LAS VEGAS (KALS) — With record-breaking temperatures in Las Vegas, many people are heading to the mountains to escape the heat and despite Mt. Charleston being under a head advisory, many people say it is still the best place to cool off.
“My friend here is from the valley and she’s like let’s go to Mt. Charleston, it’s 20 degrees cooler,” Sybria Davis said. “So, we decided to explore today.”
Davis and her group of friends Adriona Smith and Chenette Galvez came to Mt. Charleston Monday morning to get ahead of the crowds as they knew many people were looking to get a taste of crisp mountain air.
“Me being a local, I already know, and I avoid the strip so she was saying where should I go? Where should I take her because she had suggested Valley of Fire and I’m like why?” laughed Smith.
Visiting from out of town, Galvez said the mountain has been a top choice to escape cabin fever due to hot temperatures.
“It is cooler, that’s a plus but it is gorgeous,” Galvez said. “It’s definitely a must because I have never been here before so look at this, you can’t really beat it.”
Andy Pakkala is visiting from Texas and was surprised to learn the mountains were under a heat alert, but said it’s better than going back into town.
“Even if you go to the pool over in Vegas, it’s still 120 degrees outside so we’re trying to find cool temperatures,” Pakkala remarked. “We came to see the sights and probably hit Lee Canyon and I heard about the ski lift over there and that it still runs so we’re going to check that out.”
Those hiking like Scott Welton and his family said they plan to be out for a while and add it’s still important to protect yourself from the sun even in higher elevations.
“I’m wearing sneakers so that will help me climb,” Scott remarked. “My hat, oh yes definitely that will help me stay cool and my sunglasses.”
With this heat advisory in effect for the mountains this week, afternoon temperatures are expected to hit the upper 80s.
The hottest temperature ever recorded on Mount Charleston was 98 degrees at the Mt. Charleston Fire Station on July 22, 1988.
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