Mummy’s Toe, Knees, Raintree, Fletcher Peak Circuit from Deer Creek Park

This cool circuit adventure is packed with spectacular views and enchanting waypoints. Yet it is compact enough to accomplish in less than one incredible day. The circuit begins at the North Loop Trailhead in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness. From there descend on Deer Creek Road about a quarter to a half mile to Deer Creek Picnic Area. From the Deer Creek Picnic Area parking area, ascend through Deer Creek Park and on up via the Cougar Ridge Trail to Mummy’s Knees. Then traverse over to Mummy’s Toe. Descend to Mummy Springs and then on over to Raintree. Take the North Loop Trail from Raintree toward Fletcher Peak. Take the Fletcher Peak out and back trail from the North Loop Trail to the summit of Fletcher Peak. Finally, descend from Fletcher Peak summit back to the North Loop Trailhead where you began. Route details: 15-18 mi / Approx. 8,439 > 11,000ft **Some Trail > Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…

Mummy Mountain’s Head from Deer Creek Rd | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

The Eastern approach to Mummy Mountain described in this article offers unique and spectacular views of the entire East side of Mummy Mountain from Head to Toes, along with Cougar Ridge and the North Loop Trail Ridge including Fletcher Peak in the background. La Madre Mountain, the Air Force radar installation on Angel Peak, and the Sheep Range are clearly seen along with glimpses of Centennial Hills. In addition, I stumbled upon the old “Superheroes Trail”. Route details: 10 mi / Approx. 8,000 > 11,000ft **Wilderness, No Trail** Click image or title above for more…

Fletcher Peak from Robbers Roost | Spring Mountains, Nevada

There is a little-known canyon between Robbers Roost and Fletcher Peak in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness of the Spring Mountains, Nevada. The canyon is bordered by majestic cliffs and is a climate zone unto itself populated by a forest at its base that in places grows up the solid cliff walls. At the top of the steep avalanche slopes there is a far more gentle, forested ridge continuing upward and finally connecting with the North Loop Trail about 1/4th mile before the unmarked turn-off to Fletcher Peak. Route Details: 10 mi+ / Approx. 7,914 > 10,255ft **Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…

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…

Little Red Rock | Las Vegas, Nevada

Little Red Rock is a smaller version of the more well-known Red Rock National Conservation Area just West of Las Vegas. It’s located close to the Summerlin area of Las Vegas and the La Madre Mountains Wilderness. Similar to Red Rock National Conservation Area, Little Red Rock contains beautiful ancient Jurassic Era Aztec Red Rock frozen sand dunes. In addition, similar to Red Rock National Conservation Area, Valley of Fire State Park, and Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area ancient petroglyphs may be found in this area. Route details: 8 Miles RT / 4,000-4,700ft; *Some Road, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…

Sunrise Mountain, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

Sunrise Mountain offers a grand view of both the Lake Mead region and Nellis AFB below. In addition, you will find a lot more wilderness solitude than the more heavily traveled Frenchman Mountain trail just across Lake Mead Blvd. And, in my thinking, the Sunrise Mountain adventure is more rugged, wild, challenging and interesting. Route details: 4 mi RT | 7-800ft Elevation Gain/Loss; **Unmarked Trailhead, Use Trail at First, Some Wilderness Navigation** Click image or title above for more…

Frenchman Mountain Overlooking Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

There is no more commanding view of both the Las Vegas Valley and Lake Mead National Recreation Area than the summit of Frenchman Mountain, Nevada. From the summit one can look down on the Las Vegas Strip, across to the West to the Rainbow Mountains on the far side of Red Rock National Park, the La Madre Mountains and the Mt. Charleston Wilderness. To to Northwest one can see Gass Peak and the Sheep Mountain Range. To the Northeast one can see the Muddy Mountains and then gaze East and Southeast to see the Jimbilnan Wilderness, Virgin Ridge, Gold Butte, Lake Mead and the Hualapai Mountains. Route details: 5mi | 2,184 > 3,972ft ** Excellent Trail/Service Road** Click image or title above for more…

Lone Mountain | Las Vegas, Nevada

Lone Mountain is pretty awesome with a lot of bang for the buck in this short but spectacular hike. Two trails completely circle Lone Mountain: A wide multi-use trail and above that, a smaller hiking trail. In addition there are multiple routes to the summit that provide the experience of being in a remote wilderness on top of the world even though you’re within the boundaries of Metro Las Vegas in the populated Summerlin area. Route details: 4 mi RT | 7-800ft Elevation Gain/Loss **Unmarked Trailhead, Use Trail at First, Some Wilderness Navigation** Click image or title above for more…

Little La Madre Mt | Little El Padre Mt (aka) Summerlin Peak, Nevada

These two features are not in the La Madre Mountains Wilderness. To my knowledge they have no names other than being on a ridge referred to as Summerlin Ridge just beyond the Northwestern growth area of Las Vegas, Nevada. When Little La Madre & El Padre are compared to the actual La Madre and El Padre, they look like miniature versions of the originals (see the first 2 slides of the slide show on this page to compare the two features). Of course, no geological features are exact duplicates, but the similarity here, to me, is pretty striking. On this initial exploration day, my route was to head up the main trail at the base of the Little La Madre, El Padre and Burnt Peak cliffs, circle around the upper end of the canyon, then take the trail leading to the top of the ridge overlook of the Little Red Rock area. Route Details: 8 Miles RT / 3,000-5,00ft; *Half Trails, Half Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…