ROSE FAMILY JOURNAL

I do not need to tell you that Las Vegas is hot in the summer time. It is like stick-your-head-in-the-oven hot. BUT if you are looking to get a good hike in during those summer months, Mount Charleston and Lee Canyon are two jaw-dropping gorgeous areas and a solid 20 degrees (or more) cooler than down in the valley. 

In my mind, there are two categories of (day) hikes: loop hikes and/or with minimal elevation gain and hiking to peaks (or a high point) and back down. Those hikes with minimal elevation gain are the best when you want to get out, feel the cool breeze on your cheeks and across your back, smell the bristlecone pine fresh air, and move your legs. I think of hikes where you hike a peak and back as more of a trip you plan your day around. Whatever you have the time and motivation to do, Mount Charleston/Lee Canyon have a variety of both. This post covers hikes up to the summit. Find the hikes with minimal elevation gain here.

Without further ado…

Mount Charleston – South Trail
16.6 Miles
Type: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 4,914 Feet
Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/nevada/charleston-peak-south-trail 

It would be a crime to not include a hike to the peak of Mount Charleston in this section. This would be a good one to have as your only plan for the day. There are several routes to the top of Mount Charleston, and this is the only way we have hiked Mount Charleston. This route is the shortest and steepest route to the top, and I believe the most common. I will be honest, this might be the most challenging hike I have ever done. We have hiked many 14ers in Colorado, but this is the most elevation gain I have ever done on a single hike. I would like to imagine being newly pregnant while hiking also contributed to the challenge. 

Fletcher Peak
7.2 Miles
Type: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 2,270 Feet
Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/nevada/fletcher-peak 

If you’re looking for a peak experience without feeling like you’re not able to feel your legs for the rest of the week, this is a great one! You truly feel like you have accomplished something incredible at the top, and you can see magnificent views of Mount Charleston, Griffith Peak, Mummy Mountain, and more at the top. It is a great hike to come back and hike again after becoming more familiar with the area to see how much you recognize that you did not notice the first time. 

Mummy’s Tummy
8.2 Miles
Type: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 3,799 Feet
Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/nevada/mummy-mountain–2 

I did not hike the final .5 miles and steep scramble of this hike to the official Mummy Tummy, yet, I highly recommend this hike. You start on the same route of the north trail up to Mount Charleston, and there are breath-taking, life-giving viewing points at every step.