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 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 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 | 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…

01 Lovell Canyon Overview | La Madre Mountains Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Lovell Canyon is a beautiful, little known canyon beginning at the Southern base of the saddle between Griffith Peak and Harris Mountain and extending all the way to Hwy 160 near Potosi Mountain. Lower Lovell Canyon skirts the entire length of the Rainbow Mountains Wilderness and provides a unique access to that wilderness. Upper Lovell Canyon is bordered by Sexton Ridge and Wilson Ridge. Lovell Canyon is within the La Madre Mountains Wilderness area. There are improved car camping areas throughout Lovell Canyon and it is a popular recreation destination for those who know of its existence. Lovell Canyon Road spans the 13-mile length of lower Lovell Canyon, ending at the Lovell Canyon trailhead and camping area. This area provides access to numerous hiking opportunities in Lovell Canyon along with wilderness excursions up Sexton Ridge to Griffith Peak and up Wilson Ridge to Harris Mountain. These two ridges border upper Lovell Canyon. Best time of year for adventures here: Late Fall to early Spring below 5,000ft; Early Summer to Mid-Fall above 5000ft. Temperatures at the higher elevations are usually in the mid-70s even when Las Vegas Valley is up to 115 degrees! Winter temperatures in the lower elevations will average in the 40’s to 60’s. Expect to navigate Winter snow above 8,000ft. Follow the thumbnail images to view individual adventures in Lovell Canyon, Nevada. Click image or title above for more…

01 Death Valley National Park Overview

Death Valley National Park, California: View Hiking and Trail Running Adventures in Death Valley, one of the hottest places on planet Earth! Death Valley National Park is massive and offers deep wilderness adventure opportunities, car camping and sightseeing from numerous spectacular viewpoints, and lodging in cabins, motels and a luxurious Inn. Hiking includes everything from the salt pan desert floor below sea level to the spectacular peaks of the Panamint Mountain Range topping 11,000ft in elevation. In Death Valley you can find weird salt formations and ancient Bristlecone Pine trees. Best time of year to visit lower regions: Late Fall through Early Spring. Best time of year to visit the Panamint Mountains above 6,000ft: Late Spring through early Fall. Follow thumbnail images to view the details you will need to plan your adventures here. Click image or title above for more…

01 Valley of Fire State Park Overview, Nevada

Valley of Fire is Nevada’s first State Park, formally opened in 1934. It is a place of majestic and beautiful Aztec red, white and calico frozen dunes from the Jurassic Era; amazing rock formations that seem to defy reasoning; ancient native American petroglyphs, petrified logs and bighorn sheep. If you had just 7 days to visit Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, what are the most important points of interest you do not want to miss? In this 7-day tour I visited and documented over 30 points of interest. In addition, I created a 7-day strategy for getting the most out of your week at Valley of Fire State Park. Finally, I explored, documented and discussed in more detail two outstanding features of the park: The weird rock formations and ancient petroglyphs. Best time of year for adventures here: Mid-Fall to Mid-Spring. When temperatures in the Las Vegas Valley rise above 75-80 degrees these destinations can become uncomfortable and even dangerous. However, during the Winter months expect comfortable mid-day temperatures around 60 degrees. Follow thumbnail images to view the details you will need to plan your adventures here. Click image or title above for more…

01 Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Overview

The 48,438 acre Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area is over 4 times the size of Red Rock Park and located to the South East of the Las Vegas Strip. Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area is divided into a few major sub-sections. On the Northern end, the 14. 763 acre McCullough Hills area, accessed off of I-11 between Henderson and Boulder City is a network of hiking, running, mountain biking and horse trails. To the South in the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area is the is the North McCullough Wilderness. Here you will find the Sloan Canyon Petroglyph Site with over 300 ancient native American rock art panels. A popular trail of interest winds through Petroglyph Canyon. Best time of year for adventures here: Mid-Fall to Mid-Spring. When temperatures in the Las Vegas Valley rise above 75-80 degrees these destinations can become uncomfortable and even dangerous. However, during the Winter months expect comfortable mid-day temperatures around 60 degrees. Follow thumbnail images to view the details you will need to plan your adventures here. Click image or title above for more…