Last of trail markers posted at Red Rock Canyon

The last of 57 new signs donated by The Howard Hughes Corp. was installed in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area last week. Last year, the company, which is developing the Summerlin master-planned community in the western valley, donated more than $30,000 to create the discreet new signs that now uniformly mark more than 30 miles of hiking trails throughout Red Rock Canyon.

"Las Vegas is very fortunate to have a national treasure the likes of Red Rock Canyon so close to the city," said Tom Warden, vice president of community relations for the company.

"Many Summerlin residents have also developed a deep affinity and appreciation for this region that frames Summerlin's western edge. At The Howard Hughes Corp., we believe it is our responsibility to help preserve and protect Red Rock Canyon, and we know the new trail signs will help visitors to better negotiate their way through the conservation area."

The directional and trailhead signs were created in cream- and rust-colored porcelain enamel on steel. Similar signs will be used on trails in Summerlin villages, which will eventually connect with trails in the conservation area.

"We're so pleased The Hughes Corp. was willing to help us out with this sign project," said Greg Gnesios, manager of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. "It is a great example of cooperation between public and private entities. Many of our trail signs had been deteriorating and were difficult to read. These new signs are a great aid to the million-plus visitors we get every year."

According to Warden, Hughes Corp. has long recognized the importance of protecting Red Rock Canyon. In 1987, before the landmark was designated a national conservation area, the company negotiated a land exchange with the Bureau of Land Management to create the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area as it exists today.

About 5,000 acres of Hughes-owned land in the vicinity of the Visitor Center along Charleston Boulevard (State Route 159) were exchanged for about 3,000 acres of BLM land south of Desert Inn Road and west of the Las Vegas Beltway. In 1990, Red Rock Canyon was granted national conservation status, and in 1994 its size doubled to 197,000 acres.

Summerlin is being developed as a series of villages, each built around a park or golf course. It is home to two Tournament Players Club golf courses, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Bear's Best golf course and five others.

Nearly 100 parks and more than 45 miles of trails are also featured.

The community features nearly 150 model homes in a variety of styles, including single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums. Prices start from under $100,000 to more than $700,000.

Custom lots from one-quarter acre to three-quarters of an acre are priced from the mid-$100,000s to more than $1 million. Predesigned custom homes are priced from $500,000 to more than $1 million.

Apartments offer monthly rents starting from the $700s.

To visit the community's home finding center, travel west on Sahara Avenue past Hualapai Way to Town Center Drive. Or, take Interstate 215 and exit at Sahara. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

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