Note: Access through the Picnic Area is closed; use the Lower Cathedral Rock Trailhead. Hikers should ignore the sign on the entrace gate to the picnic area stating that an entrance farther east is open. It is not.

Overview

This is a moderately strenuous, 1.5-mile hike to the top of Cathedral Rock, a rocky promontory with great views overlooking Kyle Canyon. The trail can be started from inside the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area (parking fee) or outside the picnic area (free parking). The trail follows an old road up an avalanche chute along the east side of Cathedral Rock to a saddle behind the summit. From there, the trail climbs a few short switchbacks to the summit overlook. Views from the overlook are spectacular: you can see straight down to the lower trailhead and the lodge, and you can see off to the other peaks in the area, including Mt. Charleston, Mummy Mountain, and the Sheep Range way off to the east.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this trail passes through an avalanche chute that could be a problem for hikers during winter. The trail is strenuous, so take it easy at this elevation. There are no railings at the top, so be careful near the edge, as a slip would result in certain death. Watch your kids and pets carefully.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this hike is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located in Kyle Canyon up in the Spring Mountains, about 1 hour northwest of Las Vegas.

From town, drive out to the Spring Mountains Visitor Center. From the Visitor Center (Table 1, Site 726), continue west on Kyle Canyon Road for 2.5 miles. The road goes around a big hairpin bend to the left, winds up a hill, and shortly arrives at a wide parking lot (Site 551) on the uphill (right) side of the road just before the entrance to Cathedral Rock Picnic Area. This is the Lower Cathedral Rock Trailhead.

Park at the Lower Cathedral Rock Trailhead for free, or pay $10 to park inside the picnic area, where the Upper Cathedral Rock Trailhead is located by the first parking lot (Site 736) on the right. If you drive into the picnic area, pay attention to the closing times (they lock the gate) to make sure you can get your vehicle out.

The Hike

From the Lower Cathedral Rock Trailhead outside the picnic area (Table 2, Waypoint 01), look straight up -- that is where you are going. Start by walking up the stairs above the parking area. At the top of the stairs (Wpt. 02), turn left and hike southeast on a clearly marked trail that circles around the east side of Cathedral Rock. This part of the trail is fairly steep, and you will eventually get to the junction (Wpt. 03) with the trail from the Upper Cathedral Rock Trailhead inside the picnic area.

From the Upper Cathedral Rock Trailhead inside the picnic area (Wpt. 09), walk up the trail to the junction with the trail from outside the picnic area. For details of this trail, see the Cathedral Rock Trail - Upper Trailhead Start webpage.

Both trails pass through a forest of ponderosa pines and white fir with an open understory of wax currents and few other shrubs, plus some grasses, thistles, and a few forbs.

From where the two trails meet (Wpt. 3), the trail follows an old road up and across an avalanche chute. Repeated avalanches prevent conifer trees from growing here, thus opening the forest and allowing quaking aspen to grow (they bend under the snow). There are several species of shrubs and lots of spring wildflowers here too.

The trail runs up under the Echo Cliffs, tall limestone cliffs that lie just east of Cathedral Rock. In a wooded section about halfway up the trail (Wpt. 04), a short detour to the south (left) takes you to a seasonal waterfall (Wpt. 14). The trail continues up, following the old road through wooded and open areas with great views down the canyon and of the steep east face of Cathedral Rock.

The trail (old road) circles around the top of Mazie Canyon and approaches a saddle on the south side of Cathedral Rock. The trail forks (Wpt. 05), with a narrow trail going right towards Cathedral Rock and the old road continuing up and to the left. It is easy to get confused here because it looks like the route should continue up the old road; there is no trail sign.

The narrow trail to the right leads to the summit of Cathedral Rock, dropping down a but and running north for a few yards to the saddle. During periods of spring snow melt, water from Little Falls Creek pours out of a pipe below the trail and cascades down the hillside into Mazie Canyon.

From there, the trail climbs a few steep switchbacks where Ponderosa pine provide a bit of shade and pops out onto the summit (Wpt. 06).

Views from the summit are spectacular. Adventuresome hikers can work their way out to the edge of the cliff and look straight down about 1,000 feet to the Lower Cathedral Rock Trailhead. Be careful and watch your children here, as it is 1,000 feet straight down. Also, be careful not to kick rocks off the summit because you might hit someone below (or even hit your own car).

When ready to leave, retrace your steps back to the trailhead. Please stay on the trail and don't cut the switchbacks on the way down. This damages the trail and the vegetation, and makes the trail and scenery worse for everyone.

Hikers might consider extending the hike by following the old road west to the seasonal stream that feeds Little Falls (Wpt. 13).