Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge offers multiple trails to explore.

One of them is the Upper Lake Trail.

Imagine a place where ducks, geese and lots of other cool birds come to visit, especially during their long migrations.

You can see them swimming and playing in the big calm ponds.

There are also trails where you might spot turtles, frogs and maybe even a fox or a deer.

It's like a hidden treasure chest of nature waiting for you to explore.

And you can learn so much about the amazing animals that call this place home.

Rob manages the refuge.

I met up with him to learn more about this special place.

Okay.

I have a big smile on my face.

It's beautiful.

It peaceful.

And you have the coolest job.

How did you get into this?

So growing up, you know, hunting and fishing.

And when I found out there was such thing as a wildlife biologist in this career, I knew exactly what I was meant to do.

So I did everything from school focused, everything on becoming a biologist and eventually a manager.

This place so very special.

Let's start with a little bit about the history, because as we first drove in, we saw a sign that said Nuwuvi Ancestral Land.

So the Nuwuvi where the indigenous population, the new people that were here and they were here.

According to them, before Warren time was created.

So they've been here forever.

The as European settlers came in in the late 1800s, they started the landscape, started changing a little bit.

And this refuge was actually purchased in 1963 from a cattle ranching.

So it was identified for important bird and migration stop areas.

So the Fish and Wildlife Service purchased this in 1963 for a migratory bird refuge with special focus on waterfowl and Pahranaget Tell us about the meaning of that name.

So the Pahranaget Valley starts all the way up past Hiko, which is probably about 15 miles total, and it means feet sticking in water.

It's Nuwuvi language.

So and we're in water and water.

So tell us where we are.

This is Pahranaget National Wildlife Refuge.

This refuge is actually fed by two of the three springs that make this place special and within the Pahranaget valleys named after it's ash and Crystal Springs.

So all this water here has come through carbon aquifer and we stored and deliver the water to our wetland systems and our riparian areas for our migratory birds.

And let's talk about those birds.

How many species?

So we've got about between 230, 250 species that actually have come through this refuge.

Okay.

All right.

So I want to continue to explore this beautiful refuge.

Where do you recommend where should I go?

So we're standing on the Upper Lake Trail right now.

So if you strike out to the west, down this levee, you can continue around the Upper Lake Trail is three mile total.

But perhaps the entire upper lake.

And you can see our our interpretive elements that we have out there and teaching more about migratory birds.

All right, love birds.

I have a frog phobia.

And toads will I be seeing any of those?

Maybe.

Maybe.

All right.

Wish me luck.

All right.

Okay.

I'm fine.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you.

The Upper Lake Trail isn't easy.

Hike.

It is meant to be an experience.

Along the trail are educational boards that share details and information about the refuge and its role for migratory birds.

You will also see birdhouses positioned along the trail.

This refuge plays a vital role for birds traveling long distances.

The hike also has spots positioned along the water for viewing the visiting birds.

A couple of tips before you visit the refuge.

Bring along binoculars as most of the birds are a bit shy.

You'll want to visit the Pahranaget National Wildlife Refuge website for a current list of the visiting birds.

Most of the birds here are seasonal.

This amazing refuge is less than 2 hours away from Las Vegas.

And if you're really feeling adventurous, they also have camp sights.

For more information on these trails and any others, visit VegasPBS.org/tales till next time, I hope to see you out on the trail.