Sisters South to the Sisters North | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
There is a popular circuit route including Sisters South, Sisters North and Black Rock Sister. The route can be taken in either direction and includes about a half day of challenging hiking and climbing (Class 3 at most) in a beautiful pristine wilderness setting. Route details: About 8-9 miles circuit; **Some trail, some wilderness.** Click image or title above for more…
Sisters North | Lee Canyon | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Sisters North, located in Lee Canyon in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness is on a ridge system including Sisters South, Sisters North and Black Rock Sister. The ridge offers incredible 360 degree views with McFarland Peak, Bonanza Peak and Macks Peak to the West, the Sheep Range and Gass Peak to the North, Angel Peak, Mummy Mountain, the North Ridge of Kyle Canyon, Lee Peak and Charleston Peak to the East. There are far more reference points in the distance beyond, but these are the most obvious. A huge rock arch unexpectedly appears near the summit of the approach ridge along with the remarkable rock sculpture of Black Rock Sister. Route details: 8 mi RT/ 8,250 > 10,197ft; **Mostly Wilderness, Some Trails** Click image or title above for more…
Sisters South | Lee Canyon | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
The Sisters South peak in Lee Canyon, Nevada, elevation 10,197 feet has a great trail, spectacular views and is relatively unknown as a destination. As a result, the entire area sparkles with pristine wilderness beauty and you have a good chance of being the only person on the trail, even on a weekend day. On a Saturday in mid-June I saw only 2 people the entire day. Route details: 8 mi RT/ 8,399 > 10,197ft; **Mostly Trail, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Pinyon Pine Loop Trail | Lee Canyon | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
This adventure mainly covers the Pinyon Pine Loop Trail accessed from the upper parking area of the Sawmill Trailhead in Lee Canyon. The Pinyon Pine Loop Trail is a peaceful, serene emersion in nature including juniper and pine forested areas and high ridges with spectacular views of Mummy’s Head, Macks Peak, McFarland Peak, Bonanza Peak, the Sheep Range, Gass Peak and points North of the Sheep Range. Route details: 8.5 mi RT/ Approx. 6,496 > 7,688ft; **Excellent Trails But Easy to Go Off-Track** Click image or title above for more…
Mud Springs Loop | Lee Canyon | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Mud Springs Loop is beautiful, though heavily forested. For this reason, the hiker often has no larger point of reference and can get lost in a maze of rabbit trails, and the directional markers are missing when you most need them. My first two attempts at the loop resulted in spinning off in other directions: One to Macks Peak, another to Pinyon Pine Loop! Route details: 15 miles circuit, About 6,500 – 7,500ft **Confusing network of rabbit trails with directional markers missing when you need them**
McFarland Peak from Bristlecone Pine Trailhead | Lee Canyon, Spring Mountains, Nevada
The route to the base of McFarland Peak via the Bristlecone Pine and Bonanza Trails is a true show stopper! Most of the route winds through an ancient pristine Bristlecone Pine forest. As if that were not enough, all along the way there are spectacular views including Mummy Mountain, the North Ridge of Kyle Canyon from Mummy Mountain to Lee Peak and then on to the summit of Charleston Peak, the Sisters Peaks bordering Lee Canyon, Pahrump Valley and Telescope Peak in the Panamint Range on the far side of Death Valley as a faint high point in the background and of course the full spectacular Western side of McFarland Peak with its sheer majestic cliffs. Route Details: 15 mi RT/ Approx. 8,690 > 9,600ft; **Excellent Trail** Click image or title above for more…
Lee Peak from Lee Canyon | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
This adventure in process will work out the most direct route possible from to Lee Peak from Lee Canyon. View the initial exploration which begins at the Upper Bristlecone Pine Trailhead. From there, the route soon diverges left and ascends to a ski run, taking the ski run to its upper limit, then continuing to navigate upward through canyons and ridges toward Lee Peak. There’s a surprise appearance of wild horses in one of the ski runs. There’s a lot yet to be worked out with this very experimental route to the summit, and the possibility of circling around the base of Lee Peak and ascending from the South. The goal is a class 3 ascent, possibly through a rather remote untested area. Route details: 16 miles RT/ Approx 8,300 > 11,200ft **Some Trails, Ski Run, Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Foxtail Canyon Springs, Foxtail Girl Scouts Camp and Beyond, Spring Mountains, Nevada
These magnificent and little-known springs are located in Foxtail Canyon off of Lee Canyon in the Spring Mountains, Nevada. The springs flow or drip year-round into a 6-ft high, 75ft long cave at the base of a 30-40ft high cliff in Foxtail Canyon. As with other springs in the Spring Mountains, the springs are surrounded by lush vegetation. A long wide shelf spans the front of the cave from which there is a spectacular view down Foxtail Canyon into Lee Canyon. Above the cliff cave one can continue upward toward Mummy Mountain and the North Ridge of Kyle Canyon. 5 mi / Approx. 8,450 > 9,800ft; **Faint Trail** Click image or title above for more…
Bristlecone Pine Trail in Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Nevada
The Bristlecone Pine Trail in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness is a delightful 6-mile loop that gives the hiker or runner an experience of rising up to the bristlecone pine zone without having to ascend steep inclines or engage in a long-distance hike or run. It’s actually one of the first Spring Mountains mountain adventures a person might experience as they are conditioning for higher altitudes and heavier exertion. Route details: 6.8 mi / Approx. 8,690 > 9,400ft; **Excellent Trail** Click image or title above for more…
Lee Peak Summit Via Lee Canyon Mid Ridge | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
In the course of this amazing adventure you will pass through relatively untouched wilderness between Upper Lee Meadows on Lee Canyon Road and the summit of Lee Peak towering above Lee Canyon. The elevation gain is about 3,500 feet. You will need good wilderness navigation skills and the ability to navigate steep avalanche slopes. Otherwise, the entire adventure is pretty easy class 2 climbing skills (use of hands not needed). Route details: 18 mi RT/ Approx. 8,000 > 11,200ft; **Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
