3 Mile Smile

3 Mile Smile is a mountain biking route in Nevada's Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, about 6 miles from the community of Mountain Springs. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is an out-and-back that runs roughly 6 miles round trip, with the high point at about 4,880 feet and the low point at about 4,240 feet. The climb totals about 1,460 feet of elevation gain and loss, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.9 miles into the trip, where the grade reaches about 13%. The route is rated easy, and the elevation change is spread out over the full distance. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 70°F in April and 75°F in October, while July and August average highs near 90°F with lows in the 60s. That station sits far below the place, so temperatures up high run cooler. Other mountain biking close by includes Dead Horse Loop Southwest, about half a mile away, and Satan's Escalator, about 0.6 miles away. Climbers can find East Side and Clear Light Cave within about 2.3 miles.