Robbers Roost and Beyond | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Robbers Roost, located on Hwy 158 just above Kyle Canyon, is a world class rock climbing destination. The mile-long impressive wall of limestone cliffs can be approached via a short 1/4th mile trail which begins on Hwy 158. The trail ends just beyond a huge limestone cave. Here one can continue to ascend a slot opening in the cliff wall by bouldering up approximately 100 yards of huge boulders that are thought to be the collapsed roof of an ancient limestone cave. The views from both the base of the cliffs and above are spectacular. Route details: 5 mi / Approx. 7,914 > 8,500ft **Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Fletcher Peak and Rain Tree | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Fletcher Peak, at 10,319ft is a substantial summit in itself were it not shadowed by the higher peaks in the Spring Mountains. It’s beautifully forested by ancient bristlecone pines. Rain Tree is a majestic 3000-year-old bristlecone pine. It was a sapling in 1000 B.C. and could be around in another 3,000 years. Imagine the world history that has taken place in its lifetime, and the history that will take place in the next 3000 years in the life of this giant! Both Fletcher Peak and Raintree can easily be included in this one adventure. Route Details: 8.5 mi / Approx. 8,439 > 10,023ft **Excellent Trail** Click image or title above for more…
Fletcher Canyon / Fletcher Peak / Cockscomb Ridge Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada
This circuit adventure begins at the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead, navigates up and above Fletcher Canyon to Fletcher Peak, then descends the Fletcher Peak Trail to the North Loop Trail, finally descends the Eastern wilderness below Cockscomb Ridge to the Stanley B. Springs mine and trail before returning to Fletcher Canyon Trailhead.
Harris Mountain Griffith Peak Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
The Harris Mountain Griffith Peak Circuit is largely untouched wilderness with spectacular views of all the peaks in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness: Harris Mountain, Griffith Peak, Charleston Peak, Lee Peak, Mummy Mountain and Fletcher Peak. In addition there are spectacular views up and down the entire length of Kyle Canyon and Lovell Canyon along with views of the La Madre Mountains Wilderness area including La Madre Mountain and El Padre Mountain. You can see the tips of Bridge Mountain, Rainbow Mountain and Mt. Wilson in the Rainbow Mountains Wilderness and even catch a glimpse of the Las Vegas Strip. And to the North, there are views of the Sheep Range and Gass Peak. Route Details: 15 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,060ft; **Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Griffith Peak Harris Mountain Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
The Griffith Peak / Harris Mountain Circuit actually takes over 2 hours longer than the entire Mt. Charleston Loop! I’ve completed the Mt. Charleston loop in about 7.5 hours including the run from the Trail Canyon parking lot to the South Climb parking lot. Adding in Griffith Peak, Lee Peak and Mummy Mountain, the Mt. Charleston 4-Peak Circuit takes me a little under 12 hours. On the other hand, the Griffith Peak / Harris Mountain Circuit took me 9hrs and 50 minutes! Why? Find out in this article. Route details: 15 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,060ft; **Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Griffith Peak & Charleston Peak Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
This out and back adventure involves starting at the Charleston Peak South Climb Trailhead, summiting Griffith Peak, taking the South Rim of Kyle Canyon from Griffith to Charleston Peak, then returning down the South Climb Trail back to that Trailhead. The South Climb Trail out and back is the most direct way to get to Charleston Peak if you’re pressed for time. Adding Griffith Peak to the adventure is a relatively short detour (about 1/2 mile each way off the main route) and well worth the effort. Route Details: 18 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,918ft; **Excellent Trails** Click image or title above for more…
Fletcher Peak, Mummy Mountain, Lee Peak Circuit Mt Charleston Wilderness, Nevada
Compare the time it takes to traverse established trails (even with greater elevation gain and loss and longer distance) vs. navigating more direct and level wilderness “shortcuts” to get from Fletcher Peak to Mummy Mountain and Lee Peak. This detailed comparison of 2 routes –wilderness vs. established trails — will show that how the wilderness route takes significantly more time, though may conserve energy. Conclusion: If you want to navigate the wilderness out of interest, enjoy it. However, if you’re looking for a “shortcut”, the established trail will almost always win. Route details: Approx. 18 mi / 7,713 > 11,520ft **Some Trail, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Fletcher Peak Mummy Mountain Circuit | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Ascend Fletcher Peak from Trail Canyon Trailhead, descend to Raintree and Mummy Springs, traverse wilderness to ascend Mummy Mt. Eastern cliffs, return to Trail Canyon Trailhead via traditional Mummy Mt. route. Adding a little more than an hour to the Mummy Mountain Eastern Approach trip includes the beautiful Fletcher Peak, opening up views of the Eastern end of Kyle Canyon including Harris Mountain, Griffith Peak, the entire length of the South ridge of Kyle Canyon all the way to Charleston Peak and a great view of the Eastern approach to Mummy Mountain. Route Details: About 15 miles circuit trip; **Some trail, some wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Cockscomb Ridge Wilderness Circuit | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
The Cockscomb Ridge Wilderness Circuit is an extension of the Cockscomb Ridge hike/run. The difference is that it includes a descent from Cockscomb Ridge through the wilderness back to the trailhead on Kyle Canyon Road just beyond the Rainbow Subdivision turnoff. Depending on your comfort level you will grow the ability to navigate by large landmarks vs. depending on compass, electronic guidance systems or maps. This will bring you closer to the experience of dissolving the artificial barriers that commonly exist between yourself and nature. Route details: 8 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 9,307ft; **Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
4 Peak Mt. Charleston Wilderness Circuit Adventure
The 4-Peak Mt. Charleston Wilderness Circuit adventure outside of Las Vegas, Nevada is between 22 and 24 miles and includes over 6000ft elevation gain. I summited the peaks in the following order: Griffith Peak (11,056ft), Charleston Peak (11,918ft), Lee Peak (11,289ft) and finally, Mummy Mountain (11,528ft). Route details: 22 mi / Approx. 7,713 > 11,918ft; **Some Trail > Mostly Wilderness**Click image or title above for more…
