ArizonaHikers Portal Index
HomeHome   BoardBoard   AZH GearAZH Gear  FAQFAQ  RulesRules   SearchSearch
MemberlistMembers  ArticlesArticles  CalendarCalendar  GalleryGallery  LinksLinks      RegisterRegister
ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messages   Log inLog in
Mt Charleston, NV

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    ArizonaHikers - Community Based Hiking Discussion Board Forum Index -> Out of State Hikes Email to a Friend
  View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
sbkelley





Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 284
Location: Tempe, AZ

PostPosted: 9/6/2011, 8:58 pm    Post subject: Mt Charleston, NV Reply to topic Reply with quote

If ever in Vegas...

After staring longingly at Charleston every time I've gone to Las Vegas, it was time to make this trip a reality. Tanya and I headed up on the Friday of Labor Day weekend, finding the campgrounds in Kyle Canyon unsurprisingly full. No matter - forest roads down lower provided a nice place to bed down for the night.

An early start to a beautiful day brought us up the mountain. Runners made their way up and down the road, hikers were out and about...an active crowd always get the motivation going! The picnic area's seasonal closure curtailed our plans to take the locals' advice and proceed that way, so up the stairs we went at Cathedral Rock trail. Problem is, we kept going up the Cathedral Rock Trail at the junction to descend to the Griffith picnic area, which dumps you at the South Loop's real trailhead. So we got a 900'/1mile warmup before we realized our mistake Laughing

On the South Loop Trail, looking at Mt Charleston


Embarassed and back on route, we started making our way up the steep switchbacks on South Loop Trail. Soon the grade eased in an impressive limestone amphitheater as we enjoyed breakfast in an aspen grove...ahhh...the cool mountain air proved the therapeutic antidote to the stifling desert heat. We enjoyed the gentle switchbacks which push you out of Kyle Canyon and onto high, airy slopes. Soon, we found ourselves 4 miles in and only 1200' below Charleston's summit (!). I'm no math major, but I assumed our second-half travel would be gentler. True enough, but the views distracted all thoughts about numbers. The views? Absolutely unbelievable. Charleston soars 9-10,000' above its surrounding desert and you are acutely aware of that fact from your perch. Telescope Peak in Death Valley? Easy to spot. Lake Mead? Yep. Of course, the individual resorts of the Strip, too. Sierras on the horizon? On a clear day.

Mt Charleston view sample


The stroll through the meadow, then into the bristlecone forest, cast a silence between us as we gawked at the surroundings. At last, you reach a saddle over 7 miles from the car and Charleston herself comes into view. A (very annoying on the return) descent lets you catch your breath before beginning the final steep push to the top.

When you finally see this, you're home-free

Small plants bloomed among the bleached rocks and soon we stood next to the American flag atop Charleston's summit, where we talked to some local hikers about their Spring Mountain trekking tips. After enjoying a Ranger IPA on Charleston's summit, we reluctantly bid farewell to our perch and strolled down the mountain.

Life at its finest


up top!


On the way home, I felt an urge to hit Griffith Peak too to see the view, and the effort was well worth it. The canyon was in deep shadow when we returned to the magnificent IPA-laden cooler at the end, after cursing through the climb out of the picnic area at hikes end. Well worth it, Arizonans, if you're ever in the Vegas area.

Day's end

_________________
Mountains complement desert as desert complements city, as wilderness complements and completes civilization. - Ed Abbey
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
desertgirl





Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 3350
Location: Chandler, AZ

PostPosted: 9/7/2011, 1:48 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Sweet Trip! Thanks for sharing
_________________
Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
GeorgAz





Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 815
Location: Scottsdale

PostPosted: 9/8/2011, 7:11 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Wow! Thanks for pics! Always wondered what it looked like up there! You just don't think about hikes when in Vegas. Very sweet!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Davis2001R6





Joined: 12 Dec 2003
Posts: 5591
Location: Italy

PostPosted: 9/17/2011, 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Dang I miss the SW at times.
_________________
Please checkout our website for all our travels http://jdombstravels.com/

Give us a like on Facebook too please!
http://www.facebook.com/jdombstravels
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    ArizonaHikers - Community Based Hiking Discussion Board Forum Index -> Out of State Hikes All times are GMT - 7 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum