+ 93
Mount Charleston Peak
Hiking Trail
Hard
16.84 mi
5,129 ft
A long day in the mountains to gain the summit of one of the most prominent peaks in the USA!
Mount Charleston rises dramatically above the Southern Nevada landscape, soaring to a height of 11,918 feet above sea level, with a staggering 8,259 feet of prominence. Even though it doesn't break 12,000 feet, this incredible mountain ranks as the 8th most prominent mountain in the USA!
The environment on Mount Charleston couldn't be more different from nearby Las Vegas. "Less than an hour’s drive from Las Vegas, it provides desert dwellers with a dramatic change of scenery (big trees and alpine meadows) and a taste of strenuous high-altitude hiking," writes Redsplashman23 on []( Even the beginning of the hike is already in an alpine environment, and as you ascend the mountain, you'll break out above treeline and traverse a vaulted, mostly treeless ridge to reach the summit.
The 8.5-mile hike to the summit is strenuous and gains over a vertical mile in elevation, making this a truly challenging summit hike. The bulk of the elevation gain takes place in the first few miles via a steep, switchbacked, rocky trail that ascends directly up the mountainside. Once on top of the ridge below Griffith Peak, you'll continue to climb—just more gradually—following the ridge to the summit of Mount Charleston, aka Charleston Peak.
If you are uncertain whether or not you can tackle such a distance, then this hike isn't for you. But if you're willing to tackle the challenge and gain the summit, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the region, including the town of Pahrump, and endless desert valleys and mountain ridges. Written by Greg Heil
Mount Charleston rises dramatically above the Southern Nevada landscape, soaring to a height of 11,918 feet above sea level, with a staggering 8,259 feet of prominence. Even though it doesn't break 12,000 feet, this incredible mountain ranks as the 8th most prominent mountain in the USA!
The environment on Mount Charleston couldn't be more different from nearby Las Vegas. "Less than an hour’s drive from Las Vegas, it provides desert dwellers with a dramatic change of scenery (big trees and alpine meadows) and a taste of strenuous high-altitude hiking," writes Redsplashman23 on []( Even the beginning of the hike is already in an alpine environment, and as you ascend the mountain, you'll break out above treeline and traverse a vaulted, mostly treeless ridge to reach the summit.
The 8.5-mile hike to the summit is strenuous and gains over a vertical mile in elevation, making this a truly challenging summit hike. The bulk of the elevation gain takes place in the first few miles via a steep, switchbacked, rocky trail that ascends directly up the mountainside. Once on top of the ridge below Griffith Peak, you'll continue to climb—just more gradually—following the ridge to the summit of Mount Charleston, aka Charleston Peak.
If you are uncertain whether or not you can tackle such a distance, then this hike isn't for you. But if you're willing to tackle the challenge and gain the summit, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the region, including the town of Pahrump, and endless desert valleys and mountain ridges. Written by Greg Heil
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral traihead to Griffith/Charlesto turn | 4.09 mi | 2,936 ft | 13.6% |
| South Loop Out and Back | 16.71 mi | -4,134 ft | -0.0% |
| south loop TH to Charleston summit | 8.23 mi | 4,196 ft | 9.7% |
| South Loop stairs | 0.81 mi | 620 ft | 14.3% |
| Echo Rd Climb | 0.80 mi | 331 ft | 7.8% |
| Charleston peak dash to Griffith turn | 4.05 mi | -1,283 ft | -5.3% |
| Kyle Canyon Rd Climb | 0.58 mi | 174 ft | 5.5% |
| South loop ridge dash to Griffith turn | 3.17 mi | -741 ft | -2.9% |
| Tannenbaum St Climb | 0.43 mi | 141 ft | 6.2% |