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    Bristlecone Trail

    4.6 (29 reviews)

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    Mabël S.

    As a big nature person and the mountains been the closest thing to green here in the lovely nevada , I can say I love this place beyond anything else . Many people that visit hardly know there's a green area to Nevada and maybe it's better or maybe not ? I love how tranquil and green and fresh it is up here but also wish to share this beautiful piece of heaven in the desert . All the mountain trails of mount Charleston are a must try ! I'm surprised I never did a review on this place but maybe I was too busy enjoying it The place is amazing to do a big hike , just a stroll on the lower canyon , perhaps a picnic with a beautiful view of wild horses and if your lucky enough , you get to see deer . This rainy season has surprised me so much compared to the past years . I recently started doing some mycology study and research and I decided to venture on the highest elevation and explore around , well .... here it's my biggest treasure find . Note : please never ingest anything you find on forest nor on floor , all this treasure was for research and for the love of nature and mycology . Foraging mushrooms do not interfere with mountain ecosystem , on the contrary , it helps the spores spread around , more life ! Many species are un edible to wild life and humans ( again ! Do not eat if you ain't sure of the ID ) . Besides finding and foraging we love hiking here all the time . My biggest recommendation is to please take your trash with you ! Take care of this place ! Have fun and enjoy it !

    Carrie G.

    Beautiful trail to hike! It wasn't as steep as Cathedral Rock, kids enjoyed it as well. Trees just started to turn colors and just all in all a beautiful scenery. I wish they had more information on the trail like how far it was, yes it was our fault not to check it out but we were there mainly to check out the ski lift and the resto but decided to check out the hike also. We'll go back and we'll be ready next time! Ps Dog & whole family friendly!

    Michelle L.

    Amazing, well marked trail with stunning views and some great elevation changes. The whole loop if you hike the lower an upper bristlecone is 5.7 miles. The trail is mountain bike and dog friendly so be sure to pay attention. We came super early in the morning so it wasn't very crowded. If you park at the upper bristlecone trailhead then you will have climbing to do at both the beginning and the end of the hike. If you prefer not to climb at the end of your hike, park down by the campgrounds or the lower bristlecone trailhead. We were able to see some of the local flora and fauna to include some wild horses on the trail. It was quite an experience! I will definitely be back when the aspens start to change in the Fall.

    Going up the side of the ridge.
    Norm K.

    I have hiked Bristlecone Trail many times over the years. It's one of our hikes in the hot summer months when we escape the heat of the Las Vegas Valley and head to Mount Charleston to enjoy temperatures that are about 20 degrees cooler. The only thing about the hike that gets to you sometimes is the elevation. The hike starts at about 8,700 feet and reaches its high point at 9,400 feet. Along the way, you have some great views of the ski center, the aspen grove near the ski area, some bristlecone pines, and white pine. The first part of the hike is uphill. I normally do this hike by parking in the Lower Trailhead area and hike up the road to the Upper Trailhead. When I'm done, I'm back where I left the car. The second half of the hike is on an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) road that was being built in the 1930s and 1940s. It was stopped as World War II started because the men were needed for soldiers, not road builders. At different times of the summer season, you can enjoy the trail in different ways. The aspen in the fall are quite nice. Early in the summer season, there will still be snow on Mount Lee above the ski area. The trail is also used by mountain bikers, especially on weekends, so you need to be on the lookout for them.

    Mel C.

    Bristlecone Trail (Mount Charleston, NV) Bristlecone Trail is one of my favorite hikes in Mount Charleston that do not involve a steep climb. I'm not stating that there's no incline. Bristlecone Trail is easier than Trail Canyon, Mary Jane Falls, and Cat Rock. Bristlecone Trail can be started from either the Lower or Upper Trailhead. Starting at the Upper Trailhead is easier since there's less hills to climb and the hike starts off in shade. The trail is marked well and easy to follow. There's not much of a peak. I bet that the views during January through March are amazing. Be on the lookout for wild horses. They frequent the area and we found the spot where they like to hang out. ADDITIONAL INFO & TIPS *Located in Mount Charleston *Directions from Las Vegas: 95 North, exit Lee Canyon, and just follow the road towards McWilliams (Lower Trailhead) *Parking at the Lower Trailhead or Upper Trailhead *Be prepared with enough hydration, good pair of shoes, and layers. Keep in mind it's about 20 degrees cooler than Vegas *Loop is about 7 miles *Pay attention for mountain bikers. *The wild horses play "possum" when they're spotted. They either hide behind a tree or freeze in place. I even witness some of them close their eyes thinking if they don't see us, we don't see them. Hilarious and cute at the same time.

    7/30/17
    Terri C.

    Bristlecone Trail, you are a wonderland. The trees are tall, the air is clean, and the trail is easy. Come here to escape the heat of the valley (in the summer) and bask in nature. We've been here twice now and I can't wait to go back for more. Both times, we've encountered wild horses to gaze upon so if you're lucky, you will, too. The last trip up, we even saw deer and it was so amazing to be so close to them as they were right there next to the road. We park at the lower trailhead parking lot and just follow the loop around, which, in total, is about 6 or 7 miles once we walked back to our car. Schedule about two hours to be here if you do the whole loop. Bring snacks and hydration and please leave no trace i.e. don't litter. This is not a strenuous trail so feel free to bring your kids; you can always turn around and go back on the trail if they get too tired for the whole loop. Elevation at the top of the trail is more than 9,000 feet so you should bring a layer in the summer months if you get cold easily. I've started with a light jacket and then took it off as the warmth sets in. Happy hiking!

    Mummy Mountain
    Renee N.

    This trail has two points of entrance. You may start at Upper Bristlecone trail which begins at the top of Lee Canyon or you may start at Lower Bristlecone trail which begins just below. We have started on both sides and I prefer beginning at Lower Bristlecone trail and ending in Upper. The trail is more like a service road in the beginning. We were lucky to hike on a Monday morning where we encountered very few people. The trail can handle mountain bikes, horses, dogs, kids etc. Easy passing as you ascend up this slow climb. The trail continues on and on offering views of the valley below, the Lee Canyon ski area, and Mummy Mountain. We detoured off this trail and hiked a little bit of Bonanza Trail. We probably went about two miles and then stopped for lunch enjoying the pinyon and ponderosa pines for shade. Lots of beautiful wildflowers to sit amongst. We came back down and continued on our way. This trail loops all the way around till you reach an area of old Bristlecone trees. These trees tend to grow at 8000 feet and higher. I love viewing these trees as I always think of the stories they could tell when amongst them. This is the highest point of the trail and then you begin to descend down into the forrest. This is my favorite part of the hike as there are a couple of exquisite aspen groves to walk through. This time of year was perfect as they were flickering and singing as we walked through. At the base was a enchanting spread of wild ferns. When I saw the ferns I could picture us just stopping and taking a nap amongst these trees. As you wind through this portion of the trail, you will encounter plenty of happy birds and butterflies crossing your trail. The entire hike we calculated at about six miles. Level of difficulty I would rate as moderate. There were a couple of hills to climb but not overly difficult. You end up at the top of Lee Canyon and then you have to walk back to the Lower Bristlecone trail to pick up your car. I would highly recommend this trail in the spring, summer and definitely the fall to view the aspens turning. So glad we have this area to hike and leave all of our responsibilities behind even it is only for a day!

    Becky K.

    6 mile trail located in Lee Canyon. You can access the trail directly from the parking lot of the ski area. The terrain is mostly dirt but has some loose rocks. I would recommend hiking boots. The trail is easy to moderate in difficulty. We went on a Fall day and the changing leaves were beautiful. The best time to go is right at the end of September to see the peak of the leaves changing.

    Vanessa M.

    Just like many reviewers have stated, there are two entrances to the trail. I started on the lower bristlecone trail and worked my way up. The trail is 5 miles long but you need to walk a mile back to the car. This review is written by someone who is NOT a hiker. I don't think I am in excellent physical condition either...but if you are planning on completing the whole trail please be advised that it will take roughly 2-3 hours. Also, most of the trail is going up, so you will be walking on a hill most of the time. I recommend bringing water and good shoes. It is also a bit chilly up there so please consider taking a light jacket (I visited October). I went on a Friday and there were not a lot of people. I think I might have seen a total of 10 hikers. I took my dog with me and she loved it. Please be advised that the dog needs to be on a leash. Since there were not a lot of people I would let mine off the leash but quickly put her back in it if I saw other hikers. This hike has awesome panoramic views. I would definitely recommend it! I also wanted to point it that I saw a few children doing the trail as well...so I would assume it is kid friendly. Ps: the terrain is very rocky...good shoes are needed. A stroller would not fare well with this terrain.

    Tom F.

    Fantastic hike. We parked at the lower & hiked the 6/7mile? Loop. Gorgeous views. Will Definitely do this again in the spring.

    Kirstie M.

    Today couldn't have been a better time to hike up Bristlecone Trail. At 8,000 feet, my friend and I winded through this moderately strenuous trail non-stop for 2.5 hours, starting at the upper trailhead and ending 6-miles later at the lower trailhead, only to walk back uphill to the parking area. This trail had just the right amounts of shade as well as the right inclination fluctuations to work up a sweat but not come off as too strenuous. Late summer, early fall would probably be the best time to hike up here with temperatures plummeting down to about 73 degrees right at the uppermost parking lot that overlooks the ski area. (It probably goes further down as progress with the hike and I can assure you that you're going to feel the pressure in both your ears and your chest as elevations peak higher. My friend - shoutout to Vanessa! - said that she could feel her heart racing in her chest) Nonetheless, make sure you take a lot of water with you. This won't be the easiest hike there is, and if you decide to take breaks along the way, you could stay in the trail for as long as 4-5 hours. The lush pine and fir plant life was exuberating and I found myself lingering in my thoughts at how astounding nature was. With fall just around the corner, you could already detect the changes in leaf colors and I managed to get myself some pine leaves for home because they smelt so good. Great trail, great weather and company. Can't wait to check this place out once again one day.

    Arabela C.

    Upper Bristlecone Trail is one of my favorite trails. The snow is gorgeous, the trail was great and the view up top is breathtaking!! I was in love and I didn't want to leave. I did sink a few times in the snow, but it was bound to happen. Few scratches on my ventures makes me look badass for sure. Haha. Watch out for snowboarders though! People do warn you when they're coming in, other than that, the trail was easy. I did go off trail to go up a steeper part for the challenge, and it was still worth it. I took my go pro, my canon and phone camera and took a bunch of pictures! I like to do all that as a hobby, so. Even bringing all my equipment for my picture taking needs, it was still fairly easy to go up. Nature's natural colors and nice cool breeze made it worth my hike. Meditated a bit up top and felt completely relaxed. Gorgeous. PS. Might have to pay $5 to park up there to do this trail since people also snowboard and ski. Worth it though! PSS. Bring your dog(s)! They'd love it

    Somewhere in the woods

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    Wonderful mostly flat trail in Lee Canyon. Great for dogs - wide enough to pass other dogs without issues.

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    Review Highlights - Bristlecone Trail

    Starting at the Upper Trailhead is easier since there's less hills to climb and the hike starts off in shade.

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    Big Falls - 7.21.23

    Big Falls

    4.5(11 reviews)
    3.6 mi

    I shared many photos during our hikes here but I realize I didn't leave a review…read more Big Falls is one of my favorite trails at Mt Charleston any time of year. I love the little bit of climbing we can do, the views we find, and as always, the people who come with us. I haven't visited this trail in so long, so I don't have fresh or new commentary. It's been over 8 years since I've been here. All the photos I see I shared here are with my old dog, who passed away, and maybe one day I'll return with my current dog.

    After wanting to do this hike for years, I finally got to go this morning with a friend leading the…read moreway. Since there isn't really an official trail to follow, I'm glad that I had someone who knew where to go. Even though it's June, there is still snow in parts of Mount Charleston due to the amount of rain that we had in the past few months. The snow is melting, so there was lots of water to see on this hike, which I loved. My friend, her dog, and I crossed quite a few areas with running water, so I was glad to have waterproof boots. It was also helpful to have hiking poles, as there were parts of the trek that they came in handy, notably when we encountered some snow to get to the falls. Big Falls itself did not disappoint; it's a beautiful sight! We had it to ourselves, too, which made this hike even better. We did see a couple of people on our way back to the parking area, but it's definitely not crowded like Mary Jane Falls or Cathedral Rock. Our hike was about 3.2 miles round-trip. Be advised that the amount of running water will depend on the weather and time of year; our timing was just right today.

    Photos
    Big Falls - June 7, 2023

    June 7, 2023

    Big Falls
    Big Falls

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    Grand Staircase

    Grand Staircase

    4.9(7 reviews)
    16.0 mi

    I was invited by friends to complete this hike today the first day of the new year and new decade…read more(1.1.20). I was excited to complete this hike as I have decided to complete a hiking challenge for this year and this would be hike number one. We promptly met at 9:00am in the Red Springs parking lot and begin our ascent up this so called staircase. There really is no set trail or staircase at all but lots of climbing and scrambling over and through large rocks. You just have to go with someone who has done it before and will guide you up the safest route possible. Luckily my friends complete this hike annually. I wasn't sure that I could handle this climb, but turns out that I was much stronger that I thought. It is strenuous at times and the cardio workout is real, but the reward at the top is so worth it. The views are epic from viewing the entire Red Rock Canyon and seeing way out toward Mt. Potosi. In the other direction seeing through Brownstone Canyon up to Mt. Charleston Peak. This hike also includes some stunning views of our beautiful city. I can only imagine how pretty it would be up here at sunset, but never mind going down would be way to challenging. Remember to Leave No Trace - Keep our public lands clean! #52HikeChallenge - #1

    I wanted to go on an adventure this weekend and that I did. I left Central Vegas around 5:15AM and…read moreheaded towards Red Rock Canyon. It was super light traffic at this time on a Sunday so I made it to the Red Springs turnoff at 6AM on the dot. There isn't a clearly marked route so I recommend you go with someone who has done this before. If you go alone, when in doubt, head up! Be careful of loose rocks and wear sturdy shoes. The view from the top is beautiful and overlooks the scenic loop and the strip. You can see the contrast of the city and the mountains. It's stunning and colorful. Bring a light snack, water, and your phone for pictures. It's not a long hike, maybe 30 minutes each direction, but it is moderate and tricky in some spots.

    Photos
    Grand Staircase - At the top!

    At the top!

    Grand Staircase - View from the top.

    View from the top.

    Grand Staircase - Looking towards Charleston Peak

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    Looking towards Charleston Peak

    Deer Creek Trailhead

    Deer Creek Trailhead

    3.8(4 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    The trail is washed away and is no longer accessible. They have yet to fix this. Also, all of the…read moresurrounding picnic areas are closed so there's really nowhere to stop for a picnic table.

    What a great little hike!…read more I took my two littles, ages 2 and 4 on this little paved hike. Since it is paved, a person can easily bring a stroller or wheelchair on it and during this hike, we saw plenty of them as it is a popular hike for families and groups due to the abundance of picnic tables you can use throughout the hike. The parking lot for the trailhead is on the opposite side of the street. The parking lot is one of the larger ones and there are bathrooms available there as well. Once you cross the street, you will then be on the paved path that walks parallel to the street for a good block or so and then it veers off, slightly downhill, into the forest. There are numbered picnic tables along the hike so it is super easy to bring snacks or lunch and have a picnic. I didn't see any trash cans so PLEASE be sure to pack up your trash and take it back to you. I saw plenty of wheeled coolers and ice chests so you could definitely pack one of those in as well. Mid-hike there were also little forts that have been built (which is fun for the kids - one even has a table inside) and another set of bathrooms. There is also a very small creek that runs along the path, When we were there it did start to rain very hard so we ended up staying on the paved path as the small creek was starting to get larger in size and we didn't have a change of shoes for the kids. Overall - a nice, easy hike for anyone in a wheelchair or stroller. You could pack a lunch and spend a good amount of your day there exploring and taking in the beautiful scenery.

    Photos
    Deer Creek Trailhead - The trailhead off Deer Creek Road.

    The trailhead off Deer Creek Road.

    Deer Creek Trailhead - Leaving the trail that crosses Route 156 to the parking lot.

    Leaving the trail that crosses Route 156 to the parking lot.

    Deer Creek Trailhead - A close up of Deer Creek

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    A close up of Deer Creek

    Lost Creek -  Children's Discovery Trail - Keep your eyes open for animals.  Here's a damsel fly.

    Lost Creek - Children's Discovery Trail

    4.4(14 reviews)
    15.1 mi

    Lost Creek Children's Discovery Trail is inside the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area…read morewhich is about 21 miles from downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. USA, baby! Not a five star experience for the simple fact that the trail was not clearly marked. I mean, come on, this was created for children. Adults need to be present, but I'm the kind of parent that encourages my kids to figure out stuff on their own. Kind of hard when there are areas that look like the trail, but they weren't. For that matter, snap a photo of the map before you head down the 0.6 mile loop. Other than that, the trail is super easy for active kids. Mine hustled me through it in about 30 minutes. Lol. The elevation does not get incredibly steep, but if you're carrying other children it might get slightly to moderately difficult for a short while. Nothing too dangerous. My kiddos loved walking over the boardwalk, pretending to be mountain lions in a cave-like area, staring up at the colorful rocks, throwing rocks in the dry arroyo, reading some of the trail info, and pretending to slide down a slick bedroom-sized rock formation. The waterfall and creek was bone dry when we were there on 6/8/21. The weather was in the upper 90s. Parking is free and plentiful with your pass into Red Rock. There are restrooms near the lot.

    With this PLANdemic going on. We try to stay busy, and made sure that our little 1 1/2 year old…read moregets his outdoor time to burn energy off. I was looking for a good hiking trail that was kid friendly, and I stumbled upon this. It is located in the Red Rock conservation area. There is an entrance fee of $10 per vehicle. Which isn't bad since it is 13 miles of scenic drive/area. We definitely enjoyed this hike.It took us about an 1hr to 1 1/2hr to finish the trail, and that was with our little boy and our puppy. We only took one snack break, and our little boy walked most of it (with a little bribery with a lollipop ). The hike has enough shade, so it wasn't too hot. I love how it wasn't too steep, so it wasn't scary for our little one. The hike had enough scenery, and we definitely enjoyed it. I heard there's a small waterfall, and pond, but we weren't able to see it due to it being dried out. Lots of trees and plants for kids to see and enjoy. Just like any hike. Bring a backpack with snacks and water, wear sunscreen, and comfortable shoes and clothing. It is such a super easy hike. We will definitely do this again.

    Photos
    Lost Creek -  Children's Discovery Trail - VIEWS

    VIEWS

    Lost Creek -  Children's Discovery Trail - Frog

    Frog

    Lost Creek -  Children's Discovery Trail

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    Bristlecone Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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