Spring Mountain's Carpenter Canyon

 In the world of computer gaming, there is a game called Fallout New Vegas. This is one of a series of open-world, post-nuclear fallout games. This particular one is based in the actual Las Vegas Valley with many real-world locations featured in the game world. One of the Non-Player Characters in the game often states the following line: “Patrolling the Mohave Desert almost makes you wish for nuclear winter.” This is an insane thing to say, but a statement that rings in the back of my mind whenever I am spending time outdoors in the summer.

That is why Carpenter Canyon is one of the strangest places I have visited near Las Vegas. It is located in the Spring Mountains near the City. Some areas in this mountain range often get snowfall. From November to April, some peaks and valleys are covered with snow. A clear difference in vegetation is apparent in this area. Yuccas and Joshua trees give way to Aspen and Pine trees. In some way, it’s an oasis in the desert. Lower temperatures and the odd spring flowing down the mountain.

It is these crystal-clear mountain springs that drew me to this location. Sadly, many of these springs dry up during the hot summer months. The spring at Carpenter Canyon is one of the few that has a year-round flow of water. Probably one of the reasons why this creek was stocked with cutthroat trout back in the 1970s. It is the allure of stalking these small trout in these clear streams that made me force a friend with an off-road vehicle to take me out there.

At the start of the canyon, the creek was frozen solid due to the shadow of the mountain. A short hike into the canyon soon revealed some open pools and running water. I do not have the words to express the grandeur of this experience, nor can a picture explain it. The magic of it all can only be found by experiencing this area firsthand. So, the next time you want to escape the Vegas heat, consider a jaw-dropping trip to Carpenter Canyon. But I have to stress that it is crucial to conserve and protect this area and to practice safe release of any fish caught here.