Overview

This is a fairly strenuous, 2.6-mile section of the North Loop Trail that runs through forests and along ridgelines to the Raintree, the fabled old bristlecone pine that is one of the largest and oldest (some 3,000 years) trees in the Spring Mountains. If the Raintree isn't enough for one hike, there are grand views of Las Vegas, Kyle Canyon, and the surrounding mountains from many points along the trail. A short (0.3 miles) side trail also leads to Mummy Spring, a beautiful mountain spring that is full of wildflowers in the spring and summer.

From the Raintree, either return to the North Loop Trailhead or continue hiking west on the North Loop Trail to the junction with Trail Canyon Trail. Hike down Trail Canyon back to civilization (Trail Canyon Trailhead) and car-shuttle back to the North Loop Trailhead.

Link to map.

This old tree has stood proudly for some 3,000 years. However, with so many visitors, it is starting to show signs of human use. Please do not climb on the tree, camp beneath the tree, or even spend too much time standing beneath the tree. Each of us who stands close to the tree compacts the soil, reducing infiltration and denying the plant life-giving water. Each of us who sits or stands on the roots damages the bark covering the roots possibly allowing insect or disease to enter. We are also causing dirt around the roots to erode away, exposing more roots to damage. Each of us who climbs the tree damages the bark.  While each insult is imperceptible to us, they add up over time for the tree. If we hope the Raintree will live another 1-2000 years, we need to stop loving it to death.

Also, don't pile up wood for windbreaks around the Raintree. If the logs ever catch fire, the logs will guarantee that the Raintree burns too.

This trail starts at the upper edge of the Transition Life Zone (Yellow Pine Forest), climbs through the Canadian Life Zone (Pine-Fir Forest), and ends in the Hudsonian Life Zone (Bristlecone Pine Forest). While hiking, keep an eye on the shrubs and trees as you hike the trail and watch the species mix change as you climb higher in elevation.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this trail is strenuous, so take it easy at this elevation if you've just come up from the desert (the high point in the trail is over 10,000 feet and the air is thin). Other than that, the trail is safe and easy to follow, but it can be hot. There is no water, so bring plenty.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this hike is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

The trail is located up in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (generally referred to as Mt. Charleston) between Kyle and Lee Canyons, about 1 hour northwest of Las Vegas. From town, drive out to the Spring Mountains Visitor Center, then continue up Deer Creek Road to the North Loop Trailhead.

The Hike

From the trailhead (Table 1, Waypoint 01), the trail runs into the forest on a clearly marked and well-maintained trail. Initially, the trail is fairly gentle and passes through a forest of tall ponderosa pines and white fir, with an open understory of mountain mahogany and wax currents. The trail gradually steepens and climbs onto a flat ridgetop that I refer to as "the viewpoint" (Wpt. 02) with some good campsites and grand views of the Sheep Range, Las Vegas, and other points to the east.

From the viewpoint, the trail switchbacks steeply up a forested hillside towards a highpoint (Wpt. 03) on the ridge east of the Mummy's Toes. From the highpoint, the trail runs east along the ridge through a bristlecone pine forest to the toe of Mummy Mountain and the junction with the Mummy Spring Trail (Wpt. 04). This trail junction is watched over by the 3,000-year-old Raintree.

Enjoy your visit with the Raintree, but be careful not to cause erosion or soil compaction around its roots. Without care, the tree won't survive to see 4,000 years. For example, eat your picnic lunch on the hillside across from the Raintree where you can get a good view of the Raintree, Mummy's Toes, and Kyle Canyon.

When ready to leave, either hike back down the North Loop Trail to the North Loop Trailhead, or continue west and down towards the trail junction with the Trail Canyon Trail. It is 1.4 miles to the trail junction, and another 1.9 miles down Trail Canyon to the Trail Canyon Trailhead.