This trail
is 8.3 miles one way and rated VERY strenuous, 6 hour one way
hiking time. Season is summer through fall and use is moderate
to heavy. The elevation is 7600ft to 11,918ft, the trail is marked.
TRAIL
ACCESS
Travel west
on State Route 157 until it enters the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area.
Park in the first parking area to the left. The South Loop Trailhead
is the second trailhead to the right. The gate to Cathedral Rock
Picnic Area is open from 8 am to 8 pm in the summer. If hiking
to the peak and back in one day, be sure to get back to your car
before the gate closes, or you could be stuck for the night!
TRAIL
DESCRIPTION
Griffith
Peak Trail offers an interesting variety of vegetation along with
spectacular views of Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Pahrump, Lovell Canyon,
and Kyle Canyon.
The trail
begins an easy ascent through pinion pines and scrub oak as it
follows an old road for the first two miles. Back in the 1940's,
when the road was being built by the CCC's President Roosevelt
came to inspect the construction site. When the foreman was asked
what the road's destination was, he said he did not know. The
president immediately ordered all construction to be stopped.
Shortly
after leaving the road, the trail becomes steeper. It meanders
through White Firs, Ponderosa Pines and grassy meadows with colorful
flowers. While climbing higher, the vegetation becomes more sparse
as the trail reaches the Bristlecone
Pine forest.
After traveling 5 miles, it reaches the junction with South Loop
Trail.
The trail
to the right descends into Kyle Canyon to Cathedral Picnic Area.
The trail which continues straight ahead leads to Charleston Peak.
TRAIL
RULES
*Be Considerate.
* Do not
litter. Leave trail in the same condition you found it or better.
*Stay on
designated trail. Short cutting switchbacks causes erosion, makes
ugly scars, and destroys the existing trail.
* Do not
deface trees or trail signs.
* Bury human
waste at least 200' away from the trail and at least 6 inches
deep.
CAMPING
*Camp at
least 200ft away from trails or water sources, primitive camping.
*Be prepared
for sudden and EXTREME weather changes
FIRE
RULES
* Fire and
smoking restrictions are put into effect during times of high
fire danger, in the summer. Watch for signs. Generally during
the summer months fires
are prohibited
except in camp
ground and picnic areas and only in fire rings.
* Please
use existing fire rings whenever possible and be sure to completely
extinguish all fires before leaving.
WATER
* Take drinking
water with you.
* Before
drinking all spring water, it should be boiled to destroy harmful
micro-organisms.
