Close to Vegas perfect place in hot summer to cool down beautiful wildlife peaceful campgroundsread more

Griffith Peak is only the 3rd highest peak in Southern Nevada. Don't get scared. The hike isn't too…read morebad and it's worth it considering the view you get. If anything the distance is what makes this hike difficult. I don't know the exact distance but time wise it took us about 3 hours each way going at a decent speed with short breaks when needed. Most of the hike is shaded from traveling under tree coverage or between the mountains. There are also a lot of switchbacks and the incline isn't really too steep except for maybe the very bottom and very top. Along the hike, probably towards the middle, there's an overlook looking down at, I believe, Cathedral Rock or Echo Cliff. Be careful while along the edge cause it is a long way down. Near the top, there's a signage pointing you in the direction to Griffith Peak or Charleston Peak. You'll see that there was a huge fire once. The view from here is pretty nice but continue on towards the top of Griffith Peak to enjoy that view. There you'll find a box which I'm assuming there's some type of notepad to log that you made it up there. I was so busy enjoying the view I forgot to look inside. I'd diffently do this hike again. Who knows I might just decide to go to Charleston Peak when I reach the signage. Excellent hike. Being plenty of water with you to carry and leave some in car for after the hike.

Took our furbabies for a much needed outdoor outing. This trail is right next to our house. Let me…read moresay this first. We got lost! Like really lost. There's so many different side trails that it got confusing for us and it took us over 2 hours to get back to our car. Do your research before taking side trails lol. Other than that everything was absolutely beautiful! We such a fun time together and wondering around. The weather was beautiful and we all got our steps in. This is a very mild trail. Not a lot of climbing or cliffs, but it was quite long because of our getting lost. Great for pets and kids.

The Whitney Mesa Lower Trail (from this point abbreviated WMLT) is a one mile out and back…read moremulti-use trail that bridges the City of Henderson to a natural mesa. It is a trail that has the characteristics of both a City of Henderson and backcountry trail. The WMLT is anchored by the Whitney Mesa Recreation Area Galleria Drive Trailhead at the south and the Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve to the north. There are two parking lots that serve the trail. The south one is at the Whitney Mesa Park Recreation Area and the north one is at the Whitney Ranch Activity Center. Both are off Galleria Drive.     I am no stranger to both the Whitney Mesa Lower Trail and the greater Whitney Mesa Recreation Area. From my hikes here what distinguishes this trail from the majority of the Recreation Area is that this is an official City of Henderson Trail with its own route markers and street lights that travels below in the shadow of the mesa. The majority of the Recreation Area consists of backcountry trails on top of the mesa. In reality it is an urban trail at the eastern periphery of the Recreation Area that provides dramatic closeup vistas of the towering Mesa to the west and a residential community, a church, and recreation center to the east.      The few times that I have visited, I parked at  Natural Grocers. This is a good spot to pick up bottled water. From there I walked northbound on Arroyo Grande and turned right onto a no name City trail that bridges the southwest trailhead off Sunset Road to Stone Tree Bluff Street which feeds into the trail.      The trail starts out as a loop encircling ab adorable western themed playground featuring a horse statue, carriage, and general store that is adjacent to open green space. The trail briefly heads northwest as it approaches the Mesa on a slightly uphill climb. When you turn around you can see a panoramic view of southeast Henderson. The trail continues north and past the curve it follows the Whitney Mesa. For the rest of the trail there is urban nature to the left. There are a few signs warning trail users that coyotes and rattlesnakes frequent the habitat. This is also hiking habitat. There are a couple of trails with moderate difficulty that climb up to the top of the Whitney Mesa to join the main backcountry trail. I can picture how beautiful the scenery is when the sun sets. This is a cool spot to watch planes that are about to land at Harry Reid International Airport because it looks like the planes are landing on top of the Mesa. As the trail travels further north there is an attractive distant vista of Frenchman Mountain to the northeast. But to the immediate west in the shadow of the Mesa is Armijos Camp which is a neat area with Indian dwellings and a real Western environment ideal for enjoying solitude in the city. The trail ends at Patrick Street where a few hundred feet to the west is the nature preserve that is decked with short trails that bring a touch of Red Rock Canyon to the City of Henderson. This makes for the perfect spot to turn around.     The nice thing about WMLT is that on the way back you can change the scenery by hiking up the moderately challenging trails climbing up to the top of the Mesa. This is the spot to take in amazing views of southeast Henderson. The main backcountry trail will lead to the noname City Trail (this should be extended to the WMLT) where turning left (northeast) will lead back to the Galleria Drive Trailhead.     One thing that I would like to say about WMLT is that it is disconnected from the rest of the City of Henderson and Clark County Trail System. It is an island onto itself. I think it would be awesome if the City of Henderson connected it with an extended Pittman Wash Trail complete with bridges over both Sunset and Warm Springs Roads. This ultimately would make the Whitney Mesa and WMLT a City of Henderson Trail System hiking and bicycle hub and destination.    I am a fan of the WMLT. It has given me the experiences of hiking on a City of Henderson Trail in the shadow of the backcountry without leaving the City.

Beautiful hike where if you go all the way way to the canyon it gets even quieter at the end…read more The canyon part does have some rock scrambling. Came in early February and there were some spots with snow and ice. Parts with ice can be slick so be careful. Beautiful views, nice trail, and pretty scenery all around. There is a bathroom in the parking lot.

Great trail, lot of variety and mostly along the creek/canyon bed that narrows to a lot canyon…read morewhere you have to do some bouldering and pull yourself up in places. We had several patches of snow towards the end in mid March but that made it fun, hiking poles were a bit helpful in the snowy areas. There were also a few small waterfalls from the snow melt. Suggest wearing good boots for traction any time of the year.

LOVE THIS TRAIL. The first half of the trail isn't super cool only because the path is pretty wide…read moreand standard looking. But about 3 miles in you reach a sign where you could either turn back and go the way you came or keep going which is another 3 miles back just another way. We decided to keep going and i'm so glad we did. The second half of the trail was so much fun because it was more through the forest and had a tighter path with lots of rocks and branches. The path during the second part is only wide enough for one person. Super fun for me and my friends, but might not recommend for little kids.

Awesome 6.5 mile hike! Beautiful views and peaceful trail. It's mostly flat with a bit of incline…read morebut nothing difficult, my son was able to keep up easily. There were alot of chill spots to have a quick snack break or take pics. The hike went by quickly and definitely didn't feel like 6+ miles. Love Mt. Charleston!

A must for locals and visitors. Amazing mini adventure and view that requires more diligence than…read morethe usual beginner hikes, and requires light climbing/scrambling. DON'T miss your exit from the scenic loop route to get there.... Because it's a 1 way route (3rr exit). The hike takes around 40min-1hour to finish. For those who don't exercise like me, maybe 1-3 breaks would help but expect jelly legs half way there. Below are some instructions for myself that could be helpful to you. I posted photos from beginning of our drive, to the trail to Amazon end hike view. Fee at Entrance: $15 Vehicle. Takes credit card. No wifi reception at entrance gate for rsvp and during parts of scenic drive. Some patches of wifi. Scenic Loop Route to find your stop is one way 25miles-ish/40minutes-ish. So don't miss your in between destination stop. Can't go back. Exit 1: Calico I Exit 2: Calico II Exit 3: Sandstone Quarry (with Calico Tanks trail is the most popular/View of Vegas) Etc with other stops. There's 2 restrooms with toilet paper and maybe some sanitizer. Trail: Calico Trails to Sandstone Quarry. There will be signs or at se point just a bunch of rocks bundled to make a pole stand...follow those. There will be man made steps to areas that is harder to identify as a trail...so just use your best judgement on what works best for you to move forward/up. Sandstone Quarry's Calico Tanks is not for entry level. But it's possible with - breaks, - if you have the ability to climb/down climb - ability and being light foot would help (I'm clumsy). Coming from no exercise/hiking person....it's like a stair master situation, where your thighs will feel like jello. Canyonish hiking - Terrain changes from shards/pebbles to sandy, to boulders. - Rocks looks smooth and slippery but actually has sand paper grip here. - Easy chill beginning, middle stair master to light climbing boulders. Coming down requires more attention to not slip or mis-step. - The shade is very cool in temperature. Basically little to no shade. Secret little box of letters at the end. There is a pen and maybe some paper space. We had a Costco receipt, so just put our couples name and date of the hike. Enjoy!

Sandstone Quarry is one of the most popular stopping spots by tourists and locals. There is a…read morehistory to the area. There are several multi-ton blocks of sandstone abandoned when the third try at quarrying sandstone declared bankruptcy in 1912 and the quarry closed. The Bureau of Land Management contracted to have several parking areas and the Scenic Drive re-done at the Red Rock Canyon NCA. Sandstone Quarry was one of them. There are extra parking spaces that were added when the lot was enlarged. This is the starting point for 3 hikes or just a casual explore. You can hike the Grand Circle, Calico Tanks, or Turtlehead Peak from the lot. Unless you're doing the Grand Circle in sections, starting here is not a good idea. I have been to this area countless times to document Indian rock art and artifacts, to hike, or to just enjoy the explorations that can be done from here. The sandstone cliffs beckon and there's much to see. There is a pit toilet at the parking area.

There are two main trails to the summit of Mt Charleston: South Loop, and...you guessed it...North…read moreLoop. They are both wonderful, but comparing is apples to oranges. What I love about South Loop trail is its diversity. From parking lot to summit, you will experience: - tight switchbacks with towering cliffs around you in the first couple miles - aspen groves - trees rooted to rockface and seemingly to defy gravity, growing and thriving - dense pine forest with pinecones and silly rodents and deer - a beautiful high meadow with wind-swaying grass and wildflowers - the eerie yet beautiful skeletal remains of burnt trees from the 2013 Carpenter wildfire - high-elevation traverses with a southwestward view of the Pahrump valley west of Vegas - and finally a moonscape-esque, barren, shale-covered final pitch to the summit, with its magnificent 360-degree view of the entire Vegas-and-surrounding valleys. Common hiker questions: Is it worth the day-long hike? Yes. Are there water sources along the way? No. BE PREPARED. It can be hot and exposed and you'll spend many hours up there, and in fall and winter it can be quickly freezing with precipitation. Dogs allowed? Yes. Cats? Sure, why not. Enjoy! A highlight of visiting Las Vegas and getting off the gd Strip.

This trail is one of two trails you can use to reach the Mount Charleston Summit and Griffith Peak…read more It is easy to access right off the highway and the trail is beautiful, challenging, strenuous, and a fantastic work out. Total mileage gained from this hike out and back is 16.1 miles. Initially the trail starts off at an easy pace, but then heads east and the climbing begins. As you ascend you can hear in the distance Springs Fork which one of many springs on Mt Charleston. There are many switchbacks to climb all the way to the top. As you reach the top of Echo Cliffs, this is a great place to stop and take a break. Maybe have a little snack and enjoy the view of Cathedral Rock, Mummy Mountain and Kyle Canyon. As you move on, the switchbacks continue and the landscape changes into more of a meadow. As you approach the top, Griffith Peak comes into view which makes the last steep steps easier to handle. Your elevation at this point is 10,700 feet. Now at the saddle, you have two choices to either veer left towards Griffith Peak or head right to continue the climb to Mt. Charleston. As you head towards the summit, the hike is not as challenging as you are hiking through a gorgeous meadow which is a great spot to camp should you feel the desire. Once you leave the meadow area, you will be hiking along the ridge line and begin to climb again all the way to the summit of 11,916 feet. Be aware there is a false peak to the left. Don't be confused by this peak, it is not the summit. The view at the summit is phenomenal and you can see so many places such as Pahrump, Lake Mead on a really clear day, Sandy Valley and of course the rest of the Spring Mountains. This is also the highest peak in Southern Nevada. Should you opt to go left and hike Griffith Peak (11,064 feet), not as high as Mt. Charleston this peak still offers some amazing views. South Loop Trail is really an incredible hike with a great cardio workout thrown in and a sense of accomplishment when it is all over. Remember this trail is rated as difficult so make sure you have the strength and the gusto to complete it. Check it out!

The views at the overlook are just wonderful and breathtaking. The trail up is well maintained, and…read morepretty steadily inclined, so pace yourself and take as many micro-breaks as you need. I took my dog and paused for him to catch his breath a few times, so it took just under 2 hours to get to the top. I was more focused on enjoying the trip than racing to the top. We saw a few deer on our way up which was cool. And we encountered an awful lot of horse poop, so watch your step lol. Once you get to the clearing at the top where a few other trails shoot off, you walk towards the right and just over the hill you will see the sweeping view of the canyon. I waited a few minutes for a large group of hikers to leave and then I had the entire place to myself for about 15 minutes. I was very careful and walked out over the rocks a bit to get a better view, but PLEASE be careful because one false step and you will have a long fall below you. I loved how quiet and peaceful this hike was, would totally do it again.

With its breathtaking views of Coxcomb Ridge, Kyle Canyon below, Mount Charleston and Mummy…read moreMountain; the ridge above Trail Canyon is a slice of Heaven. The Trail Canyon Trail is the stairway to Heaven. The most direct route to this stairway to heaven from Las Vegas is US 95 to Kyle Canyon Road (Nevada Route 157). I suggest filling up before the 18 mile drive to the trailhead. In 18 miles, the road nearly climbs 6,000 feet in elevation. The road shoots Northwest toward the end of Kyle Canyon. Immediately past the Fire House, the road abruptly changes direction on a hairpin curve. Before the hairpin curve, you want to keep straight the on Echo Drive. There will be a sign directing motorists to Mary Jane Falls, which shares the same parking lot. A few hundred feet the turn off is to the left. The Trail Canyon trailhead is on the north side of the unpaved parking lot. Please keep in mind that this is a strenuous hike where water is essential. If you forgot to bring water, I recommend stopping at the Mount Charleston Inn to pick up a water bottle. Trail Canyon Trail is a stairway to heaven that requires a workout to reach the mesmerizing views at the top. From the start of the trail which really is the westernmost point of Kyle Canyon to the saddle below Coxcomb Ridge and Mummy Mountain, the trail immediately climbs uphill on a two mile hike that ascends 1,500 feet elevation. It starts off at 7,785 feet at the trailhead to 9,308 feet at the top. To give you an idea of how strenuous the trail is, it is higher than climbing the Stratosphere Tower that stands at 1,149 feet. This is a workout to the sights and sounds of nature in a forest covered with Ponderosa pine, aspin trees, Bristlecone pine, and white fir. There is sufficient shade and logs along the trail, that provide relaxing places to pause and take a breather. I witnessed a few hikers getting out of breath. My strategy was to take timed breaks. I'd walk maybe 15 minutes, sit on a log and set my alarm for ten minutes. These were scenic spots to appreciate the limestone vistas of Coxcomb Ridge, chirping birds, woodpeckers pecking on trees, and the light breeze blowing through the forest. There was no other way around the timed breaks. This was my strategy for reaching Trail Canyon, previous hikes, and hopefully Charleston Peak. Speaking of Charleston Peak, Trail Canyon Trail overlaps the leading two miles of the Mount Charleston Hike. Every mile, I passed a sign advertising the mile achievement toward Charleston Peak. At the top of Trail Canyon, that I metaphorically called Heaven, is the junction for the North Loop Trail. Where Trail Canyon Trail ends at this breathtaking view, Charleston Peak bound hikers will make a left to continue on the North Loop Trail and follow it 6 miles to the peak. When I walked back down to the trailhead a couple hikers asked me if I reached the top. They were talking about Charleston Peak. After this hike, I more than ever wanted to hike to Charleston Peak. Despite the 1,500 uphill gain, this is a hike that is safe. The dangers of steep and slippery hills is nonexistent here. The climb is gradual on relatively smooth topography. On the leading segment where it leaves civilization for the Wilderness Area, it follows a wash on straight stretches with gradual elevation gain. Near the last half mile, it then follows a few switchbacks that conclude at the saddle where the trail ends at the North Loop Trail. The saddle is the spot to take in the beauty of nature. This is one of the grandest vistas of Mummy's Mountain. When you turn your head to the left, there is Charleston Peak towering above the Spring Mountains. Turning your head further are the canopy of treetops extending into Kyle Canyon below. Turning your head all the way are the majestic limestone cliffs of the Coxcomb Ridge. Resting your head, there is a level of calmness of being one with nature in a slice of Heaven up in the Stratosphere.

Amazing hike! Short (for a difficult hike), adventurous, challenging, and real fun with a view…read morethat's more than worth the journey it'll take you to get up there. I did this hike on MLK day with perfect hiking weather. We ended up going extra long on the Rocky Gap road, but the weather actually made it a pleasant walk. You're in a canyon with gorgeous views of La Madre and Red Rock mountains. We actually missed the beginning of the actual North Peak trail, which would have saved us about 3 miles total. However, we did take that missed trail on the way back and it was a lot steeper and rough! It would have probably taken us about the same time going up on that trail. The view at the end was absolutely magical. Surprisingly, there was just about no wind at the peak, so it made for a pleasant extended stay. There is also an ammo can with a journal to log in your accomplishments. There is some fun scrambling at the last stretch of the hike once you can see the peak in view. The great part about taking on these difficult hikes is that there's likely to be nobody on the trial so that you may be in more intimate with nature.