Something For Everyone

   Mt. Springs pass offers a variety of things to do for the desert rat. With an elevation of 5490 ft, the pass normally boasts a 20 degree difference from the scorching desert floor. Outside activities can be done without the long drive to Mt. Charleston or the sweltering heat and crowds of Lake. Mead.

    Motorcyclists enjoy the winding mountain road with gentle S turns, good speed limit and great high desert scenery. The Mtn. Springs saloon provides a destination for bikers who wish to  beat the heat, not have to travel an hour to do so. You can congregate with other bike enthusiasts looking to get out of town for the day or just a couple of hours away from their everyday lives. For the biker who is looking for a little more of a ride, there is a canyon just 3 miles past the summit called Lovelle Canyon. This canyon is a 12 mile paved road that starts off of Hwy 160 on the Pahrump side of the summit. The 12 miles seems to go by quickly as you just don’t want this ride to end. Starting at about 4,000 feet at the highway the road winds through high desert to a switchback that drops you down into the canyon just to bring you back up to the backside of Charleston at 6,300 ft. where the road ends. The end of the road brings you to a private gate that used to be the old boys camp for Juveniles that needed a little guidance along life’s path. It was later turned into an RV membership resort complete with hookups, a stocked trout lake, swimming pool, RV rentals and a clubhouse. It was owned by a partnership that included the well known and long time Las Vegas resident and Landmark owner, Bill “Wildcat” Morris. That business failed do to the seasonal washing out of the road on a pretty regular basis.

Which brings me to a WARNING about the road conditions. The first 5 miles has a few dips where the road crosses natural washes. You may want to take them slower, especially if you have a passenger. For solid or stiff rear ends like choppers, a few of the dips can offer quite a surprise if you’re not paying attention.

At the bottom of the switchback, (and trust me on this one, you will know what I am referring to when you get there.)

There is one wash that is still getting run off from Charleston snows. The water crosses the road and sneaks up on you because you can’t see it until you are on top of it. I am speaking from personal experience here and I have been riding that road for 28 years myself and it got me, and my daughter Alexa, on a Sunday casual ride. I am sure I am not alone in this white knuckle experience. By August-September this water will cease. To be sure however, you can see Charleston from the start of the road and if the snow is gone, chances are the water is also. One more warning on this road, when you are gliding through the S turns on this awesome ride, be aware of oncoming traffic that can be hidden by vegetation along both sides of the road. You will want to hug the right side through the turns. DO NOT cut the corners on left hand curves. With that being said, once you successfully navigate this road the first time, you will definitely want to return and do it again.  Not much in the way of cell phone service either. So BE SAFE. On your way back, stop by the Mtn. Springs Saloon to say howdy to Patty the saloon manager.

     Horseback Riders love the pass for many of the same reasons bikers do. The cooler temperatures and hundreds of miles of trails that comb the pass area make it a rider’s haven. On horseback you really get the feel of what it must have been like in the “olden days” when the pass was known as “The Old Spanish Trail”. When settlers and traders used the pass coming up from Mexico headed east. Many of the residents of Mt. Springs own horses and also board horses for people who live in Las Vegas. The elevation will let you ride longer without lathering up your animal once the horse acclimates to the elevation change. The air is thinner so valley horses tend to get winded quicker than mountain horses. However once your horse gets used to the thin air and the up and down terrain of the trails they will become a stronger, more enduring mount. An old friend and long time Mtn. Springs resident once said, “a mountain horse will always outperform a flatland horse”.
 

      There is a nice ride near the saloon that is easy to get to. The gravel road that runs adjacent to the saloon driveway provides a great place to trailer your horses. From there you can head up the state paved road for about 2 city blocks. When you get to the state hwy yard gate take a left on the dirt road then a quick right. Be aware of the private drives and stay out of them. The quick right will take you back to a place we locals call the “Meadows”. The Meadows is a great little oasis about a half mile down the road.

You will know the meadows when you see it. With a variety of trees and tall pompous grass, the Meadows is a nice picnic area or just a place to dismount and enjoy the view. Not a bad place to “do It” outdoors either. You know. Please blindfold your horses if you get frisky because when you come back to the saloon for a smoke and a beer the horses tend to spill the beans.

Lovell Canyon, Trout Canyon and Carpenter Canyon (Pahrump side) are all great places to trailer in and find trails.

 Warnings to new riders in the area: In the summer, be cautious of wandering too far from your trailers without sufficient water for you as well as your animal. Always lock your vehicles and secure your trailers with a hitch lock if your vehicle is going to unattended for a long period of time. Keep a sharp eye out for the occasional snake in the lower elevations.

Never ride alone or at the very least, make sure that someone at home knows exactly where you will be riding and what time you are expected to return.  Horses and riders are welcome to tie up at the saloon. Just please be aware of tying up very close to motorcycles. If you wish to be welcomed back to the saloon, all riders are responsible for picking up their own horse poop and that’s a no shitter there.