With its breathtaking views of Coxcomb Ridge, Kyle Canyon below, Mount Charleston and Mummy…read moreMountain; the ridge above Trail Canyon is a slice of Heaven. The Trail Canyon Trail is the stairway to Heaven.
The most direct route to this stairway to heaven from Las Vegas is US 95 to Kyle Canyon Road (Nevada Route 157). I suggest filling up before the 18 mile drive to the trailhead. In 18 miles, the road nearly climbs 6,000 feet in elevation. The road shoots Northwest toward the end of Kyle Canyon. Immediately past the Fire House, the road abruptly changes direction on a hairpin curve. Before the hairpin curve, you want to keep straight the on Echo Drive. There will be a sign directing motorists to Mary Jane Falls, which shares the same parking lot. A few hundred feet the turn off is to the left. The Trail Canyon trailhead is on the north side of the unpaved parking lot. Please keep in mind that this is a strenuous hike where water is essential. If you forgot to bring water, I recommend stopping at the Mount Charleston Inn to pick up a water bottle.
Trail Canyon Trail is a stairway to heaven that requires a workout to reach the mesmerizing views at the top. From the start of the trail which really is the westernmost point of Kyle Canyon to the saddle below Coxcomb Ridge and Mummy Mountain, the trail immediately climbs uphill on a two mile hike that ascends 1,500 feet elevation. It starts off at 7,785 feet at the trailhead to 9,308 feet at the top. To give you an idea of how strenuous the trail is, it is higher than climbing the Stratosphere Tower that stands at 1,149 feet.
This is a workout to the sights and sounds of nature in a forest covered with Ponderosa pine, aspin trees, Bristlecone pine, and white fir. There is sufficient shade and logs along the trail, that provide relaxing places to pause and take a breather. I witnessed a few hikers getting out of breath. My strategy was to take timed breaks. I'd walk maybe 15 minutes, sit on a log and set my alarm for ten minutes. These were scenic spots to appreciate the limestone vistas of Coxcomb Ridge, chirping birds, woodpeckers pecking on trees, and the light breeze blowing through the forest.
There was no other way around the timed breaks. This was my strategy for reaching Trail Canyon, previous hikes, and hopefully Charleston Peak. Speaking of Charleston Peak, Trail Canyon Trail overlaps the leading two miles of the Mount Charleston Hike. Every mile, I passed a sign advertising the mile achievement toward Charleston Peak. At the top of Trail Canyon, that I metaphorically called Heaven, is the junction for the North Loop Trail. Where Trail Canyon Trail ends at this breathtaking view, Charleston Peak bound hikers will make a left to continue on the North Loop Trail and follow it 6 miles to the peak. When I walked back down to the trailhead a couple hikers asked me if I reached the top. They were talking about Charleston Peak. After this hike, I more than ever wanted to hike to Charleston Peak.
Despite the 1,500 uphill gain, this is a hike that is safe. The dangers of steep and slippery hills is nonexistent here. The climb is gradual on relatively smooth topography. On the leading segment where it leaves civilization for the Wilderness Area, it follows a wash on straight stretches with gradual elevation gain. Near the last half mile, it then follows a few switchbacks that conclude at the saddle where the trail ends at the North Loop Trail.
The saddle is the spot to take in the beauty of nature. This is one of the grandest vistas of Mummy's Mountain. When you turn your head to the left, there is Charleston Peak towering above the Spring Mountains. Turning your head further are the canopy of treetops extending into Kyle Canyon below. Turning your head all the way are the majestic limestone cliffs of the Coxcomb Ridge. Resting your head, there is a level of calmness of being one with nature in a slice of Heaven up in the Stratosphere.