Up the Creek - 7/23/21

Top of Fletcher Canyon / Bottom of Bowl where, typically,
there is running water.

Mummy's Knee rising above Fletcher Wash

Griffith Peak and Cockscomb Peak from North Loop Trail Junction

Hiking up Trail Canyon

The three of us arrived at the Trail Canyon Trailhead with blue hiking shirts on! The color coordination was an accident! Therefore, we were the Blue Belles! It was an early cool morning with rain promising at the 11 o'clock hour. Our hike up Trail Canyon was uneventful except for the fact that we stayed together. This is somewhat unusual nowadays as we usually use Trail Canyon to judge our condition by timing ourselves. Today, it mattered not! We kept a steady pace of around (+ or -) 2 mph. We were the first ones on the mountain  and it was sooo quiet! After a short break at the saddle, we continued across to join the North Loop Trail. In a short distance, we found the small trail that led steeply down to the right into the Upper Fletcher Canyon bowl.

Ralyn and Charleston Peak

Rita and Charleston Peak at Saddle

Steep Descent down the Bowl

Big Boulder Landmark Approach

The trail crosses a couple of low lying ridges and we turned right on the second one even though the trail continues to the next dip. We descended the steep ridge that was covered with pine needles, scree, and low bushes. The route was clear of fallen trees. Soon, we ran across an old trail. This led us the rest of the way down to a very large boulder that lies about 20 yards from the wash below. We call this boulder the "Big Boulder Landmark!" It is useful since it can be seen from some distance away. We took a group photo at the big rock and hiked on down to the wash where there is usually running water. The first photo of this entry was taken here. We turned to the left and began our scramble up the wash.

Blue Belles at Big Boulder Landmark

Starting up Fletcher Wash

Running Water at Beginning of Climb

Last Waterfall

We hiked up by the stream for about 50 feet before we came to the last little waterfall. The water doesn't reappear until later on as it passes (I am assuming) a spring coming down from the right. The wash runs straight down from Mummy's Knee and Toe area and the view from the wash up to the rock cliffs is quite stunning. There is some debris in the wash but it never prevents progress. We stayed in the middle of the wash as much as possible. This required a few climbs with use of hands. We could have gone up and around but why? Fun was there to be had! The climb continued until we stopped and took our break where we had a great view of the wash and Harris Peak rising above in the other direction.

Rita climbing under the Tree

Passing an Ornate Root (Uprooted)

The Cirque du Soleil Balance Act!

Blue Belles taking a Break with a View

Continuing our scramble up, we reached the North Loop Trail crossing and turned to the left. It was a small hike back to the Trail Canyon saddle. Just before starting down Trail Canyon, we saw two healthy deer fleeing the area toward Cave Spring. On our way down the trail, we finally began seeing several other hikers. We think they missed the best part of the beautiful, quiet and fresh morning! A wonderful hike!

Stats: 5.25 miles; 2000' gain; 3.75 hours

Rita enjoying the approach to the North Loop Trail (Harris Peak in distance)

North Loop Trail Junction

Trail Canyon Descent