Griffith Peak | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

At 11,056ft, Griffith Peak is the third highest peak in the Spring Mountain range and Southern Nevada. Though often overlooked by hikers whose destination is Mt. Charleston, the highest peak at 11,918ft, Griffith Peak is a great summit destination in itself. It has a unique view of the Eastern portion of Las Vegas, the Strip and the mountains bordering Red Rock Canyon and Calico Basin which are not visible from Mt. Charleston or Mummy Mt. The summit itself is more interesting than the barren Mt. Charleston summit. And finally, Griffith Peak makes a great out and back conditioning run for trail runners as the trail is a fairly good running surface, the incline is steady and steep and the round trip is just under 10 miles so one can travel fairly light and fast. Route Details: 9.3 mi RT / Approx. 7,713 > 11,060ft; **Excellent Trail** 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 View Ridge | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada

Fletcher View Ridge ascends between The Fletcher View Campground and the final summit approach to Harris Mountain. The ridge originates in The Fletcher Canyon area on Kyle Canyon Road in The Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada. Expect non-stop spectacular views of the highest peaks on The Mt. Charleston Loop along with a good aerial view of Fletcher Canyon and potential route to Fletcher Peak summit. Elevation: 7,000-9,000ft. wilderness route, no trails or trail signs. Best time of year for this adventure: July through September. Click the image or title above for details.

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…

Fletcher Canyon Trails Overview | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada

Trails Accessed from The Fletcher Canyon Trailhead in The Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada include Fletcher Canyon Trail; Eagle’s Nest Loop; Acastus Trail and Escarpment Trail. These are great introductory trails to the Mt. Charleston Wilderness and excellent initial altitude conditioning trails.

Fletcher Canyon Trailhead to Harris Mountain Summit | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada

Summit Harris Mountain from Fletcher Canyon Trailhead in The Mt. Charleston Wilderness of Nevada. The approach ridge is just Southwest of the trailhead. Of all the approaches to Harris Mountain summit, this approach ridge and a similar approach ridge to the West are the most direct routes to Harris Mountain summit, especially taking into account the routes begin right off Kyle Canyon Road. The traditional Harris Mountain Trailhead requires miles of approach on unpaved 4WD roads. Because of the remoteness of the traditional trailhead, Harris Mountain is seldom summited and therefore an experience of beautiful, pristine, relatively untouched nature.

Fletcher Canyon Trailhead / Harris Mt Griffith Peak Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada

Make a circuit from The Fletcher Canyon Trailhead to Harris Mountain and Griffith Peak, then return to your start point. After accomplishing the most direct approach to Harris Mountain summit, cross the saddle to Griffith Peak, descend to The South Loop Trailhead and finally return on Kyle Canyon Road to Fletcher Canyon Trailhead. This route is half wilderness and half trails. Elevation gain is from 7,000-11,060ft plus additional ascent and descent along the way. Best time of year for this adventure: Summer through mid-Fall. Click the title or image above for details.

Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada

Fletcher Canyon Trail in The Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Spring Mountains, Nevada is an easy 4.2-mile round trip hike along a creek in a beautiful forested area with spectacular mountain views. It’s a great trail for altitude conditioning. Beyond the trail’s end may be a possible extreme adventure to Fletcher Peak summit.

Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada

This circuit adventure begins at the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead, navigates up and above Fletcher Canyon to Fletcher Peak, then descends the Fletcher Peak Trail to the North Loop Trail, finally descends the Eastern wilderness below Cockscomb Ridge to the Stanley B. Springs mine and trail before returning to Fletcher Canyon Trailhead.

Escarpment Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

The Escarpment Trail in The Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Spring Mountains, Nevada is a moderate 3.6 mile loop trail around an escarpment with spectacular views of Kyle Canyon and surroundings. The trail is accessed from the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead or The Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway.