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1.START-END WEST:jct I95 - Nv156 2.profile turns left onto Nv158 3.TOP,8427ft 4.profile turns left down Kyle Canyon Rd 5.START-END EAST:jct I95 - Nv157

Approaches

From North.  Most cyclists will probably agree that the real climbing actually starts at the I95 exit to Nv156. In my case, below that on I95, the wind was a much bigger factor on my particular ride. The road climbs the alluvial fan radiating out from Mt Charleston. It is fairly steep, and the road doesn't show an signs of curvature. Especially the bottom consists of an attractive grove of Joshua trees, spread out in all directions.

Eventually the cacti thin out, and the road leaves land belonging to a BLM conservation status, into less restrictive National Forest land. Eventually gaining enough elevation, stunted evergreen bushes start to line the road. Before NV156 can make it all the way to the ski area. NV158 branches off in what is the closest thing to a switchback, that this loop has to offer. Now traversing below the rocky top ledges of Mt Charleston, the dessert vista spreading east is immense, a truly supersized panorama, and in April the air is usually clear enough, so that the immensity can even be appreciated..A couple of parking lots invite motorized ,visitors to exit their metal enclosures to look around. The top is marked with a simple summit sign stating 8427ft.

From South. (described downwards) Soon after the summit the only "normally sized" panorama on the loop comes into sight. It is nicely proportioned view of the road below, with snow covered ridges reaching Mount Charleston, and -Lord Behold- in order to get down there ,there has to be at least one more curve resembling a switch back, -and there actually is such a large radius switchback.

The road makes one final change in direction at the junction with Nv157. Here another possibility for an out and back climb, shorter and lower than the on one the other side, lends itself to reach the Mt Charleston trailhead.

Continuing downhill from the junction the road passes a big hotel complex, worthy of any and all Las Vegas abominations. It is amazing to think, that this planar looking landscape still has over 3000ft of elevation to give up on this decent. In some ways it looks like the badlands of Nebraska, but there a human powered bicycle doesn't speed along at 47 miles an hour without any extra energy from pedalling, because there the plane is not inclinded, and the strong downslope winds do not exist. As the name "Kyle Canyon" may lead to suspect, the road soon follows a small ravine with soft sandstone outcrops lining the straight dry stream bed. The final approach to the lowest area in the valley, on I15, takes more distance than suspected. But the miles flow by quickly on the last part of this super smooth alluvial fan.

Sidetrip to Las Vegas Ski Bowl

This out and back on the northern approach comprises another 930ft of climbing reaching the top parking lot of the ski area, making it roughly 200ft higher than the two way summit. There is no view from the end of the road. But according to the map a trail starts at the end of the parking lot. I missed it.

1.START-END WEST:jct I95 - Nv156 2.profile stays straight on Nv156 3.TOP,8427ft

Dayride with this point as highest summit:

COMPLETELY PAVED

( < unmarked summit1 west of Saint George | Mormon Pass > )

Nv158 Mount Charleston Loop s(u) , additional out and back : jct I95 -Nv156 > up Nv156 > jct with Nv158 <> out and back to top parking lot of Las Vegas Ski Resort >> Nv158 south > Nv158 Mt Charleston Loop s(u) > Nv157 east > I95 north back to starting point: 62.7miles with 6760ft of climbing in 5:47hrs (garmin etrex32 r4:23.4.12)
Notes: last part on I95 is signed as closed to bicycles. However some distance later (more northern) exits are not signed that way. In any case - safer than most US highways