Las Vegas Attractions: Mount Charleston

One attractive feature of Las Vegas is that, although it sits in a dry desert basin where temperatures can be extreme, one can drive a mere 35 miles from the Strip to Mount Charleston to enjoy cool mountain breezes, streams and waterfalls, green grass and trees. Mount Charleston is a popular getaway for those who live in Las Vegas and want a respite from the desert heat. Temperatures on the mountain peaks can be up to 40 degrees cooler than the desert temperatures.

Bob, our wonderful host (and my husband's brother), took us on a day trip to Mount Charleston while we were in Las Vegas. The scenery was beautiful, but perhaps not as spectacular as some of the other scenic places we visited. Still, as a vacation destination, Mount Charleston has a lot going for it.

As you begin to ascend the mountain road, the stark desert falls away and is replaced by forests of ponderosa pine, mountain mahogany and quaking aspen, while rows of wildflowers line the highways. The aspen trees particularly caught my eye, with their bright yellow leaves that shimmy gracefully in the mountain breezes. Wild horses and burros still roam the area, although we were not fortunate enough to spot any during our day trip.

Our first stop was at Desert Overview, which (as the name implies) gives you a view of a huge section of the desert valley below, with mountain ranges off in the hazy distance. There are plenty of hiking trails, ranging from difficult half-day hikes to shorter hikes that are kid-friendly (and easier for us out-of-shape older folks, too). Apparently hikers are free to hike wherever they want, not being required to stay to the paths, and we also watched some untethered rock-climbers scaling up the side of the mountains. Not us, thank you, although if we were a bit younger and more physically fit we might have been tempted!

Later that day we found a mountain stream and followed it on foot part of the way up the mountain before turning back. The water was perfectly clear, cold, and delicious! Yes, we had to take a swig and considered filling a pop bottle to bring home, but thought the airline might have had an issue with that. Who knows what havoc one might wreak with more than three ounces of water?

The highest peak of the Spring Mountain Range, Mount Charleston is snow-capped during the winter months and there is a modest ski resort in Lee Canyon. There was no snow yet and we didn't see the ski resort itself (Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort), so I can't give you my own opinion of it, but the trails are said to be generally easy to ski. It might be a good place for beginners, or those who aren't up to a challenge. It is the closest ski resort to Las Vegas, with the next closest being 200 miles away in Utah. Tell your friends you're going to the desert to go skiing and they'll think you're crazy, but it can be done in southern Nevada!

Mount Charleston is open year-round to visitors, and camping is free at any of the six established campgrounds. There is no grocery store on the mountain, so campers must bring what they need with them, or make a trip into town for necessities. Tourists may also rent log cabins at the Mount Charleston Lodge. The little cabins are adorable, and each has a deck and fireplace. Travelers with more luxurious tastes may prefer the Mount Charleston Hotel which offers amenities such as fine restaurant dining, live music and a full day spa.

I would definitely recommend that if you are visiting the Las Vegas area, that you take at least one day to explore Mount Charleston and escape the heat. Even though the desert heat may be scorching as you drive through to the mountains, bring along a jacket or sweater. You'll be glad you did when you hit the peak!