Windy Peak / Lower Cairn Loop - 8/22/23

Windy Peak Trail with Cloud Cover

View north along the Sandstone Bluffs

Sandstone to Limestone Transition Area

Driving by a Turtlehead Morning

My apologies for such a long break. Things to do. People to see. We came back to Hurricane Hilary and its aftermath! The Spring Mountains were closed but the weather was unusually cool. Rain was borderline but we took a chance (... it is Las Vegas ...) and drove up to the Mountain Springs Pass Trailhead for a beautiful hike up to Windy Peak. It was magnificent! As we entered the parking lot, we saw an old friend that just came to say "hello." Bruce! Good to see him but he said he wasn't up to a peak hike so we left him to wander around the foothills. We started up Heartbreak Hill to the relay tower at a slow steady pace. No one was running so the climb was very pleasant as we took in the scenery full of low lying clouds.

Heartbreak Hill

Windy Peak from the Saddle at top of Heartbreak Hill

Gray Guys at the Trail Fork

Sun on Cottonwood Valley

The sun was still coming up underneath the clouds so the light show was otherworldly. At the saddle, we paused for water then followed Mike up the next section to the fork. The fork divides the Windy Peak Trail to the right and the Mountain Springs Peak to the left. We paused here again for a photo then headed up the hill to the right. Our slow steady pace served us well and reaching the high point of the hike, we were no worse for the wear. Coming up over the rise, we watched the low clouds coming in from the south. They didn't appear to be especially heavy. We noted where the trail for Global Peak dropped down to the left on about the third saddle along the bench. Next, we started around to the Limestone / Sandstone transition.

View back toward Mountain Springs, NV

We watched in awe as a cloud passed by on our approach.

Color Everywhere!

Limestone/Sandstone Transition

Here, we stopped in our tracks as we watched a particularly low cloud pass in front of our eyes, south to north. At one point, the cloud almost obliterated Windy Peak as we approached. The question popped into everyone's mind at the same time. Should we continue onto possibly wet sandstone? (We are cautious hikers.) Before we could expound on the answer to that question, the cloud/fog revealed the sandstone peak. Although still wet from Hilary's pounding, we were comforted by knowing the trail and its safety. Continuing, we found the scrambling extremely entertaining as we found little ways to make the hike different from times before. Colors off the wet rock and cloud cover were intense. Photos were fun! 

At the peak, Mike signed in for us then we all hiked out to the cliffy eastern edge of the peak. Views of the valley and back along the Sandstone Bluffs were covered in low clouds with sun splotches coming through. Our small escape from the city was very rewarding ... and quiet! We had our fill of the location and turned back to descend. Again being cautious on the wet sandstone, we travelled over to the limestone and climbed up to the high point.

Small Tinaja on Windy Peak

View from east side of Windy Peak

Chuck and Mike signing the log Book

Cairn on east side of Peak

As we descended to the aforementioned "fork," we decided to complete the hike with a loop using the Lower Cairn Trail. Passing the fork, we looked to the right and saw the large rock outcrop that marks the end of one of the area's trailing ridges. This ridge holds the Lower Cairn Trail. Many of the higher cairns have been either knocked over by other hikers or destroyed by the storm so the junction is obscure again. We found the trail and started down noting that many of the cairns lower down are still more or less intact. Maybe the cairns will return. They are not only informative but also entertaining! Some real artwork! The trail culminates by crossing a deep gulley and continuing to an old road circle after it passes the bottom of the Upper Cairn Trail junction.

Mike eating again on East Windy Peak

View back toward SR 160 E

Actual Windy Peak (R)

Windy Peak Trail Descent

The trail crosses the old road circle and continues down along the gulley to the left. At an obstructed fork, we veered left and crossed the gulley again. Now, on another old road, we turned to the right and followed the road down and up to junction with a shortcut trail. This shortcut trail turns to the right and sports a nice new cairn (at least, for the time being!). It travels over to connect with the beginning hill of Heartbreak Hill. We hiked into the parking lot and found several other cars parked. It was a good location for a hike today ... even though it is August! We enjoyed our little excursion.

5 miles; 1500' gain; 3.5ish hours

The Cairn Tree on Lower Cairn Trail

Heading Home

Amazing cloud Scenery

The maps below reflect a climb up the Burnt Ridge which runs parallel to Heartbreak Hill to the west. The described hike above ascended via Heartbreak Hill passing by the relay tower.