Griffith Peak, 11,056ft elevation, is the third highest peak in the Spring Mountains and in Southern Nevada. Though often overlooked by hikers whose destination is the highest peak Charleston Peak, elevation 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 Charleston Peak and Mummy Mountain. The summit itself is more interesting than the barren Charleston Peak 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. For hikers, all these benefits are also true. However, be sure to be in good condition as the incline is about 3,500ft in just under 5 miles. Bring plenty of water.
In addition, Griffith Peak makes a great side trip for those heading for Charleston Peak from the South Loop Trailhead as it is surprisingly only a half-mile (each way) diversion from the loop trail with about 300ft elevation gain. For the effort you’ll expend getting there, this little deviation from the South Loop Trail is hugely worth it.
In more detail, here is a short list of what’s visible from the summit:
As I said, this is a short list. Basically, you can see around 150 miles or more to the East, South, and Southwest.
Head up Hwy-95 from Las Vegas and take a left at the Kyle Canyon exit (less than 30 miles from the Las Vegas Strip). Travel another 20 miles to the South Loop Trailhead. You’ll pass through Charleston Village, pass a fire station, the road will bend to the left, cross a short bridge and then head up about a half mile where you will take the first right after passing some cabins, then on up to the South Loop Trailhead parking lot (which is also the parking lot for Cathedral Rock). By the way, in this parking lot are the best restrooms of all the Mt. Charleston area trailhead parking lots with actual flush toilets and sinks with running water.
Unlike Mummy Mountain, there is a good trail all the way to the Griffith Peak summit. From the trailhead parking lot, ascend some steps which begin behind a trash container enclosure. Take a left and go straight keeping parking lots in sight to your lower left as you continue beyond the edge of a black iron fence. Don’t turn right at the edge of the fence. That’s the trail to Cathedral Rock. You won’t get to Griffith Peak that way unless you’re a very experienced climber. Instead continue straight beyond the fence keeping additional parking and picnic areas below you to the left. Now, in terms of navigation, you’ve got it made. There are no more trail deviations and the way is clear all the way up to the North Loop Junction, about 4 and a half miles from the trailhead. The North Loop Junction is at the top of the ridge where you can turn left and head up to Griffith Peak or right and head on over to Charleston Peak.
After passing beyond the iron fence at the South Loop Trailhead parking lot, you’ll descend slightly, then begin a rather steady and brutal ascent, crossing a canyon, then circling around, climbing a seemingly endless series of stairs, crossing the canyon again and then heading up the beloved switchbacks…I think there are between 30 and 40 or more, possibly 1000…but whose counting?! There are 3 great viewpoints where you can look straight down to Charleston Village and across to Mummy Mountain on the other side of Kyle Canyon. The trees go from pinyon pine to nearly 100% bristlecone pine as you reach the 9,500ft level. The well-appreciated Junction is the first point where the long ascent ends and the trail levels out providing some welcome relief. You’re now on the upper ridge that takes you around the Mt. Charleston Loop above Kyle Canyon. You’ll know you’ve reached the junction as there is some good signage pointing to Griffith Peak to the left and Charleston Peak to the right, along with a small camping shelter for those wanting the make the trip to Charleston Peak a two-day experience. At this point also, you see the first view for around 100 miles above and beyond Kyle Canyon to the South and East.
Note that in the Winter and Spring the South Loop Trail is more likely to be blocked by snow than the Trail Canyon, North Loop route to Mummy Mountain, though the North Loop Trail in the final 2 miles below Charleston Peak is the worst in terms of snow until mid July or even later some years..
