Thursday...May 5th...We headed out for a nearby Nevada mountain drive. Outside Las Vegas we took SR157 (designated as a scenic byway) into the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest...the largest in the lower 48 states. The name "Humboldt" comes from a German naturalist and "Toiyabe" is an ancient Shoshone word meaning "mountain". SR157 is also known as Kyle Canyon Road connecting Las Vegas to the recreational areas of Mount Charleston in the Spring Mountains. As we drove along the winding road the lower canyons were of red volcanic rhyolite with grey limestone forming most of the peaks. In 20 miles our elevation rapidly grew from 3000 feet, temperature dropped, trees and shrubs became greener and more numerous and mountain peaks were white with snow.
Below the mountain is weathered giving a striped look.
Here in the background is white capped Mount Charleston.
Below, this pillar of rock looked like a figure sitting on top.
Kyle Canyon picnic area (once a campground) stands at 6,900 feet. After a big flood, the campground closed and later redone as a picnic area. Remnants of lightning strike wildfires can be seen along the Kyle Canyon Road.
Fletcher View Campground is at 7000 feet. It has 12 campsites with electric and water available. None of the campgrounds in this area have dump stations. ??? Why ???
The park host was eager to chat giving us a run down of the area with things to see.
Below to left is Cathedral Rock and Mummy Mountain is to the right.
Here are some mountain chateaus.
Around one bend to another then looking out into the clouds.
Hee Bee Jee Bee time for me.
Below are some ski slopes.
Here we are...Mount Charleston in the Spring Mountains of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Charleston Peak itself is the highest peak in Clark County with an elevation of 11,916 feet. It is the 8th highest peak in Nevada. This mountain is snow capped more than half the year. This area offers lots of camping, hiking, and skiing for the recreation enthusiasts.
To the right is the desert. The light area is a dry lake bed.
Desert View Point is 8,195 feet.
Nevada is the Silver State, but can also be called the Wild Horse and Burro State. About half of the nation's wild horses and wild burros roam FREE on public lands primarily managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), Nevada.
These wild horses and burros were brought here by miners, ranchers, missionaries, and others. Reflecting many colors, sizes, and breeds...they were brought here during the settlement of the West. As we rounded a curve here at Cold Creek... there they were...a family of 3 walking the edge of the road. Their elevation was 8,000 feet. WOW!
McWilliams Campground was our next stop to see if our rig would fit for future camping. Dry camping with drinking water available. Yes, that is white snow on the ground.
This campground is located in the Spring Mountains. More than 100 springs create the namesake for the mountain range.
Here one can find the world's oldest organism... the Bristlecone pine.
Yes, it was windy and jacket weather.
Here is a ski slope with chair lift on Mount Charleston.
Below a person was skiing down the slope.
The road ended with turnaround at the helipad.
SR 156 took down the straightest decent off the mountain to the desert below we have ever driven.
Check out the bulls eye looking shapes of the rock on this mountain. Awesome.
Until next time...take care...be safe. See you by the campfire.
Here is a ski slope with chair lift on Mount Charleston.
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