Overview

The Arnight Trail is a 1.1-mile trail-segment that runs through open desert along the base of the Wilson Cliffs connecting the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead with the Knoll Trail. As such, this trail is only part of a hike, unless of course, if hikers turn around and hike directly back to the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead. The Arnight Trail is part of the Rainbow Mountain Loop.

The Arnight Trail provides a pleasant hike through spectacular desert country with relatively little elevation change and great views of the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness Area.

The Arnight Trail lies between two trailheads, so it can be walked in either direction. Here, I describe it running from Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead north to the Knoll Trail, which can be taken to the Pine Creek Trail and the Pine Creek Trailhead. The trail can also be walked southbound. The total distance between the two trailheads is about 2.5 miles.

Link to map. Link to BLM Georeference PDF map file.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this is a safe and easy, but rocky trail, so watch your step and don't twist an ankle. Watching your step, however, is difficult because the Wilson Cliffs, Rainbow Mountain and Bridge Mountain in particular, just seem to get taller, more vertical, and more spectacular the closer you get, 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. From town, drive out to Red Rocks, pay the fee, and then drive most of the way around the Scenic Loop Road to Pine Creek Trailhead. Park here; this is the trailhead.

As described, the trail runs south from the Knoll Trail -- Arnight Trail junction to the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead, located farther around the Scenic Loop Road at the end of Oak Creek Canyon Road.

From the Pine Creek Trailhead, use the Pine Creek Trail and the Knoll Trail to get to the north end of the Arnight Trail.

The Hike

From the Pine Creek Trailhead, this hike starts on the Pine Creek Trail, following that trail for 0.80 miles to a trail junction about 30 yards beyond Horace Wilson's old home; just past the cottonwood trees. At this point, the Pine Creek Trail forks to make a loop that runs farther up into the canyon. To get to the Arnight Trail most quickly, turn left onto the Knoll Trail and walk out across Old Man Wilson's garden to Pine Creek.

Across Pine Creek, the trail quickly arrives at a trail junction. The Knoll Trail turns left and climbs the hillside to get out of Pine Creek Canyon and onto high, open desert flats. Continuing south, the Knoll Trail eventually crosses a deep gully and arrives at a signed trail junction with the Arnight Trail (Table 1, Waypoint 03).

Staying left at the trail junction and continuing more to the east, the Arnight Trail descends across the hillside. The trail crosses several use-trails that run between Pine Creek Trailhead and the Juniper Peak area, but the main trail is fairly obvious as it continues southeast.

About 0.5 miles past the Knoll Trail junction, the trail crosses Juniper Wash (Wpt. 02). There is a fairly thick stand of Shrub Live Oak, Pointleaf Manzanita, and Singleleaf Pinyon Pines in this area, and it is a good place to stop and listen for birds. In 2002, there was a small fire on the north edge of the wash. It has been interesting watching the site recover over the years.

Beyond Juniper Wash, the trail continues southeast, descending across more and more gentle slopes. To this point, the trail has been quite rocky and hard to walk on, but lower on the slopes the trail becomes more sandy to the relief of tired ankles and feet.

In this area, the vegetation is largely composed of blackbrush with a scattering of Mojave Yucca and Buckhorn Cholla. Listen for the calls of Cactus Wrens that make orb-like, covered nests in the branches of the cholla.

The trail eventually runs out to the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead (Wpt. 01), which can be seen ahead from a long way off; the outhouse makes a good landmark. For hikers without a vehicle shuttle, consider returning north using the Rainbow Mountain Loop Trail.