Introduction
What? :
The Mt Charleston Peak hike takes you to the highest point around Las Vegas, at 11,916 feet. This challenging and strenuous and a very long day-hike is 17.5 mile-long, out and back, with overall 5000ft of elevation gain (up and down). The trail will lead you to the summit of Mount Charleston at 11918 ft (3632 m). Depending on your hiking abilities you should plan for a full day hike 7-10 hours for completing this hike.
Along the trail and from the Mount Charleston summit you will be rewarded by the stunning panoramic view of the entire Spring Mountains area, deep canyons and all surrounding lower level desert flats spreading in all directions. On a good visibility day you can see to the west Death Valley mountain and even the Sierra range in California.
Although located just 45 minutes drive from the Las Vega Strip in the heart of Mount Charleston Wilderness you will find here a completely different landscape. The high mountain range is covered with pine forested areas, deep gorges and tall cliffs are creating a contrasted environment to the surrounding desert flats.
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Where? :
Located in the heart of Spring Mountains; only a 45 minute drive (40 miles) west of the Las Vegas strip.
Drive west on highway 95 and take exit 96 to Kyle Canyon Rd (highway 157) with clear signs to Spring Mountains. Drive up the road, until you will see Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway on your left. You can visit the visitor center and get up to date information on trails and hiking conditions.
Keep driving after the traffic circle where the road starts entering the mountains following Kyle Canyon. Keep driving for 5 miles, the road entering a small community (Mt. Charleston), keep driving then the road is making a sharp left turn, soon after you will see on your right the entrance to Cathedral Rock Trailhead (clearly marked).
There are 2 large parking lots, one straight ahead and the other one you need to turn right.
This is the tame trailhead as the hike to Cathedral Rock Trail.
During the hiking season (late spring - autumn) weekends and holidays the 2 parking lots are getting full early in the morning (about 7-8am), you need to drive back to the main road and look for road side parking.
Park only in places without “do not park” signs and do not block the road.
When? :
The park is open year-round but the recommended time to hike here is in late spring through early fall. The high mountain elevations offer cooler temperatures compared to the surrounding desert heat.
Winter:
All mountains are covered with deep snow and regular hiking is not an option, I assume that you can climb up with proper snow and ice equipment.
In winter it will be more like advanced mountaineering experience.
In any case, check the weather forecast before hiking here.
The snow can be on the trail from the first season snow storm all the way to early May. Check hiking conditions at the visitor center.
Spring through early fall:
You need to check that the trail, the ridgeline and the summit are snow-free, usually May to October. The best months are June and September where there are no snow patches on the trail.
Hiking to the high elevation of Spring Mountains are the only hikes that are possible to do during the hot summer months, as long as you are starting your hike early in the morning and doing the climbing section when it is not hot..
You will start hiking at 7700ft and Mount Charleston summit is at almost 12000 ft; The temperatures in the high elevation are much colder compared to Las Vegas.
At 6am it can be around 50-60f at the trailhead but mid day temperatures are hot (80-90f) but this should be the time you are hiking down.
The ridgeline and Mount Charleston summit can be very windy.
Important note: Summer monsoon storms can bring heavy rain and lightning, make sure you check the weather in advance and do not hike when lightning storms are expected.
This hike follows the exposed ridgeline and Mount Charleston, you should not attempt this hike if thunderstorms are in the forecast.
Due note 1:
There are water sources and restrooms at the trailhead.
Unfortunately, there is no water source along this route, so make sure to carry sufficient water.
Due note 2:
This is a long hike with a lot of climbing, although not as hot as the desert below. During the hot season it will be hot here.
Bring with you enough water, at least 3-4 liters per person.
This is a long hiking day and brings with you some light snacks and something to eat, preferably high calories and salty food to balance your electrolytes.
Due note 3:
The trail is partly exposed to the sun at the lower elevation (pine forest) and fully exposed along the ridgeline section. Use a hat and sun protection, and wear sturdy shoes.
Although it may be hot along the hike, the summit is exposed to the wind and on some days it can be cooled here, come prepared with extra layers so you can adjust to the temperatures.
Trekking poles are also helpful for this hike.
Due note 4:
No permits or fees are required for day-trips; the area is maintained by the US Forest Service in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness
Parking is free of charge.
Due note 5:
Most of the trail is high elevation, it starts at 7700ft and climbs to 12000ft. I do not think that you will get “real” altitude sickness but you will be more tired compared to sea level hike, so take it easy on your hike at this elevation if you've just come up from the desert floor.
Due note 6:
Although challenging and long this trail is very popular among local hikers, you will not feel it is crowded but you will see many other hikers/runners along your hike, especially during winter.
This is the reason for a full parking lot even in the relatively early morning.
There are runners on the trail so try to clear them the way when they are passing you, going up or down.
Due note 7:
Stay on the trail and don't cut the switchbacks, things that damage the trail.
Due note 8:
In winter up to late spring, snow can persist on the trail, ice axes and crampons may be necessary.
Due note 9:
To my understanding dogs are allowed here but they need to be on leash.
Due note 10:
I gave a wide range of hiking time because this mainly depends on your group hiking abilities and the ability to overcome the long and steep climb.
If you feel that the climb is too much or it is too hot do not be too proud and turn around.
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My thoughts:
This is probably one of the longest summer hikes that can be done near Las Vegas. I recommend starting hiking early at 6am, doing all the climbing sections in the cooler morning hours and providing you enough day-light to finish the hike.
You can hike here even in the hot Las Vegas summer month because the relatively colder and bearable temperatures (high elevation), the strenuous and long climbing exercise, pine forest, and the rewarding views from the Mount Charleston summit are fun to do.
The Hike:
For the South Loop Trail hike you need to be ready for a brutal climb; The trail starts climbing right from the parking lot trailhead and does not stop all the way up to the ridgeline, switchback after switchback, some sections are climbed gently but others are steep uphill. From the ridgeline point you have additional 6.3 miles, some with additional climbing to Mount Charleston summit.
Along the hike up the view opens-up and you will have many picturesque resting points with the panoramic views of Kyle Canyon and Spring Mountains ranges and peaks.
Note: Trail surfaces are generally well-maintained, with switchbacks and stone steps; occasional exposed ridges require attention.
Hiking Description:
From the trailhead the trail heading to the left and short after you will see a fork to your right, this will be the trail to Cathedral Rock, keep hiking straight.
Here the trail passes through a forest of large ponderosa pines but soon you will get out to the open where old burns clear the forest and the view open-up.
The trail climbs up in the open landscape up the hillside heading south, in the general direction of the drainage wash. The trail passes the dry creek through patches of Aspen trees and turns left, probably around this section it is time to rest and enjoy Kyle Canyon and Mt Charleston cabins view below you.
The trail turning to the right and from here stars a steep climbing section straight to the direction of the towering cliffs on your left side. At the base of the cliffs the trail crosses the avalanche wash and starts climbing the steep area with a long series of switchbacks. At the top of this climb the trail gets out of the wash and reaches Echo Overlook viewing point.
This viewing point is located 2 miles from the trailhead (1400ft elevation gain). From this point there is a nice view of the canyon below you.
So people are hiking up to this point and from here hike back down.
From Echo Overlook point the trail heading southwest climbing in countless long sections of switchbacks across the hillside, heading in the general direction southwest.
This section of the hike passes through a large pine forest so you should enjoy the shade although for most of this section you will not have a view.
After about 1 mile from Echo Overlook point you will reach another recommended viewing / resting point to the right of the trail. Here the view is more to the northwest side of Kyle Canyon and upper sections of Walla Walla Wash.
After resting and drinking, keep hiking up. Here the trail passes through a large pine forest, you will cross a few fallen trees sections and open slope meadows and after some climbing you will start to see the top of Griffith Mountain and the ridgeline.
The trail keeps climbing in switchbacks through an open burned section and suddenly you will find yourself on the ridgeline and the trail junction. This point is located 4 miles from the trailhead with an overall 3000ft of elevation gain.
Here you can find large trees, shaded places to rest.
At the T trail junction the trail to the left climbs directly to Griffith Peak and the trail that we need to take, to the right, follows the ridgeline and will lead us to the summit of Mt. Charleston.
You can see all around you the exposed landscape and burned forest as a result of a large fire from 10 years ago.
In the unburned areas you can see the pine forest and also the old bristlecone pine trees.
From here start the fun section of the hike, at least as I see it.
You did most of the climbing sections of the hike and the trail here follows the exposed ridgeline.
This section heading to Charleston summit is less crowded because most hikers are doing the Griffith trail.
This is a good point to evaluate your energy and water level. There is still a long way ahead of you.
From the trail junction once heading to Mount Charlestone there is a short climb and then the trail heading gently down passing through large meadows and some pine tree sections.
From here the trail passes through the ‘Carpenter 1 Fire’ burned area (2013), so expect to see many burned trees stamps covering all the mountains and ridgeline for the next 2 miles.
The trail follows the left side of the ridgeline (gentle up and down) in the direction of Mount Charlestown summit that you can see from a distance.
Along this section you can enjoy the view to the flat valley below you, this is the city of Pahrump, NV.
The trail gets near the ridge and you can see the view to the north, this will be Mummy Mountain on the other side of the deep Kyle Canyon and the road leading up into it.
From this point the trail climbs to a high saddle and from here you can have a good view of Mount Charleston not so far away.
After getting down on the other side of the saddle you will reach a V shape trail fork.
Both trails re-unite so it is not important which trail to take.
The left trail (Alltrails) is following the exposed lower slopes and losing some elevation at first and gaining it back after that at the forested area.
The right trail heading and following closely the ridgeline so you will have more rocks and steps trail conditions.
I started with following the Alltrail path so I took left and on the way back I did the right trail. After doing both I recommend taking the trail to the right because it provides more views but also left is good.
In this section you will start to feel the high elevation, every climb will take your breath away.
Soon after this section you will reach a flat and exposed area, just before the final summit climb.
On your left side you will see the tall cliffs of Mount Charleston falling into the upper section of Kyle Canyon.
In this location you can see (on the right side of the trail) the site and some leftover metal parts of the 1955 CIA plane crash.
In the last climbing section the trail warps the mountain on the left side.
After passing the turn you will see the last climbing stretch to the summit.
Keep walking up !
After this stretch you will reach the summit and you can see the weather station towers and antenna, the summit is to your right.
At an elevation of 11,916 feet (you can say 12K :-) ) you reached the highest point in Southern Nevada.
The view from the summit of Mount Charlestown Peak is very impressive !
The view of Mummy Mountain across to the east and the rest of Mt. Charleston Wilderness area mountains, the slopes to the desert below and the vast desert plain surrounding you.
On good visibility days you can see Death Valley Mountains and on a clear day even the Sierra range.
You can also see far to the east the Las Vegas Valley, assuming it is not too dusty.
There's a trail register at the summit that you can fill with your information.
If the conditions are very windy and cold you can find a small protected rock shelter nearby.
After resting and enjoying the view it is time to hike back down. The nice thing is that from here it is mostly all downhill.
Follow back the ridgeline and reach the trail junction near Griffith climb, turn left and head down with countless switchback sections.
The hike down is much easier compared to the climb up so you will probably need less resting stops, you can plan for a hike shorter by 1-2 hours than what it took you to climb up.
After a long constant descent you will reach back to the parking lot, here you can use the restrooms or fill your water bottles.
This challenging and strenuous and a very long day-hike is 17.5 mile-long, out and back, with overall 5000ft of elevation gain (up and down). When I did it for the first time it took me exactly 7 hours but I think I'm in good hiking shape.
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