Mt. Charleston Via Lee Canyon (Ski Lee)

Overview

This is not a popular route for ascending Mt. Charleston. It starts out at the Ski Resort. From there it goes up through some runs on the resort then on a side road to a wash that starts at a waterfall. Then after a little ways you go up a chute and end up at the North Loop Trail and take it the rest of the way. Going through the chute is mostly class 3 and has lots of stickerish plants. Recommend wearing weight lifting gloves. Go very slow and watch your step when returning and going through the chute on the way back down.

The route is 4.2 miles one-way, with an elevation gain of about 3400 feet (net gain)-- from 8600' to 11,918'. It is one of the shortest, if not the shortest route to the summit.

Getting There

From Las Vegas take Hwy 95 North. Go past HWY 157 (Charleston Turnoff) up to HWY 156 (Lee Canyon turnoff) and turn left. Take HWY 156 all the way to the ski resort and park here.

Route Description

Once you park enter the Ski Resort and start hiking up "the Line" Ski Run. A map of the runs on the ski resort can be viewed or downloaded at TrailMap

At about 0.7 miles into the hike you will come to a Ski Patrol cabin. Just before the cabin veer off to the left onto a little road. At the end of this road you will run into a small waterfall. Hike over this waterfall into a wash and start hiking up.

Eventually you will reach a chute. Hike up this chute.
At the top of the chute you will be 1.5 miles into the hike and at the North Loop Trail. Then it is 2.7 miles to the summit from here. Here is a view of Mt. Charleston can be enjoyed as the summit comes into view. [img:230950:alignleft:small:]

Images

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