Overview

The Knoll Trail is a 1.8-mile segment of the Escarpment Route that runs through open Mojave Desert Scrub along the base of the Wilson Cliffs. This segment runs beneath Rainbow Mountain and connects the Oak Creek Canyon Trail with the Arnight Trail and the Pine Creek Trail. The Knoll Trail also is part of the Rainbow Mountain Loop and runs just outside the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness Area. The Knoll Trail is fairly easy with little elevation gain, but it should not be considered a separate hike, rather it is simply a portion of a longer hike because other trails are required to get to and from it.

Here the Knoll Trail is described as starting at the Oak Creek Canyon Trail and running north along the base of Rainbow Mountain to the Pine Creek Trail. For photos of the trail in the other direction, see Knoll Trail Southbound.

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. Using trekking poles is a good idea.

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

The Knoll Trail runs north winding among boulders and shrubs, and passing little washes that come down the bajada, but staying more-or-less on the contour. Along this part of the trail, closer to the cliffs, the trail runs across a rocky hillside where the vegetation is fairly robust and diverse, and includes a diverse assemblage of species, including blackbrush, buckhorn cholla, Mojave yucca, Utah juniper, California buckwheat, prickly pear cactus, paperbag bush, and bunchgrasses.

After about 0.5 miles, the trail crosses a little ridge (Wpt. 04) with nice views in all directions that are not blocked by the low-growing vegetation. There are many small boulders atop the little ridge that make for a nice place to stop for lunch.

While resting, watch or listen for white-tailed antelope squirrels (often confused with chipmunks). These little squirrels often sit up in the bushes or in buckhorn cholla where they watch for predators and other squirrels. Also watch for the various species of birds that occur out here (e.g., Juniper Titmouse, Western Bluebird, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, and House Finch). On warmer days, hikers should also see side-blotched lizards scurrying among the rocks and bushes. These lizards grow to about 6 inches long and have a little black spot in their armpit (the “side blotch”); during the breeding season, males get dozens little blue spots on their back.

From the little ridge, the trail runs north, then bends northwest and climbs the bajada (this is the only "steep" section of trail). After about 0.5 miles, the trail reaches edge Juniper Canyon Wash (Wpt. 05), which is the highest point on the Knoll Trail. There are thick stands of shrub live oak and Utah Juniper in the wash, and this is another good place to stop and listen for birds.

The trail seems to end on the edge of the wash, but the trail continues down the boulders into the wash. Across the wash, a nice set of stone stairs lead out the other (north) side.

After crossing the wash, the trail runs slightly downhill for about 0.2 miles to a T-intersection (Wpt. 06) in front of a strikingly beautiful sandstone boulder with juniper trees all around. There is no sign, but the Knoll Trail turns northeast (right) and down the hill, while one of the use-trails into Juniper Canyon heads up the hill.

After another 0.1 miles or so, the Knoll Trail ends at a T-intersection with the Arnight Trail (Wpt. 07).

This is the end of the Knoll Trail. From the Knoll-Arnight junction, hikers can turn northwest (left) and use the Arnight Trail to hike over to the Pine Creek Trail (about 0.5 miles). If going that way, it is about 1.4 miles to the Pine Creek Trailhead. Otherwise, turn southeast (right) and use the Arnight Trail to return to the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead (about 1.2 miles).

From the Knoll-Arnight trail junction, the Knoll Trail continues northwest (left), immediately dropping into and crossing a gully, then staying more-or-less on the contour as it runs north. In this area, a few Singleleaf Pinyon Pines join the mix of trees.

About 120 yards (straight line) north of the Knoll-Arnight trail junction, a well-used use-trail branches off to the left (Wpt. 04). For hikers going north, this isn't a problem because the use-trail goes the wrong way, but for hikers going south, it is hard to tell which is the correct trail. Going either way, just stay to the east on the trail.

Continuing north, the trail gets to the edge of Pine Creek Wash (great views), then turns to the west and cuts steeply down across the hillside towards Pine Creek, dropping more than 100 vertical feet. At the bottom of the hill, about 0.5 miles north of the Arnight-Knoll trail junction, the Knoll Trail reaches a trail intersection and merges with the Pine Creek Trail (Wpt. 08).

Staying right, the trail bends northeast and runs down to the edge of Pine Creek (Wpt. 09). There are lots of cattail, rushes, willow, and rabbitbrush in addition to ponderosa pine and shrub live oak at the creek crossing.

Across Pine Creek, the trail climbs the bank and enters Mr. Horace Wilson's old homestead. Initially, the trail runs across Mr. Wilson's garden area, which except for Yerba Santa, is still mostly clear of shrubs after all these years. Across the garden area, the foundation of the old cabin comes into view as do the remnants of the orchard. Crossing the open area, the Knoll Trail ends at a trail junction with the Pine Creek Trail (Wpt. 10).

While here, visit the homesite where Mr. Wilson built his house in the early 1920s. He lived here for about 10 years and planted a big garden and an orchard. Only the foundation of the house and some fruit trees remain. He left the canyon in 1933 and moved to the big city (Las Vegas).

Hikers can turn back towards the Oak Creek Road Trailhead, hike the Pine Creek Canyon Loop Trail, or pick up the Pine Creek Trail by the home site (foundation) and walk out to the Pine Creek Trailhead.