Charleston Series: Griffith Peak & Cabin BBQ

Please read the entire hike description.
Got questions? text Liz 702-496-2455

New members are discouraged from joining now that the series is in its 7th week. Alumni are welcome, but as a progressive series, it's designed for those who started from the beginning (Sat., 06/07/25).

✨Welcome to the 12th Annual Charleston Series✨
These hikes get progressively harder each week in mileage, elevation gain, and altitude, designed to prepare for long-distance high-altitude hikes. For those unfamiliar with hiking at higher elevations, guidance and tips will be provided on pace, breathing, gear, food/liquid, trail etiquette, and preparations.

A secondary benefit is that carpooling, hiking and tailgating with many of the same people each week enables you to develop friendships and trust in each other which you will need as the hikes get harder.

To date, 170 hikers have used this training series to reach Charleston Peak for the first time - will your name be added to the list this year? A pin is available for those who participate in the series and reach the summit of Charleston Peak.

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📌This route starts up the South Loop Trail to the Griffith Saddle & turns left en route to the Peak. Despite being Class 1 trail, this trek is long in distance, offers significant elevation gain, & is high in altitude.

This event is cross-posted with 52 Peak Club Founder's Deck.

HIKE QUICK STATS:

• Trailhead: Cathedral Rock
• Distance: ≈10 miles
• Elevation Gain: ≈3,500 ft
• Elevation at Peak: 11,064 ft
• Altitude: between 7,586 and 11,064 ft
  Difficulty/pace: extremely strenuous/moderate
• Class: 1
• Exposure: None
• Duration: 9 hours (includes hiking, driving & BBQ tailgate)
• No guests, children/minors, canines, or event crashers please!
• All attendees must be members of VegasHikers. It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up and it's FREE.

GEAR:

• Hiking boots or trail shoes are required
• Trekking poles are optional but very helpful
• 2-3L of water, sun protection, snacks & electrolytes
• Carry a windbreaker, warm gloves and hat when hiking in the Mt Charleston area

TAILGATE BBQ:
After hike potluck-BBQ at a private cabin in Mt Charleston very close to the trailhead. Bring a camp chair. A link for the food & grill signup sheet will be provided in the Comments a few days before the hike.

CARPOOL LOCATION:
Please arrive at the garage before 6am. Meet in Santa Fe Casino East parking garage 3rd floor, turn left, section 3F. There are two garages; one is visible from Hwy 95 (that is the wrong garage); the other is near the intersection of Lone Mtn Road and Rancho (that is the correct garage). We will form carpools for the drive to the trailhead.

There is limited parking at Mt Charleston trailheads, so carpooling is mandatory. Each passenger is asked to pay their driver $5.

FAQs:

• Do I need to attend every hike? No
• Do I need to be in good shape to start the series? Yes, a reasonable amount of fitness is required.
• Do I need to carpool? Yes, it is socially responsible and parking is very limited.
• Do I need to stay for tailgating? Yes, at least a portion of it.
• Do I need to bring something for the tailgate? No, it’s voluntary but please contribute in some manner such as setup, cleanup, cash donation, etc.

Tentative Schedule for Charleston Series:

• 7/26: Mummy Mountain
• 8/2: Helicopter Pad
• 8/9: Charleston Peak

Tentative Schedule - Additional hikes:

• 8/16: Mummy's Nose
• 8/23: Wheeler Peak

•• Disclaimer ••
Please be aware that your Meetup organizers are not tour guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.