Oak Springs Summit
US93, heading north from the Las
Vegas area is far from being the perfect bike
route, due to moderately heavy and fast traffic,
and rumble strips on the shoulders. Further north
then, from Crystal Springs, there are two options
to go further north, and the conditions on US93
improve greatly. The route also goes over two
signed summits. One of them is only a shoulder
point.
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1.(00.0m,3840ft)
START-END WEST: jct Nv318 - US93, Crsytal
Springs
2.(18.8m,5000ft) Pahroc Summit
3.(22.1m,4820ft) intermediate low point at
turnoff to Delamar landing field and Point
of Rock Reservor in other side
4.(32.0m,6240ft)TOP; Oak Springs Summit
5.(42.3m,4390ft) START-END EAST: Caliente:
jct NV317 - US93
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Approaches
From West. A
shallow climb with a singular noticeably and also
signed curve leads up the sagebrush hills to a
signed summit: Pahroc Summit. Blessed are those
who think this is the highest point. The Nevada
Gazeteer map, for example, labels this summit, but
not the much higher Oak Springs summit, coming
later on the profile.
Pahroc Summit is only a shoulder point (drop is
less than 300ft). It leads into a wide gentle
valley with an intimidating expanse. To the north
it is called Delamar Valley, to the south Dry Lake
Valley. A simple Nevada historical sign tells
about the old gold town, a dozen or so miles to
the south, from which the Delamar name is derived.
This area of the road is occupied by groves of
Joshua Trees. They make a great foreground for the
next climb. It leads to the real summit on Oak
Springs Pass. It exhibits a few attempts at mild
curvature, near the top. Here trees make a grand
appearance again in the form of a dwarf needle
forest.
From East. (described
downwards). This side does not share the stark
dessert beauty of the west side. It is a high,
forested, rolling plateau. The grade is perfect
for a lightning fast descent into Caliente. There
is a rumble stripped shoulder on much of the way
on this side. The other side without shoulder or
rumble strips is preferable to this, as far as
cycling conditions are concerned
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cLiCk on image , arrows
, or thumbnails to advance slideshow
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Dayride with this point as highest summit:
COMPLETELY PAVED:
( < Boulder
City(sh) | Hancock Summit
> )
Oak Springs Summit x2: jct US83 - Nv318,
Crystal Springs <> US93 east <> Pahroc
Pass(shp) <> Oak Springs Summit <>
turnaround point ~2miles short of Caliente:
74.5miles with 5010ft of climbinh in 6:12hrs (garmin
etrex30 r4:19.11.4)
Notes: perfect day except for a broken spoke
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