Charleston Series | Prequel: Escarpment Trail & Lower Acastus Trail

Please read the entire hike description. New participants must complete this electronic waiver before I can move them to Going. If you've previously completed one from a different event with me as host, then no additional waiver is needed.

Got questions? Text Liz at 702-496-2455

So far, 174 hikers have used this training series to reach Charleston Peak for the first time—will you be next?

Welcome to the 13th Annual Charleston Series. The hikes get progressively harder each week in mileage, elevation gain, and altitude designed to train up for long-distance high-altitude hikes. Guidance and tips will be provided on pace, breathing, gear, food/liquid, trail etiquette, and preparations.

A VH pin is available for those who participate in the series and reach the summit of Charleston Peak.

Prequel hikes (Explorer's Deck) are slightly lower elevation options to prepare for high-elevation ahead of the Main hikes (Founder's Deck).

A secondary benefit of this program is that carpooling and hiking 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. Tailgating afterward is an additional feature of the Main hikes.

Co-Hosts: Liz is the current organizer of the Charleston Series, co-creator of the Fitness Series and has 800 hikes with VegasHikers (VH) and 100 with the 52 Peak Club (52PC). Paul is a co-creator of the Fitness Series and has 500 hikes with VH. Jim is the creator of the Charleston Series and has 1,500 hikes with VH and 400 with the 52PC.

📌 This hike starts behind the Kyle Canyon Visitor Center, drops into a wash, climbs a steep paved cart path, traverses across the bottom of the escarpment and then across the top of the escarpment, descends another steep section, goes part way up the Acastus Trail and finishes back at the Visitor Center. The hike is all class 1 with half being very easy trail or paved paths, and the remainder being more rugged with a few steep sections.

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

HIKE QUICK STATS:

• Trailhead: Kyle Canyon Visitor Center/Stepladder
• Distance: 3.7 miles plus Lower Acastus Trail
• Elevation gain: 542 feet
• Altitude: 6,470 feet to 7,012 feet
• Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
• Class: Class 1 paved path and trail
• Exposure: None
• Pace: Slow / Moderate
• Duration: 4.5 hours (driving and hiking)

GEAR:
Hiking boots or trail shoes are required
Trekking poles and gloves are optional but very helpful
You should always carry a windbreaker or rain jacket, warm gloves and hat for any hikes in the Mt Charleston area.

No pets or children. You must be on the Going list to attend.
All attendees must be members of VegasHikers. It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up & it's FREE.

Meet in Santa Fe Casino East parking garage 3rd floor, turn left, section 3F. We will form carpools for the drive to the trailhead.

FAQs
Do I need to attend every hike? No
Do I need to be in good shape to start the series? Yes, you should be reasonably fit, and the Prequel hikes are designed to improve your fitness and acclimate you for the Main hikes.
Do I need to carpool? Yes, it's socially responsible, and for most hikes, parking is very limited.

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Tentative Schedule for Charleston Training Series:
5/2 - Escarpment Trail & Lower Acastus Trail (Explorers)
5/9 - Stanley B Springs, Mines & Beyond (Explorers)
5/16 - Echo Trail, Little Falls & Cathedral Rock (Explorers)
5/23 - Lower Bristlecone & Bonanza Trail (Explorers)
5/30 - Fletcher Canyon & Eagle's Nest (Explorers, 2 cards)
6/6 - Raintree & Wildhorse Canyon (Explorers)
6/13 - Divide Peak
6/20 - Fletcher Peak (Founders)
6/27 - Bonanza Peak (need HCV's) (Founders)
7/4 - Mummy's Toe & Deer Creek Canyon (Founders)
7/11 - Griffith Peak & Cabin BBQ (Founders)
7/18 - Mummy Mtn (Founders)
7/25 - Helicopter Pad & Lee Peak (Explorers)
8/1 - Charleston Peak & Cabin BBQ (National Summit Day) (Founders)

Jim will also be posting mid-week hikes (Wed or Thu) throughout May, Jun and Jul for those interested in additional acclimating and stamina.

Disclaimer:
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.