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| - Fletcher Canyon is an easy/moderate hike at Mount Charleston that is great to do in late spring when the snow is melting and coming down the canyon. This hike is about 4 miles round trip with only about 600 foot elevation gain.
The trailhead is along SR 157, Kyle Canyon Road, about 5 miles before the end of the road at the lodge. There is adequate parking on the south side of the road, but this fills up fast on Saturday and Sunday, so if you're going to try this hike, get there early.
The trail at the beginning is wide but it turns west into the canyon and it narrows. This is a pinyon and ponderosa pine area. After a short walk, you drop into the creek bed (this part is generally dry) and you continue up the canyon. The trail crosses the stream several times. If you hike this when there is water coming down from melting snow, you may have to walk in a higher area or just plan to get your boots wet. There's is a spring, and there's usually some water flowing here, but it's not enough to be a bother.
After a mile and a quarter, the canyon narrows as you approach the end of the trail. Some of the side walls are 200 feet tall and it's often very cool in this area.
You eventually get to Obstacle Rock. This is the place to do a bit of exploring and to have a snack before hiking back. There's a way to get beyond this giant boulder, but it's a lot easier coming down from above than trying to climb up the slippery rock.
Retrace your steps to the car. This is a hike you'll want to do more than once. It's quite interesting to do this when there's snow on the trail.
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