Overview

This is a great hike that makes for a good, easy, 3.21-mile loop through the open desert. The hike starts and ends at the Oak Creek Canyon parking area, running along the base of Rainbow Mountain using the Oak Creek Canyon, Knoll, and Arnight trails. The elevation gain is only about 250 ft, but most of this is in one 0.2-mile section near the top of the loop. This is a loop, so it can be hiked in either direction.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this hike is safe and easy, but the trail is rocky. The walking is easy, but watch your step and don't twist an ankle. Watching your step, however, is difficult because the Wilson Cliffs, and Mt. Wilson and Rainbow Mountain in particular, just seem to get taller, more vertical, and more spectacular the closer you get to the cliffs, and you will want to watch the scenery rather than your feet.

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 is a short hike, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located along the Scenic Loop Road in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 1 hour west of Las Vegas. Drive out to Red Rocks, pay the fee, and then drive most of the way around the Scenic Loop Road to the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead, located at the end of Oak Creek Canyon Road.

The Hike

From the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead (Table 2, Waypoint 01), the Oak Creek Canyon Trail runs southwest on an old road that runs more-or-less directly towards the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon as it climbs at a gentle grade. The trail is well defined, but trails and use-trails without signs (e.g., Wpt. 02) branch off and head out into the desert, so be sure to continue hiking southwest on the wide trail towards Oak Creek Canyon. After about 0.81 miles, the Oak Creek Canyon Trail intersects the Knoll Trail (Wpt. 03). For details on this section of the route, see the description of the Oak Creek Canyon Trail.

From the intersection, hike north on the Knoll Trail. This segment of the route runs north winding among boulders and shrubs, and passing little washes, but staying more-or-less on the contour. After about 0.46 miles, the trail crosses a low ridge (Wpt. 04) with nice views in all directions. This is a good place to stop for a picnic lunch.

From the little ridge, the trail runs north and climbs the bajada (this is the only "steep" section of trail). After about 0.47 miles, the trail reaches the edge of Juniper Wash (Wpt. 05), which is the highest point on the Knoll Trail. The trail seems to end on the edge of the wash, but if you climb down the boulders into the wash, you will see that the trail leads across the wash and up stone stairs on the other side.

Turning southeast (right) onto the Arnight Trail, the trail starts down across the bajada. After about 20 minutes, the trail crosses back over Juniper Wash. There recently was a fire on edge of trail at edge of the wash. It will be interesting to see the site recover over the years.

The trail continues southeastward across the gently sloping bajada for 1.15 miles. Close to the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead, the trail becomes sandy and easy to walk on, a nice way to end the loop (Wpt. 01). For details on the section of the trail, see the description of the Arnight Trail.