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Las Vegas Area Trails | Find Hiking and Running Trails within 150 Miles of Las Vegas, Nevada | David Smith

Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Spring Runoff Flowing Strongly in Early May After a Heavy Snow Winter Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Fletcher Canyon Trail Begins Across Kyle Canyon Road from Trailhead Parking Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Fletcher Canyon Trailhead Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Watch Behind for Great Views of Harris Mountain Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Harris Mountain with Western Summit Approach Ridge to the Right Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Right Turn for Eagle's Nest Loop, Left Turn for Fletcher Canyon Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Cliffs Near Southern Base of Fletcher Peak Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Beautiful, Forested Trail Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Always Beside a Creek Throughout the Length of Fletcher Canyon Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Each Waterfall Entirely Unique Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Many Creek Crossings Today. All Shallow. Can Maintain Dry Shoes. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Water Flowing at its Strongest Early May After Deep Snowy Winter Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Falling Water Radiates Energy, Beauty and Music Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada This Will All Be Dry by Mid-Summer Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Cliffs Near the Southern Base of Fletcher Peak Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Good Trail Ends Here, Narrow Trail Continues to Left Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Angle of Incline Gradually Increases as Does the Creek's Speed and Energy Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Further Up the Canyon Narrows Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Water Emerging from Beneath Snowdrifts Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada View Up Fletcher Canyon Approaching Canyon Divide Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Creek Passes Through a Beautiful Limestone Cove Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Water Emerging from Many Openings in the Porous Limestone Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Dripping Through the Moss-Covered Limestone Roof Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Formations Building Up Similar to Inside a Cave Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Fletch Guards the Canyon Trail Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada The Canyon Further Narrows, Walls Rising Vertically on Either Side Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Rock, Water, Trees Create Countless Unique Photo Opportunities Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Continuing Up the Narrow Canyon. Took the Right Branch Below Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Fletcher Creek Flowing Through This Narrow Canyon Opening Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Boulders and Other Obstacles Getting Larger. Cairns Begin to Mark the Way. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada This is About Where the Adventure Turns from a Trail to a Climb Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada First Ledge. Good Place to End a Light Fletcher Canyon Adventure. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Down Canyon View from Turning Point Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Incredible Sights Everywhere You Look Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Canyon Begins to Wind, Beautiful Views at Every Turn Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada View Up the Winding Canyon Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Pines Clinging to Canyon Walls, Creating Bonsai Art. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Filtered Sunlight from Above Paints Canyon Walls Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Flowers Mark Another Potential Ascent Point Below in the Upper Canyon Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Bees Enjoying Spring Flowers in Late July Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Starting Up the Ascent Gully Above the Flowers. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada A Short Way Up, Cross Gully to Steep Ascent Slope on the Right. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Fletcher Canyon and Peak Views Expanding During Ascent. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Angle of Incline Sharply Increasing. Great Views, But Would Not Recommend. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Steep Loose Rock Slopes, Near Cockscomb Ridge Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Fletcher Peak Approach is Across Canyon Above Cliff Line. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Downward View, Not Too Far Below Cockscomb Ridge Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Potential Fletcher Peak Ascent Point Across Canyon Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Above Cliffs, Incline on Fletcher Peak Summit Approach Appears to Decrease Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Harris Mountain From Lower Fletcher Canyon Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Eastern Approach Ridge to Harris Mountain. Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Upper Eastern Approach Ridge to Harris Mountain Summit (right) Spring Runoff Flowing Strongly in Early May After a Heavy Snow Winter | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada Fletcher Canyon Trail Begins Across Kyle Canyon Road from Trailhead Parking | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Fletcher Canyon Trailhead | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Watch Behind for Great Views of Harris Mountain | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Harris Mountain with Western Summit Approach Ridge to the Right | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Right Turn for Eagle's Nest Loop, Left Turn for Fletcher Canyon | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Cliffs Near Southern Base of Fletcher Peak | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Beautiful, Forested Trail | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Always Beside a Creek Through the Length of Fletcher Canyon | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Each Waterfall is Entirely Unique | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Many Creek Crossings Today. All Shallow. Can Maintain Dry Shoes. | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Water Flowing at its Highest Early May After Deep Snowy Winter | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Falling Water Radiates Energy, Beauty and Music | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada This Will All Be Dry by Mid-Summer | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Cliffs Near the Southern Base of Fletcher Peak | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Good Trail Ends Here, Narrow Trail Continues to Left | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Angle of Incline Gradually Increases as Does the Creek's Speed and Energy | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Further Up the Canyon Narrows | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Water Emerging from Beneath Snowdrifts | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada View Up Fletcher Canyon Approaching Canyon Divide | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Creek Passes Through a Beautiful Limestone Cove | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Water Emerging from Many Openings in the Porous Limestone | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Dripping Through the Moss-Covered Limestone Roof | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Formations Building Up Similar to Inside a Cave | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Fletch Guards the Canyon Trail | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada The Canyon Further Narrows, Walls Rising Vertically on Either Side | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Rock, Water, Trees Create Countless Unique Photo Opportunities | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Continuing Up the Narrow Canyon. Took the Right Branch Below | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Fletcher Creek Flowing Through This Narrow Canyon Opening | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Boulders and Other Obstacles Getting Larger. Cairns Begin to Mark the Way. | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada This is About Where the Adventure Turns from a Trail to a Climb | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada First Ledge. Good Place to End a Light Fletcher Canyon Adventure. | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Down Canyon View from Turning Point | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Incredible Sites Everywhere You Look | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Canyon Begins to Wind, Beautiful Views at Every Turn | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada View Up the Winding Canyon | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Pines Clinging to Canyon Walls, Creating Bonsai Art. | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Filtered Sunlight from Above Paints Canyon Walls | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Flowers Mark Another Potential Ascent Point Below in the Upper Canyon | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Bees Enjoying Spring Flowers in Late July | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Rare Acastus Butterfly Found in the Spring Mountains and Nowhere Else on Earth! | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada This Acastus Butterfly Posed Longer Than the Photo Session. | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Starting Up the Ascent Gully Above the Flowers. | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada A Short Way Up, Cross Gully to Steep Ascent Slope on the Right. | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Fletcher Canyon and Peak Views Expanding During Ascent. | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Angle of Incline Sharply Increasing. Slow Progress, Spectacular Views, But Would Not Recommend. | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Steep Loose Rock Slopes But Good Foot Placements, No Exposure Necessary. | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Fletcher Peak Rests Above Line of Cliffs. | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Downward View. Turns Out I May Be Not Too Far From North Loop Trail! | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Potential Fletcher Peak Ascent Point Across Canyon | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Above Cliffs, Incline on Fletcher Peak Summit Approach Appears to Decrease | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Harris Mountain From Lower Fletcher Canyon | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Eastern Approach Ridge to Harris Mountain Begins at Lower End of Kyle Canyon Picnic Area.. | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada Upper Eastern Approach Ridge to Harris Mountain Summit (right) | Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Mt. Charleston Wilderness BLM Fact Sheet

Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Spring Mountains NRA Brochure

2nd Exploration Video: To Upper Barrier Class 3 Ledge + Exploration Above Canyon Toward Cockscomb Ridge

Initial Adventure Video: Lower Canyon During Spring Runoff

Only the Peaceful Sights and Sounds of Water

Overview | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Two Different Adventures

Fletcher Canyon Trail is really two entirely different adventures:

  1. Easy Version: A nice, easy, fairly level 4.2-mile round trip trail on a wide gravel surface along the side of a mountain stream.
  2. Extreme Version: An extreme adventure  up a narrow, wild canyon, possibly reaching the goal of Fletcher Peak’s 10,319ft summit.

Great for Altitude Conditioning and Injury Recovery

This is a great altitude conditioning trail if you’ve been spending the Winter under 2000ft in the Las Vegas Valley, Lake Mead, Death Valley or other low altitude regions. Altitude along the Fletcher Canyon Trail ranges from about 7,000-8,000 feet depending on how far you venture. In fact, you could do a wild wilderness adventure up to Fletcher Peak’s 10,200ft summit! However, for the sake of this current adventure, we’re only going to the point where Fletcher Canyon narrows and the extreme adventure begins.

Views Along the Fletcher Canyon Trail

Along the way, if it’s Spring, you follow the route of a beautiful mountain creek through a forested area. Turn around often for spectacular views of the cliffs on the Southern base of Fletcher Peak to your right (North) and Harris Mountain towering behind you to the East. 

Best Time of Year for Fletcher Canyon Trail

The best time of year to hike this trail is Spring (if you want to see the creek flowing) or Fall. Summer temperatures along the trail can rise to the high 90s. During Winter months you may encounter deep snow.

Trailhead Directions | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Driving to the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead is pretty easy: Up I-95 North from Las Vegas, take a left at the Kyle Canyon exit, continue about 20 miles up Kyle Canyon Road, pass the traffic circle at The Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway, pass the Deer Creek Road turnoff and Mt Charleston Lodge and then onward for less than a quarter mile to The Fletcher Canyon Trailhead parking on your left.  In all, it’s less than 40 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

Route Observations | Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

2nd Exploration: Upper Slot Canyon and Toward Cockscomb Ridge

Lower Fletcher Canyon Trail

On this last weekend in July I began by heading up the familiar Fletcher Canyon Trail. The trail is beautifully forested amid numerous majestic Ponderosa Pines! It’s wide, well surfaced and has a gradual, though surprisingly healthy incline. The Fletcher Canyon Trail link shows this same trail during Spring runoff along a cascading creek. Today, just a few days from August 1st, the creek bed was bone dry.

Upper Fletcher Canyon Trail Begins

After a couple miles the nice wide trail ends. This is a fine place to turn around, having experienced beautiful wilderness surroundings. However, for a more rugged wilderness experience, and to experience a spectacular slot canyon, continue along the narrow left branching trail. As this trail winds about, it may nearly disappear in places as it passes through overgrowth brush. Just continue upward through the canyon guided by the high cliff walls on either side. The contrast between spectacular limestone cliff faces, scattered ponderosa pines and blue sky is incredible!

Upper End of Fletcher Canyon Trail

Eventually, you will reach a brief elevation over some mid-stream boulders. This was the extent of my previous Fletcher Canyon Trail experience during Spring runoff. Somehow ascending boulders in the midst of a cold, fast-flowing rapid was not too appealing. I vowed to return, and this was the day.

Above the now dry rapids the trail continued as the canyon further narrowed and began to wind along its upward path. Incredibly beautiful!

What’s Beyond the Upper Barrier Ledge?

Not too far above, there was another scramble over boulders followed by a pretty massive barrier ledge. It looks as if one can ascend this ledge on the left side by making some high class 3 rock climbing moves with some significant exposure. Not impossible, but today this is where I turned around. A video viewer let me know he had made that ascent to ultimately land on the North Loop Trail. However, due to the steepness of the slope, he said he would not recommend it!

Potential Ascent Points Below Along Fletcher Canyon

Today, I turned around at the barrier ledge and headed back down Fletcher Canyon Trail observing a few potential ascent points on either side of the canyon…all looking rather steep with some exposure.

Ascent Point Chosen, Steep Non-Exposed Slope

Eventually I reached a more gradual ascent gully on the West side of the canyon and decided to go for it. It seemed the slope on the right side of the gully might be fairly gradual, though steep, so I headed upward in that direction. Very steep…getting steeper all the time, but with no exposure to a fall, and there were just enough places for a foothold to egg me on upward. Expansive views of Fletcher Peak were opening up the higher I ascended. Spectacular!a

Turn-Around Point Not Far Below North Loop Trail!

Eventually, having had enough of the now ultra steep slope and seeing some cliffs ahead, I turned around to retrace my way, careful step by careful step back down the slope, into Fletcher Canyon and back to the trailhead. Later map study revealed that at the turn-around point I may have been very close to the North Loop Trail! Next adventure will begin in the Cockscomb Ridge Area and look for a connection to Fletcher Canyon. Still connecting the dots!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Initial Exploration to Main Slot Canyon During Spring Runoff

Initial Stretch to Eagle’s Nest Loop Intersection

From the trailhead parking area cross Kyle Canyon Road to The Fletcher Canyon Trailhead on the opposite side. The initial stretch is on a wide, graveled surface with a gradual angle of ascent, though the angle of ascent does increase as you progress.

Within less than a quarter mile there is a sign for the Eagle’s Nest Loop Trail branching off to the right. You may want to return later for that 2.7-mile loop trail with spectacular views up and down Kyle Canyon and abundant Spring flowers.

Continuing to the End of the Wide Graveled Trail

Here, The Fletcher Canyon Trail takes a left, continuing its gradual ascent and soon reaching the first of 3-4 easy creek crossings as you pass through a beautiful mountain forest, so different from the Las Vegas area, just 30-40 miles away. This is an easy trail, so take your time to enjoy the pleasant, peaceful forest along the singing creek (if it’s Spring)!

Onto the Narrow Canyon Trail

In a couple miles, the wide gravel trail suddenly ends, but you can continue up Fletcher Canyon on a narrow pathway along the edge of the ridge to your left. The angle of ascent along the narrow trail steadily increases as you continue along the left side of the creek. The creek also narrows as it cascades over larger obstacles. In fact, the entire canyon begins to narrow, eventually with high vertical walls on either side. It’s pretty incredible, and like another world compared to the initial stretch of The Fletcher Canyon Trail.

During this stretch there are too many creek crossings to count, but the crossings are rather tame and even during Springs high water flow I was able to keep my feet dry by stepping on rocks at each crossing.

The Beautiful Cliff Cove 

In less than a quarter mile you’ll arrive at a beautiful cove in the cliff face on your right. The stream channels along the base of the cliff cove and water drips through the porous, moss-covered limestone roof above, like a gentle rain. This is a totally unique, pleasant world in itself.

Canyon Trail Ends, Extreme Adventure Begins

Continue up the narrow canyon to a point where, lets say, the extreme wild canyon adventure begins. There’s a cairn at the base of a waterfall/rock scramble. Cairns usually mark the beginning of a pathless route into the upper regions. This is the end of dry feet during the Spring runoff. I’ll return here in the Fall to continue the rock scramble ascent up Fletcher Canyon. I understand, from interviewing other hikers, that in another bend or two in the canyon, there was a steep snow drift blocking further advance to all who were not wearing crampons. However, during dryer seasons, one can continue the upward rock scramble to where things begin to level off a bit above the canyon and, possibly, near the base of Fletcher Peak’s summit approach. I’ll report on this more extreme route once I’ve tried it out!    

Summary
Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada
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Fletcher Canyon Trail | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada
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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.
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LasVegasAreaTrails.com
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About David Smith

David Smith on Mt Charleston summit outside of Las Vegas, NevadaDavid 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…

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Disclaimer

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!

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