We eased into the day with brunch and mountain air, trading city rush for quiet roads and desert views. From Spring Mountains to Pahrump to the glow of the Strip, it was a day of detours, discoveries, and one final spin through Vegas.
In case you missed my previous post about this trip>>>Day 5
We slept in, which was lovely and since we missed breakfast at the hotel we decided to go for brunch at Firefly. We ate there the last time we were there and really enjoyed it. This visit wasn’t nearly as pleasant and we didn’t stick with tapas. I got the Chilaquiles with chicken, which was really not that great.
As we ate lunch we debated on what to do. My ankle was still hurting so walking a lot wasn’t an option again. We decided to drive over to Mount Charleston.
We stopped at the visitor center to get the lay of the land as we drove through the Spring Mountains.
Mummy Mountain (seen below) is a striking peak in the Spring Mountains gets its name from its uncanny resemblance to a reclining mummy—or more precisely, an Egyptian sarcophagus seen in profile. From certain angles, especially along U.S. Route 95, you can spot:
Starting on the right side:
The “forehead” at the northern end, above Lee Canyon
The rounded “tummy” at the summit plateau (11,528 ft!)
The “toe” at the southern end, near Fletcher Peak2
Desert View Overlook
Desert View Overlook, tucked along Deer Creek Highway in the Spring Mountains near Las Vegas, offers a brief but breathtaking escape. Just 0.2 miles of paved, gently sloped trail leads visitors to sweeping views of the Mojave Desert and distant mountain ranges. Along the way, interpretive panels share insights into local geology, flora and fauna, and the site’s unique Cold War-era history—where crowds once gathered to witness atomic tests from afar.
We ended up stopping at Lee Canyon, the closest ski resort to Las Vegas—about an hour’s drive from the Strip. Nestled in the Spring Mountains, it offers:
26 trails across 195 skiable acres
Terrain for all levels, from beginner to double black diamond
Snowshoeing, tubing, and three terrain parks
A cozy base lodge with food, drinks, and gear rentals
It’s a desert surprise wrapped in alpine charm.
From Lee Canyon, a scenic drive through the Spring Mountains takes you within close range of the The Nevada Test Site, once the heart of America’s nuclear testing program, is a powerful symbol of the Cold War era. Though access is restricted, the entrance near Mercury serves as a haunting reminder of the atomic age—where science, fear, and national pride collided in the desert. It’s a meaningful stop for anyone drawn to the history and lore of that turbulent time. (Location of Sign)
From the ghostly quiet of the Nevada Test Site to the desert hum of Pahrump, just 50 miles of scrubland, Cold War echoes, and roadside Americana. The drive winds south on US-95, then west on NV-160, trading restricted zones for cotton fields, neon signs, and the peculiar charm of a town named for its “Water Rock.” Once alfalfa country, now home to wineries, racetracks, and bird sanctuaries, Pahrump feels like a place caught between eras—where mystery and resilience bloom in the desert dust.
I discovered Pahrump probably a year ago or so through a YouTube channel that follows Nye County law enforcement (First Responders), and I’ve been hooked ever since. The raw tension, desert backdrop, and flashes of humanity make each episode feel cinematic. Beyond the sirens, it’s the quieter moments that stay with me—a deputy’s kindness, a dusty road, a neon sign. Pahrump, once just a name, now feels like a story I’m still learning, so it was fun to drive through the town and see familiar spots from the show.
After getting some dinner in Pahrump, it was time to head on back to Vegas to catch our flight. We arrived in the area and had a little time to kill, so we drove through Fremont Street area (Old Vegas) and then down the Vegas Strip soaking in all the lights and sounds one last time!
When you see this sign, you’re either entering or leaving the Vegas Strip.
As we soared over the glitter of the Vegas Strip, the Sphere winked up at us like a neon memory—one last nod to that night with The Eagles, when the music wrapped around us like desert wind and time didn’t matter. Vegas is a ‘magical’ place!
And with that we’re done with this trip. Hope you enjoyed!
What a lovely ending to your trip!