The Arnight Trail runs from the Oak Creek Trailhead toward Pine Creek Canyon. It’s the most direct route from Oak Creek Canyon to Rainbow Mountain and Juniper Peak.
In addition, the Arnight Trail is the Southernmost of 4 trails that run along the Eastern base of the Rainbow Mountains in Red Rock Canyon. From North to South these are:
Taken together, these trails offer the experience of hiking all the way along the Eastern base of the Rainbow Mountains between the Willow Spring area and Mt. Wilson. It’s an amazing experience of both Red Rock Canyon and the Rainbow Mountains that border the West side of the Canyon. Incidentally, you can also hike far above South/North along the Upper Crest Ridgeline of the Rainbow Mountains. Both routes put you in another world, but the lower baseline route is a good place the start vs. the far longer and more challenging Upper Crest Ridgeline.
Take the Highway 159/Red Rock Canyon exit off I-215. Take a right onto the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop. Circle the scenic loop nearly to the loop exit. The last trailhead turnoff is for the Oak Creek Trailhead. Take a right off the Scenic Drive Loop onto the unpaved Oak Creek Trailhead Road and travel about a half mile to the Oak Creek Trailhead. The Arnight Trail splits off to the right at the Oak Creek Trailhead, heading toward Pine Creek Canyon.
Once you turn off the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive onto the unpaved Oak Creek Canyon Road, you can park right there at the lower opening of the road or head up the road for about a half mile to The Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead. That stretch of unpaved road is very tame and any car could handle it. However, the walk up the half-mile road goes fast.
The Oak Creek Trailhead has a nice parking area with a restroom. There are two trail options from the trailhead:
Taking The Arnight Trail from the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead at sunrise puts the Rainbow Mountains in the perfect orientation to the sun. The mountains are at their spectacular best with the colors of sunrise blending with the colors or the mountains.
The trail itself is well constructed and well signed, making its brief length fairly easy. If your goal is rock climbing on the world-class Eastern cliffs of Rainbow Mountain or Southern cliffs of Juniper Peak, this is your approach trail. It’s also the most direct approach trail for those summiting Juniper Peak. An additional benefit is that the return trip when you’re tired after your adventure is down hill all the way!
When you reach Juniper Canyon (intersection with The Knoll Trail) you have three choices:
There’s a large pointy landmark boulder at the base of Juniper Canyon not far from the intersection of The Arnight Trail with The Knoll Trail. This boulder, visible from high in the mountains, will help guide you to back to these trails for your return trip. I point this boulder out in the slide show and video on this page.
Finally, if your goal is to continue to Pine Creek Canyon and possibly connect with the Dales Trail continuing further North on The Rainbow Mountains Eastern Baseline Trails, continue North on The Knoll Trail. You’re actually within less than a half-mile of Pine Creek Canyon at the North end of The Arnight Trail where it intersects with The Knoll Trail at Juniper Canyon.
If you parked at the base of Oak Creek Canyon Road, where it meets The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, a direct route from Juniper Canyon to that point is the historic Pine Creek Canyon approach road. This road is unmarked, and locating it can be a little tricky, but just head for a ridgeline that spans the distance between Juniper Canyon and the intersection of Oak Creek Canyon Road with The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive. The old road will soon appear. There’s also a large rock cairn landmark near the upper end of the old road.
David Smith has devoted the better part of one day each week over the past 20 years to experiencing a mountain trail running adventure. He began in the Pacific Northwest with the Columbia Gorge and Cascade Mountains; then moved to Southern California and experienced the Angeles Crest mountains; then the Northeast where he experienced the Hudson River Valley and Minnewaska; finally in 2016 to Las Vegas where he is experiencing and documenting Red Rock Canyon, the Spring Mountains (Mt. Charleston area), Death Valley and beyond!
Return often to experience one new adventure each week! From the home page scroll to “Most Recent Adventures“. More about David Smith…
The trail adventures on this website require proper conditioning, preparation and safety precautions. There are many factors beyond our control including weather conditions, unstable ground, loose rocks, insects and snakes, people you may encounter, your own level of physical conditioning, the potential of getting lost just to mention a few. While this site offers guidance, helpful tips, direction and training, the reader assumes full responsibility for whatever may occur during their trail adventure. Have fun and be safe!