[bartleby913]

Will be out there around end of May. Want to spend a day hiking. Someone able to break down red rock, vally of fire(on another thread someone said "if your adventorus" when describing vally of fire), or climbing Mt charleston.

I've driven through red rock and valley of fire both times I had to be at the airport within the next few hours so i couldn't really stop and walk around.

[RedRockAAAA]

There have been some great threads, if you'd like to search each of them.

Valley of Fire is very nice and most trails I saw were shortish, only saw 1 over 1 mile. Their visitor center is great, one of the best ever. Red Rock can go from mild to difficult, but you can control that with onsight data. I know there was more info on here than I can recall. Good luck with the search.

[guinnessjim]

here are some helpful links:

Hiking Around Las Vegas

i have hiked many of the trails, and for the vast majority, the descriptions here are pretty accurate (for other parts of the country as well).

VoF hikes are pbby under the Lake Mead heading (at least the bowl of fire hike is).

have fun.

[bartleby913]

Pretty sweet link. Thanks!

[dr.gomonas]

That is a great link to get you started... keep in mind some of the pros/cons of each -- might be pretty hot at RRC or VoF (although the weather was perfect during the day at VoF last sat!)... Most of the hikes at Mt. C are pretty high elevation, so they are a little more challenging if you're not used to it. I've been to all 3 and you can't really go wrong!

[Rebecca40]

If you want more challenging, mountain-type hiking - go to Mt. Charleston (there are some easy trails too) - you will feel more like you are in Colorado or Utah based on the vegetation plus the temps are cooler up there due to the elevation. If you want real desert hiking and terrain, I really like Valley of Fire. It tends to be less crowded than Red Rock Canyon, though both are beautiful. VOF gives you more of a feeling of being away from the City as well (because you are). Enjoy!

[bartleby913]

Originally Posted by Rebecca40

If you want more challenging, mountain-type hiking - go to Mt. Charleston (there are some easy trails too) - you will feel more like you are in Colorado or Utah based on the vegetation plus the temps are cooler up there due to the elevation. If you want real desert hiking and terrain, I really like Valley of Fire. It tends to be less crowded than Red Rock Canyon, though both are beautiful. VOF gives you more of a feeling of being away from the City as well (because you are). Enjoy!

Was looking at Mt Charleston. Thats what i would like to do one day. However not sure if someone who has never hiked to the summit before should attempt to do it without a guide.

What do people think about hiking to the summit of Mt Charleston? Is it easy to find your way to the top? I am used to East coast mountains in which you can see towns on all sides and its easy to keep your bearings straight.

[jlawrence01]

This is a good thread from earlier in the month:

24 hours (not) in Las Vegas?

Do realize that you will want to schedule your hikes early in the AM and late in the afternoon to avoid the oppressive heat. Also carry a lot of water.

[guinnessjim]

Originally Posted by bartleby913

Was looking at Mt Charleston. Thats what i would like to do one day. However not sure if someone who has never hiked to the summit before should attempt to do it without a guide.

What do people think about hiking to the summit of Mt Charleston? Is it easy to find your way to the top? I am used to East coast mountains in which you can see towns on all sides and its easy to keep your bearings straight.

ok...grain of salt w/ this as i have never hiked Mt. Charleston itself (the general area is the spring mts)...but i have hiked many western peaks and know several people who have done Charleston.

it is a solid, but not excruciating hike (in terms of western peaks). 18 miles or so (depending how you do it) with a summit of just shy of 12K. my understanding is that the trail is well marked and friendly. you'll have a several thousand foot elevation gain and will be at high altitude for most of the hike...and if you have ever done much playing above 10K you'll know what i mean. If you are in good shape and a decent hiker, it should be doable. but you have to know your own limits and what you are capable of.

start early, carry plenty of water and dress in layers (weather can/will change on you). make sure someone knows you are going if you are going to do it alone.

you can go up and down the same trail or combine the two trails (north and south loops), but you'll need to do a shuttle if you combine them.

[tijlover]

Even if you only make it to the Meadows, at 11000 feet, at Mt. Charleston on South Loop Trail, it will be well-worth the climb, as you can look west to Death Valley and see Mt. Whitney, 200 miles away, the tallest mountain in the 48 states at 14,500 feet. And the whole Sierra Mtn. range is in sight.

I have never quite made it to the top of Mt. Charleston, because I've always started my climb too late and was fearful if I did make it to the top it would be dark before I got back down the mountain to my car. So start early, and no matter what time of the year, take a light coat along. Windchill is windchill.