Overview

The Big Sawmill Loop Trail is a fairly easy, 3.3-mile hike that runs through a middle elevation Pinyon-Juniper Forest. For hikers interested in exploring this habitat type, this (or the shorter Sawmill Loop Trail) is the best choice on Mount Charleston. In addition to the dominant conifers (Singleleaf Pinyon Pine and Utah Juniper), look for Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany, Big Sagebrush, and annual flowers (e.g., Arizona Skyrocket and Rock Goldenrod) that change with the seasons. This is also good habitat for Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, Juniper Titmouse, and Panamint Chipmunk. This trail also provides some surprisingly nice views to the north and northeast along the Spring Mountains and out across the Nevada National Security Site.

This hike uses several of the Sawmill Area trails to make the loop. Starting on the Sawmill Loop Trail, the trail winds about to connect with the Mud Springs Loop Trail. Following that trail north, the loop then uses the Pinyon Pine Loop to connect with the Blue Tree Loop, which is followed back to the Sawmill Loop Trail and the trailhead.

Link to area map, trail map or elevation profile.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ... this is a fairly safe hike without unusual hazards. However, this loop trail is located outside the Mt. Charleston Wilderness Area and is open to mountain bikes, so hikers have to watch for bikes careening down the trail. This hike is fine for kids.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, this hike isn't too long, so just bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

The trail is located up in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (generally referred to as Mt. Charleston), but below Lee Canyon, about 45 minutes northwest of Las Vegas. From town, drive out to the Sawmill Trailhead. This hike starts in the Upper Picnic area.

The Hike

From the upper trailhead (Table 1, Waypoint 01) near the restrooms, the trail heads northwest past a carsonite trail sign and through a gap in the pole fence. After what seems like only a few steps (about 50 yards), the trail reaches a junction (Wpt. 02) where the loop starts. Because the trail is a loop, hikers can continue in either direction, but the hike is described as staying to the left (straight).

Continuing northwest, the trail runs out a bit farther, then bends to the left to run south at a bit of a grade. The trail eventually bends (Wpt. 03) back to the north as it drops gradually across the slopes into a broad wash and another trail junction (Wpt. 04). There are several carsonite signs, but none with trail names.

At this fork (Wpt. 04), the Big Sawmill Loop bends left (straight) onto the Mud Springs Loop Trail and winds up the gentle slope following a wash. After passing an unusually low-elevation Ponderosa Pine, the trail bends right, crosses the wash (Wpt. 10), and curves right to angle up and across a steep slope.

At the top of the slope, the trail climbs onto a ridge with some open areas that provide great views to the south and southwest (towards Mummy Mountain). After passing a bit of a highpoint on the left, the trail arrives at a trail junction (Wpt. 11) where the Mud Springs Loop Trail splits.

Staying right along the top of the ridge, the trail winds over a highpoint and then begins a long, gradual descent along the ridgeline. This ridge is high and dry compared to the slopes below, and here the trees are short and well spaced. While there is little shade, the views are surprisingly good with McFarland Peak to the northwest, the Nevada National Security Site to the north, and the Sheep Range to the east.

The trail runs down the northwest side of the ridge, then makes an odd jog across the ridge to the east, before reaching yet another trail junction (Wpt. 12). Here, the combined Mud Springs Loop Trail and Pinyon Pine Loop stay to the left (downhill), while the Big Sawmill Loop turns stays right on the Pinyon Pine Loop (straight; uphill).

Following the trail right, the Big Sawmill Loop bends east and crosses the top of a broad, open ridge on what is now an old road. The trail is lined with tree branches to help keep people on the designated trail and to reduce off-trail trampling.

Across the ridge, the old road-trail steeply descends the hillside, and it becomes apparent why land managers want the road closed. After sliding down the trail and passing an oddly placed old trail sign, the Big Sawmill Loop arrives at another trail junction (Wpt. 13).

Amid a plethora of carsonite trail signs (this is a 5-way intersection), the Big Sawmill Loop turns right to run southwest across the slope.

The trail more-or-less follows the contour southwest, then southeast, then south into the bottom of a broad valley, then bends southwest to follow the valley floor uphill at moderate grades. After climbing two switchbacks, the trail arrives at yet another trail junction (Wpt. 05), again with carsonite signs but no trail names.

Turning left (downhill), the Big Sawmill Trail follows the Sawmill Loop Trail south across the sidehill, then bends left to head east down the gentle hillside into another trail junction (Wpt. 06). Here, hikers can continue straight to end the hike in the Lower Sawmill (horse) area, or they can turn right and return to the Upper Sawmill Picnic area.

Turning right, the trail gradually descends to cross a wash, then continues up across the adjacent gentle slopes where the Picnic Area can be seen through the trees on the left. The trail continues generally southwest to the final trail junction (Wpt. 02), where the hike closes the loop. Turning left at this T-intersection, the trail runs east a few moments to the trailhead (Wpt. 01), thus ending the hike.