Best trails in Las Vegas, Nevada

From the parking lot follow the wide trail 30 yards where it crosses a wash and resumes by the trail sign on the far side. When the trail divides, take the right fork as indicated by the trail sign. You soon walk past a signed Agave Roasting Pit, part of Indian history. Just beyond the Agave Roasting Pit go right as indicated by the trail sign. In a few yards the trail turns into a gravel wash. In about 40 yards leave the wash via an unsigned trail to the right. Its about .75 of a mile to the tank from here. Follow the sandy trail as it heads SE. The trail disappears as it ascends a sandstone ramp. Just beyond the ramp you ascend sandstone steps off to the right. If in doubt of the route, just stay low in the bottom of the drainage. You come to an easy climb by a log. Just past the climb veer left up sandstone steps. At the top of the steps veer right across level ground. Soon you'll ascend two sets of sandstone stairs. At the top of the second set of stairs you see a notch off in the distance; Calico Tank sits on the far side of the notch. Continue on the trail to another highpoint. From here Calico Tank is just a few hundred yards. After ascending a final set of steps the terrain flattens. Keep heading the same direction (SE) until Calico Tank comes into view. Descend to the tank. The tank can range from dry (summer months) to ice (winter months). This is a great spot to relax and have a snack. Show more

From the signed trailhead the trail starts in a westward direction at a slight grade. It winds through thick patches of aspens and evergreens before passing by the alternative trail. The trail turns south and heads toward the magnificent Echo Cliffs. The Cliffs have a sheer drop of almost 1,000 feet. As the trail snakes to the west of Echo Cliffs, a side trail leads to a small seep. Water flows from the seep in the spring. Once past Echo Cliffs, the trail heads west and the grade becomes steeper as it makes its way across a slope. As you traverse the slope, you can see the destruction an avalanche can wreak on a mountain. Many trees and boulders are still misplaced by an avalanche that happened years ago. The trail flattens out as it heads toward the backside of Cathedral Rock. This is the easiest and most enjoyable part of the trail, a cakewalk through a forest, and you forget that you're 8,000 feet above sea level. Save your energy for the last quarter mile of the trail-it's steep. When the trail divides, go right on the unmarked footpath. About a half-dozen switchbacks leads to the top of Cathedral Rock. The view becomes more spectacular with every step. On the far NE side there's a place to sit and admire the view. Mt. Charleston Lodge lies 1,000 feet below and farther to the east you can see the desert floor. To the north is Mummy Mountain; to the NW is Mary Jane Falls, and to the west is Charleston Peak. If you eat lunch, you may have a visitor or two. This is the only place in the world you'll have the opportunity to see the Palmer Chipmunk. As hard as it is, resist feeding them. By feeding them they become dependent on humans for their food. In the winter the chipmunks must rely on their food-gathering skills or perish. Watch children closely at the top; the drop-offs are more than 500 feet at the edges. Railings have been erected, but they seem to entice people to climb down to them. Show more

The hike is about a mile across the flat desert on a very wide and well-defined trail. Well before the mouth of the canyon, when you get to the very first tree, turn 90 degrees to your right and walk about 100ft to reach the hidden waterfall. There is a wide path to the top of the fall. Reaching the base of the waterfall requires some scrambling. Show more

When you think the trail ends...it doesn't. Great hike. Goes from easy to moderate once you pass the "finish".Show more

Climbers will know Fern Canyon from the Dark Shadows climb. Most climbers follow the upper path, which is a dirt/rock trail that works it way WNW under cliffs N of Pine Creek. If you enjoy bouldering, you can follow the stream up the canyon instead or you could easily miss the many ponds, pools, ferns, and lush vegetation. Use the dead pine in the photo as a landmark for when to leave the dirt/rock trail and enter the streambed. Follow the stream PAST the climbers launch for Dark Shadows, and turn the corner heading W into the canyon as the cliffs narrow above (N of Mescalito). As the canyon narrows, continue bouldering (class II and III), or scramble up the many game trails (very steep and rocky) to the end of the canyon (ends in seasonal waterfall). Show more

Strenuous 3,100' climb with spectacular 360 degree view at peak. You begin to climb from your first step onto this trail, but you hike through some of the most lush, forested areas in these mountains. Whether you marvel at the rugged cliffs, wonder at the caves and it's possible users, listen to the water rushing over the rocky ledges back in the canyons; or just revel in the colors of wildflowers & grasses at your feet, the smell of pines, or the sounds of birds, butterflies, and the wind rustling through the aspens; every aching muscle will be worth it on the South Loop Trail. This is the easiest route to Mt. Charleston Peak (8 1/2 miles), and "just" reaching the crest of the ridge (4 miles up) and the lush meadows area (1/2 mile further) is a great sense of accomplishment and joy. This is a perfectly acceptable trail for seasoned and conditioned horses (only a few rocky, narrow spots), but there is no water along this route so you'll have to pack plenty. Harris Springs route is easier but not prettier.Show more

Hell Hill serves as the warm up for this grueling summit ascent. The class 3 ridgeline scramble is worth every step. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada is part of the National Landscape Conservation System. This area helps to preserve the large red rock formations and sandstone peaks known as the Keystone Thrust. Popular for hiking and rock climbing, the highest point is La Madre Mountain, at 8,154 feet (2,485 m). Calico Hills is most often referred to as the grouping of colorful sandstone formations north of the entrance to the Scenic Loop Road. This includes the popular Calico Tanks trail and Redcap Peak. Show more

Bighorn Sheep area, canyon views, wooded climbs, and a well marked trail. This loop trail at Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas, Nevada is a study in contrast. You are always in the Mojave Desert, but it looks markedly different depending on your elevation and the amount of precipitation the area gets. With the White Rock Loop, you see typical desert plants. On the west side of the mountain, hidden from the Scenic Drive, is a hidden forest of juniper and pinyon. It's a great contrast to the barren east side.Show more