Hiking Las Vegas - FAQ about hiking around Las Vegas

+ Isn't Vegas Surround by Desert?

No, it isn't. Mt. Charleston, located in the Spring Mountains, is less than one hour from the strip and offers alpine-like hiking. Starting at around 7,000 feet and topping out at 11,918 feet (Charleston Peak), the terrain is hardly desert. Red Rock Canyon is less than 30 minutes away and has thousands of acres of sandstone mountains jutting up from the desert floor.

+ What are the best seasons to hike?

You can hike year-round due to the diversity of terrain and elevation. Lake Mead Area has an elevation of 2,000 feet; Mt. Charleston stands 11,918 feet. These two areas have almost a 60-degree difference in temperatures.

+ What are the differences in Red Rock, Mt. Charleston, Lake Mead?

Red Rock Canyon offers some of the best bouldering and rock scrambling in the country. Mt. Charleston is typical of high altitude mountains. Lake Mead Area offers desert hiking with numerous dry washes to follow. In general, Lake Mead is the easiest; hiking in Mt. Charleston, because of the altitude, is the most difficult.

+ Where can I find FAQs for the 3 main hiking areas ?

I have FAQ for each area. Go to the hiking area you are interested in and look for the FAQ.

+ What is rock scrambling?

Rock scrambling is climbing low-angled rock (usually sandstone) without the use of ropes. Red Rock Canyon has many different rock scrambling routes.

+ What is class 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 climbing?

Class 1 - like walking on a sidewalk.

Class 2 - Hands used for balance only

Class 3 - Climbing low angled rock

Class 4 - Climbing steep terrain. Many use a rope. A fall would be serious.

Class 5 - Techinical rock climbing.

+ What's the differnece between a route and a trail hike?

A trail is marked (sometimes) and is easier to follow than a route. A route is hiked by landmarks. Routes are harder to follow, but offer much more of a wilderness experience. The Member's Only Club contains over 400 hikes, many are routes. It has over 1,100 color photos showing you key landmarks along the route. Do not expect a well-groomed trail when hiking a route.

+ How difficult are the hikes?

The hikes range in difficulty from very easy (1) to very difficult (5). To give you an idea of my rating system, A level 5 hike on this Web site is very tough, normally no trail, lots of scrambling and elevation gain. As a rough guide, a mile of rock scrambling equals two miles of trail hiking. The difficulty rating is different from the class rating (Class 1 through 5).

+ Why do I need to buy your hiking directions?

Most of the hikes are routes (no trails, no signs). The few trails that do exist are poorly marked. Remember, this is Las Vegas. The focus is on gambling, not hiking.

+ Can't I find the same info at the Visitor Centers?

Short answer: No.
The Visitor Center (VC) at Red Rock Canyon lists 19 hikes. This site has 108!
Mt. Charleston VC lists 11 hikes. This site has 52.
Lake Mead VC lists 14 hikes. This site has 38.
Their hike descriptions are one or two sentences with no photos. I have written five hiking guidebooks. The first edition of Hiking Las Vegas has out sold all other hiking guide books for Las Vegas combined!!!

+ Can I buy directions for a single hike?

Yes! They are only $2.97 and you can download them instantly to any deivce that reads a PDF document.

+ What's the Member Only Club?

The Member's Only Club is the ultimate hiking reference for southern Nevada. It features over 400 hike descriptions, enhanced topo maps, and a updates about the trails and routes.

+ Is there public transportation to the hiking areas?

Unfortunately, no. You have to rent a car.

+ Do I need a permit for day hiking?

No, not at this time for any hiking areas in southern Nevada. Since this site covers many other areas, refer to those pages to see if a permit is need for day hiking.

+ Who owns this site?

+ Do you offer guided hikes?

No. I am an information provider.

+ Does this site have information about other hiking areas?

Yes! See the tab to the left that reads: Other Areas

+ Hiking Definations:

Cairn: A pile of rocks marking a route.
Chimney: Narrow chute with parallel walls.
Chute: A steep, well-worn passage where debris often funnels down from a mountain. A chute is larger than a crack but smaller than a gully.
Crag: A sandstone wall scaled by technical climbers.
Face: The steep side of a mountain.
Gully: A broad, low-angled depression runs vertically down the side of a mountain.
Narrows: A tight passageway in a wash; formed by wind and water erosion over thousands of years.
Pullout: A place to park along a paved road. A pullout is either paved or made of gravel or dirt.
Rock Scrambling: Class 2, 3 and 4 climbing over rock.
Route: Hiked by using landmarks. No official trails.
Saddle: A low point between two peaks, ridgelines, or high points.
Scree: Small rocks found on a slope.
Summit: High point on a mountain (peak).
Switchbacks: The zigzag pattern in a trail or path that makes it easier to go up the side of a mountain.
Tank: A place larger than a catch basin where water gathers after it rains. Calico Tank is the best example.
Talus: Loose rock and gravel on a slope. Bigger than scree.
Topo Map: Map showing the details of the land by means of lines & symbols.
Trailhead: The starting point of a trail, path, or route.

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