South Loop 1st Overlook v Echo Trailhead - 5/7/21

1st Overlook view of Griffith Peak

1st Overlook view down Kyle Canyon

Echo Trailhead view of Cathedral Rock and Rainbow Saddle

Traffic Ahead, Mike

The Tenacious Trio's first endeavor into the elevations was a hike to the 1st Overlook of the South Loop Trail beginning at the Echo Trailhead. It was a beautiful day in the mountains with a cool breeze anointing us now and then. We carpooled up Kyle Canyon Road and reached the Echo Trailhead by keeping straight at SR 157's switchback inside the canyon. The trailhead is located on the left after the mailboxes and small utility building. We started up the trail and were immediately met with two mule deer. There is a small number of deer who live in the canyon. The deer quickly jumped away and we continued up and down to connect with the Little Falls and Cathedral Rock Trails.

So far, so good, Rita

New fencing above Cathedral Rock Trailhead - Newly planted Saplings

South Loop Trail below Echo Cliffs

Mummy's Toe from base of Echo Cliffs

Slow and steady was the name of the game today! With 1800' of elevation gain in the neighborhood of 8000' and 9000' of altitude, we knew we were in need of just a little conditioning. As it turned out, we did quite well with the altitude as we circled around above the Cathedral Rock Trailhead. There, we saw that "they" have built a steel pipe fence around the area above the parking lot and planted many saplings in this area. It is true that the pandemic has done some damage by people making shortcut trails from the parking lot to the trail and vice verse. We began climbing more seriously on old stone steps and up to the base of the Echo Cliffs. In no hurry, we looked around and took in all the views that we had missed since last summer.

1st Overlook on Echo Cliffs

Steps

Not much snow Remaining above the Upper Wash Crossing

Fletcher Peak from base of Overlook Cliff

We reached Rainbow Junction and started up the killer steps. Still slow and steady, we hiked together ... well ... somewhat together. There weren't many other hikers around but we did pass four backpackers coming down as we rounded the upper wash crossing. Just one week ago, there was a lot more snow in the wash. Today, all the snow was in big patches in the gully above. Next, we tackled the fourteen switchbacks. No problems. In fact, "they" have spring cleaned the trail nicely! There was only one fallen tree found just before the 1st Overlook. Reaching the overlook corner of the Echo Cliffs, we took our break and our group photo. Feeling the wind start to rev up, we started back down. Down the switchbacks. Down the steps. Passing Rainbow Junction. 

Fossil Rock - Switchback #7

Switchback #10? Or, #12.

Tenacious Trio on Echo Cliffs Overlook of South Loop Trail

Tiny Leaf in Snowbank

We took only a couple of pauses for water as we descended past the base of the Echo Cliffs. When we reached the area above the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area, we saw a wild horse near the trail. He saw us and moved on down the trail thinking he could escape through the woods down to the parking lot. The new fencing stopped him and he let out a loud whinny! Next, he turned to face us. We were still a hundred feet away from him but that gap started closing fast as the horse took a charging stance toward us. Lickity split, all three of us ran up the bank to hide behind a tree and give the horse plenty of room to pass. He veered off and passed us at a trot. We thought about that poor horse being so scared and confused with the fence as we completed our hike back to the trailhead.

Stats: 6 miles; 1800' gain; 3.5 hours

Switchback #8

Spooked Wild Horse (The new fencing confused and scared him.)

Hiking back to the Echo Trail