These areas are especially dangerous during winter when deep snow settles on the steep, north-facing slopes. There are some rocky spots near the top of the loop where a slip could prove hazardous, but they pass quickly. Charleston Wilderness Area, so it is open to mountain bikes and hikers need to watch for bikers careening down the trail. However, this is the only loop trail located entirely outside the Mt. Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert. Trail starts behind the information kiosk (view SW) Keep an eye out for Mount Charleston Chipmunks too, they live in the Spring Mountains and nowhere else, but don't confuse them with the more common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels (tip: look for stripes on the face).Ī good, short trip (about 3 miles total) is to hike from Upper Trailhead to Highpoint Ridge at the top of the loop, then back to the Upper Trailhead. At the trailhead, the second and fourth trees on the right side of the trail are Bristlecone Pines, and from the end of the pavement, several more can be seen a few yards out at eye level. For people who just want to see Bristlecone Pines, there are several at the upper trailhead, but the twisted ones are on Highpoint Ridge (some twisted Limber Pines too). Ponderosa Pine, White Fir, Bristlecone Pine, and Common Juniper are common, and a few Rocky Mountain Juniper and Limber Pine are mixed in. Please respect the fence, stay on the trail, and help protect our rare species.Īll of the higher-elevation conifer species in southern Nevada can be seen on this trail. The plants only grow here and in a few other places on Mt. The first 1/4-mile of trail is fenced to protect rare plants and the rare butterfly species that feeds only on these plants. For hiking in the other direction, see Bristlecone Trail Loop (Counter-Clockwise). Here, the loop is described in the clockwise direction: hiking from the upper trailhead to the lower trailhead, then hiking back to the upper trailhead. Hiking the entire loop requires walking about 1 mile on Lee Canyon Road to close the loop, but steep use-trails can be used to short-cut the highway switchbacks. There are great views of the surrounding mountain peaks, the ski area, and down Lee Canyon. Starting from the end of Lee Canyon Road ( Upper Bristlecone Trailhead) or from near McWilliams Campground ( Lower Bristlecone Trailhead), the trail winds around the upper reaches of Lee Canyon passing through Pine-Fir Forests, groves of Quaking Aspen, a Bristlecone Pine forest, and open sunny slopes with big views. The Bristlecone Loop Trail is a delightful, moderately strenuous 6-mile hike that can be done in either direction. Upper trailhead information signs (view W) (Upper Bristlecone Trailhead to Bonanza Trail Junction) Charlestonīristlecone Trail Loop (Clockwise, Segment 1) Hiking Around Las Vegas, Spring Mountains, Bristlecone Trail
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