Storm shuts down Red Rock Canyon, restricts Mount Charleston travel
By Glenn Puit Las Vegas Review-Journal
Snowmen are left behind at Red Rock Canyon Overlook on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
Snow and ice is seen at Red Rock Canyon on Dec. 26, 2019. (@RedRockCynLV/Twitter)
People brave the rain on Spring Mountain Road at Las Vegas Boulevard Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
Rebecca Lee, and her mother Pearl Lee, both of Los Angeles, walk on the Strip at Fashion Show mall in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
People shelter from the rain at the door to Macy’s at Fashion Show mall in Las Vegas as they wait for their rides Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
An individual takes a morning walk as the rain falls in the Las Vegas valley on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019. Elizabeth Page Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @EliPagePhoto
People walk through the snow at Red Rock Canyon Overlook on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
People pose for photos in the snow at Red Rock Canyon Overlook on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
Jacob Luke, 14, of Las Vegas, makes a snowman at Red Rock Canyon Overlook on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
People walk to a viewpoint at Red Rock Canyon Overlook in the snow on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
A snowman was left behind at Red Rock Canyon Overlook on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
The Scenic Loop at Red Rock Canyon is closed due to weather, including snow, on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
Brothers Krystofer Birecki, 13, left, and Stefan Birecki, 7, right, run through the snow-covered desert plants at Red Rock Canyon on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. The two are on vacation with their family from Alberta, Canada. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
Snow at Red Rock Canyon Overlook on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
Daniel Birecki, 7, of Alberta, Canada, throws a snowball after his family pulled to the side of the road at Red Rock Canyon on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenkschmidt_
Interstate 15 was not the only Southern Nevada road affected Thursday by wintry weather passing through the area.
The Nevada Highway Patrol said travelers to Mount Charleston faced travel restrictions. Motorists on state Routes 156, 157 and 158 “all require snow chains or four wheel drive.”
“All vehicles without the proper equipment will not be allowed up the mountain,” the Highway Patrol tweeted.
#traveladvisory All of Mt. Charleston is currently under travel restrictions. SR156, SR157 and SR158 all require snow chains or four wheel drive. All vehicles without the proper equipment will not be allowed up the mountain. #drivesafenv#nhpsocomm
Roads to the Spring Mountains, including those roads, were expected to be slick with 1 to 3 inches of snow and black ice possible through 10 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service warned.
State Route 160, which had been closed Thursday near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, had reopened by 3:15 p.m., the Nye County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Bureau of Land Management said the scenic loop at the Red Rock Canyon was closed as of midday. The loop and visitors center are scheduled to reopen 9 a.m. Friday, officials said in a tweet.
We’re all pretty excited about the snow, but we’ll have to wait- the Scenic Drive will have a delayed opening of at least 9am 12/27 to make sure the roads are safe for visitors pic.twitter.com/GOvBGjp0Os
