Butterfly Loop - 4/20/25

Ebb 'n' Flow Trail

Canyon #5 Trail Above

Transition to Goatroper Trail from Canyon #5

Lower part of Goatroper Trail

The Butterfly Loop is a very pleasant 4.5 mile hike utilizing a few of the bike trails in the Blue Diamond area. Four hikers began at the Wheeler Camp Springs Trailhead located between the entrance to Blue Diamond and the gated entrance to Oliver Ranch on SR 159. We crossed the road and followed the trail down into the wide wash to the right. This is Canyon #5. The trail took us up to the left rim of the wash and we hiked through the deep canyon mid-rim. The canyon takes a curve to the right and we followed trails to climb up to the left putting us on the lower end of the Goatroper. Using a few wiggles, the Goatroper bike trail continues a gradual climb up to the top of the desert ridge in view ahead.

Lady Hikers

View down to Cottonwood Valley

Goatroper Trail

Approach to Goatroper Saddle

After the last long slow climb, we reached the "saddle" where we took our break. The Goatroper continues along the ridge for another 6 miles but, after our break, we found the burro trail that leads down to the "Canyon #6" on the other side of the ridge. The burro trail took us diagonally down to intersect with Ebb 'n' Flow. This bike trail has beautiful views as well. It circles around the end of the ridges and above the road. The trail, itself, is a lot of fun! It crosses the desert undulating through the terrain and, finally, back to the Canyon #5 trail closing the loop. The four of us had a wonderful Easter morning on this hike enjoying the desert landscape, a few flowers and cotton on all the cotton-top barrel cacti!

Taking a break on Goatroper Saddle

Forming a trail down from saddle to Ebb 'n' Flow Trail & Canyon #6

Ebb 'n' Flow Trail

Circling the hills on Ebb 'n' Flow

Walking out the wash trail, we saw two burros just hanging out. When they saw us, they continued their stroll across the wash and up the hill on the other side. One of the burros nervously eyed us at the last few meters but, finally, decided we were not a threat! The Lady Hikers were great company, had a lot of fun and always had interesting things to say!

Stats: 4.5 miles; 850' gain; 3 hours

Ebb 'n' Flow descent Challenge

Canyon #5 Wash

Two burros in Canyon #5 Wash

Bridge Mountain - 4/16/25

Bridge Mountain (R) from Approach

Hikers under the Bridge on Bridge Mountain

Getting There

Starting the Scramble Descent

Cheryl in her Element

Seven hikers met at the Willow Springs Picnic area to get into two 4x4s. We proceeded up Rocky Gap road. There seemed to be several spots where the road had improved since the last time we had gone up the road. But there were several spots where the road had deteriorated. It was still one of the worst roads we have driven on with our 4x4. It took us a little over one hour to drive 4.7 miles up to the Bridge Mountain trail head.

Photos: Bruno, Terri, Jerry and Cheryl

Chuck uses a nearby Tree

The Scramble Descent to Base of Peak

The Crack Climb (crack to left of indicated)

The Bridge Area

The Bridge Area

We got out and checked our tires and then started up the trail. We hiked up the trail to the crest of the limestone ridge and then started down the other side with Bridge Mountain coming into view. Approaching from the trail the view of our route up the crack to the arch seems almost impossibly vertical. We pointed out the route to the one newbie who had not climbed the mountain before.

On top of the Bridge

Climbing out of the Bridge Well

Hiking down to pass Hidden Forest (R)

Circling the Sandstone Slab

The Summit Well

We crossed from the limestone into the sandstone and took a short break at the Fern Canyon overlook. Only one hiker decided to crawl on their belly to get a close look at the drop off. The rest of us stayed well back. After the break we started following the well cairned route through the sandstone, scrambling up and down solid sandstone slabs and chutes.

The Summit Block

First part of Descent

Tinaja near the Bridge

Over the hump to gain the top of the Bridge

Crossing the Bridge

Finally, we reached the flat neck of sandstone that forms a land bridge to the base of the crack. We took another break before we continued up the crack. We took the standard route up the crack which actually goes up and out of the crack about a third of the way up onto the right hand ridge. The climbing here is all class 3. Everyone made it up safely and we climbed up the short distance to the arch. After a number of photos were taken we continued up and around the hidden forest and up the steep slabs of the peak itself. We finally reached the peak after 3 hours. We took a break and several more photos and then returned the way we came. On the way down we hiked on top of the arch. We reached the cars after 6 hours and 45 minutes. It would take us another hour to get back to Willow Springs.  ~Jerry

Stats for the hike: 6 3/4 hours, 2800 ft elevation gain, 6.6 miles.

Negotiating the Crack Descent

Climbing the Scrambles

Resting among the Scrambles

One more to Go!

South Calico Hills - 4/14/25

Grand Loop Trail Approach to Calico I

Red Rock Escarpment across the Canyon

Grand Loop Trail Junction

Balanced Boulder at South Calico Hills

Just hanging out with a friend while convalescing, we did a small hike starting at the Red Rock Visitor Center. Wondering what condition the Grand Loop Trail was in, we decided to head down toward the fee booth. I must say, someone has really been doing a great job with trail maintenance! The trail that leads down from the visitor center to the fee booth then over and up to junction with the Calico Hills Trail (i.e. part of the Grand Loop Trail) has been manicured to a tee! From the junction, we continued down to the Calico Hills wash and followed the beautiful trail all the way down past the petroglyph area. Next, we kept going on the same trail as it led out the wash toward Calico Basin Road. (Look for the deer up on the ridge above and to the left!)

Petroglyph Boulders at South Calico Hills

As we criss-crossed the wash on the trail, we came to the second rough trail up to the right and climbed to reach the ridge above. There is an old road trail that follows along the ridge. This trail took us to the trail junction where we were before we descended into the wash. Turning back to the left, we dropped down to cross the paved scenic loop road and climbed up and around the visitor center to get back to our car. It was a lovely morning. We finished just as the temperatures started getting warm. Easy and gentle, as my friend and I work on getting our hiking legs back underneath us.

Stats: 4 miles; 525' gain; 2.75hours

Calico Wash at South Calico Hills

Trail toward Bridge Point Peak at South Calico Hills

South Calico Hills above Calico Wash