Bristle cone Trail-Mt. Charleston, NV

Bristle cone trail at MT. Charleston goes in a loop. and it has some great scenery.

The following information about the trail was taken from the US Forest Service site at

http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/recreation/hike_backpack/smnra/bristlecone_trail.shtml

Bristlecone Trail

LENGTH: 5.2 miles round trip
ELEVATION: 8,470 feet to 9,380 feet
USE: Hiking, pack & saddle, biking
ABOUT THE HIKE:

• The beginning of the Upper Bristlecone Trail winds through a picturesque forest abundant with fir and large quaking aspen. As you climb out of the canyon, the vegetation becomes sparser due to harsher conditions and shorter growing season found on these more exposed slopes. It is here that you reach the rugged, stands of ancient Bristlecone pines.
• After two miles the trail widens and follows the abandoned WPA road. Follow this road for the remainder of the Bristlecone Trail.
• The route passes the junction with the Bonanza Trail then descends into a canyon as the Lower Bristlecone Trail. Stay on the abandoned road, pass through a small grove of aspen, and continue on until the roadbed ends at the lower Bristlecone trail head.
• Walk south up State Route 156 for ¾ mile to return to the upper parking lot of Lee Canyon Ski Area.

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD:
Upper Bristlecone Trail head

• Travel southwest on State Route 156 for 17 ¼ miles into Lee Canyon until the road dead ends in the upper most parking lot of the Lee Canyon Ski Area. The Upper Bristlecone Trail head is located on the west side of this lot.

Lower Bristlecone Trail head

• Head southwest on State Route 156 for 16 ½ miles into Lee Canyon . Turn right onto Scout Canyon Road 140 ft. north of the McWilliams Campground to reach the trail head. Ample parking is available at this trail head.

It was a great hike with wonderful scenery.  As a matter of fact a little off the trail at one spot there was a little log shelter that it most likely used by skiers and snowboarder in the winter time.  Considering that the upper trail starts at a ski area.

 

Archway on the trail

 

 

Along the trail

 

Thistle along the trail

 

Log Shelter

Inside Shelter

 

View from High point in the loop

 

Natalie On the trail

 

Another view

Once again it was a great hike.  Although the whole thing was over 5 miles.  So considering the dryness of the air and heat in the summer of this region.  I encourage you to make sure you bring enough water.  Especially since there is none in the summer time near the trail.

More hikes and Photos coming soon.  Thanks for reading.

Mary Jane Falls

I recently hiked Marry Jane Falls trail on Mt Charleston in Nevada.

Top of Marry Jane falls Trail

Mary Jane Falls is a hiking trail on MT Charleston in Nevada, it's not to far from Vegas. It's only a 25 to 30 minute drive from where I live. It is interesting to see the desert scenery change into Pine trees and forest on the way up. The best part about Mt Charleston is the fact that it's never to hot.

Mary Jane falls is a nice day hike if you want a decent workout.

According to http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/MaryJaneFalls_4120.asp

Highlights:	Steep switchbacks & rock steps to year-round cascading falls, escape from desert
Near:	Las Vegas, NV
Scenery:
Distance:	3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:	1200 ft
Hike Time:	2 hours
Difficulty:	Moderate
Trail Condition:	Well maintained trail
HikeType:	Out and Back

Summary:

Short but very strenuous hike utilizing switchbacks and stone steps (rip-rap) on a very well marked and heavily used trail. Keep your dogs leashed and under control since a lot of hikers seem to bring their dogs on this one. With a very steep trail, loose rock, and netting in place for erosion control, you definitely don't want to cut across this trail. Older children can make this hike, but be sure they are used to climbing and high altitude. There is a nice size cave along the N cliff, to the left of the falls on the left; with an easy to follow path leading to the mouth of the cave. From the base of the falls you can see Big Falls to the WSW, and Charleston Peak in the background (snow covered until mid/late Spring). This is a pretty trail with ponderosa pines, white fir, aspen, and mountain mahogany. Look for deer and fox in the aspens at sunrise and sunset, near the beginning /end of trail. Hike early to avoid the crowds at Mary Jane Falls.

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Trailhead: I-15 N from Las Vegas to 95 N towards Reno, W on SR 157 (Mt. Charleston - Kyle Canyon) continue past the hotel, 2 miles W of USFS ranger station, to Echo Road. This is where the road curves sharply to the left to head up into old town and the lodge. Instead, continue to the right (almost straight) as it becomes Echo Road. Turn left at the fork (signed) onto the gravel road and park at the trailhead. There are RR at this parking area and it is also the trailhead for Big Falls. MJ Falls is a good trail for the visitor who wants an escape from the casinos and from the desert floor - - it is a short hike and the drive up and back is very scenic. Pack a lunch to enjoy at MJ Falls, but don't expect heavy water flow over the falls unless it is early spring. LOTS of people use this trail so please pack out any trash you see along the trail, there is a dumpster at the parking area to put it in. (Lat:36.26776 Lon:-115.66295)

You do want to make sure you are in decent shape for this hike as like the summery said is all up hill. That is until you come down. The scenery was beautiful, There was still a little of snow on the higher mountains making the view breath taking.

I ended up going with my entire family. (Wife, Mom, dad, sister and her friend)

Mom on the trail

Wife on the trail



Dad in front of one of the falls

It took us a little while to find the trail head but we knew it when we saw it namely because of the other cars and trucks in the parking area. The summery wasn't joking when it said Marry Jane was a popular trail. It wasn't crowded to the point of not being fun. As a matter of fact most people coming down, that we passed on the way up, were very cheerful and gave nothing but encouragement to other people on their way up. That may not happen all the time, but the smiley faces were up lifting.

Getting Ready At the Parking Area (My sister is the skinny girl in the middle of the Photo)

Me and Dad making sure we know where we are going at the trailhead

Me Along the Trail

Once we got to the top we were treated with an excellent view, as well as the falls. Although I wouldn't call them falls myself, I would call them trickles. The water does trickle 50 ft though.

View From The Top



The Falls

The coolest thing how ever was the ice. The snow and ice that had fallen off the mountain as spring hit, gathered in little mounds. The water trickling down on to the snow and ice cut through it, making very interesting formations. Its one of those things that words won't describe well.......but I have photos.

Ice Formation



Ice Wall

The next thing we decided to check out was the cave the you read about in the summery. I wouldn't call it much of a cave but more of a shelter. It went back a good 15 ft or so. It was interesting non the less.

Inside the Cave

View of the out side from the inside


Natalie Right Outside Cave

The way down was quick and fun. All in all I found this to be an interesting and fun hike. I hope you enjoyed the post. I'll be posting on another hike soon.

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