We have marveled at the presence of snow-capped Mt. Charleston towering above Vegas and the seemingly endless desert that surrounds it.  Today we head up for a closer look.  The forecast is not great, rain by mid-day, but here we go.  In the fifty or so miles we climb from 1800 ft to 8400 ft elevation as cactus gives way to pine shrouded mountains.  The thermometer dips to 37F at one point.  Glad we brought fleece and jackets and; yes, it was a good idea to wear long pants!  Before the day is over, we will have wished we had brought gloves.

We head out on a trail to Mary Jane Falls.  Early on we are passed by a firefighter who reminds us, rain forecast for 11AM.  It is pretty well marked yet we manage to wander off along one of the many social trails inherent in these heavy use, urban area parks.  The last ¼ mile of the trail feels more like hiking up the streambed, turns out it was.  The sound of falling water guides us.  A bit winded and having shed much of our warm gear, we make it to the falls.  Four rivulets of snow-melt cascade from the cliff tops.  It is no Niagara but pretty impressive for these environs.  Locals we encounter say it’s the most water they have seen on the falls.  They also say that two weeks ago we would have found deep snow at the foot of the falls.  Today we find only traces of it in sheltered areas.  Most of it has retreated to higher elevation and creates beautiful contrast in the rugged terrain.   Rest.  Breathe in the pine scented air.  Absorb the calmness.  Very nice.

Ok, back down.  We take the actual trail down.  It is a bit longer with lots of switchbacks but infinitely better underfoot that the streambed.  We meet a group of Marine trainees who are heading up to the falls, and they overtake us as we make our way down.  We take our time birdwatching and admiring the view.  We are greeted by a Stellars Jay. We are mindful of the forecast though.  The first drops hit at about 11:15. We pick up the pace and dash to the car just as it begins in earnest. 

We check out the Visitor Center.  It has this fantastic window clinger of desert to high mountain terrain.  It nearly goes un-noticed with the naked eye but with a polarized viewer bright colors jump out.  It actually shows the seasons as you rotate the viewer.  I want one of these in our cabin!

There are many more trails but they will have to wait for another/drier day.  We take the scenic drive out but by now it is raining hard and clouds are making their way down the mountain obscuring views and hiding any wildlife from our view.  I think we will be back.  It seems mid May and mid-week is a good time.  Snow is off many of the trails, crowds are not too bad and, the snow melt feeds the many falls.