Category: Hiking

Las Vegas 360: 5 years of Blogging on Las Vegas

July 3, 2016

Thank you - 5 years

On this date: July 3, 2011. Well…, that is how most of the posts start out. But, it has been 5 years since the LasVegas360.com’s original web site – (started in 1999) was converted to a blog format from a basic set of static web pages.

The original web site was just a series of 360 degree panoramic photos of the Las Vegas Strip, Downtown and Red Rock Canyon. There were thousands of photos taken with a small digital camera and stitched together to build all the panoramics. The original photo shoot was a big expedition that took place back in 1999. On foot, the journey started at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, (still surrounded by desert) all the way to the Stratosphere. You can see long gone sites like the Onmimax, Imperial Palace, and Wet-n-Wild. Now this collection of photos needed a home, so they where dumped onto the newly created LasVegas360.com website.  With hundreds of static pages to maintain it became difficult to maintain and they sat there for years not doing too much. Along came a piece of software called WordPress, a long weekend, hours of configuration and uploading the LasVegas360 blog sprung to life.

Nowadays, the site basically composed of posts made up of historical events, photos, and things to do around the Las Vegas area. If you are a history buff ,take a look at the History section. There is the Daily Neon, which is a photo collection of today’s and yesterday’s past neon signs. It is hard to believe in just 5 years how may of the old Vegas neon signs are gone.  Off the Beaten Path is a section is dedicated to things out of the Las Vegas Area: Hiking, ghost towns and things of interest. Regardless, if you have never been to Las Vegas or you are a local, hopefully there is something you like on this site.

Over the last 5 years, there has been 480 posts, half a million visitors, and thousands of photographs added. LasVegas360.com, is just a small hobby and does not get the love that it deserves. I hope you find it to your liking and “Thank You” to everyone who has visited.

Posted by: Vegas Info      catagory Archive, Hiking, On This Date comments Leave a comment

Raintree – Mummy Springs Hike (Mt. Charleston)

June 6, 2016
Raintree

Raintree is a 3,000-year-old Bristlecone Pine Tree

One of the Oldest living things in the State of Nevada is a 3,000 year+ Bristlecone Pine Tree called “Raintree”.  This 6 mile round trip hike  has about 1700 ft. elevation gain and altitudes over 10,000 ft. It takes about 3.5 hours. Once you make it to the “Raintree” it is about 1/3 mile to  Mummy Springs veering right on the trail.

The trailhead is located up in the Spring Mountains on Deer Creek Road between Kyle and Lee Canyons, about 1 hour northwest of Las Vegas.

From town, drive north on Highway 95 to Highway 157 (Kyle Canyon Road). Turn left onto Highway 157 and drive west for 17.1 miles to Highway 158 (Deer Creek Road), which is just past the Mt. Charleston Hotel. Turn right onto Highway 158 and drive north for another 4.8 miles to the second turnout past Hilltop Campground. Watch for a paved parking area on the west (left) side of the road with a large sign. Trailhead starts here.

North Loop Trailhead for Raintree/ Mummy Springs

North Loop Trailhead for Raintree/ Mummy Springs

Raintree Mummy Springs

Raintree / Mummy Springs Hike in Mt. Charleston

Tree that looks like an Elephant

Tree that looks like an Elephant on the trail

Please respect the Bristlecones, as well as the other trees and do NOT remove or deface them in anyway.

Photos by: Lasvegas360.com

Posted by: Vegas Info      catagory Hiking, Mt. Charleston, Off The Beaten Path comments 2 Comments

Fletcher Canyon Trail, Mt Charleston, Nevada

June 5, 2015

Hiking in Mt. Charleston, Fletcher Canyon.

Fletcher Canyon Trailhead in the Spring Mountains National Recreational Area

This is a great hike, 1.8-2 miles one way, this is a relative easy hike. The starting elevation is at 6,822 ft and goes up to 7,610 ft to the narrow canyon.  This hike is frequented by lots of hikers with their dogs. On one visit we saw over 20 different dogs with their owners. (If you bring your dog, make sure you pick up after your pets, thank you!) On the trail, you may cross a stream of cold mountain water (seasonal). Follow the foot path climbing up as the canyon walls narrow and you enter a slot canyon filled with living trees, ferns, wild roses; as well as debris (logs, rocks) washed down by flash floods. You will eventually dead end at an obstacle rock. This is the turn around point for most hikers.  More adventurous hikers tell us you can get around the rock and continue on to Stanley B. Springs.

Time on Hike: 2-3 hours depending on your resting/downtime.

SR 157 at Fletcher Canyon Trailhead- looking up towards Kyle Canyon

Driving directions: 15 N from Las Vegas to 95 N toward Reno, W on SR 157 (Mt. Charleston – Kyle Canyon) 18.1 miles (which is 1/2 mile past junction with SR 158); look for small parking area and trailhead on R (N) side of road just before reaching the USFS Visitors Center. There is very limited parking

In Fletcher Canyon looking down

Looking up at Fletcher Peak 10,319 ft / 3,145 m

GPS track of our hike, covered 4 miles up and back on the trail.

Posted by: Webmaster      catagory Hiking, Mt. Charleston, Off The Beaten Path comments 1 Comment

Lone Mountain Hike in northwest part of Las Vegas

March 8, 2015

GPS: N36°14’17.88″ / W115°18’59.026″

Lone Mountain is a steep, isolated, rocky crag located in the northwest part of Las Vegas just inside the Interstate-215 Beltway. The summit stands some 600 feet above the surrounding desert and homes, giving great views of the city and the surrounding mountains.

To get there take the 215 Beltway to West Lone Mountain Road, park at the newly built Lone Mountain Regional Park, there is parking and restrooms at the park. Another alternative route is to park at the end of Vegas Vista Trail  off of West Alexander Road and head up the western side for a more direct route.

Lone Mountain Summit, Las Vegas Nevada

Panoramic view of Lone Mountain Summit, Las Vegas Nevada

Click Here for a 360° Virtual View

There are several routes up Lone Mountain. The Northwest Route is fairly steep, but it is short (0.51 miles) and takes only about 30 minutes if you stop to enjoy the scenery along the way. The other is a longer from the north end. Lone Mountain is good place for a quick get-away or after-work hike. Be careful hiking this during the summer heat it can be very hot. This hike would make a good sunset/sunrise climb with a great view of the Las Vegas valley.

Elevation: 3342 ft.
Photo By: LasVegas360.com

Posted by: Vegas Info      catagory Hiking, Locals, Off The Beaten Path comments Leave a comment

Bristlecone Trail Hike – Lee Canyon, Nevada

September 29, 2014

Bristlecone TrailGPS: N36° 18′ 23.8386″  – W115° 40′ 41.4588″ (WGS 84)

The Bristlecone Trail starting point is know as the Upper Bristlecone Trail. It is located a the very end of the Lee Canyon Road (Highway 156). Take US 95 toward Reno, pass the Mountain Charleston turn-off continuing straight for 10 miles, make a left on Lee Canyon Road (Highway 156), follow it until it ends. It trailhead starts in the parking lot of the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, where the turnaround or helicopter landing pad is located. This hike will take you 2-3 hours to complete, depending on stops and breaks. The trail is clearly marked and you will notice a fence on either side of the trail for the first quarter of a mile. This was installed to protect some sensitive plants for butterflies.  The first part of the trail is lined with Ponderosa Pine, Aspens, and further near the summit are the Bristlecone Pines. The hike offers great views of Lee Canyon and the surrounding area. Even with 105°+ temperatures in Las Vegas the mountain offer a cool escape from the dreaded heat.

Warnings: This hike starts out at 8,600 feet and reaches an altitude of 9,381 feet.  So if you just came up from the valley desert floor, be prepared for some heaving breathing. Also, beware that there are mountain bikers on the trails, so watch out.  The dirt road portion of the hike (last 4 miles) is quite wide and has room for everyone and has a gentle slope.

The full loop back to the parking lot is just under 6 miles.  The hardest part is the first 2 miles. Once pass the summit, it is a gentle slope to the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead. A final small hike along the roadside for 1/2 mile will bring you back your starting place. This hike is not a difficult hike – just a little long and a lot of breathing for the first 2 miles. Have fun, bring water and be safe.

Update: This trail is great to hike anytime in the summer to get away from the scorching heat of the lower desert floor. But as a reminder, and if you time it right, try to hike it around September 21 and you may catch the Aspens in their golden and reddish Autumn colors before they are discarded to the forest floor.

Lee Canyon – Bristlecone Trail – Click for hi-res photo

View 360° Panoramic of the Bristlecone TrailHead

Base of Las Vegas Ski & Snow Resort – Summer

View 360° Panoramic of the Las Vegas Ski and Snow Resort

Photos by: LasVegas360.com

Posted by: Webmaster      catagory Hiking, Mt. Charleston, Off The Beaten Path comments Leave a comment

Carpenter 1 Fire Update Day 11 Hot Spot Map 7:15am

July 11, 2013
Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 11 2013 7:15 am PST - Click to view Large Map

Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 11 2013 7:15 am PST - Click to view Large Map

Here is the latest map. It looks less smokey upon the mountain this morning and there has been some rain come through. I hope it helps. Last Night, fire could be seen from the Las Vegas Valley as flames came over the ridge behind Red Rock Canyon.

Hot Spot Map Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 11 2013 7:15 am PST - Click to view Large Map

Hot Spot Animation Carpenter Fire 1- Mt Charleston July 11 2013 7:15 am PST - Click to view animation

Posted by: Vegas Info      catagory Hiking, Mt. Charleston comments Leave a comment