Mount Charleston Will Soon Be Back To Normal

Tropical Storm Hilary dumped a lot of rain in Las Vegas this past August. It left roads, homes and the terrain at Mount Charleston in shambles. 

Good news -- life on Mount Charleston will soon be easier and somewhat back to normal. A relief for everyone that are residents of the mountain, and those anxious to get back to their hiking (myself included) - and soon, skiing. 

It's been two months now since Hilary dumped buckets of rain on Mount Charleston and destroyed roads and homes. We always need the rain in the desert, but Mt. Charleston isn't as equipped for it like other places are. One highway up, lots of forest, not a lot of services.

Roads are reopening, residents have water again. That was a luxury for some, because they had to boil water for a while.  And a ban on visiting most of the area will be lifted. But there is still a little ways to go before things are completely normal. 

KLAS Channel 8 is reporting that State Route 157, or Kyle Canyon Road, will reopen on Friday, Nov. 3. State Route 158, or Deer Creek Road, will reopen on Nov. 10. All weather permitting, of course.

The cost for road repairs at Mount Charleston are coming in at $11 million But District Engineer Mario Gomez said that roads won't wash away as easily next time there is a major storm.

Reinforcements and upgrades have been made, and sewer pipes twice the size of the originals have been replaced with much larger ones. Large boulders will now also line the shoulders, making it much safer. 

Many Mount Charleston residents have been living with limited water and no heat. I'm sure it will be a relief for them to see a little normalcy once again.

Was your New Year's resolution the same as it is every year - to be more active, to exercise, to lose weight? Well let's make it happen this year!

According to a study by WalletHub, it shouldn't be that hard, since Las Vegas ranked among the best cities for an active lifestyle. We're lucky to have the great weather we have, and the open spaces we have.

Actually achieving a healthy lifestyle is more difficult than we'd like it to be, and it requires a consistently active routine. Sometimes there are obstacles, because where you live may not promote a healthy way of life. Some cities lack sidewalks, and neighborhood parks. Weather also plays a big part in how active you are - or can be.

WalletHub compared the 100 biggest U.S. cities based on 36 key indicators of an active lifestyle. Their data set ranges from the average monthly fitness-club fee, to bike score, to the share of physically inactive adults.

Honolulu took the number one spot, followed by San Francisco in second, New York in third, Chicago in fourth, and Las Vegas in fifth place. Rounding out the top ten: Cincinnati in sixth place, San Diego in seventh, Madison Wisconsin in eighth, Denver in ninth, and Atlanta in tenth!

Here's how different a city can be - Las Vegas is number five, North Las Vegas came in at 100! What????  Not that different from Las Vegas, and it's right over there! Nonetheless, a very low ranking.

As far as fitness clubs, our neighbors up north ranked number three. Reno has more fitness clubs per capita than 97 other cities!

Want to be more active in 2023? Here are some hiking trails in the Las Vegas valley, that I really like, to help you out!

-Carla Rea

This is a cool "city" hike. At the beginning you overlook the city, and the Las Vega Strip. On the other side, it's a bit removed, yet you still overlook residential Las Vegas.

Rubber Ducky Trail is a nice out and back – or longer, depending on how you decide to explore it.  Most ages and fitness types will enjoy this one. By the way - bring a small rubber ducky - or rubber fowl of some sort - to hang on one of the various trees that display them!

One of the most beautiful and picturesque hikes in Las Vegas. A popular trail for hiking and running. Don't forget to make reservations!

Probably my favorite trail hike in Las Vegas, and anyone can do it! Not a lot of climbing, unless you want to – and you can make it as long, or as short as you’d like. But try not to bail until you get through the tunnels!