Bristlecone Loop - 9/27/19

Autumn Aspens on the Bristlecone Loop

Yellowed Mountain Currant Bush at Bristlecone Trail

Autumn Aspens along Upper Bristlecone Trail

Descending the Steep Hill - Followed by the Sun

Stealing a chance to see autumn color on the Bristlecone Loop, ten hikers gathered at the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead at the very end of Lee Canyon Road where the ski slopes are located, and set out down the steep trail connecting this trailhead with the road below the switchback. The descent on this precarious trail is the most difficult part of today's moderate hike. Then, we walked on down the road to the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead where there were several mules and riders being unloaded and readied for a trip up to the Bonanza Trail. They were spotting water and tools at those same small switchbacks on the Bonanza Trail where the trail goes up and around a small rocky peak about 1.4 miles from the Bristlecone Trail junction. On Saturday, several experienced trail builders will arrive to finish building the switchbacks that were abandoned last year because of the blue butterflies. These trail improvements are made possible by the monies from the Mt. Charleston license tag sales and the effort of the Backcountry Horsemen of Nevada, the Nevada Wilderness folks and a group of trail builders coming out of Reno.

Backcountry Horsemen of Nevada ready for a Trail Ride

We spoke with the head of the trail ride and petted the mules (who were ready to go by then) and hiked on up past the gate. It wasn't long before the mules and riders came sauntering by with their cattle dogs bringing up the rear. The dogs were probably really the ones in charge! They appeared ready and able!

First Yellow Aspens nearing Pine Cone Canyon

As we neared the Pine Cone Canyon Trail junction on the Lower Bristlecone Trail ... or Scout Canyon Road ..., yellow aspens began appearing. The hairpin turn occurring one mile from the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead was our first "WOW" moment with the autumn color.

Pine Cone Canyon Corner

What a Beautiful Morning!

The aspens around this section of the forest road were brilliant in their yellows, especially in the early morning light. When we exited our cars above, the temperature was 46 degrees. But, there was very little wind and we were never really cold. Therefore, when the aspens started coloring the clear morning sky, we knew we were in for a very enjoyable hike. Smiles everywhere! ... Even when I asked the hikers that had jumped out front on the familiar trail to take it back a notch. This was not a hike to rush through! We regathered at the first forest road overlook, took a few photos and continued hiking in more of a group scenario.

Mummy Mountain from the Bristlecone Loop

Yes, I took some ribbing for this type of tyranny. But, these are all great people and the hike, indeed, was worth the slower pace.

Scout Canyon Road, Forest Road 71, and Lower Bristlecone Trail (all the same)

This part of the forest road has wide views of the North Ridge and its descending ravines. There were large patches of yellow aspens marking these ravines that can be seen in a few of these photos. This first forest road overlook is 2 miles. And, the Bonanza Trail junction is 3 miles from the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead.

Ravines full of Aspens below Lee Peak

Scout Canyon Road

Add the almost half mile from the Upper to the Lower Trailheads and we were 3.5 miles into the hike at the Bonanza junction break. At the mid-morning hour of 10am, the sun was strong on Mummy Mountain as seen in the photo below. Once we started hiking again, we headed up to the high point of the loop. Just after that point, we passed a gorgeous albeit small wild horse grazing not far off the trail. Photos ensued. (See second photo down.) On down the trail, we began passing more and more hikers that had come up to the mountains for the outstanding day. The fall weather was changing the colors of several mountain shrubs as well and the aspens.

Mummy Mountain in the Rising Sunshine

One of those shrubs is the mountain currant that is plentiful along the trails. BTW, the rabbitbrush is fading in the higher elevations. Sad to see it go.

Painted Wild Horse near Trail

After the horse, we continued down past the Upper Bristlecone Trail overlook. This is the one that is located at a switchback that features South Sister on one side and Lee Peak on the other.

South Sister from the Upper Bristlecone Trail

Aspen Grove on Upper Bristlecone

We kept to our moderate pace enjoying every bit of the autumn scenery as we could find. The first photo of this entry was taken as we neared the No Name junction. There is a large grove of aspens within the first (today's last) mile of the Upper Bristlecone Trail. We dove into the colors like we were jumping into a yellow kaleidoscope! What a great last mile to end the loop! Fantastic day! Fantastic group of hikers! Fantastic welcoming of autumn!

6 miles; 950 feet elevation gain; 3.25 hours

Aspens in Peak Autumn Color

Happy Hikers

Aspens near Trailhead