Upper Lake Trail Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge | Tales from the Trails

Upper Lake Trail at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge  | Outdoor Nevada Presents Tales from the Trails
SEASON 1: EPISODE 9 | 11/17/2023  

Less than two hours away from Las Vegas and just eight miles from the town of Alamo is Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a magical oasis for animals and outdoor enthusiasts.

The name “Pahranagat” means ‘feet sticking in water’ in Nuwu. The wildlife refuge is located on Nuwu, or Southern Paiute, ancestral lands. In 1963, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased the land from a cattle rancher because it is a vital place for migratory birds.

Now, the refuge provides an important stopping point for between 230 and 250 species of migratory birds on their seasonal journeys along the Pacific Flyway, according to refuge manager Rob Vinson. From sandhill cranes in late winter and early spring to endangered southwestern willow flycatchers in the summer, birds find a home and a place to rest and refuel.

The refuge is fed by Ash and Crystal Springs, which are two of the three large springs that feed the Pahranagat Valley. Vinson explained that the water comes through a carbon aquifer. It is stored and distributed to the refuge’s wetland systems and riparian areas for the birds.

The Upper Lake Trail is about three miles long and it takes hikers around the entire lake. It’s an easy trail that includes interpretive signs along the way that help hikers get to know some of the birds and animals they may see.
 

• Bring binoculars
• Check the wildlife refuge website to see which birds might be visiting the site
• Campsites are available - it’s FREE and open year-round
• Fall and spring are the best time to see migratory birds
• Wildlife is most active in the early morning and evening 
• Restrooms are available at the visitor’s center

Resources

• Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
• Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge - Seasons of Wildlife
• US Forest Service | Careers in Wildlife Biology