Charleston Peak (11,916') - Spring Mountains NRA - Photo Essay - 6/28/22

Above the Tree Line with Charleston Peak in the Shadow of the Clouds

Charleston Peak Summit

North Loop Trail among the Cliffs of Charleston Peak

Starting up the South Loop Trail

At 5:30am, four happy hikers started their climb up to Charleston Peak 2022! It would be the second time for Ralyn, the fifth for Charlie, the seventh for moi, and probably the umpteenth time for Ralph. The planned route was up the South Loop and down the North Loop, a new one for Ralyn. It is my preferred route but it requires two cars; one at Trail Canyon Trailhead and one at the South Loop Trailhead. That is, unless you want to close the loop by hiking between trailheads at the end. I did that once ... once. This time, we had two cars at each trailhead and, at about 5:15am, we were preparing for a climb up the South Loop. Yep, needed more coffee! I planned to write an entry for the day, however, I kept the photos at a minimum under the 10,000' elevation.

Sunrise on the Echo Cliffs

Sunrise on Charleston Peak

Sunrise on Mummy's Toe and Echo Cliffs

Switchback lined with Flowers

Two Thirds of the way to Saddle

Nice Break at the Saddle

The sun rose just as we were leaving the cars. What a spectacular display as the sun streamed in from the bottom of Kyle Canyon which lies to the east of Charleston Peak. We found a steady slow pace and continued up only stopping for a short water pause or catching of the breath. We passed a hiker, a runner and a Doberman who were on their way down before we reached the saddle. There are not many people up there this early in the morning! Our excitement spurred us on as we passed the First, Second, Third and Griffith Overlooks. The weight of the extra water in our packs was reduced naturally as we sipped and sipped our way up. At the saddle, we stopped for a morning snack break.

South Loop Trail up to the Meadow

Charleston Peak from South Loop Overlook

Bennie and the Jets

Meadow to Burned Bristlecones

Cleared Trail through Burned Forest

Flowers cover the Scorched Ground

Ralyn arrives at the Corner

I didn't have my GPS but I am estimating that we arrived at the saddle around 8am. After a nice replenishing break, we turned to the right on the South Loop Trail and headed up to the meadow. The meadow is a wide open space on the back slope of the South Loop Ridge filled with grasses and flowers. If it was touched by the Carpenter One Fire of 2013, it doesn't show it. The next 3.5 miles included the meadow and a steadily climbing path up through a burned bristlecone forest. The hiking was very pleasant. It was not at all hard on the lungs or legs. Before 2013, this was a forest not unlike the fantasy forest in Lord of the Rings. Now, it is more like the forest portrayed in the aftermath of a battlefield.

High Elevation Flowers

Trails above the Tree Line - Most hikers take the lower trail.

Three Happy Hikers

Regardless of the sad loss of trees that may never return, the ground is covered with yellow Coopers Rubberweed flowers speckled by blue flax. The trail through the trees has been cleared since the last time I hiked through here. In only one instance did we need to either climb over a log or go around. And, one time we ducked under a fallen tree making an arch. We rested while hiking this stretch then climbed up to what I refer to as the "Corner." The Corner is where the trail bends to the right on a trailing ridge that leads out to the left. We were above the tree line here. Around the corner, we had our first close view of Charleston Peak and it was being overshadowed by a large darkish cloud. The weather forecast had predicted a very small chance of rain.

Charleston Peak Slope from Airplane Crash Site

1955 Airplane Crash Site

Lone Hiker descends from Charleston Peak

Final Ascent to Peak

Four Happy Hikers on Charleston Peak Summit

Mummy Mountain from Wind Shelter on Charleston Peak Summit

Starting down the North Loop Switchbacks

Four Happy Hikers on Charleston's East Face

Taking note of the beautiful high altitude flowers spread in the treeless scree, we hiked over to take the lower trail (a better choice) on around to the peak's west face. The scree filled slope was steep but the trail felt safe. A short detour around to see the 1955 plane crash remnants put us back on the trail. Then, we watched as huge ravens partied on the slope further down. There was one happy hiker that passed us as he came down. The western view showed mountains, canyons and Pahrump! We turned the top corner and arrived at the peak. A new large instrument box has recently been placed on this juncture. The sign in box still stands but another log book has been placed in the wind shelter on the south end of the peak.

Light Rain falling beyond Lee Canyon

North Loop Trail (bottom left) to Lee Peak

Kitchen Inspection

We took photos of the flag and sat comfortably in the wind break for our lunch. It was around 11am. With the peak to ourselves, we took the time to eat a sandwich and look around then, we were ready to descend. We headed over to the new utility box and started down the six switchbacks on the east face. The trail sits flat in the scree with only a couple of protruding rock obstacles. By the time we reached the sixth switchback, we were already below the tree line again as we passed rugged and stalwart bristlecone trees that have weathered at least a thousand years here on the eighth most prominent peak in the continental United States. The trail led us to the Kitchen corner where there used to be a fireplace oven at the campsite.

The Kitchen Balcony

Bristlecone and Limestone

Down and Up or Under

After the Kitchen, we hiked along the top of the cliffs with amazing views as we headed toward Lee Peak. There was one tree down across the trail that presented an obstacle. This section of the trail is the most enchanting as we made our way over to the Devil's Thumbnail. Next, we passed the Lee Peak junction saddle, another cliff section and on up to the 5 Mile Campsite where we took a short break. The next landmark was Big Falls Overlook where the trail takes a decided turn for descent. 

North Loop Trail at a Cliff Corner

Devil's Thumbnail

Nearing Lee Peak Junction

Charleston Peak from Lee Peak Junction

Cliffs above Kyle Canyon

Ralyn leading the Way

Down past the Four Mile Overlook and into the aspens. We found that nest that we couldn't locate before and it had two baby American Grey Flycatchers huddled inside. Past the Mummy Tree. Past Cave Springs. A small break at the Trail Canyon Saddle. Then down those last two excruciating miles of Trail Canyon. Yep. I won't lie. It hurt! But, at the same time, we were all ecstatic to have conquered Charleston Peak once again. A great day in the mountains for Four Happy Hikers! (It thundered once and sprinkled for half a second.)

Stats: 16.5 miles; 4800' gain; 10 hours

Arriving at the Aspen Forest

                                            America Grey Flycatchers almost ready to Fledge

Down through the Aspens

Nearing the Trail Canyon Saddle