coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. She said the department works to protect and conserve Nevada’s wildlife, but they’re also dedicated to educating the public about nature.

She said another way nature enthusiasts can find out information about wildlife is by downloading an app called iNaturalist. Using iNaturalist is like having a complete wildlife journal in the palm of your hand. 

Users can take pictures of plants, insects and animals they see on the trail and the app will help them figure out what they are. It's like having super-smart scientists at your disposal. Users can also see what other people found and learn about different species in the area. Remember iNaturalist is a community. So users can engage with other users, contribute to discussions, and assist in identifying observations to build a helpful and supportive network. Plus - it’s free!

• Be sure to capture clear images of the organism. 
• Ensure the subject is well-lit and in focus. 
• Take photos from different angles to provide a complete view of the organism. 
• Include the surroundings and habitat in your photos to provide more information for identification. 
• Try to avoid covering the subject with fingers, shadows, or other objects. 
• Be patient, if you don't receive an immediate identification, give it some time.

Resources

• Henderson Parks and Recreation
• City of Henderson Trails
• City of Henderson | Pittman Wash
• Outdoor Education | Nevada Department of Wildlife