Hiking Around Las Vegas, Spring Mountains (Mt. Charleston), Kyle Canyon
The North Loop Trail, begins in the Transition Life Zone where ponderosa pines are mixed with species from higher elevations (white fir) and those from lower elevations (mountain mahogany). Before long, the trail climbs into the Canadian Life Zone where ponderosa pine, white fir, and a few limber pine dominate the forest. The understory is open with a few thorny gooseberry (wax current) and scattered low perennial (Nuttall's linanthus) and annual forbs. Eventually the trail climbs into the Hudsonian Life Zone where scattered bristlecone pine dominate the forest composition as the trail arrives at the Viewpoint.
 Hiker leaving the trailhead (view NW) |
 Trail initially parallels the highway (view NE) |
 Hiker in the woods |
 Boundary sign for Mount Charleston Wilderness Area |
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 Looking out into the desert (view NE) |
 Playa with water (view NE) |
 Forested trail with scattered gooseberry |
 Hiker on sunny trail (view SW) |
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 Gnarly old bristlecone pine near Viewpoint |
 Gnarly old bristlecone pine near Viewpoint |
 Hiker approaching the Viewpoint |
 Arriving at the Viewpoint (view NW) |
Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 180722
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