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Peak(s):  Charleston Peak - 11919
Lee Peak - 11780
Date Posted:  12/08/2014
Date Climbed:   11/29/2014
Author:  Derek
 Spring Mountains of Nevada   


Spring Mountains of Nevada



Charleston Peak 11,915'
Lee Peak 11,289'
Cockscomb Ridge (Attempt) 9,694'

Total Mileage - ~20 miles
Elevation Gain - ~5000'
Trailhead - Trail Canyon at 7,800'



Last time I was in Las Vegas, I spent some time in the Red Rocks/Calico Hills area. While it proved to be quite an interesting area, this time I wanted to get a bit further out of the "desert" scene. The Spring Mountains of Nevada are located just to the west of downtown Las Vegas and hold the highest elevations that one can find in southern NV topping out at just under 12,000'. I decided to look into Charleston Peak (highest point in the range) however I immediately began reading conflicting reports as to whether the mountain was open or not after recent wildfire damage. Further investigation didn't clear up too much, and after calling the ranger district in the area multiple times the week prior I never received an answer. (One person answered one time and said they would call back with info, but never did.)

Rather than risk getting to a trailhead and finding it was closed, I finally planned on making a day of collecting some lower, southern Spring Mountain peaks. As I had no clue of what was around that area, I swung into the local REI in Las Vegas to grab a map. After chatting for a while with a worker there, he assured me that Charleston Peak was in fact open, but only from the north trail....it was the south trail that was currently closed. I figured being a local he knew what he was talking about, so I reset my sights back to Charleston.

The next morning, I took off from my in-laws place near downtown Las Vegas around 4:15 AM. From Las Vegas, it was a 45 minute drive to the Trail Canyon Trailhead. (From downtown area, head north on I95 to the Kyle Canyon exit/Hwy 157. Follow 157 18 miles signage for the trailhead.) The trailhead is good a sized one, however I had to spend a little time trying to figure out which direction to park. I was the only vehicle there, and I didn't want to return later and discover I was "that guy" that parked the wrong way.

By around 5:15, I was on the Trail Canyon trail headed north by head lamp. This trail stretches from the trailhead at 7800' to the intersection of the North Loop Trail at 9300' and is about 2 miles long. This section is a very well defined and wide making it easy to follow by headlamp, although the footing can be a bit loose because the crushed rocks making up the trail are somewhat large.


First light near the intersection of Trail Canyon trail and the North Loop trail.


Southeast view from North Loop trail.


Sun making an appearance.

At the trail intersection at 9300', I stashed a jug of water and followed the North Loop Trail (left) as it headed NW. The sun just started to poke up around this time, and I was able to turn off my headlamp and pick up a bit of a quicker pace. Around mile 2.75 (from the TH) I passed the Cave Spring. I originally thought maybe I could filter from the spring pipe that leads out of the rock, however the helpful local at REI assured me there would be no water this time of year...he was right. (This made me feel better about lugging an obscene amount of water the entire day.) After the Cave Spring, the trail enters an old burn area and begins to switchback a few times towards the ridge above. At around 3.5 miles, the trail reenters the trees near 10,500'. Over the course of the next 3 miles (miles 3.5 to 6.5 from TH) the trail meanders west staying close to the ridge top. (Don't be fooled, according to maps the trail follows ON the ridge top, however it is actually 2-300' below.) There were plenty of nice views of Charleston from all along the ridge.


Cave Spring and the dry water trough.


The "feet" of Mummy Mountain.


Switchbacks just visible in center below Mummy Mountain.


First good view of Charleston Peak. Devil's Thumb is the obstruction on the ridge.


The trail follows along the cliffs just below the ridgeline.

Around mile 6.5, I reached Devil's Thumb. While the true Devil's Thumb is a freestanding tower along the ridge, most people know it as the name of a shortcut that ascends the steep section along the ridge at this point. The Devil's Thumb shortcut chops off a good amount of mileage from the ascent, but requires a class 3/4 scramble. I had zero information on the shortcut other than it existed, but I told myself on the way up that if I was able to spot the route I would make use of it. Unfortunately, despite my wandering around, I could not locate where the shortcut path was. Maybe next time I'll actually come prepared. Back to the main trail, the route begins contouring the east side of Charleston's north ridge for around 2 miles. There isn't a lot of gain here, but the trail is interesting enough to keep your attention. In a report Aubrey posted a few years back, he noted that this was one of the sketchiest class one trails he'd ever seen due to the constant drop offs and tripping hazards...and I would agree. You definitely wouldn't catch me running along this portion! Another side note, this section of trail also held some of the largest trees I have ever seen above 11,000'. Huge!


The true summit of Devil's Thumb.


Trail just beyond Devil's Thumb.


Looking back on the trail. (Snow covered line at bottom.)



LARGE trees above 11,000'. My hat is hanging on it for reference.
Finally, the trail hits a switchback almost directly east of the summit signaling that upward progress was finally beginning. Well...sort of. The switchbacks were so steady and long, it felt like I was barely going up at all. The summit tower eventually got larger and larger as I went, and the final switchback plopped me back on the same ridge I had left many miles earlier at Devil's Thumb, and from here I followed it for the final few hundred feet to the summit. I reached the summit around 9:45 AM, about 4.5 hours after leaving the car. The summit view was nice, lots of desert to be seen in the lower areas. (Definitely a change of pace from Colorado summit views!) The register was on a pole, resembling a mailbox and there were a couple other structures and solar panels spread about. I eyeballed my next planned peak a few miles north along the ridge and made a mental note of a good place to leave the trail. (I didn't have my GPS, so "approximate" was the name of the game today.) The wind was a bit chilly, so I only stayed a couple minutes before taking back off down the trail.



Near the start of the switchbacks.


Starting up the long, flat switchbacks leading to the summit.


Last stretch to the summit.


Charleston Peak summit.


Good view of Mummy Mountain from the summit...head on left, feet on right.


Southwest views from the summit.

The trail back to Devil's Thumb went by very quickly. I tried to jog where possible, obviously slowing in spots where a trip would have sent me on a cliff diving lesson. Near here was where I saw the first people of the day on their way up. I continued to follow the trail for about one mile past Devil's Thumb until I almost reached the saddle between Lee Peak and the ridge bump to its SW. I left the trail here and ascended up the loose SW ridge of Lee. I tried to stay just to the right side of the ridge to keep out of the wind, but eventually was forced back to it for the final section to the summit. The final 50 feet was a loose mess...two steps up, one step down. Eventually I reached the summit and had the treat of one of the nicest summit registers I have ever seen. A fabric lined ammo box (complete with glitter!) held a large book that held a few scrapbook like pages before the true register list. Impressive, especially for an unranked 11er! After signing, I bolted to get out of the wind. I retraced my ascent back down to the standard Charleston trail and continued on my way.


Lee Peak is the highpoint on the ridge ahead.


The loose final 100 or so feet to the summit of Lee Peak.


The beautiful summit register of Lee Peak.


Charleston Peak from Lee.


Spring Mountains to the north.


I maintained a steady/slow jog over the next 3 or so miles, passing several more groups of people on their way up. After a short while, I reached the intersection with the Trail Canyon trail that I had stashed water at earlier that day. Rather than descending the 2 miles back to the car just yet, I wanted to spend some time trying to summit nearby Cockscomb Ridge directly to the south. Again, I had no info on this summit...however there was a faint climbers trail leading along the ridge that gave me a bit of hope. I followed the trail as it passed to the right of the first major obstacle on the ridge, but then lost it again. I attempted to skirt the second major obstacle again to the right, but the looseness was a bit much for me so I retreated back to the ridge. I wiggled my way around the left side of the ridge, but I was stopped even sooner by steep cliff-outs. The only other option was straight up...which wasn't happening. I was pretty sure that I needed to drop WAY further down to the right to avoid the looseness, but by now I was pushing 18 miles on the day and re-ascending loose slopes was not high on my happy list. I gave in and retreated back to the trail intersection to the north. (*After looking into this summit after the fact, it appears that circling lower to the right would have worked, but coming from the north as I did is not the best way in general. Most parties ascend easier slopes from the south.) I still would recommend checking out even the first part of this ridge just to look back at the views of Mummy Mountain. (Specifically, the foot of the mummy.) There are some great sights from here.



Cockscomb Ridge dead ahead from the North Loop Trail.


Great views of the mummies feet from the ridge to Cockscomb.


Traversing to the right.


Aaaand...I'm not getting up that. Time to wrap up the day.


Intersection of Trail Canyon trail, North Loop trail and the spur trail to Cockscomb Ridge.


Back to the trailhead.

Once back at the trail, I picked up my extra water and headed south for 2 miles back to the trailhead. I reached the trailhead at about 1:30 PM, making it a full day of about 8 hours 15 minutes. A nice full day of exploring a new area...and nice to have something other than the strip to enjoy in Las Vegas!

--D


Comments or Questions
Jay521
User
Long day
12/8/2014 8:33pm
You do go for those marathon hikes/climbs, don’t you? Nice report, Derek!


Greenhouseguy
User
Different
12/9/2014 1:09am
Different, but very scenic. Some of those bristlecone pines are pretty impressive.


dillonsarnelli
User
where’s the snow?
12/9/2014 2:05am
nice report Derek. Looks like your LCW on steroids. I like the big tree! Great report and pics as always man!


MtnHub
User
Beautiful shots/beautiful area!
12/9/2014 4:22am
I always thought I’d NEVER want to go to Vegas, but if this stuff is close by, I could certainly see making the trip! Thanks for sharing another great place to hike!


Tempelton
User
Didn’t know...
12/9/2014 4:39am
There were almost 12ers by Vegas. Charleston is number 8 on the lower 48 ultra–prominence list, too. Looks like a cool place to check out.


12ersRule
User
What happens near Vegas.....
12/9/2014 2:12pm
can be pretty cool sometimes. Glad you rolled the dice and hit the jackpot.


HULKHIKEGOOD
User
Thanks for the report!
12/9/2014 3:30pm
Next time I get stuck at Nellis AFB and have some time off, I will be definitely looking into this hike! The info you provided should make for a successful day, thanks again!


kaiman
User
Nice write up!
12/9/2014 9:43pm
I am most likely headed to California in March via Las Vegas and this looks like a great opportunity to get out of the car for a day or two.

I’ve been enjoying exploring those Nevada desert ranges more and more lately and love those ancient bristle cone forests. Haven’t spent anytime in the Spring Mountain Range yet so it’s now on my list. Thanks!


Derek
User
Thanks all...
12/14/2014 4:55am
As I am guessing that I’ll continue making those trips every year, I’ll be sure to check the rest of the Spring Mountains...looks like some nice ones around there. Gotta get use out of my $9.95 map, right?

––D


Johnson
User
Good memories
12/16/2014 12:40am
I used to do some mountain biking near there when I lived in Vegas. Such a cool area.



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