Editor’s Note: This post is part my series on Las Vegas hikes. For more posts on all things Las Vegas, click here.
What if I told you that some of the oldest trees in the world can be found in a lush pine forest on a mountain top only 45 minutes from the Las Vegas strip?
Well, believe it or not – it’s true. And to see it, one of the best places to start is the Bristlecone Trail Loop.
Getting There:
The Bristlecone Pine forest is located Northwest of Las Vegas in the Mt. Charleston wilderness (part of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area).
From Las Vegas, take the 95 N to the 157 W. Make a right on the junction with the 158, and then a final left at the junction with the 156. Take that to end of the road.
Depending on the season, you’ll likely get to this road barrier right before the ski area (the hiking season is spring to early winter).
At the barrier you’ll have a choice: Walk the road up and around the corner, or take the steeper shortcut up the hill behind the little shack.
The shortcut to the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead.
Hiking The Bristlecone Trail Loop, Spring Mountains NRA (Las Vegas, NV)
Near the Trailhead, you’ll find a kiosk with some maps and information on the hike. The sign lists the loop trail at 6.1 miles (one-way) and says to allow for 4.5 hours round-trip (I completed it in 3.5 hours).
It is considered “moderate” although I saw people of all ages and families with children hiking this trial.
The Start At The Trailhead
When starting this well-shaded trail, you’ll hike the loop trail in a clockwise pattern.
The first half of the Bristlecone trail is a beautiful and relaxing hike, pushing slightly uphill through the woods. It will have a slow and steady incline until you reach the grove of Bristlecone Pine trees.
View of Mummy Mountain
The Bristlecone Pine Grove
The species of Bristlecone Pine found here is the Pinus longaeva, or the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine. Living species of this tree are currently up to 5,067 years old!
The unmistakable twists of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine (see the trail to the peak off to the right)
Bristlecone bench with awesome views of Mummy Mountain at the peak of the grove
Leaving the Bristlecone grove
The Bonanza Trail Junction
At the “almost half-way point”, you’ll come to the junction of the Bristlecone Loop and the Bonanza Trail.
Keep right to stay on the Bristlecone Loop trail.
The Lower Bristlecone Trail
The Lower Bristlecone trail turns into somewhat of a “fire road” and will lead you east, back to the parking area. I personally found this to be the most boring part of the trail (although there were still some great viewpoints).
Fire roads. I hate hiking fire roads.
I spotted a large bobcat near this sign at the end of the trail, but I wasn’t quick enough to get his picture because he completely vanished in seconds.
Finally, the end of the loop!
Final Thoughts: Hiking The Bristlecone Trail Loop, Spring Mountains NRA
I was very surprised to find this quality of hiking available this close to the Las Vegas strip. The mountain air was cool and brisk and this was perfect for a late afternoon hike (but it would be great for a morning hike as well).
While I’m definitely glad I did the entire loop, next time I’d probably just do the Upper portion of this trail out-and-back. Hiking fire roads are just not that fun for me. There’s also the Bonanza trail I’d like to try. But overall, this was an awesome half-day activity that is perfect for everybody. It’s not everyday you get to walk amongst 5,000 year old trees in Las Vegas.
Cheers!
