winter climbs

[josullivan]

I am a climbing fan and was wondering if there are any big climbs in the Salt Lake City--Las Vegas areas doable in January or February or are they all snow-bound?
I live in Ontario,Canada and would love to do some big climbs during the winter to escape the "winter blahs".


Thanks in advance
Brendan O'Sullivan
Mississauga
Ontario

[valygrl]

I think you should consider Los Angeles or Tucson. Not sure about Vegas, but the climbing in SLC is up to the ski resorts-- not possible in winter.

[eofelis]

Depending on how the winter is you can do some road rides in Moab during the winter. Riding in Arches NP is a bit of a climb. Riding out of Moab, up Rt 191, then up Rt 313 towards Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky) is a good climb.

We do some climbs in the winter in Grand Junction. Usually we don't get too much snow. Rimrock Road in the Colorado National Monument is open all winter. I have also climbed Little Park Road (12 mile climb) in winter.

Good mountain biking in the winter here too.

[CritEastwood]

climb what?

technical mtb trails?

[josullivan]

I'm a roadie so it would have to be on the road with a road bike.

Brendan

[CritEastwood]

buy a mtb and increase your options

[badhat]

las vegas climbs are clear all winter

but theres not a ton of them.

Mt Charleston is pretty formidable 17 miles of pretty steady up.

Red Rock Natl Park scenic loop has some intense rollers.

Mt Potosi from blue diamond is a nice little climb.

Sunrise Mtn from Vegas to Lake Mead is short but fun.

[josullivan]

Thank you so much for the information "badhat".
I was wondering if you know if route 156 is clear in the winter. From the map it seems to be very close and parallel to the Mt. Charleston climb and gets a very high ranking in John Summerhill's book on the great American climbs.
Regards
Brendan

[badhat]

actually 156 (lee canyon rd) is the traditional bike climbing route to MtC.

[CritEastwood]

best descent in the lost wages area