Kyle Canyon + Hwy 158 Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

9
FIETS
21.6 mi
DISTANCE
5,342 ft
GAINED
4.7 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Ron Hawks, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

INTRO

The first nine miles of the Kyle Canyon climb are in a somewhat bleak high desert environment. At around nine miles we begin to enter a canyon-like setting with more interesting views and rock formations. We enter Spring Mountain National Recreation Area at mile 12.2 and reach the turnoff to Highway 158 at mile 17.5 (3,986' climbed at 4.6% average grade to this point). The final four miles up Highway 158 are at 5.8%, climbing 1,325' with some very good views of the Kyle and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to the southeast.
4.7% average grade.  61% of the climb is at 0-5% grade and 37% is at 5-10%.  The steepest quarter-mile is 7.9% and steepest mile 7.2%. 

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  This is a two lane highway in excellent condition with a shoulder to ride your bike in up to the turn onto Highway 158 at mile 17.5.  The last four miles on Highway 158 are on excellent pavement and with a much narrower shoulder. 

Traffic:  Mild to Mild-Moderate on Highway 157 with traffic passing at highway speeds - 50-60 mph.  This is not a ride for the traffic averse, although you can ride on the shoulder the entire 17.5 miles on Highway 157.  Traffic on Highway 158 is mild. 

Parking:  Near climb start (Map; Street View). 
Provisions: None on the route (in an emergency you could probably get water and an expensive meal at the Retreat on Charleston Peak at mile 17).  If Mt. Charleston Lodge is open, there will be food and beverages there - this is 3.5 miles up Highway 157 from the turn off to Highway 158 (Map). 

Weather: This climb is in the Mojave Desert and the average high for June-August is 99-104. Additionally, you finish the climb nearly 5,000' above your starting altitude. Therefore, be sure to consult the PJAMM "Full Forecast" feature for the time you expect to arrive at climb start and finish to assess what clothing to bring on your ride.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
This climb begins fifteen miles north of Las Vegas.  There are three other Top US 100 Bike Climbs in this area.  Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area. 

We stayed in Las Vegas when we did these climbs and drove the 18 miles from Vegas to this climb for our long riding day.

Also consider cycling in Death Valley, which is only two hours west of Las Vegas, and Zion National Park, which is only 2.5 hours northeast.  See our Death Valley National Park page and our Zion National Park page for more information on riding in these areas.

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CLIMB SUMMARY

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Cycling Kyle Canyon a top Nevada and US bike climb.

21.6 miles gaining 5,357’ to 8,112’ at 4.7% average grade.

 

The first 9 miles of the Kyle Canyon climb are in a somewhat bleak high desert environment.  At around 9 miles we begin to enter a canyon-like setting with more interesting views and rock formations.  We enter Spring Mountain National Recreation Area at mile 12.2 and reach the turnoff to Hwy 158 at mile 17.5 (3,986' climbed at 4.6% average grade to this point).  The final 4 miles up Hwy 158 are at 5.8% climbing 1,325' with some very good views of the Kyle and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to the southeast.

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Finish on Hwy 158 at 8,112’

Steepest ¼ mile  begins at mile 20.5 (7.8%); steepest mile begins at mile 20.2 (7.2%)

This climb can be extremely hot and probably should be avoided between June and August when the average high temperatures range from 99 to 104.

This US #49 bike climb can be done in conjunction with 3 other Top 100 U.S. Climbs in the immediate area: #24 Hwy 156 (Lee Canyon) (which shares its first 14 miles with #34 Hwy 156/158),  and ​Hwy #70 Hwy 157 (Mt. Charleston), which shares its first 17.5 miles with this, the Kyle Canyon climb. Be cautious if doing this ride group without support as the only provisions are likely to be at the Mt Charleston Lodge at the end of Hwy 157 - support is highly recommended for any effort involving Lee and Kyle Canyons in the same ride. ​ Undertaking these 4 climbs in one day is about 90 miles of riding and 12,000' of climbing, but you can actually fly into Las Vegas very early and get er done that day, if you really want to punish yourself - as we did!

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Wipe that smile off your face!  This is only #1 of 4 . . .

Traffic and Roadway report:  As of October, 2014, the roadway surface was excellent throughout this ride.  From about mile 6, there is minimal to no shoulder and traffic can whiz by at highway speeds.  Traffic for the last 4 miles on Hwy 158 is very light.   Both Hwy 157 and 158 have been repaved as of 2015.  

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