John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints

Charleston Peak, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Kyle Canyon, Lee Canyon, Mount Charleston, Nevada State Highways 156 and 157, Spring Mountains and the Toiyabe National Forest

Location

This area is located northwest of Las Vegas.

From Las Vegas, take US95 North. About fifteen miles north of the US95/I-15 intersection, Nevada State Highway 157 runs west for about twenty miles to Kyle Canyon. About twenty-five miles north the US95/I-15 intersection, Nevada State Highway 156 runs west for about twenty miles to Lee Canyon. About two or three miles before the end of each of these state highways there is a junction with a third state highway which runs between them.

Although they climb up into the mountains, all these state highways are paved and reasonably wide, with no tight curves, especially steep sections or unguarded drop-offs, and therefore they are very easy to drive.

A very convenient route from Las Vegas is therefore to take US95 North, then Nv157 West to its terminus, explore Kyle Canyon, backtrack east on Nv157 as far as the intersection with the cut-through road, take the cut-through road north to Nv156, head west on Nv156 to its terminus and explore Lee Canyon, backtrack east on Nv156 to US95, and finally take US95 South back to Las Vegas. Obviously the same route could be done in reverse.

Mount Charleston (sometimes called Charleston Peak), Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon are located in the Spring Mountains. Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon are in the Toiyabe National Forest, which is marked as being the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on some maps.

What to See and Do

The change in climate and vegetation as you rise up from the desert floor is most marked. Temperatures in the mountains are usually considerably and refreshingly lower than in Las Vegas, and you may even encounter a rain shower or two. The vegetation changes from desert scrub to alpine in only a few miles.

We felt that Kyle Canyon was the more scenic of the two, with its high near-vertical walls.

There are a number of hiking trails of various lengths, ranging from less than a mile to fifteen miles. The trails lead from various parking areas alongside all three of the state highways.

There are some holiday homes at Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon is a winter skiing area, but neither area could be described as being commercialised.

There are excellent views of Mount Charleston as you approach it. There are some excellent views over the desert from the cut-through road, and as you descend from the mountains.

There are no fees for driving any of these roads, for parking, or for taking any of the walking trails.

In the Area

External Links

Hiking Las Vegas: Branch Whitney's Personal Site This excellent personal site has detailed information on hiking in various areas near to Las Vegas, Nevada including Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the Mount Charleston area mentioned on this page, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Valley of Fire State Park. Checked Jan-99.

Nevada

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As with all the other pages on this personal web site, all the information on this page is solely the opinion of the author, who has no connection whatsoever with any of the companies and organisations mentioned other than as an actual or potential customer.

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Most recently modified 18-Jan-04