Mount Charleston
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mount Charleston | |
|---|---|
 Mt. Charleston in December 2004. |
|
| Elevation | 11,918 ft (3,633 m) |
| Location | Clark County, Nevada, USA |
| Range | Spring Mountains |
| Prominence | 8,243 ft (2,512 m)[1] |
| Coordinates | |
| Topo map | USGS Charleston Peak |
| Easiest route | trail hike |
Mount Charleston is the highest mountain of the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada, approximately 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas. It is Nevada's eighth highest mountain peak, and is part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, as well as the Mount Charleston Wilderness Area and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Well separated from higher peaks by large, low basins, it is the most topographically prominent peak in Nevada, and the eighth most prominent peak in the contiguous United States.[1]
Mount Charleston is a year-round getaway for Las Vegas' residents and visitors, with a number of hiking trails and a modest ski area. The mountain, which is snowcapped more than half the year, can be seen from parts of the Las Vegas Strip when looking toward the west. Mount Charleston has nearly 200 camp sites and over 150 picnic areas, some of which are RV accessible.
The eponymous village of Mount Charleston lies at its base to the east.
Its official name is Charleston Peak, and it was named by explorer John C. Frémont after his wife's home town.
