Griffith Peak Summit Trip | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

[@johnforan2973]

Wife and I summited Griffith Peak today for the first time. We did it. Amazing views and amazing trek up to the ridge and then up to Griffith summit. Without your videos and the help of others like "Bird and Hike" then who knows if we would have done what we did today here on June 20, 2024. We did sign in but the log in book is full. What a day. Clear skies but hazy in the valley. I think the wooden sign is wrong at the beginning of the trail. It says 4 miles to the junction. It is more like 4.75 to 4.9 miles up to that point. Then up another half mile or so to the Griffith summit. We got back to car and topped 10 miles +. What a day. Coming down in the twilight of Kyle Canyon made me take even more pictures of the same areas coming up. Many flowers, bristlecones, cliffs, birds, etc. Spring mountains are just incredible. We only passed by a few dozen on a Thursday while we know that we live in a population size of 2 to 3 million. Was tough hiking but you just keep on heading up and then back down. Really not that hard . We may try to backside an approach to Mt Charleston from Pahrump Westside in the future. Not sure. It seems not many have tried these approach ridges and loops. I love looking on Satellite views of this approach of Wallace Canyon Road via Wheeler Pass. Of course the normal approach is from the South and North Loop Trails. It seems like you can get to Mt Charleston Peak much quicker and from a different approach from this side. It may present too many avalanche slopes and why this side is not happening. Even if this side does not work seems like a nice camp area. Thank you for all of your web sites and channels. I hope we can get the mess cleaned up from the storms last year, Cathedral Rock, Mary Jane, past 2 mile marker of Mack's Canyon and the Sisters areas, Deer Creek picnic areas, etc. They are all gems of the Spring Mountains. There are other ways around but understand the cleanup.

[@lasvegasareatrails]

Griffith Peak has always been one of my favorites! Arriving at the summit is like coming home. You could make a number of adventures to Griffith Peak: One from Lovell Canyon via Sexton Ridge; One from Harris Mountain via the Griffith/Harris Saddle; One from upper Lovell Canyon; One from Trout Canyon. All are unique and end up in this amazing place! I'll be interested in your Charleston from Pahrump approach. I've heard of that but not yet explored it. Thanks for the kind words, and keep up the good adventures and reports John!

[@ebeb516]

Gorgeous 🤩. Thank you for packing so much useful information into this . I’ve been up to cathedral rock and Mary jane falls . I’m feeling a bit more ambitious after watching this 😃.

[@lasvegasareatrails]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@lasvegasareatrails]

Go for it! It's a life memory!

[@stevenhigby3512]

Thats a pretty good hike. I have never done that one yet.

[@lasvegasareatrails]

You'll love it! If you're used to hiking this kind of trail, go for it. If this is new to you, check out my articles on conditioning and strategy: lasvegasareatrails.com/plan-your-las-vegas-area-wilderness-adventure/

[@conracewhatever5224]

1st attempt over the weekend.. 9.7 mile.. 9hrs and 15 mins.. it was painful going up for 5 hrs but made it! It was worth it! (I hated the stairs going down)

[@lasvegasareatrails]

Congratulations Conrace! Summiting Griffith Peak is an accomplishment you'll always remember! Yes, the "endless stairway" both on the way up and on the way back down is in my opinion the hardest part of the entire route. I run about 6 miles per day 5 days a week and that creates a base conditioning that makes the mountains much easier and more enjoyable.

[@4energy]

Been to Mt Charleston several times but never to any of the peeks. This video makes me want to go. I'm hooked.

[@lasvegasareatrails]

Thanks for your comment! You won't be disappointed with Griffith Peak. The trail should be relatively snow-free by early to mid-June. Enjoy!

[@scottkirklin7154]

Doing this peak this weekend (Labor Day weekend 2021) - this video was very helpful - Thank you Las Vegas Area Trails! BTW: I think I have seen your Smart car (white with black accents?) at several trailheads...if not, my bad. Hike your hike!

[@lasvegasareatrails]

Did you do Griffith Peak over the weekend? Hope you had a great time, such a beautiful place! Yes, you've probably seen my car "The Beast" at a trailhead. It's parked at some trailhead every Saturday. Thanks for commenting!

[@scottkirklin7154]

@@lasvegasareatrails - Yes it was on a Saturday morning bright and early - only myself and the deer on the trail at daybreak. Hike on!

[@tpt213]

🤘🤘

[@M76cr]

AMAZING JOB YOUNG BLOOD

[@lasvegasareatrails]

Thanks for your comment Misty! Looking forward to getting up there again in June. For now, Lake Mead and Muddy Mountains.

[@smug8567]

I used to hunt black bear there in the 70's there was hunting guide there by the name Stokley. He had this dip on the top of his head, everytime it rained he would have a big puddle of water in the middle of it. I wonder if he's still up there.

[@Antonya944]

There were black bears in Mount charleston?

[@smug8567]

@@Antonya944 Used to be

[@Antonya944]

@@smug8567 are you sure www.gomtcharleston.com/funfactfriday-bears/

[@smug8567]

@@Antonya944 never sure of anything

[@Antonya944]

@Mark B bears have never lived on mount charleston

[@vrealitygaming7088]

Do you ever do multi-day trips up at Mt. Charleston or only day hikes?

[@lasvegasareatrails]

Thanks for asking. Customarily do one-day trips. However, I do know a number of cool high wilderness camping spots in the Mt. Charleston wilderness.

[@vrealitygaming7088]

@@lasvegasareatrails Sweet thanks. I've done day hike from North Rim to Mt. Charleston Summit 3-4 times. However, I'm looking to do multi-day hike to prepare for my trip to Yosemite and want to do the entire loop from South Loop to North Loop. Wondering if you have any recommendations on where to camp that's close to the summit but not too exposed?

[@lasvegasareatrails]

I've seen great camping spots on the South Loop and the North Loop. On the South Loop, there's a protected spot at the junction of the South Loop trail and the Griffith Peak trail. It is about 5 miles from Charleston Peak summit. There are additional places to camp in a long relatively level area about a half-mile beyond the junction toward Charleston Peak. Then within the next mile, as you're ascending the ridge through the burn area you can find places to camp to the right of the trail near the rim of Kyle Canyon. That could put you within a couple miles of Charleston Peak summit. Once you reach the saddle about 2 miles from the summit, I have not seen camping spots beyond that point. On the North Loop, the best camping spots I've found are about a mile before Lee Peak. That puts you within 2-3 miles from Charleston Peak. There is an interesting spot about a mile below Charleston Peak, just before the North Loop Trail begins its final ascent, less than 2 miles from Charleston Peak. Whether you're coming from the North or the South, look around and you will find spots to camp within about 2 miles of Charleston Peak. Camping closer than that will be pretty sketchy. As you get within about 2 miles of the peak, look around. You'll see spots to camp. If you go beyond the last good spot you saw and do not see another that is closer, you can always back-track, less than a half mile to the last good spot you saw. The camping spots are unmarked. But there are ample relatively sheltered areas to pitch a tent or lay down a sleeping bag up there. No fires permitted. If you have a small camping stove, that should be okay. Let me know how it goes for you. On a clear night the sky should be incredible, and the temperature relatively warm in July. Make sure there is no rain forecast. I'd go for totally sunny weather forecasts and around 110 degrees or more in the Las Vegas Valley in order to have a comfortable temperature above 70 degrees near Charleston Peak.

[@vrealitygaming7088]

@@lasvegasareatrails dude you are awesome!!!!! Pretty sure I know exactly what you’re referring to when talking about the camping spots close to the peak on the North Rim, close to Devils thumb? Thank you so much! You know how long there will be snow at the summit since it’s been a wetter/colder than usual winter?

[@lasvegasareatrails]

If I were going to the summit I would take the South Loop Trail. The North Loop Trail has some sharp drop-offs below the summit. Snow melts slower there and may be there into mid-July or even August. The South Loop trail is safer.