Menu
The beginning of this adventure is simply the South Climb of the Charleston Loop beginning at Cathedral Rock above Charleston Village in Kyle Canyon. See the trailhead directions on the Griffith Peak page.
From the trailhead, continue past where the Cathedral Rock Trail splits off to the right. Arrive at the “junction” where the Charleston Loop reaches the South Ridge of Kyle Canyon…about 4.25 miles from the trailhead. At the junction turn left toward Griffith Peak. The summit looks like it is a long steep climb but it is actually only about 1/2th miles from the junction and you’re on the summit before you realize it.
From Griffith Peak Summit there are basically two main ridge descent options (not counting the ridge you just ascended). One option is to descend the ridge toward Harris Mountain, which descends to a saddle before re-ascending to Harris Mountain. I’ve documented this ridge route between the two mountains in both directions: The Griffith > Harris Route and the Harris > Griffith Route.
The ridge you want today is Sexton Ridge, which descends down the West side of Lovell Canyon. You will see Lovell Canyon on your left and Trout Canyon on your right. The ridge is pretty much straight past Griffith Peak Summit, and then down with a rather steep descent followed by a brief leveling off, then another steep descent followed by a much longer gradual descent.
On this day, as noted, I descended to the edge of the longer gradual descent, when the ridge takes another plunge downward. At this point I was only 1/2 mile from the point I had ascended earlier from Lovell Canyon. So, there is only 1/2 mile of Sexton Ridge I have not yet traversed as of this first descent. But that 1/2 mile includes a rather steep cliff area. Perhaps this can be circumvented with little or no climbing beyond class 2. We’ll see on the next pass!
In all, Sexton Ridge from one end to the other is quite the distance and ascent challenge, requiring as much if not more effort than a marathon, or the Charleston Loop.
David 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…
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!
