We have reviews of the best places to see in Mount Charleston. The trail heads west and soon enters a delightful meadow. This is a beautiful short hike that’s not too far outside of the city the switchbacks give you the cardio and the views are gorgeous. Mount Charleston Climbing Notes. Look to the left (south), for a great view of Kyle Canyon; directly in front looms Charleston Peak. Hiking. The path is very visible. Charleston Wilderness Area, within an hour of the Las Vegas Strip. The hike up Mt. Easy hike, time for microspikes. Mt Charleston is the getaway spot for most in Las Vegas during the hot summer months! Charleston Peak goes in and out of view as the trail starts to imitate a roller coaster. Also to the south is Springs Fork, one of many springs in Mt. Mount Charleston North to South via Trail Canyon is a 16.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Mount Charleston, Nevada that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. Upon reaching the plateau, a sign indicates the distances to Charleston Peak, Harris Saddle, and back to Kyle Canyon (the trailhead). The trail is well marked and it was virtually empty on a weekday. The third overlook also has a great view of Charleston Peak and Kyle Canyon, making this one of the best views in the Mt. The grade is slight with a few downhill sections. Charleston begins at 7,750 feet at the Trail Canyon trailhead and climbs 1,600 feet in 2 miles on a loose, rocky trail through ponderosa pine, aspen, and wax currant trees. Bristlecone pines are reduced to twisted dwarfs. Take a moment to experience the silence, breath the clean air, and be thankful you're in good enough shape to be standing on the peak. Hikers should be prepared for increased sun exposure and avoid dehydration due to the high elevation, and prepare to turn around or shelter in place for mountain lightning storms in summer. Add Your Gems. Be the first to submit your climbing note! Charleston ridgeline comes into view. Charleston. Showing 1-40 of 62. The trail heads NW toward the summit and away from the false peak. Both locations have parking, but neither have restrooms or are stroller/wheelchair friendly. The trail flattens as it heads SW around the series of bluffs. Eventually we found the switchbacks and the rest of the hike was a breeze. To the east on Angel Peak rests a large, white, ball-shape observatory. Charleston comes in and out of view as the trail traverses the rocky ledges. The trail weaves through aspens and climbs steadily to the intersection of the North Loop trail. It was a nice hike, but definitely not for beginner hikers. You're above 11,000 feet at this point, but luckily the incline is moderate. Top Mount Charleston Hiking Trails: See reviews and photos of hiking trails in Mount Charleston, Nevada on Tripadvisor. Charleston via Deer Creek Trail. A little less than a mile from the horseshoe bend, a series of bluffs to the left of the trail offers great views of Kyle Canyon. Congratulations, you're standing, or lying down questioning your sanity, at the highest point in southern Nevada. We got lost several times and ended up scaling the side of the mountain. Charleston Lodge, and State Route 157. There's a great overlook at the top of Echo Cliffs (two miles from the trailhead); Kyle Canyon, Mummy Mountain, and Cathedral Rock can be viewed from this overlook. You can return the way you came up or make a loop by hiking down the North Loop Trail to Trail Canyon. Directly across the canyon is Mummy Mountain, and to the (west) left is North Ridge Rim. It then descends 150 feet over the next 0.33 of a mile. Depending on the time of year that you go, the waterfall may be a trickle or in our case, a roaring rapid of water bouncing off the canyon walls. We brought our dog and she did great. It is the eighth highest mountain in the state. Highly recommend checking it out. It's a short quarter-mile trek to the springs. To the north is Echo Cliffs; to the south is an unnamed cliff range. Scattered throughout the dead forest are aspens that turn orange and yellow in the fall. As the final switchback turns to the left, a short path to the right leads to the ridge. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. main trail head i Mount Charleston is a year-round getaway for Las Vegas's residents and visitors, with a number of hiking trails, a modest ski area, a hotel and a small restaurant. The trail rises to a saddle and Mt. Red Rock Canyon, directly west of town, lies between the two mountains, and the Cold Creek area lies north of Mount Charleston. Charleston Peak looks more like a ridge than a summit from this angle. A dug out fort is a favorite resting spot before starting back down. The path curves north, becomes easy to follow, and leads to a Class 2 chute. The North Loop Trail continues southerly through the dead forest and aspens, as the grade becomes steeper. The trail starts off at an easy grade wandering past ponderosa pine, pinion pine, and mountain mahogany. The mountain, which is snow-capped more than half the year, can be seen from parts of the Las Vegas Strip when looking toward the west. Gems in Mt. Raintree, the giant bristlecone pine, is over 3,000 years old and acts as a dividing point. The trail has a few moderate switchbacks before reaching a plateau at about the 1.25 mile mark. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. I wailed like a banshee lost to the void. AllTrails has 18 great hiking trails, trail running trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. The half-mile trek down to Peak Springs is very steep and you lose 900 feet in elevation. In 1.25 miles from the intersection of the two trails, the hike leaves the trail and climbs a steep scree slope. Charleston. Definitely a moderate hike up hill. The trail was beautiful but was harder than I thought, especially the last half mile. The grade is moderate as you enter the dead forest. Charleston ridgeline comes into view. The trail hugs the ridgeline for more than half a mile, offering remarkable views of Kyle Canyon, Mt. Mary Jane Falls. We did eventually find the waterfalls at the end, though. You can't get lost. The last half-mile to the peak is a steep 20% grade. From the perspective of town, the Spring Mountains are anchored by Mount Charleston (11,918 ft) to the northwest and Mount Potosi (8,514 ft) to the southwest. Due to the distance (~16 miles roundtrip) and elevation enroute (7,800’ – 11,916’) this is a day hike only for very fit hikers. Charleston Coffee on a snowy day, choose from our wide variety of delicious plates. The trail heads around a few bluffs; it seems to take forever to arrive at the base of Charleston Peak. Getting back down was just as challenging. The trail rises to a saddle and Mt. Mt. #10 - Mt. This trail can be started from two different access points – the Lower Bristlecone trailhead and the Upper Bristlecone trailhead. The trail leaves the overlook and heads west with a gradual incline. Spring Mountain National Recreation Area, Mount Charleston, Las Vegas, NV Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. (You are allowed to backcountry camp in the wilderness, but no fires are permitted.) About 150 yards past the saddle a faint path to the south (left) travels down to Peak Springs. Due to the wind and elevation, the landscape becomes harsh. Both trails go to the peak; however, the main trail is less steep. Off to the left is an unnamed peak that many hikers mistake for Mt. “I would say that this is a great trail for beginners … Charleston (aka Charleston Peak) is the highest peak in southern Nevada, and one of the most popular hikes in the state. Congratulations, you're standing, or lying down questioning your sanity, at the highest point in southern Nevada. This "people-caused fire" in the late 1940s burned more than 500 acres. Weekends are bus, but it is well worth it to see the waterfall at the end. have to park at echo trailhead and hike from there. We got fresh snow the night before the hike and it was stunning! About a mile from the junction is Cave Springs. Bristlecone pines, the oldest living tree, are abundant at the top of the scree slope. Charleston area. There's a sign marking the turnoff, but it's easily missed. It's also the most prominent mountain in Nevada. It makes a horseshoe bend and heads NE before switching back and heading west toward the North Rim Ridge. The summit lies at the top of the chute. Please check the park website for more information. Special Attractions: This most popular hike in Mt. It made the trail even harder to find; we got way off track and ended up climbing straight up a icy & steep incline. Fletcher Canyon 29 Hiking. When you get to the fork, meander to the right a little for some crazy sexy views. However, there aren’t trail markers and areas that look like it’s the trail isn’t. Please submit any useful information about climbing Mount Charleston that may be useful to other climbers. Some 40 miles of trails include many miles along the spine of the Spring Mountains. Plan to spend a few minutes catching your breathe while you take in the fantastic view of all the northern mountains of the Mt. Trees are scarce since the elevation is over 11,000 feet. Charleston - 9 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Charleston travels to a seasonal waterfall and a small cave. Difficult hike, pretty much all up hill the way up. Add Your Recommended Routes. Mount Charleston is a year-round getaway for Las Vegas’s residents and visitors, with a number of hiking trails and a modest ski area. Charleston Wilderness Area, … Charleston. Directions. View detailed trail descriptions, trail maps, reviews, photos, trail itineraries, directions and more on TrailLink. The Fletcher Canyon Trail is a beautiful hike nestled in the Mt. Trust me, the switchbacks are much more enjoyable. Southern Nevada Conservancy, a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Las Vegas, NV, works cooperatively with the US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture through a formal agreement to provide education, informational, and other public services that will add to visitors understanding and enjoyment of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Like other hikers mention, be careful to stand away from the falls and be aware of falling ice. Gearing up for a challenge? During the winter season, the parking TH listed on Alltrails is closed and cannot be accessed. RECOMMENDED ROUTE The grade increases rapidly as the trail turns easterly and passes to the east of Echo Cliffs. Just before the peak the trail forks. She was more tired by the end from walking through the snow. This way you can do the hike without staging a car at each trailhead. Explore the best trails in Mount Charleston, Nevada on TrailLink. Macho hikers need not apply On September 26, 2009, I led two moderate hikers up Trail Canyon in their attempt to climb Mt Charleston. Charleston Peak comes into view several times during the ramble through the meadow. The trail is beautiful and the views of mount Charleston are absolutely gorgeous. When you think the trail ends...it doesn't. Charleston Peak South Trail is a 17.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Mount Charleston, Nevada that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Learn about the area by exploring our Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway, join an interpretative … It was a little scary but made making it to the top even better! There is also a cave just to the left of the falls that’s super easy to get to and we’ll worth the extra steps! It is the 8th most prominent mountain in the U.S. with 8,259 feet of prominence. Escape the Las Vegas heat on this day trip to Mount Charleston, which is less than an hour away by car. Charleston - 1. To get to hiking trails that lead into the Mt. Good trail. There are 12 hard trails in Mount Charleston Wilderness ranging from 6 to 50.5 km and from 1,845 to 3,632 meters above sea level. 2755 Kyle Canyon Rd. Explore Mount Charleston - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Weddings & Events. The trail heads NW toward the summit and away from the false peak. Let us host your upcoming event! Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of Mount Charleston, as … Charleston Wilderness is a delightful 6-mile loop that gives the hiker or runner an experience of rising up to the bristlecone pine zone without having to ascend steep inclines or engage in a long-distance hike or run. A faint path heads east and climbs to the west side of Mummy Mountain. (Two miles from the trailhead.) Little Falls Trail at Mount Charleston is a nice little out and back hike stretching just under a mile in length with a waterfall at the end. Bristlecone Pine Trail in Mt. From the junction the North Loop Trail heads NW around Mummy Mountain. An Army box contains a sign-in book. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! The elevation is 10,700 feet; the distance to this point is four miles. Just off the trail to the right are the remains of a 1955 plane crash. Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Just beyond a town water tank you’ll pass into Mt. #7 - Mount Charleston North to South via Trail Canyon. Bristlecone trail is a moderately trafficked 6.3-mile (round trip) loop in the Lee Canyon area of the SMNRA. The trail follows a series of switchbacks as it climbs the backside of Echo Cliffs. The mountain, which is snow-capped more than half the year, can be seen from parts of the Las Vegas Strip when looking toward the west. Hiking in Mount Charleston. See Full Menu . The trail turns away from the ridgeline and heads SW before it climbs to another ridge. Wasn't sure where the trail ended but ended up returning after hitting the fork telling you not to touch explosives, but saw some people continued right or left depending on what you want to see. 100 reviews. Goes from easy to moderate once you pass the "finish". Turtlepeak Mountain (19) Summerl…, NV. The aspens disappear up here, since the elevation is more than 10,000 feet. Mount Charleston offers a pleasant surprise in the desert. The actual trail for the second half is so hard to find. The trail remains flat as it heads SE below Devils Thumb. don't forget yours! One cause of altitude sickness is a lack of water! Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Connecting route between Charleston South Loop to the North Loop trail, taking the Trail Canyon trail back down instead of having to hike all the way over to the North loop trailhead. :) TONS of rock climbing routes on the hike! Take a moment to experience the silence, breathe the clean air, and be thankful you're in good enough shape to stand at the peak. The hike is a gradual uphill through a pine forest along a (mainly dormant) stream and ends in Fletcher Canyon, a beautiful slot canyon with 200 feet walls, water-polished rocks, and great views of Mummy Mountain. Falls look cool. The peak offers a fantastic 360-degree view of southern Nevada, eastern California, and southern Utah. All in all I loved this trail I just wish it was more clearly marked at the top. About 150 yards past the saddle a faint path to the south (left) travels down to Peak Springs. The hike passes by a 3,000 year old bristlecone pine. After 12 moderately steep switchbacks, the trail climbs to 10,200 feet. Parking is at Echo Trailhead on the MT Charleston map. Offline map is recommended. Wasn't sure where the trail ended but ended up returning after hitting the fork telling you not to touch explosives, but saw some people continued right or left depending on what you want to see. Many of the switchbacks on the north end offer grand views of Kyle Canyon, Cathedral Rock, and Mummy Mountain. An Army box contains a sign-in book. Choose from any one of our three venues for your next corporate outing, wedding, or other celebration. The North Loop trail heads west traveling through an area destroyed by a fire years ago. Mount Charleston is the highest summit in southern Nevada. ;) It makes one switchback and climbs around a final bluff before the near mile-long trek to the peak. The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Also known as Mount Charleston, The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area offers opportunities for year-round fun. Several bristlecone pines are scattered throughout this area indicating you are above 9,000 feet. A few areas with shade to stop and rest if needed. Bring a windbreaker. Users have reported that the dry creek bed can be tricky to navigate without it. One of the trails at Mt Charleston. So the scenery on this trail is beyond gorgeous. The grade is 17%. Devil's thumb is an optional shortcut that is class 4 with exposure. NOTE: As of April 2020, parking lot to the trailhead is closed. Mount Charleston is a year-round getaway for Las Vegas's residents and visitors, with a number of hiking trails and a small ski area in Lee Canyon. Over 60 miles of maintained trails wind through the area, most starting at over 6000ft in elevation and some culminating at the 11,916ft Charleston Peak. The hike back up to the trail is a killer, but if you need water Peak Springs is a reliable source. NOTE: The parking lot to Trail Canyon and Mary Jane Falls is closed off during the winter. parking was a pain. This guide to Charleston Peak follows the South Loop Trail, a tough 8.5-mile climb with half the hike done above 10,000 feet in an alpine wonderland. Watch out for falling ice. Things to Do in Mount Charleston, Nevada: See Tripadvisor's 967 traveler reviews and photos of Mount Charleston tourist attractions. Great hike. The last 100 yards are steep, but the view of Griffith Peak helps ease the pain. The scenery is gorgeous all throughout this hike though. The desert landscape slowly transforms into a mountain vista as you travel to the area, which is filled with pine, juniper, scrub oak, and manzanita. Note that the trailhead for this trail is only open from April to December. The Meadows gives way to a grove of timber as the trail heads west and the grade increases. The summit offers a fantastic 360-degree view of southern Nevada, eastern California, and southern Utah. The correct trail doesn’t have sign markings but be on the lookout (maybe half a mile in) for smallish rocks that mark where you want to keep right. The trail starts off at an easy grade wandering past ponderosa pine, pinion pine, and mountain mahogany. Mt Charleston Peak Hike – South Loop Trail The Mt Charleston Peak hike takes you to the highest point around Las Vegas, at 11,916 feet. Notes: Very long, but non-technical trail to the summit via trail canyon. Off to the left is an unnamed peak that many hikers mistake for Mt. The hike starts at Trail Canyon trailhead. It's important to drink plenty of water before this final ascent. Mt. Continue another mile and a half to the junction of Trail Canyon. The trail is beautiful and the views of mount Charleston are absolutely gorgeous. The hike passes by a 3,000 year old bristlecone pine. Hiking Difficult hike, pretty much all up hill the way up. on all trails is closed. The falls are just a trickle at the point but still really beautiful! The limestone cliffs of Mummys Toe are hovering directly in front of the trail. Great trail. With more than 31 Mount Charleston trails covering 187 miles, you’re bound to find a perfect trail like the I-215 East Beltway Trail or I-515 Trail. Whether you’re stopping by for a beer and a burger after a hike, or dinner and a Mt. The waterfall is pretty, and a nice payoff. The snow had a lot of false grounds but thanks to my hiking shoes I almost broke my leg instead of my ankle. Three overlooks to the north (right) offer the first views of the Sisters, Macks Peak, and McFarland Peak. we just didn't know. Charleston Wilderness. Charleston area. Water runs into a horse trough and a path goes up to a cave-like overhang above the horse trough. Looking west you can see glimpses of Mummy Mountain. Elevation changes and the virtual absence of flat terrain make for strenuous but beautiful hiking. A short drive away from the Las Vegas Strip and you enter a beautiful mountainous region with tall pines and fabulous hiking trails. microspike time! It crosses drainage and starts a series of switchbacks that leads to the South Rim Plateau. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. A dug out fort that holds 10 people is a favorite resting point before starting back down. Recommended Routes in Mt. Looking for a great trail in Mount Charleston Wilderness, Nevada? The South Loop Trail starts off at an easy pace as it heads SW. The mountain, which is snow-capped more than half the year, can be seen from parts of the Las Vegas Strip when looking toward the west. Can be very slippery in places. The last part of the trail is a series of steep switchbacks. One cause of altitude sickness is a lack of water! We lost the trail several times at the top and ended up climbing stair up to the next section of the trail. The wind can be harsh above the treeline. The landscape changes into a meadow before reaching the plateau. The hike is all trail (no cross country) and is difficult. This part of the trail is referred to as The Meadows and is a favorite spot for campers. A few short but steep switchbacks bring you to the North Rim Ridge. Southern Nevada Conservancy, a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Las Vegas, NV, works cooperatively with the US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture through a formal agreement to provide education, informational, and other public services that will add to visitors understanding and enjoyment of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. If you go straight you’ll end up climbing up the waterfall/stream bed like we did. Mount Charleston is the highest summit in southern Nevada. Stay on the trail for the best route. The waterfalls were smaller, but it was still beautiful. Mount Charleston North to South via Trail Canyon. The trail flattens out again and cuts through a forest of bristlecone pines. 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