The rugged Bitter Springs Trail lies not far from the sprawl of urban Las Vegas, but seems a world away. Designated a scenic back country byway by Congress in 1989, the 30-mile route south of Valley of Fire State Park connects old mining roads, a mountain pass and desert washes between Interstate 15 and the Northshore Road in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Allow at least two hours just to drive the route, more if you stop to explore.
When winter storms frost the mountains to the west of Las Vegas, hordes of visitors head for the high country in search of snowy adventures. Following Christmas, visitors don bright new mufflers and gloves, load sleds or toboggans in the car and eagerly aim for the alpine wonderland. The only place in Southern Nevada with enough snow, the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, part of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, offers a variety of winter activities.
