Mt. Charleston Hiking Strategy

Due to the higher elevation in Mt. Charleston (the lowest hikes start at 7,000 feet and higher), you want to start off slow and do easier hikes at lower elevations. Depending on the amount of snow, you can start hiking in Mt. Charleston in April or May. Mt. Charleston is only 35 miles NW of the Las Vegas Strip.

Your First Hikes:

Fletcher Canyon: A local favorite and perfect for your first hike. It starts at a lower elevation than other hikes in Mt. Charleston and only gains 600 feet over two miles.
The trail is easy to follow and has lots of water and sometimes snow in the late spring. This hike will not disappoint!
 
Stats:
Distance: 4 miles - up and back
Elevation gain 600 feet
Time: 2 hours - up and back
Difficulty: 1
Class: 2

Raintree: This hike travels to a 3,000 year old Bristlecone Pine, the oldest living thing in the region. The tree has been named Raintree. You’ll hike up to 10,200 feet, which is substantially higher than the other hikes so far. It’s all trail and easy to follow; however, Raintree is not signed.
 
Stats:
Distance: 6 miles — round trip
Elevation gain: 1,100 feet
Elevation highest point: 10,200 feet
Time: 3 to 4 hours — round trip
Difficulty: 2
Class: 1

Big Falls

Big Falls: This is a must do hike than ends at a 100 foot seasonal waterfall. During late spring you will most likely hike on snow, which actually makes the hike easier. Since the trail ends in the drainage, there’s some bouldering before the waterfall.
 
Stats:
Distance: 3.50 miles – up and back
Elevation gain: 800 feet
Elevation highest point: 8,700 feet
Time: 2 hours – up and back, plus time spent at Big Falls
Difficulty: 2
Class: 2

Ok, It's Time to do Your First Peak

Cathedral Rock

Cathedral Rock offers great views from the top and follows an established trail. It’s another very popular hike. If possible, try avoiding hiking on the weekends. This hike should be done in late May or June. You don’t want to do this hike earlier in the year with snow on the trail, unless you are competent hiking in snow.
 
Stats:
Distance: 3 miles 
Elevation gain: 900 feet
Elevation peak: 8,600 feet
Time: 2.5 hours — up and back
Difficulty: 2
Class: 1
 
After doing the above hikes you should be adjusting to the higher elevation in Mt. Charleston.

Now it’s Time to Tackle the Big Boys!

Fletcher Peak soars over 10,000 feet into the air and has some of the best views of any peak in Mt.Charleston.  The hike is all trail except for the last 100 yards making it very easy to follow.

Stats:
Trailhead: North Loop — marked
Distance: 7.25 miles — up and back
Elevation gain: 2,214 feet
Highest elevation: 10,319 feet
Time: 3 to 4 hours — up and back
Difficulty: 3
Class: 1

After hiking Fletcher Peak you are ready for Mummy Mountain and Charleston Peak, the highest summit in southern Nevada. There are several routes to both peaks. Some of the routes have class 3 or class 4 climbs to reach the summit. Try to do these hikes before late July. You’ll read why in the section called: Dangers

Clothing, Food, and Equipment

Clothing helps you stay dry and comfortable. How do you prevent becoming chilled? Wear layers of clothing. The secret to layering is combining the correct clothing in the proper order. Done correctly it traps air warmed by your body heat while wicking moisture away from your skin.
 
The first layer (the one closest to your skin) will wick moisture away from your skin while trapping body heat. Any of the wicking fabrics found under the trade names Thermax or Coolmax work well. They come in different thickness. The colder the climate, the thicker the material you will want.
 
The middle layer acts as insulation. Fleece sweats, polypro pullovers, or a long-sleeved flannel shirt are good choices. The middle layer can be more than one garment.
 
The final layer protects from wind. A windbreaker is fine, except during winter months in Mt. Charleston. Jackets made from GORE-TEX are recommended during winter.
 
If you become hot, simply peel some of the layers. If you become cold, add layers.
 
I bring a rain jacket when hiking in Mt. Charleston. It can double as a windbreaker.
 
You lose more heat from your head than any other part of your body. A Balaclava, sort of like a ski mask, will keep your head warm and is lightweight. 

Hiking Shoes/Boots
I do not wear mid-weight boots. I use to and found them to be heavy and really not needed. I wear old approach shoes, ones that the soles are too beat up for Red Rock. The rock (limestone) in Mt. Charleston will tear up sticky rubber soles very fast. Hike Mummy mountain’s scree slope once and you will know what I mean.
 
If you do not have a pair of old approach shoes, then buy lightweight hiking shoes that do NOT have any type of sticky rubber. These shoes are generally less expensive and you will not ruin the soles.

Items you should have in a first aid kit:
 
Triangular bandage
Ace bandage
Band-Aids
Tape 1 inch roll
Moleskin or Spiroflex (for blisters)
Aspirin and pain medicine
Sunscreen
Tweezers
 
Food and Water:
 
Water: Due to the elevation it’s easier to get dehydrated. If doing advanced hikes, bring at least 3 liters of water, which is a full bladder.
 
Food: Bring food that will give you energy. Fruit, energy bars, and trail mix are good choices.

​

Dangers

lthough there are not many dangers while hiking in Mt. Charleston (no bears or venomous snakes), there is the ever present Monsoon season, which rears its ugly head normally in late July and last most of August.
 
The Monsoon season are violent thunderstorms with lots of lighting that start around noon. The wind can pick up and the temperature can drop drastically.
 
What’s the best strategy?
 
Watch the sky and be prepared. If it looks like a thunderstorm is kicking up, turn around and get off the mountain. It will be there tomorrow.
 
What should I do if caught in a thunderstorm?
* Get off of peaks and ridgelines.
* Stay out of shallow caves.
* Stay away from water. If a trail turns into a stream, stay off.
* If you're hiking with a group, spread out.
* Stay away from tall objects (trees).
* If you feel charged, squat down on non-conductive material. Your daypack is normally a good choice.
* The best rule of thumb is to watch the sky and listen to the weather forecast the night before hiking. 
 
 
Rock Fall
 
Mt. Charleston is known for loose rock. You need to be extra careful if hiking in a big group (8 + hikers). Here are some safety tips:
 

• Descend loose chutes one at a time and wait until the person is out of the line of fire.
• If you see a rock start to roll, try to stop it before it gains speed.
• If descending a loose slope, use switchback so hikers further down the slope are not directly below.
• Video of a rockfall

 
Well, now you have a strategy when it’s time to head for the alpine like peaks in Mt, Charleston. You also know what to bring and how to avoid dangers. All I can say is: take a hike!

Want to join the best hiking club in Las Vegas? Check out the 52 Peak Club.