Mt. Charleston via Charleston Peak Trail South Loop
7.7 mi
Distance
3 hrs 27 min
Time
terrain
3,970 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult one way trail to Charleston Peak in Mount Charleston Wilderness Area.
This trail goes by Peak Spring.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
This is a very challenging hike, start to finish. For anyone who has hiked San Gorgonio in Southern California, it’s very similar, especially to the Fish Creek trail, but much easier to get to and a little bit harder. (This trail climbs a few hundred feet higher over a few less miles)
Fall colors on the lower part, which is shaded most of the time. Lots of wildlife, including a few horses. The upper parts, including Griffith Peak, are almost entirely exposed, so take sun protection. It was pretty cool, but I still went through 3 liters of water and could have drank more. If it was hot, more water would have definitely been required, but there are some springs up there.
From the top you have unobstructed views for hundreds of miles in all directions! Though I didn’t do it for time reasons, you could also add Mummy Mountain and bag three peaks if you wanted, but that one is a very technical and difficult climb. I don’t know if I would have been physically able to add that one, but it’s an option if you’re doing the south and north loops instead of an out and back as I did.
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