Mt. Charleston

If Las Vegas becomes too hot, a trip to Mt. Charleston will cool anyone off, as the temperatures are always 20 to 30 degrees cooler there. Mt. Charleston is 45 miles west and north of Las Vegas.

At its summit, Mt. Charleston is 11,918 feet above sea level. At those heights a hiker can see bristlecone pines, some of them 1500 years old or even more! Other pine species and juniper are in abundance. In late September, the hillside is covered with the shimmering yellows of the aspens changing color. The trails are well maintained and marked. Recreational options other than hiking include horseback riding and camping.

The most popular starting points are Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon. To go to Kyle Canyon, take US 95 north and exit at Kyle Canyon (6 miles past the Santa Fe Hotel and Casino) onto Nevada Route 157. Kyle Canyon is about 20 miles to the west. The area there is called the Toiyabe National Forest. This is the trailhead for the Mount Charleston National Recreational trail. The Mount Charleston Hotel is nearby, with 60 rooms for overnight accom-modation, and the Mount Charleston Restaurant and Lounge is not much farther, where tired travelers can enjoy relaxing drinks, a good meal, a fireplace, and on weekends, a German polka band.

Lee Canyon is a little farther up US 95 from the exit onto Nevada Route 157. Continue on US 95 for 15 more miles to the Lee Canyon exit onto Nevada Route 156. Lee Canyon is back 20 miles or so in the mountains. Lee Canyon is the home of the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort.

Connecting these two canyons is Deer Creek Pass, from which the Nevada Test Site is visible.