Successfully Summited Mt. Charleston! ⛰️🎉

Hey adventure squad! I’m still riding the high from conquering Mt. Charleston this week—what an incredible day hike right near Las Vegas! If you love challenging trails, epic views, and testing your limits, this one’s for you. Let me walk you through our journey… and share some tips so you can crush it too! 💪 🧭 Pre-Hike Prep: Check the Forecast! Since Mt. Charleston has a high elevation, the weather at the summit can be totally different from the base. I always check mountain-forecast.com before heading out. The summit has no cover, and high winds (>25 mph) or thunderstorms can be seriously dangerous. Safety first, friends! ⚠️🌤️ ⏱️ Our Hike Timeline & Route We arrived at the South Loop Trailhead at 7:30 AM—and good thing we did! There was only one parking spot left; everyone else had to park along the road. We took the loop: ascending via the South Loop and descending via the North Loop. • Pace: ~2 miles per hour • Distance: ~16–18 miles round trip • Total Time: About 10 hours (including breaks) • Elevation Gain: Nearly 5,000 ft! 🏔️ It was a marathon day, but the views from the top made every step worth it. Have you done this loop before? How long did it take you? Let me know! 👇 🌡️ Weather & What to Wear Today (7/5) was surprisingly cool at the base, probably because Vegas had a cooldown recently. But don’t be fooled—if it’s 40°C (104°F) in the city, Mt. Charleston is cooler, but not that cool. Start early to avoid the heat! I wore moisture-wicking layers and a softshell jacket. At the summit, it was chilly and windy, so having an extra layer was key! 🧥❄️ 🧭 South Loop vs. North Loop I highly recommend going up the South Loop and down the North Loop—if it's open. Here’s why: • ✅ South Loop: Easier incline, well-defined trail, shorter distance, gorgeous wildflowers! 🌸 • ⚠️ North Loop: Technically still closed when we went—hard to navigate, rocky, and steep. Only attempt if you’re experienced and it’s officially open! 💧 Hydration Station I drank 5 bottles of water + 2 sports drinks throughout the hike. Yeah, you read that right! Hydration is no joke at high elevation. Don’t skip those electrolytes! 🥤💦 👋 Let’s Hike Together! If you’re planning to tackle Mt. Charleston and want a buddy—or if you have questions about the trail—drop a comment below! I’d love to hear your experiences or help you prepare. And if you’ve got a favorite trail near Vegas, share it! Let’s inspire each other to explore more. 🥾💚 #HikeTheWorld #HikingCommunity #Hiking #MountainClimbing #HikingDiary #LasVegas #VegasOutdoors #SummerEscape #Mountaineering