Hiking Mt Charleston, Spring Mountains, Nevada

Just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada is Mt Charleston at 11,918ft....the highest point in the Spring Mountains. We were in Vegas for a show and decided to bag that peak the following day. I've been itching for this peak and the weather was looking good so it was on.
At almost 17 miles roundtrip, it is a full day to summit. The first four miles consist of on long stretch of switchbacks till you get to the trail junction for Griffith Peak. After the junction the trail is another 4.9 miles to summit. Pretty cool section of the trail takes you through a burned out Bristlecone Pine forest till you are finally above tree line and the final part is around a 500 to 600ft push up to summit.
Bring plenty of water and get a very early start....and don't forget the ibuprofen.