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Mt. Charleston Summit via South Loop Trail - Descent
(Mount Charleston National Recreation Trail)
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Spring Mountains (Mt. Charleston), Kyle Canyon
South Loop Trail
Last of the trees (view NW)
Hiker departing the summit (view S)

Overview

This hike is very strenuous, climbing 4,278 vertical feet in 8.5 miles. The trail starts near Cathedral Rock and climbs 3,100 feet up the side of Kyle Canyon about 4 miles to the summit ridge. The trail then runs northwest for about 1.6 miles at a more leisurely grade through Bristlecone Pine forests and open meadows. After that, the trail steepens, climbs past timberline, drops into, and traverses a broad bowl, then makes a long, steep, final push to the summit. On a clear day, they say hikers can see 300 miles from the summit.

The US Forest Service is trying to change the name of this trail to Mt. Charleston National Recreation Trail.

Presented here are photos of the descent. For a complete description of the hike, including maps and GPS waypoints, see South Loop Trail.
South Loop Trail
Near the summit (view E)		 Last of the trees (view NW)
Above timberline (view SE)
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail South Loop Trail
South Loop Trail
After a long downhill run, an unexpected uphill section (view E)		 South Loop Trail
The Meadows (view SE)
South Loop Trail
The Meadows (view SE)		 South Loop Trail
Approaching Griffith Saddle (view SE)

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 270329
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