The Wilderness is an inspiring place with invigorating mountain air, ice-cold springs, and acres of noble evergreen forests. The rugged mountain scenery extends across the crest of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area and includes towering crags, deep and wide canyons, narrow slot canyons, and steep hillsides. It includes Fletcher Canyon, Robbers Roost, and Mummy and Trough springs. Elevations range from about 6,500 feet on the lowest slopes in the southwest part of the wilderness, to nearly 12,000 feet at the summit, the highest elevation in the Spring Mountains.

The Charleston Wilderness contains 18,000 acres of bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva), the most extensive stand of these ancient trees to be found in the intermountain ecoregion. These trees are valued for their aesthetic and scientific purposes and are among the oldest living organisms in the world. In lower elevations, extensive forests of ponderosa pine and white fir provide habitat for the Palmer's chipmunk, a species that only occurs in the Spring Mountains. There are acres of Pinion-Juniper Woodland bright with 15 endemic mountain flowers such as the Charleston Mountain angelica (Angelica scabrida) and booming with wildlife.

About 40 miles of trails cross this area, traversing significant elevation from trailheads to ridge lines. From this back-country, vistas can be seen across the mountains and valleys in the area that seem to reach to the edge of the world. The Mt. Charleston Wilderness was originally part of an area known as the Charleston Forest Reserve established on November 5, 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt under the authority of the Forest Reserve Act of 1891.

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is a slow paced enjoyable trip carrying you through canyons, mountainous regions reaching 10,000 elevations of twisty roads, long sweeping curves, the smell of pine, the smoke of fire places and beautiful log-cabins set in a breath taking scenery that is always a pleasure and an escape from the city of Las Vegas.

In mountain environments, weather can always be a factor. For the most part though, Mount Charleston is around 20 to 30 degrees cooler than Las Vegas. If it's 60 degrees, which is great riding weather in Vegas, it'll be below freezing there. Then when you add 60mph to venue, people want to go home, especially whiny teenagers that begged dad to take them up for the day on the back of the bike. Mount Charleston peeks out around 12,000 ft - What you say? Yes, she's a big mountain, a favorite of the guides and we'll take our bike every inch we can climb her which will be at 10,000 feet.

Of course, there's camping that should be booked in advance if that's something you're looking do. If you don't book in advance you won't get a place to camp, as seen in many camping areas today around the country where they can be booked online.

There are two places to eat on the lower part of the mountain and one seasonal place at Lee. There's NO gas anywhere to be found on the mountain. There's group areas for picnics and plenty of pull-outs for photography. There are places to hike, some in the area of 1/4 mile to many miles across the peeks and valleys.

In the Kyle Canyon area you'll find a couple of lodges with cabins & room rentals. The old lodge is a place that I've frequented since birth. Former owners of the Old Lodge were Barbara and Colon Orkut. Since the death of Mr. Orkut within a few years Barbara sold the Lodge and is now run about the same with entertainment on some Friday nights and a much welcomed whole new menu. Give the Southwest Casadea a try... If it's toward the morning they make an excellent omelet. Further up the road on hill top is a ski lodge which is seasonal.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in the Fall season.

At this point below, we're about 10,000 foot elevation top of the 12,000 ft Summit. As you can see the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest is a pretty big place reaching across many canyons.

Northwest Mountain Tour

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