LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Officials at Mount Charleston say the mountain is in good shape for the hiking season, but three of the most popular trails will remain closed indefinitely.
Mary Jane Falls, Cathedral Rock and Bristol Cone were heavily damaged by the remnants of Hurricane Hilary last summer. What’s left of the trails are dangerous to hike.
“We want folks not to go on those trails, ” said Jason Douglas, Mount Charleston’s Fire Protection District Chief.
Rescuing someone who falls in one of the trails puts those sent to rescue them at risk. Last year, before the trail was washed out, 12 people needed to be rescued at Mary Jane Falls.
According to Douglas, a rescue operation now could take as long as four hours. The Spring Mountain National Recreation Area is warning that people caught hiking the trails will be cited.
“If convicted in court, you are facing up to a $5,000 fine,” said Nick Laprade with Forest Service Law Enforcement.
The bottom line: 99% of the mountain is open and ready for people to enjoy. In the meantime, there is no word on when three closed trails will reopen.
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