Note (May 2013): The traditional trailheads for this route are closed due to construction; hikers must use the Echo Trailhead.

Overview

This is a strenuous, 2-mile hike that used the South Loop Trail to climb to an overlook at the top of the Echo Cliffs. The trail starts by Cathedral Rock and climbs 1,500 feet as it passes through a mixed pine-fir forest, climbs through an avalanche chute, and finally switchbacks up the side of the canyon to the top of the Echo Cliffs from where the views up and down the canyon are grand.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this is a pretty safe hike, but watch your footing, and that of your kids, near the edge of the overlook. There are places along the trail where a slip would prove hazardous, but nothing out of the ordinary. This trail would be a good hard hike for young kids. During winter, be cautious of avalanche.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, this hike is moderately long, so bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located in Kyle Canyon up in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, about 1 hour northwest of Las Vegas. From town, drive out to the Spring Mountains Visitor Center, then continue up the road to the Lower Cathedral Rock Trailhead.

The Hike

From the Upper Cathedral Rock Trailhead inside the picnic area (Table 2, Waypoint 01), the trails starts at a fairly steep grade as it runs southeastward towards the base of the gray limestone Echo Cliffs (away from Cathedral Rock). In this area, the trail runs though a fairly thick, mixed forest of Ponderosa pine, white fir, and quaking aspen with lots of shrubs.

After about 20-25 minutes, the trail joins an old road (Wpt. 02), which is followed up and across a side canyon that comes down from the north face of Griffith Peak and runs through the Echo Cliffs at this point. This is an avalanche chute where the snow knocks down the taller trees and opens the forest for bushes and an aspen thicket. This is a nice area in the late summer and fall when the leaves are changing color.

After crossing the avalanche chute, the old road winds around, then departs to the left (Wpt. 03), and the trail turns to run very steeply up the east side of the avalanche chute. The trail, such as it is, was an old road, evidence of which can be see in places. Eventually, the trail runs up against the towering limestone cliffs and is forced to cross the canyon (Wpt 04). Hikers during winter should be careful here because this is an avalanche chute.

The trail crosses the avalanche chute and switchbacks up the steep west side of the canyon to reach Echo Overlook (Wpt. 05) at the top of the Echo Cliffs. Much of this section of trail is forested, so there is plenty of shade.

There are lots of Ponderosa pine and white fir at the overlook, so there is plenty of shade there, but you have to get right out to the very edge of the cliff to get a good view of Kyle Canyon and the desert to the east. There is a nice campsite at the overlook.

To get back to the trailhead, retrace your steps back down the South Loop Trail. On the way down, please stay on the trail and don't cut the switchbacks. Cutting switchbacks damages the trail and the vegetation and it makes trail conditions worse for everyone. For hikers continuing up, the trail runs west along the top of the Echo Cliffs before resuming the climb towards the skyline.