How to Climb Mt. Charleston via the South Loop Trail

The next time you're headed to Las Vegas and are looking for an outdoor adventure, head out to Mt. Charleston in the Spring Mountains range. About 40 minutes from downtown Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston is an ambitious hike. Your journey on the South Loop trail route is 17 miles round-trip and is a good day hike.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plenty of water
• Snacks for the day
• Good hiking shoes or boots
• You may find trekking poles to be useful
• camera

How to find the trailhead

1. Drive North on US 95 from downtown Las Vegas. Exit Kyle Canyon Rd./State Route 157. You can only go west.
2. Continue on Kyle Canyon Rd. for approximately 21 miles. You will pass the Spring Mountains Visitor Center on your left.
3. About 2.5 miles past the Visitor Center is a sharp hairpin turn to the left. Follow this turn to arrive at a parking area on an uphill section of the road (right hand side). Park here.
4. The trailhead is inside the Cathedral Rock picnic area, up the hill and to the right along the road that you’ve parked on. Walk into the parking area (walk-ins are free).
5. Don’t climb the stairs on the right towards Cathedral Peak. Continue on the road inside the parking area, staying to the right.
6. Across from the 2nd parking area on your left is the South Loop trailhead. You’ll recognize it as it goes uphill and runs a bit parallel to the road. Begin on the South Loop Trail.

How to Climb Mt. Charleston via the South Loop Trail

7. You’ll hike along the South Loop Trail for about 1.5 hours until you reach Echo Cliffs. There are spectacular views here of the entire Mt. Charleston area.
8. From Echo Cliffs, the trail will become a series of switchbacks leading you to the Griffith Saddle.
9. You’ll recognize your arrival at the Griffith Saddle by the presence of a prominent sign on the left hand side of the trail that indicates Griffith Peak is one way and Mt. Charleston is the other. Follow the sign towards the trail on the right to the summit of Mt. Charleston. The Griffith Saddle is about 1200 vertical feet and 3.5 miles from the summit.
10. You’ll have about 1.5 miles of easy hiking through some beautiful meadows before the trail begins to grow steeper as you near the summit.
11. As you continue along the trail, you’ll encounter the Crash Site at about 11,400 feet. This is debris from a plane crash from many years ago (and quite interesting!). Once you reach the Crash Site, you’re only about 500 vertical feet from the summit.
12. Continue along the trail to the summit of Mt. Charleston.
13. Summit of Mt. Charleston:11,918' You’ve reached the summit! 11,918 feet above sea level with gorgeous views!
14. Descend back to the trailhead the same way you came.

Tips & Warnings

• The above guide is for Spring, Summer, and fall ascents only.
• Do not cut the switchbacks!
• Practice Leave No Trace principles.

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