Mary Jane Falls Trailhead — Attraction in Pahrump

Great trail, nice challenge!

I've hiked this trail a few times - always in the early summer. I wouldn't say that was the best time of year to go, as the waterfalls are probably better in the spring when the snow is melting.

Pretty much any trail up Mt Charleston is great in the summer, since it's usually a good 20-30 degrees cooler. :-) This is a very popular trail, which means it can get quite busy. If you're looking for a quiet, more secluded trail, this probably isn't for you. There is plenty of parking, but since the trail is so popular, you might end up parking quite a ways down the road. There are also toilets at the beginning of the trail - in case you're willing to brave the non-flushing toilets.

This trail starts out pretty rocky with a pretty decent incline - not too steep, but definitely not flat. About when the terrain smooths out, the switchbacks begin. They are kind of a beast. After all the switchbacks, the ground gets pretty rocky again; that's when you know you're getting close to the reward of the waterfalls!

If you're expecting a waterfall like in the Pacific Northwest, you might be disappointed, but if you're expecting a cool desert waterfall, you'll be impressed. I've seen it when it was barely a trickle and when it's flowing much heavier. Definitely want to see it at its peak sometime!

Up at the waterfall, there are a couple really cool caves. The one right at the waterfall is pretty big. Lots of flat areas to sit down and really enjoy the views. Also, the shade is very much appreciated when the sun is blazing. The 2nd cave is a little farther up passed the waterfall. It's definitely much smaller, but...

Views are great. Falls are underwhelming (trickle). I'm over 45, smoke, and weigh 300lbs but made it in 45 minutes from parking area (tho I was living at 5900' at the time). A bit disgusted by amount of litter left behind by douchebags. Switchback portion is a bit tough. Recommend against bushwhacking as rocks are really loose. Overall elevation increase is around 975' (from 8150' to 9025' or thereabouts) mostly in the switchback part. Falls look like they go about 300' higher than trail. Heard it was spring fed. Cubby hole under falls is cool, but slick. There's a big cavey overhang a little past the falls, which was a nice place to chill except for high volume of stoner folk with uncharacteristically un-stoney and poopy dogs when last I visited. Bring lotsa water and please track out your trash. Gets cold and dark quickly up there, so plan accordingly. Coulda sworn I reviewed this place for GMaps before. Good...

This is a great hiking trail with beautiful views everywhere you look. At the parking lot it is about 7,500 ft elevation and 8,700 ft by the time you reach the falls. It is a 3.2 mile hike both ways and it is a rocky, steep incline most of the way to the falls. Before you get to the switchbacks there will be a log across the gravel trail... go right! That is where it starts. There are a lot of people and dogs so it can get tricky trying to pass on the narrow, steep, and rocky switchbacks. There were a few small landslides but nothing to be too concerned about. The view was absolutely breath taking at the top but there was nothing more than a trickle from the falls. There is a small cave behind the falls and a larger cave a short distance past the cave. This is a great place to spend a few hours and...