Kyle Canyon Escarpment - 9/21/19

A Sea of Rabbitbrush in Kyle Canyon

On Top of the Kyle Canyon Escarpment

A Pair of Wild Horses

Approaching the Visitor Center

The weather in the Spring Mountains doesn't get any better than this. Seven hikers drove up Kyle Canyon Road this morning and found two other hiking groups beginning at the same place as we were in the lower elevations near the Visitor Center. We had to park at the Stepladder Trailhead because the Visitor Center gate does not open until 9:00 AM on Saturday morning and we were there at around 8:30 AM. When parking here, it adds about one half mile to whatever hike we have going on that starts at the Visitor Center. After enjoying two wild horses seen across the road, we followed a nice red gravel path over and around to the small colorful round stage above the canyon.

Descending into Kyle Canyon - Mt. Charleston Resort Above

Next, we dropped down into the canyon on a long red gravel hill. At the bottom, we found the previous golf course pond area to be returning to nature with a few of the planted trees in a sea of blooming rabbitbrush.

Framed by Sunshine and Rabbitbrush

The rabbitbrush is so thick this year that it is a little difficult to see the pathways until you are right there. Luckily, signage for our Escarpment Trail was helpful.

Old Golf Cart Path up to Trail

Steep Climb

The wash crossing at the old pond was washed out last year but there is a new rebuilt version. After making two lefts and a right, we were on our way up the steep remnants of the old golf cart path to the base of the right end of the rocky escarpment that lines the canyon. Our pace was slow and everyone stayed together for almost the whole hike. We arrived at the start of the dirt trail and took a right turn where the Escarpment Trail sign suggested. Here, the climbing continued on the dirt trail as we climbed up beside the rock walls and circled around to reach the top where views increased in beauty and expanse.

Trail up to the Top of the Escarpment

The well-maintained trail weaves in and out as it traverses past the gulleys then finally reaches the bouldered cliffs below our feet.

View up Kyle Canyon from Escarpment

The trail doesn't come too near the edge of the cliffs but we were close enough to enjoy an unobstructed view of Charleston Peak, Cathedral Rock, Angel Peak and the curves beginning down canyon on the Kyle Canyon Road.

Following the Escarpment Trail

Tree Art

As we hiked, we took several photos and enjoyed the cool breezes. We were alone on the escarpment but we could see other hikers down in the old pond area. They were probably starting up the Acastus Trail that leaves the pond area and travels up canyon to the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead. Across the canyon and way up the hill to the base of the rock, there is a cave. One hiker said she hiked up there with some friends recently. Her summary of the hike didn't sound like anything I ever need to do unless I just needed to say I did it! Slippery, steep, treacherous. But, I guess the cave is pretty deep and has an air hole in it back a ways. I wouldn't want to be in it during an earthquake!

View down Kyle Canyon from Escarpment

We had our own caves in the escarpment we were on. Later, when we were on our descent, we noted a few large openings that could be used by various wildlife.

Harris Wash in Kyle Canyon

We continued down the escarpment rim on the trail and the views got better and better. Then, suddenly, we turned away from the clifftops and began our descent around the opposite end.

Starting down the Other End of the Escarpment - Harris Peak Above

Following the Escarpment Trail

We took our break on the top of the cliffs near the point where the trail switchbacks down to the left to run along the base. After that, the trail led us zigging and zagging along the cliff base and back to the golf cart path. There, we turned to the left and visited the telescope that is set up there to peep at the airplane crash site that happened in the 1950's on Charleston Peak. If you hike to the 12,000' peak on the South Loop Trail, you will hike very near the crash site but most of the pieces have since slid down the steep canyon cliffs. Next, we continued around under the cliffs and back to the exact place where we left the trail earlier to begin on the dirt path.

Trail at Base of Escarpment

On the way back down the really steep cart path, we took a side path to view a few ruins from the old golf course. One of our hikers said that her husband used to play this course and it was very difficult. He was always losing balls! ... Understandable!

Telescope Stop - Find the Plane Crash on Charleston Peak

At the bottom of the steep hill, we returned around the old pond site to the long diagonal climb back to the Visitor Center.

Golf Cart Path at Base of Escarpment

Path between the Hill and a Boulder

Finally, we took a little extra time and visited the plane crash memorial then went inside the building to see photos and the interesting glass art display. From here, we followed the red gravel again back to the traffic circle where cars stopped for us to cross. (How nice!) Then back up the road to the Stepladder Trailhead. It was a fun and relaxing morning among friends. It's so refreshing to be able to hike in the lower mountain elevations without overheating!

4.75 miles; 850 feet elevation gain; 2.75 hours

Descending the Golf Cart Path

Climbing Out of Kyle Canyon

Fun at the Visitor Center