Trail Run Project Logo

The most unknown singletrack trail in Mt. Charleston.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

13.4

Miles

21.6

KM

86%

Runnable

8,285' 2,525 m

High

6,454' 1,967 m

Low

2,555' 779 m

Up

2,554' 778 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

Snow in the winter, so check to see Lee Canyon road is open.

Overview

Deer-Creek Catch Pen loop is a 13 mile singletrack (less than 1/4 mile wash) loop with 2,000ft of gains thats best started along Lee Canyon Road (see access info).

Need to Know

The trailhead is located 2.75 miles north (go downhill on Lee Canyon) of the Sawmill TH and starts on the opposite side of the road. There is no sign with the name of the trail, but there is a 3 foot trail post marking the beginning of the trail, so this trail is almost entirely unknown in the Vegas community, but its been around for years. There are concrete pull outs near the start, but again there is no sign telling you that its the Deer Creek-Catch Pen trailhead.

Description

The loop starts off going downhill and you follow cairns which cross a wash and you'll come to the first intersection about 1/4 mile into your ride or run. You'll want to go left (right is the Blue Tree loop trail). Continue along on the trail and at 2 1/4 miles you'll come to the 2nd intersection. I like to do the loop in the counterclockwise direction, so I make a right here. Continue along on the trail heading south (there is just a minor wash section) and you'll climb close to 2k so get up for it.

At about 6 1/4 miles, you'll reach Highway 158. If you want to go minimal, this is a good place to set up a water cache pre-run (but be sure to clean your waste and not leave trash on the mountain). You'll not cross Highway 158 or touch concrete, instead the downhill section is marked by another trail post. This downhill has a good amount of zigzags with the typical Mt Charleston trees hugging both sides of the singletrack. Continue along and at 10 3/4 mile, you'll reach that 2nd intersection where you made a right turn. Now just follow your tracks back to your car.

Flora & Fauna

Juniper, Desert brush & Pinion Pine

Contacts

Shared By:

Dave JM

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 4 votes

#2563

Overall
  4.8 from 4 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#25

in Nevada

#2,563

Overall
3 Views Last Month
351 Since Jun 24, 2020
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%

Photos

One of the several small hills you run through on the way to the main loop.
Oct 9, 2020 near Pahrump, NV
On the way back down.
Oct 9, 2020 near Pahrump, NV
Charleston park
Jun 30, 2020 near Pahrump, NV
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 15 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.