I am a climbing fan and was wondering if there are any big climbs in the Las Vegas area which are doable in January or February or are they all snow-in?
Apart from Mount Lemmon, are there any other big climbs in the Tucson/Phoenix area which are rideable during the winter months such as Mount Graham or Kitts Peak?
We rarely get snow that stays more than a few hours in the lower elevations of the valley. The two areas that get snow that sticks around for a couple of months are the higher elevations in Lee Canyon where the ski resort is located and Kyle Canyon a few miles north of Lee Canyon both off of US 95. Red Rock state park at the west end of the valley sometimes gets snow when it rains in the lower elevation but most of the time the roads are clear as it goes away rapidly. That's probably the area with the steepest hills usable in the winter. You can also ride the River Mountain Trail at the east end of the valley and there are lots of roads in Henderson with some pretty challenging hills. Not quite like riding up to Mount Charleston but it should do.
Thanks so much for the information. Another reply I received on another forum said that Mt. Charleston is doable in winter but I suppose that person is being a bit optimistic.
Yes, Mt. Charleston is often rideable in winter when it hasn't snowed recently and the snow left from plowing has melted. There is always the potential for melting snow from the sides of the road to ice over sections of the road. Not nice going downhill on a bike. This is a national recreation area so the roads are not as wide as they are elsewhere in the valley. Both the Lee Canyon and the Kyle Canyon roads are heavily used by locals seeking winter activities (skiing, sledding, camping, and hiking). There are periods right around the snowstorms when chains or 4-wheel drive vehicles are required before you can even go up these two roads. However, snowstorms are hit and miss. I guess if you can ride in Canada in the winter, then you could probably ride in the mountains in our winters. I rather prefer riding in 50 degree days in January down in the valley.
Nobody can predict whether or not there will be snow even at the 5,000 foot level on Mt. Potosi off of Blue Diamond Road, State HY 146. I've seen the land completely bare in January and then so badly snowed in two weeks later that we had to hike in to a camp located there after parking the cars a mile or two away.
Thanks again for all the information "Vegas Triker"
It seems to me that, from all the advice I have received, Southern Arizona or Southern California are the most reliable places to go in winter for climbing. I've always wanted to climb Mount Lemmon anyway but, it seems, in winter , it is not possible to go to the top so, strictly speaking, I can't say I have climbed it even I get to the end of the line---that's a bit frustrating. It seems that some of the big climbs in S. Cal. such as Mount Baldy and Mount Palomar can be done in winter so I am leaning towards there.
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