Route Description for Mary Jane Falls Trail
From the Mary Jane Falls trailhead, find the wide path that starts ascending gradually. As the trail continues, the grade will slowly increase. You will hike deeper into the valley before tackling a series of switchbacks up its right side. Your final destination is the visible cliff band up above.
The Mary Jane Falls trail is mostly loose gravel, so take care on the steeper switchbacks! Don’t attempt to cut the switchbacks, as this causes huge trail erosion and makes the trail very difficult to maintain. After reaching the cliff band, the route will start to traverse to the left, and shortly you will arrive at the Mary Jane Falls.
Mary Jane Falls is a stunning, small waterfall situated in a wonderful rocky amphitheater. There is usually plenty of shade, which makes it a nice place to stop and relax after the hike up! You will also have fantastic views up to Charleston Peak, and its steep, craggy east aspect.
After taking a nice long break return the way you came, take extreme care on the way down!
Hiking Trail Highlights
Mary Jane Falls
The short hike to Mary Jane Falls is one of the most popular excursions from Las Vegas, and a great way to shake off the lights and clamor of Sin City! This tall cascade is a seasonal waterfall, which only comes to life if there has been sufficient precipitation over the winter months. Like the neighboring Big Falls, Mary Jane Falls comes into existence with the spring snowmelt, and usually continues until early summer.
The views from Mary Jane Falls are spectacular, encompassing a large portion of Kyle Canyon. The cascade is encircled by a natural limestone amphitheater, with two nearby caves hollowed out of the rock. Although spring is a wonderful time to see the gushing water at its fullest flow, the falls are also spectacular in winter, suspended in time with tall ice sculptures.
Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston is the highest peak in the Spring Mountains, Nevada, rising up to an elevation of 3,632 m. It’s also a particularly prominent peak, dominating the skyline in this beautiful corner of Nevada. In the local Southern Paiute language, the mountain is known as ‘Nuvagantu’, which literally translates to ‘where snow sits’. The mountain carries a mantle of snow for around half the year, and its white, prominent peak can even be seen from parts of the Las Vegas Strip.
The mountain takes its modern name from the city of Charleston, South Caroline, allegedly as a mark of support for southern sympathizers. It is also remembered locally as the site of a deadly plane crash in 1955, when a CIA Military Air Transport Service plane crashed into the mountain during a blizzard. Debris from the crash, and a recently unveiled memorial can still be seen along the trail. Today, however, Mount Charleston is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and a wonderful spot for a strenuous hike. The views from the summit are some of the best in Nevada, offering a panorama that includes the Sierra Nevada, Death Valley and Las Vegas.
Check out more amazing hikes around Las Vegas:
- Calico Tanks Trail
- Cathedral Rock Trail
- Icebox Canyon Trail
Insider Hints for Mary Jane Falls Trail
- This hike can be very snowy in the early season. Phone the visitor centre before committing to the drive from Las Vegas.
- This trail is open to dogs.
Getting to the Mary Jane Falls Trail Trailhead
To get to the Mary Jane Falls trailhead, from Las Vegas follow Route 95 North until just after you pass the city limits. From here watch out for Nevada 157, with signs towards Mount Charleston. Turn left here to continue along this gradually climbing road for just over 32.2 km. Nearing the end of Route 157 you will turn right onto Echo Rd., with signs pointing towards Mary Jane Falls and Trail Canyon. Turn into the Trail Canyon parking lot then follow the dirt road that leads from it towards the Mary Jane parking lot.
Route Information
When to do
Spring and Fall, avoid summer heat
Backcountry Campsites
None
Toilets
At Trailhead
Family friendly
Yes
Route Signage
Average
Crowd Levels
High
Route Type
Out and back
Mary Jane Falls Trail Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
Check Area WeatherMary Jane Falls Trail Reviews
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Nearby Trails
- Brown Peak Trail
- Devil’s Hole Overlook
- Ibex Dunes Trail
- Fletcher Peakhike
- La Madre Springs
- Trail CanyonTrail
- Moenkopi Trail
- Calico Hills Trail
- Cathedral Rock Trail
- White Rock Trail
- Calico Tanks Trail
- Icebox Canyon
Nearby Regions
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Death Valley
- Flagstaff
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Inyo National Forest
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Nevada
- Palm Springs
- San Bernardino National Forest
- Sedona
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- Zion National Park
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Mary Jane Falls Trail
The Mary Jane Falls Trail is a popular hiking trail located near Las Vegas, Nevada. It starts at the Mary Jane Falls trailhead and follows a wide path that gradually ascends. As the trail continues, the grade becomes steeper, and hikers will encounter a series of switchbacks on the right side of the valley. The final destination is a visible cliff band located above the trail.
The trail itself is mostly composed of loose gravel, so hikers should take care, especially on the steeper switchbacks. It is important not to attempt to cut the switchbacks, as this can cause trail erosion and make the trail difficult to maintain.
After reaching the cliff band, the route will start to traverse to the left, and hikers will eventually arrive at Mary Jane Falls. Mary Jane Falls is a stunning small waterfall situated in a rocky amphitheater. The area usually offers plenty of shade, making it a nice place to stop and relax after the hike up. From the falls, hikers can enjoy fantastic views of Charleston Peak and its steep, craggy east aspect.
To return, hikers can retrace their steps and carefully make their way back down the trail.
Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston is the highest peak in the Spring Mountains, Nevada, with an elevation of 3,632 meters. It is a prominent peak that dominates the skyline in the area. The mountain is known as "Nuvagantu" in the local Southern Paiute language, which translates to "where snow sits." The mountain is often covered in snow for about half the year, and its white peak can even be seen from parts of the Las Vegas Strip.
The mountain is named after the city of Charleston, South Carolina, which is believed to be a mark of support for southern sympathizers. Mount Charleston is also remembered for a deadly plane crash that occurred in 1955 during a blizzard. Today, it is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers stunning views from the summit, including panoramas of the Sierra Nevada, Death Valley, and Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Hiking Trails
The article mentions several other hiking trails around Las Vegas that you may be interested in exploring. Some of these trails include:
- Calico Tanks Trail
- Cathedral Rock Trail
- Icebox Canyon Trail
- Brown Peak Trail
- Devil's Hole Overlook
- Ibex Dunes Trail
- Fletcher Peak
- La Madre Springs Trail
- Trail Canyon Trail
- Moenkopi Trail
- Calico Hills Trail
- White Rock Trail
- Icebox Canyon
These trails offer a variety of scenic views and hiking experiences. Each trail has its own unique features and difficulty levels, so it's important to research and plan accordingly before embarking on any hike.
Please note that the availability and conditions of these trails may vary, so it's always a good idea to check with the local visitor center or relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information before starting your hike.
I hope this information helps! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.