Hike: Cathedral Rock — up and back

Trailhead: 1. Cathedral Rock picnic area  — marked

                  2. Before Cathedral Rock picnic area. Top of the steps — marked                     

Distance: 3 miles — round trip (from the picnic area); 2.5 miles — round trip (from before the picnic area).

Elevation gain: 1,000 feet

Elevation Peak: 8,600 feet

Time: 2.5 hours — round trip

Difficulty: 2

Danger level: 1 

How easy to follow trail: 1

Children: yes

Map: Charleston Peak, NEV

Directions: From the Mirage on Las Vegas Boulevard (the Strip) go north 1.5 miles and turn west (left) onto Sahara. In less than one mile, turn north (right) onto I-15. Take I-15 two miles to US 95 north. Take US 95 north 14 miles to State Route 157. Go west (left) onto 157 and drive 21 miles and make a right turn into Cathedral Rock picnic area. (See Photo 1.) The signed trailhead is on the west (right) side of the road, a few yards past the fee booth. The entrance fee is five dollars per car. Parking is available across from the trailhead; however, it may be full on weekends. An alternative trailhead is on 157 about a half-mile past the hairpin turn on the west side of the road. Parking and restrooms are near the trailhead. A concrete stairway leads to the trailhead.

Overview: The trail heads west past Echo Cliffs and then crosses an avalanche area. It climbs the west slope of Cathedral Rock to the top. 

Comments: Cathedral Rock, the second most popular trail in Mt. Charleston, is the perfect hike for beginners. You can see Cathedral Rock, the huge pinnacle that looms above the Mt. Charleston Lodge, by looking at the imaginary 10 o’clock position as you approach the hairpin turn on 157. (See photo below.) From the peak, you enjoy fantastic views of the Lodge and Kyle Canyon.

 The Hike: From the picnic area, the signed trail starts in a westward direction at a slight grade. It winds through thick patches of aspens and evergreens before intercepting the alternative trail. The trail turns south and heads toward the magnificent Echo Cliffs. The Cliffs have a sheer drop of almost 800 feet. As the trail snakes to the west of Echo Cliffs, a side trail leads to a small seep. Water flows almost year round, making the 100-yard walk worth the effort.

            Once past Echo Cliffs, the trail heads west and the grade becomes steeper as it makes its way up across a slope. As you traverse the slope, you can see the destruction an avalanche can wreak on a mountain. Many trees and boulders are still misplaced by an avalanche that happened years ago.

             The trail flattens out as it heads toward the backside of Cathedral Rock. This is the easiest and most enjoyable part of the trail, a cakewalk through a forest, and you forget that you're 8,000 feet above sea level. 

            Save your energy for the last quarter mile of the trail-it's steep. Take the signed right fork when the trail divides. (See photo below.)  About a half dozen switchbacks take you to the top of Cathedral Rock. Once on top the view becomes more spectacular with every step. On the far NE side there's a place to sit and admire the view. Mt. Charleston Lodge lies 800 feet below and farther to the east you can see the desert floor. To the north is Mummy Mountain; to the NW is Mary Jane Falls, and to the west is Charleston Peak.

            If you eat lunch, you may have a visitor or two. This is the only place in the world you'll have the opportunity to see the Palmer Chipmunk. As hard as it is, resist feeding them. By feeding them they become dependent on humans for their food. In the winter the chipmunks must rely on their food-gathering skills or perish. Watch children closely at the top; the drop-offs are more than 100 feet at the edges. Railings have been erected, but they seem to incite people to climb down to them.

            The other trailhead (by the restrooms) starts out with a moderate incline and continues to climb until it intercepts the main trail. This trail is shorter, but a little harder.

To Descend: Retrace your steps.

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