Spring Mountains, August 19, 2005

On Friday, we got up and drove to the Spring Mountains, only 30 miles northwest of Las Vegas.  We drove up NV 156 from US 95 to the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort.

We then drove back to NV 158 and drove over the summit with the desert overlook to NV 157.  We stopped at the Visitor's Center to get some trail maps and then headed out for a hike.  Unfortunately, the Mary Jane Falls road was closed, so we ended up at the Cathdral Rock trail.  The free lot was full, so we paid to park and eat at the picnic area.

The hike takes you up an avalanche chute, which had seen record snow this past winter.  It took out an extra wide swath that must have been a real chore to clear the trail.  It also goes by Mazie Falls, up to 3 waterfalls just off the trail before climbing up the back of the rock for a great view (see pictures).

We stopped at the Mount Charleston Hotel for a drink before driving back down for our only night of gambling (we ended up $17.25).