Mount Charleston is an island of forest in an ocean of desert. Its peak is nearly 11,000 feet above sea level. The views are absolutely magnificent! From Creosote scrub to towering Ponderosa Pines this tour transports you through multiple distinct life zones. Ecologically it’s like going from Mexico to Canada in a 20 mile stretch, truly a unique place! We camp at 6500-8000ft above sea level so it’s a great place to beat the heat in the summer with temperatures 20-30 degrees cooler than in the Las Vegas Valley, but it’s beautiful anytime of year. Trips to the backside of the Spring Mountains via Pahrump are available as well. This area is more isolated if this is a priority.

• Begin at base of mountain pointing out the desert scrub habitat
• Begin up Kyle Canyon Rd. Pointing out the Ranch Homes
• Explain the Geology of the Spring Mountians and point out the limestone cliffs once at the bottom of the ocean
• Travel across the bajada to Grapevine Spring explaining the high desert/joshua tree life zone looking out for wildflowers in season
• Return to Kyle Canyon and travel up the wash among the Hoodoo's and explain the transition to pinyon/juniper woodland
• Arrive at Visitors center for bathrooms and short break. Explain the Pondrosa Pine Forest with trees over 700 years old and more than 5 ft in diameter
• Travel to lodge and offer short hike up Cathedral Rock OR
• Travel past avalanche area and give hike to Mary Jane falls/Big Falls
• Start trek across the mountian to Lee Canyon
• Camp at either Hilltop Campground in the Mountain Mahogany or in Macs canyon among the Ponderosa's
• Shower and Breakfast and then up Lee canyon to the ski resort and back down to 95 with possible continuance to Corn Creek