Mt. Charleston - Local Las Vegas Summit

Mt. Charleston (aka Charleston Peak) is the highest peak in southern Nevada, and one of the most popular hikes in the state. It is the 8th most prominent mountain in the U.S. with 8,259 feet of prominence. It's also the most prominent mountain in Nevada. Less than an hour’s drive from Las Vegas, it provides desert dwellers with a dramatic change of scenery (big trees and alpine meadows) and a taste of strenuous high-altitude hiking. From the top, you get the expected panoramic view, with the Sierra Nevada on the horizon to the west and parts of Las Vegas visible to the southeast. The peak is served by two well-maintained trails -- South Loop Trail and North Loop/Trail Canyon -- which can be done together as a loop. This demanding round trip hike can be excruciating if you are out of shape, and it takes all day for the average hiker.