Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest — Attraction in Tonopah

My favorite place to take a quick trip out of the Las Vegas summer heat, or in the winter to experience a little bit of snow. It is especially easy now that the construction is done on the new Kyle Canyon exit off the 95. (That seemed to go on forever, and a time or two I missed the turn off and had to go all the way to the Lee Canyon exit (no great hardship)... not that the construction stopped me from coming up here.

There are some great trails to take, all are pretty well maintained and marked. (Hiking is a favorite past time of mine.) There is hotel and a lodge where you can stay overnight if you aren't into camping both places offer good food and drinks for after a nice morning of hiking. Sometimes parking can be tricky on weekends, as space is limited and the Las Vegas Valley population is growing, but the mountain can handle only so many people. (This seems to happen mostly in the winter time when lots of people would like to spend some time playing in the snow. ) Weekends can also see parking scarce at many of the trail head parking lots. Best time to hike is mornings on the weekdays if you can swing it.

One thing to note, there are no gas stations on the mountain, so plan accordingly as I have witnessed from time to time some poor soul stranded for lack of fuel. A few years ago this was a big deal, but there are gas stations near by at Sky Canyon and Durango exits as opposed to three...

This is such a lovely forest. My family and I camp and drive through this area, virtually, all the time, going to or coming from vacations in other areas (as well as this one). When you pull over on one of the many pull outs, the panorama is just breathtaking. I can just stand and breathe and forget everything except the beauty of the moment. How can you not fall in love with the trees, the rocks, the earth, the deer and birds and other wildlife all around you? The sky can sometimes be filled with beautiful puffy white clouds that are so picturesque and sometimes the sun is so bright I need my sunglasses just to stare out across the horizon. I've even stopped when the rain has been falling (lightly, I have to admit)--oh, it is even beautiful, then. I don't mind getting a little bit wet. It is just so worth it. Sometimes I use the same favorite pull out, but many times I pick different ones, since there are so many. You will see what I mean when you start driving through the forest. You will start to fall in love with the trees and the forest and the beauty of this place, as well. You may call me sappy, but it will grow on you, too. I hope you have many enjoyable, sappy moments...

I love forests. Hiking, trail running, riding horses or off roading on machines. I need to weekly escape the noise of people and their lives going on so close around me. I daily drive through this area on my commute so I guess Google maps feels I'm here enough that I get constantly asked to write a review. I'm thankful for our local wildland areas, and I'm lucky to see them every day. Please if you visit here, slow down and stay in the slow lane. There are wildlife out in 80, bear, deer, raccoons and the occasional skunk or sadly someone's lost dog. Just hang out behind a big rig and let them lead you through the pass. It's very dark at night, and the center dividers are not tall enough to block the oncoming headlights so seeing is a normal challenge and made worse if you are not familiar with the twists and turns of this narrow and winding highway. Also don't drive it in winter if you don't have great winter tires. Lots of wrecks and traffic slow downs and no where to escape. But if you are the passenger...