Lone Palm Loop - 1/20/24

Colorado River at Lone Palm Hot Springs

Nevada Monolith at O'Callaghan/Tillman Bridge Overlook

Large Pourover on return portion of Loop

Old asphalt road Continuation

We had eleven hikers on a loop that passes through the Lone Palm hot springs on a cool and overcast day on the Colorado River in Black Canyon. We met at the Kingman Wash Exit Trailhead on the south side of Highway 93 only 2 miles across the border into Arizona. Stepping onto the trail, we turned to the left and dropped down past the square culvert and into the first canyon wash that runs east to west. Turning right, and very soon, the old road climbs up the bank on the left and drops again into a second canyon wash that runs east to west. We turned right again and followed the wash down to a wide area where the wash continues down to the left and the road (or what's left of it) climbs up to an area above veering right. 

Drop in the Wash

O'Callaghan / Tillman Bridge and Colorado River at Overlook

Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs across from Overlook

Climbing out of the Wash

At the top of the hill, there is an overlook loop where we could see the O'Callaghan / Tillman Bridge (aka the Hoover Dam Bridge). Also in this area, there is some old rusted equipment used while making the dam back in the 1930's. We returned from the overlook loop and dropped into the wash again. Although it is possible to continue down the wash, there is a large dryfall that must be attended to a little further down. We chose the trail that leads to the left across from the road we just left. Back in the wash, we turned left to go to the apex of a curve and turned left again. Again, we chose the trail instead of our old route from the early 2000's that just went straight up the hill. The trail took us up on the left side of the hill. At the top, we turned left and followed the route up, down, up, and down through a fun little chute. We helped each other with the descent. As you can see, the route down to Lone Palm is not very straight forward! There are many twists and turns. It is suggested to learn the route from someone who knows it lest you wander around the trails and canyons all day!

The Chute

Following Mike and the Trail

Following Mike and the Trail

Lone Palm canyon Hot Springs

Next, the route led down and up and over a hill to a pinnacle area and finally down into the hot springs wash where a smattering of water flows down to the river. Our route turned right and after about 30 feet, turned left to climb the hill up to the trail that leads down to the river overlook. There are palms (plural) on the shoreline of this area. Some hikers climbed over the wall and went on out to the outcrop peninsula and a few of us stayed on the rock before the scramble to enjoy our break and the view. Coots entertained us as they came skipping onto the water in small groups.

After the break, we climbed back up and continued on the loop trail. This part of the loop is full of scrambling as we met each boulder obstacle with mostly learned choreography. The group kept up for the most part but once in a while we had to wait to regather. As the wash flattened out, we hiked past the Eye of the Needle. This is a painted "eye" high up on a pointed rock outcrop on the south side of the wash. This "sign" has been there for many years. It indicates where the loop route turns to the left to begin the climb back up to the trailhead level.

Arriving at the scramble over to the Peninsula

At Break on the Peninsula

Following the Trail up the Wash

Looking over the first large Pourover

Since the time we used this route often, we have changed to a different route just to change it up a little. We didn't turn left but kept going straight up the wash. By committing to the new route, we get to be amazed again and again at the force of nature. There are four very large pourovers along the wash. Each one requires hikers to climb up and around to the right. The pourovers are quite formidable. After the last up and around, we made our way up to a yellow colored berm, or ridge that took us up all the way to the old trail above. The trail took us the rest of the way up to the highway level where we began our last section of the hike. 

Dave takes in another large Pourover

Approach to another large Pourover

Arriving at the base of the last large Pourover

View down from last large Pourover

Following the wash that leads east to west and bits and pieces of a trail, we finally reached a complicated junction to the first drop into the canyon at the beginning of the hike. If you stay on the trail as some of our hikers did, there is a scramble for long legs. The rest of the hikers went up and over on the right side of the junction. Then, we were all ready to climb that last hill up past the culvert and to the cars. Everyone enjoyed this tried and true hike that has survived over the ... well, likely since the dam was built. Fun day!

Stats: 6 miles; 1350' gain; 4.25 hours

Climb up ridge to road level

Modern Petroglyphs

Climb back up to the Cars