Sexton Ridge Descent from Griffith Peak | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Sexton Ridge is rarely if ever traveled by humans in part due to the difficulty getting there. The route taken today from Griffith Peak Summit involves ascending Griffith Peak twice, beginning at the Charleston South Climb Trailhead at Cathedral Rock, ascending about 3,500ft to the 11,060ft summit of Griffith Peak, descending Sexton Ridge on the far side of Griffith Peak (I descended about 1,800ft today), then re-ascending back to the summit of Griffith Peak before heading back down to the South Climb Trailhead. Psychologically, it’s difficult to gear yourself up to ascend Griffith Peak twice!

Cockscomb Fletcher Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

The Cockscomb/Fletcher Peak Circuit will begin at the Trail Canyon Trailhead in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada. From there I will run Hwy 157 downward to the Stanley B. Springs Trailhead, ascend to Cockscomb Peak, continue to Fletcher Peak, then return to the Trail Canyon Trailhead. I might at some point add Mummy Mt. and Lee Peak to this circuit. Click image or title above for more…

Harris Mountain Griffith Peak Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

The Harris Mountain Griffith Peak Circuit is largely untouched wilderness with spectacular views of all the peaks in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness: Harris Mountain, Griffith Peak, Charleston Peak, Lee Peak, Mummy Mountain and Fletcher Peak. In addition there are spectacular views up and down the entire length of Kyle Canyon and Lovell Canyon along with views of the La Madre Mountains Wilderness area including La Madre Mountain and El Padre Mountain. You can see the tips of Bridge Mountain, Rainbow Mountain and Mt. Wilson in the Rainbow Mountains Wilderness and even catch a glimpse of the Las Vegas Strip. And to the North, there are views of the Sheep Range and Gass Peak. Route Details: 15 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,060ft; **Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…

Griffith Peak Harris Mountain Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

The Griffith Peak / Harris Mountain Circuit actually takes over 2 hours longer than the entire Mt. Charleston Loop! I’ve completed the Mt. Charleston loop in about 7.5 hours including the run from the Trail Canyon parking lot to the South Climb parking lot. Adding in Griffith Peak, Lee Peak and Mummy Mountain, the Mt. Charleston 4-Peak Circuit takes me a little under 12 hours. On the other hand, the Griffith Peak / Harris Mountain Circuit took me 9hrs and 50 minutes! Why? Find out in this article. Route details: 15 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,060ft; **Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…

Griffith Peak & Charleston Peak Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

This out and back adventure involves starting at the Charleston Peak South Climb Trailhead, summiting Griffith Peak, taking the South Rim of Kyle Canyon from Griffith to Charleston Peak, then returning down the South Climb Trail back to that Trailhead. The South Climb Trail out and back is the most direct way to get to Charleston Peak if you’re pressed for time. Adding Griffith Peak to the adventure is a relatively short detour (about 1/2 mile each way off the main route) and well worth the effort. Route Details: 18 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,918ft; **Excellent Trails** Click image or title above for more…

Fletcher Peak, Mummy Mountain, Lee Peak Circuit Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada

Compare the time it takes to traverse established trails (even with greater elevation gain and loss and longer distance) vs. navigating more direct and level wilderness “shortcuts” to get from Fletcher Peak to Mummy Mountain and Lee Peak. This detailed comparison of 2 routes –wilderness vs. established trails — will show that how the wilderness route takes significantly more time, though may conserve energy. Conclusion: If you want to navigate the wilderness out of interest, enjoy it. However, if you’re looking for a “shortcut”, the established trail will almost always win. Route details: Approx. 18 mi / 7,713 > 11,520ft **Some Trail, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…

Cockscomb Ridge Wilderness Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

The Cockscomb Ridge Wilderness Circuit is an extension of the Cockscomb Ridge hike/run. The difference is that it includes a descent from Cockscomb Ridge through the wilderness back to the trailhead on Kyle Canyon Road just beyond the Rainbow Subdivision turnoff. Depending on your comfort level you will grow the ability to navigate by large landmarks vs. depending on compass, electronic guidance systems or maps. This will bring you closer to the experience of dissolving the artificial barriers that commonly exist between yourself and nature. Route details: 8 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 9,307ft; **Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…

4 Peak Mt. Charleston Wilderness Circuit Adventure

The 4-Peak Mt. Charleston Wilderness Circuit adventure outside of Las Vegas, Nevada is between 22 and 24 miles and includes over 6000ft elevation gain. I summited the peaks in the following order: Griffith Peak (11,056ft), Charleston Peak (11,918ft), Lee Peak (11,289ft) and finally, Mummy Mountain (11,528ft). Route details: 22 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,918ft; **Some Trail > Mostly Wilderness**Click image or title above for more…

6-Peak Circuit Adventure Spring Mountains Nevada

The 28-mile-long 6-peak circuit adventure in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness includes Harris Mountain (10,014ft), Griffith Peak (11,056ft), Charleston Peak (11,918ft), Lee Peak (11,289ft), Mummy Mountain (11,528ft), Fletcher Peak (10,319ft). In this initial attempt I made 4 out of 6 peaks. Route Details: 30 mi / Approx. 10,000ft Total Elevation Gain; **Some Trails, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…

Six-Peak Circuit in the Spring Mountains, Nevada – Strategy

It is possible to complete a six-peak circuit in the Spring Mountains, Nevada in one day. This adventure is pretty remarkable in that it involves summiting 6 peaks, each over 10,000ft in less than 24 hours! This article covers the strategy that makes the adventure possible. The peaks include: Harris Mountain (10,014ft), Griffith Peak (11,056ft), Charleston Peak (11,918ft), Lee Peak (11,289ft), Mummy Mountain (11,528ft), Fletcher Peak (10,319ft), Click image or title above for more…