Eagles Nest Loop | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Last Updated on May 23, 2023 by David Smith Mt. Charleston Wilderness BLM Fact Sheet Eagles Nest Loop | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Spring Mountains NRA Brochure Overview – Eagles Nest Loop | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Adventure Slideshow will appear on the week of May 14, 2023 The […]

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…

Cockscomb Peak and Ridge, Spring Mountains, Nevada

Cockscomb Peak and Ridge is little over a 4-mile round trip with a nearly 3,000ft elevation gain. Stretching from Hwy 157 Northward up to its highest elevation of 9692 ft, it creates a beautiful and rugged feature that can be viewed in a unique way from every high point in the canyon. As of the writing of this article there were no trails to Cockscomb Peak and Ridge which makes the approach, especially from Hwy 157, a great opportunity to practice some light wilderness navigation skills. The final mile up to the summit from the Hwy 157 approach affords spectacular views of Mummy Mountain, Fletcher Peak, Harris Mountain and the Griffith/Harris Circuit, Griffith Peak and the lower South ridge of Kyle Canyon. It’s like being on a mountaintop for that entire stretch! Route details: 5 mi / Approx. 7,785 > 9,307ft; **Mostly Excellent Trail via Trail Canyon Trail; Wilderness, no Trail from Hwy Kyle Canyon Rd** Click image or title above for more…

Charleston Peak Snow Dust | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

This is a very magical view of Charleston Peak during a dusting of snow in mid-October. The conditions were just right to coat every pine needle of every bristlecone pine tree with an intricate glistening layer of snow and ice. Route description: 17 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,918ft; **Excellent Trail** Click image or title above for more…

Charleston Peak from Cathedral Rock

Behind Cathedral Rock there are two very inconspicuous routes that go straight up the side of the South Ridge of Kyle Canyon. They are actually washes that I understand have been used by climbers to ascend Charleston Peak during the Winter months when the South Climb Trailhead and parking lot has been closed and blocked off and the upper elevations are snowed in. One of the most beautiful year-round springs in the Spring Mountains flows through this route in the area above Cathedral Rock. The route to the top of the South ridge of Kyle Canyon may take up to 4 hours from the Cathedral Rock Trailhead. Route details: 18 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,918ft; **Wilderness, No Trail** Click image or title above for more…

Charleston Peak | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

At 11,918ftm Charleston Peak is the highest mountain in the Spring Mountain Range and in Southern Nevada. Here you get the best view of the entire North-South Charleston Loop including all the mountain peaks mentioned above, along with a great view of Charleston Village over 5000ft immediately below, then all the way down Kyle Canyon to I-95 and beyond. The approach trail is about 8.5 miles in length from the South Loop Climb trailhead, but many make this an 18-mile circuit adventure. Route description: 17 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,918ft; **Excellent Trail** Click image or title above for more…

Cathedral Rock, Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada

The 8597ft Cathedral Rock is located in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness of Nevada. The trail to the top is only 1.3 miles long, but has tremendous views of Kyle Canyon, Charleston Peak, Lee Peak, Mummy Mountain, Fletcher Peak and Harris Mountain giving Cathedral Rock one of the best views to be had anywhere given a 2.6 mile round trip hike. Route details: 5.5 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 8,585ft; **Excellent Trail** Click image or title above for more…

Angel Peak via Lucky Strike Road | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

There is a rather wild desert area below Angel Peak that can be accessed through the rugged 4WD Lucky Strike Road. Both ends of Lucky Strike Road contain some class 2 climbing sections, so your vehicle needs to be very sturdy. The 3-mile stretch immediately below Angel Peak can be pretty brutal, being a cross between a 4WD road and an avalanche slope! However, the sunset views of the Sheep Range and Gass Peak on that stretch are spectacular, and at night the Las Vegas Valley lights up like Christmas! This is an experience of Lucky Strike road on a mountain bike. Route details: 17.1 mi / Approx. 4,500 > 8,500ft; **Unpaved Road, Poor Condition** Click image or title above for more…

Acastus Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

The Acastus Trail in The Mt Charleston Wilderness, Spring Mountains, Nevada features the nature, history and geology of the area. Many attractive interpretive signs along the way, each with a bench for rest and reflection, invite hikers to slow down, pause, take in the environment and in so doing deepen consciousness and awareness of The Spring Mountains and one’s place within that setting. Walking The Acastus Trail can be somewhat like making a spiritual pilgrimage.

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…