We started at the lot around Mary Jane Falls. This will take you to the North Loop. Don't be discouraged because the first few miles are the roughest. From here it gets a little easier until you start hitting the switchbacks and the vegetation starts to disappear. We unwisely decided to go on a day a cold front was coming through so we were being pounded with strong wind gusts and the temperatures dropped upon the final ascent. For safety reasons we stopped about a half mile from the top. We walked about 17 miles total according to my Garmin. The hike took us about 9-10 hours. Definitely bring a first aid kit, water, snacks, a flashlight, etc. read more

Charleston Peak (Spring Mountain Recreational Area) Stats (AllTrails) -Elevation: 11,916 feet -Total Miles RT: 16.5 miles -Elevation Gain: 4,993 feet -Route Type: Out & Back Six times a charm! Yup, that is the amount of times that we have attempted to summit this beast and finally getting our chance a few weeks ago. Whether we chose to hike through the North Loop or South Loop, snow prevented us from completing our task every single time. Nothing is more frustrating than getting to about a mile from the peak and having to turn around. Remember the saying...Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory. Safety First! Going Up We started our hike at exactly 5:57 AM at Trail Canyon and proceeded through the North Loop to the peak. We took a total of 4 breaks to hydrate, snack, and shed some clothing. We finally made it to the top at 11:47 AM at a 2.1 mph pace. Making it to the peak was very challenging and rewarding. In my opinion, hiking up Trail Canyon and the last 1/2 mile of switchbacks was the toughest part of this hike. The 6 miles after Trail Canyon and before the final switchbacks weren't that difficult to complete, just long. We still encountered about 50 feet of snow/ice near the top as well as a huge tree that blocked our path. To summit Charleston Peak is both challenging and rewarding. We spent about 45 minutes at the peak to take our photos, sign the logbook, hydrate, snack, and rest. Going Down For most, the trek down Charleston Peak is easier and faster. For me, a hike down a hill is more challenging. Our pace back to the trailhead was between 2.5-3 mph. It wasn't until we got to Trail Canyon (the last 2 miles) where I really slowed down to almost a crawl at a pace of 1.5 mph. My feet were killing me, and my planter fasciitis kicked in. We made it down about an hour faster than going up, but it was no picnic. I was in pain by the time I made to the car. Overall, Charleston Peak is a beast and to summit is very rewarding. It's the tallest peak in both Clark County, Nevada, and the Spring Mountains. To date, Charleston Peak is also my longest hike and highest peak that I accomplished in one day. The view at the top is awesome. Views include the surrounding peaks, Las Vegas, and Pahrump. Tip #1: Be prepared. Pack enough hydration and food to get you up and down the trail. NOTE: I packed 7 liters of hydration and 2,000 calories worth of carbs, fats, and protein. I went through all my food and 4 liters of water Tip #2: Poles are not required. But I do recommend them, especially if you have bad knees. Tip #3: Dress appropriately. A good pair of sturdy hike boots and comfortable clothing is a must. Keep in mind that parts of the hike are exposed to the sun and it's very warm. There are parts of the hike that is shaded and due to the higher elevation, it can get a bit nippy. Tip #4: Review the stats. To summit is no joke. Understand what it takes to summit and how long it will take you. Don't forget about altitude and the elevation gain. Some people can get to the top and back in less than 8 hours. These people are hike fit and don't take many breaks. It took us close to 12 hours round-trip (2.5 hours of breaks). Tip #5: I'm content not having to hike up Trail Canyon again this year. I rather reach the peak via the South Loop or from Griffith Peak. Regardless of how many times I have hiked up Trail Canyon, it's always a beast. read more

This is a awesome hike and takes all day to do. It is the best hike in Nevada by far. Make sure you leave early like 5:00 am or 4:00 am if possible. We start at the north loop trail and head to cave springs from there. The first 5 miles is pretty strenuous as you elevate approx 800 ft per mile. If you make it 5 miles that will be a achievement in itself. After that it levels off for the next 3 miles and it's easy cruising. This is my favorite part of the hike as the views along this ridge line are amazing. You can even see lee canyon from the other side. Enjoy the beauty and cliffs and cruise for the next 3 miles. Then the last mile is brutal as you have a series of razor backs on a moon type surface to the peak. The return down the south loop side leads you along the ridge line through a creepy dead haunted Forrest that was burnt out some years back. The last 4 miles you have about 100 razor backs that bring you back down to earth. If you manage to do this trail pat yourself on the back. It's epic! read more

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Every winter I gaze up at the snow capped Charleston Peak telling myself, "You are going to hike to the peak one day."- it became an item on my Vegas bucket list. To some it may be easy or no big deal but to me- I knew I would need to be prepared. REI became my friend and I hiked every weekend for a month with some fellow Yelpers leading up to the hike. Nothing prepared me for the high altitude. With help of Vicky- we made it slow and steady. We were greeted by dark clouds and thunder. We went up via the North Loop at 5am and came down by way of the South Loop by 7pm. My Fitbit bit had it at 17 miles which felt like a million. Things I did not like about the hike- ants, flies, bees, and these scary looking spiders. Every time I wanted to sit to take a break- some sort of insect was ready to climb all over me. The views were great. The snow was a nice treat. The people we met along the way were encouraging- although no one offered to carry me. :) The hike was so rewarding. It was peaceful and thought provoking- I thought of just about anything and everything to keep my mind off all the steps I was taking. Fitbit says I took almost 58,000 steps. I average around 12,000 a day. Be prepared with: clothing ( I changed my socks at the peak), snacks, water, hat, cell phone battery, wipes, a bag for your trash, I left a frozen bottle of water and snacks in my car for the ride back, flip flops or other shoes to give your feet relief once you get to your car. Will I ever go back? I'd have to say no. It was a once in a lifetime day for me plus Mt. Charleston has a lot more trails waiting for me to explore. read more

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Yelp 100 Challenge 14' * 25/100 This is the perfect time of year to hit Mt. Charleston. Pack a lunch, grab your backpack, tie up your boots, go up here and leave everything behind for a day.North Loop in particular, is quite a strenuous trail - rapid elevation gains - with a great view of Bristlecone and Ponderosa pine tree coated mountains so people who have difficulty adjusting to steep terrain on higher altitude may need to keep their breathing conditions in check. On the plus side, reaching the trail is pretty straightforward. If you're coming from Las Vegas, simply take route 156 then turn right towards Lee Canyon. You will pass Hilltop Campground and Robber's Roost Trail before getting here. Finding the trail is easy and a large map is provided by the sign in case you are tight on time and need to approximate the length of your journey. This is rated 'more difficult', running about 10 miles into Mummy Spring and Cathedral rock. There are plenty of old pine logs lining up the trail in case you need to rest up. Bird enthusiasts will be happy to know that a diversity of birds live up here - from the exotic Magnolia Warblers down to the common House Finch. I expect more of them to flock around the area as the snow continues to melt, bringing running streams down the slopes. About 3 miles in, my friend and I reached an opening which provided a beautiful view of the mountains so we took some time off - ate and drew some sketches. As if the view wasn't majestic enough, it is also complimented by a cool breeze (about 70 degrees) and sounds of wind blowing through the trees. One thing you need to keep in mind is to not take the cold breeze for granted. Bring lots of water up with you and high energy foods - granola, fruits, etc. - to tackle the uphill walk that begins the moment you step foot on the trail as well as the thinning air on your way up. It also helps to have a good pair of strong-traction hiking boots to hold you down. My friend got a little light-headed about a couple of hours in so we headed back down a little early. I'm making it a pact to hike the whole 10 mile trail one day soon after my road test and come prepared. read more

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There are now only two trails to get to Charleston Peak, (South Loop is closed due to the Carpenter 1 Fire), you can start at the North Loop Trailhead or start at Trail Canyon. I would most definitely recommend starting at Trail Canyon, reason being, once you finish that hike, if you come back through Raintree, there are portions of uphill you will have to hike through and that's the last thing you want to do on the tail end of this hike. There is also a few other routes, more mountaineers routes than trail routes to the Peak, I've done the route via Big Falls, there is also a route that starts out at Ski Lee. I started the hike at Trail Canyon and followed the North Loop Trail. Heading up the 2 miles through Trail Canyon, once you hit the saddle, you will head towards your left and follow the North Loop the entire way. You will pass through Cave Springs, and start the switchbacks and hike through the area full of quacking aspen trees. Once you come to the ridge you can see the entire Kyle Canyon area, there is an old burn area (from like 15+ years ago) but the canyon still offers great views. Lots of Bristlecone, Bottle Brush Pine, wildflowers, and lots of different vegetation. This hike is entirely class 1, all trail. It's next to impossible to get lost, although I'm sure it's been done. There are a few areas closer to the peak that have some serious cliffs, if you have any kind of fear of heights, it could test you a little bit. This is a moderate to strenuous hike depending on your fitness level. It's a long hike, so be prepared. If you plan to do this during monsoon season, bring a rain coat, and if you get caught in a storm, head off the mountain. Bring 3-4 liters of water, lots of snacks, hiking poles are helpful but not necessary. Plan on spending 8-10 hours here. It's generally cold and windy at the peak. Quick Stats: Trailhead: North Loop or Trail Canyon Distance: 17.5 miles RT (from Trail Canyon, add another 2 miles if starting from North Loop) Elevation gain: 4,300 feet Elevation of peak: 11,916 read more

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Well my first time on the North Loop Trail didn't go so well! For me, I was having FUN. But for my wife, she was not experiencing our hike in the same way. In fact, all I was hearing was the 'F' word from a person who rarely uses it. OK, granted, we were plowing through 12 inches of snow on the drifted slopes of Mt Charleston. I was hurt, here I thought I was showing her a good time in Las Vegas. Turned out the trail from Deer Creek Highway was not that easy to follow after a few miles in the fresh snow with no other tracks to follow. And yes, I may have gotten us off the trail a couple of times... but we were never lost. We did make it to the Rain Tree... in the snow. So, on my second trip I learned and was better prepared... I took my loyal dog Sammy who loves to hike instead. She never complains and has NEVER chanted the 'F' word at me. So Sammy and I set off on our road trip from California to Las Vegas to summit the 11,918 foot Mt Charleston! All 17.4 miles with 4,118 feet of elevation gain. This time we stared from the Trail Canyon Trail head on Echo Road, saving ourselves a good 4 miles and 635 feet of elevation gain. http://www.yelp.com/biz/trail-canyon-trail-las-vegas?hrid=Xxe3mQGS_Xgub037lKmBmQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) From the Trail Canyon Trail it is a nice short 2 mile trail that connects to the North Loop Trail. In the 2 miles you climb an elevation gain of 1,530 feet as you reach a saddle at the North Loop Trail junction. To continue towards Mt Charleston Peak, head west, to the left on the North Loop Trail. In 0.7 miles you will find the Cave Springs log at 9,600 feet. At 4.0 miles you reach the ridge with some awesome drop off views! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/charleston-peak-mt-charleston?select=s-7Ug3W4pQr0VvAUJGxUGA&utm_campaign=www_photo_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) Around 7.0 miles you reach the Devil's Thumb at 11,070 feet. Sammy and I at the top of Mt Charleston. What a great hike with some breath taking views!!! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/charleston-peak-mt-charleston?select=3bMBTfxcx61zIGnX8l06SQ&utm_campaign=www_photo_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) read more

"The horror ... the horror ... the horror." Charleston Peak is not for those seeking a leisurely stroll. Charleston Peak is fucking torture. It is a goddamn death march. "Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty..." I maintained a throbbing headache for the entire weekend succeeding my peak of Charleston Summit. Sure one signs the meaningless book, and sits in the moon crater up there for a bit; but, it is seriously the least fun I have ever had on any hike. "King Kong ain't got shit on me! " It is not just a hike, it is fucking torture. Do it at your own peril. I don't ever want to do it again, but I failed to see the plane crash site because of weather, so I will have to do it again. (Fuck.) read more

This hike is no joke! Make sure you are fully prepared with snacks and water. That being said, make sure your pack isn't SO heavy that you need to shed things as you go... If you have any respiratory issues remember it is a very high altitude with a rapid 4000+ elevation gain! Standing at 11,916 feet of elevation, this is the 8th highest mountain in the state. When you get towards the top, after the enchanted Forest a.k.a. the section that was burned by the fire four years ago, make sure you take the path to the left. If you go up the shale on the right, it gets really sketchy and scary. Good items to pack include: water, I took 3 L and at 5'4" and 120 pounds it was just enough, trail mix, a peanut butter or almond butter and honey sandwich, Gummy bears or GU for energy, sliced oranges, apples, raisins, jerky, a poncho in case it rains and a few layers according to which season it is (it can get cold and windy at the top), wide brimmed hat, sunscreen and Chapstick. Optional items might be a walking-stick or poles, Advil, bandaids, extra socks, sunglasses and a few miniatures of whiskey or tequila (waiting in your car ) to celebrate your accomplishment! read more

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Tough hike. Varying measurements from Trail Canyon trailhead. Anywhere for 16 round trip, all the way to 24miles. I estimate about 11. A slow hiker it took me 7 1/2 hours to summit, and 4 1/2 to return. Need to start at daybreak or sooner. I started at 7am and with a 1 hour lunch break halfway up and a 30 minute break before descent it took me 13 1/2 hours. Sunset at 7:30 so I finished with a flashlight in the dark. Packed fruit, jerky and granola and about 5-liters of water. Used about 4 liters. Trail is pretty easy to follow in terms of not getting lost. Pretty much all uphill for 12 miles. Pack an extra battery for your phone to use tracking and take pictures. Lots to see. Also there is a natural spring about a mile or two into the peak trail. That's after you've reached the Trail Canyon or North Loop connector. (Sorry, meant to add more pictures but tablet crashed so I just added them to the photo bank. I could not go back and edit to add. Doesn't look like my 360° video showed up either...) read more

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Beautiful place to visit!!!!!! Loved it!!!! Def. Come back to see it again. Amazing........

This is a great hike topping out at 11,918 for those who want to get away from Vegas while still being in Vegas. Trail is 22 miles from trailhead, expect to spend the better part of the day on the hike. Start early and eat your wheaties. read more