Sandstone Valley - 1/29/25

Sandstone Valley

View from Domingo Trail of Blue Diamond Hill Escarpment

Domingo Trail

Twisted Metal Mine from Sandstone Valley Trail

Three of us went out to begin to develop a hike in the Twisted Metal Mine area on a beautiful day that began a little nippy. There was another sandstone area at the base of the Blue Diamond Hill escarpment further up to the north from the mine. Curious to see what that was like, we mapped out a route using the bike trails and old roads we saw online. Starting from the Twisted Metal Mine Trailhead located halfway between the junction of SR 159 & SR 160 on SR 159. We hiked straight out through the fence until we found a good place to cross the wash to our right. Joining the Domingo bike trail, we followed its fun windy route, took the left fork and crossed two main dirt roads (where sometimes the trail continued off the road a little further out), and at last, turned to the right and left to stay on a bike trail. We came to one more small dirt road where we turned left and found the continuation of the trail on the right about 1/10th of a mile to the west. This last bend to the right kept us on the trail that began climbing gently uphill. The trail wiggled left and right with six switchbacks.

Approach to Sandstone Valley

Sandstone Valley Trail

Approach to Edge

Off trail Cairn Overlook

We cut out the switchbacks by heading uphill on the easy slope. After the last cut up, we crossed a big wash to the other side and continued on the trail. This is where we were leaving the route to the Twisted Metal Mine and joining what we would call the Sandstone Valley Trail. We climbed across the alluvial fan and came to another huge area of sandstone outcrop. The trail came to an edge of the cliff over the wash below and turned right. We turned left to explore the terrain. Not finding an easy way to cross the sandstone to the other side of the big wash below, we climbed up to a large cairn that was built a little above. We noted that there was a land formation on the other side of the "valley" that reminded us of a very small Turtlehead Peak. A promise was made among us to go home, regroup, and figure out how to get to the top of the Baby Turtlehead without hiking a million miles! (I think I might have it. Stay tuned!) We returned to the trail and continued on our alternate plan following the trail as it wound its way down the ridge next to the alluvial fan cliff edge. We finally came to a junction on a small saddle. To the right, someone had accomplished his task and placed a marker on the trail to the right. The sign read, "The marker." Perfect!

Baby Turtlehead at Sandstone Valley

Sue at Sandstone Valley

Las Vegas from Sandstone Valley Trail on Descent

View back at Sandstone Valley

Also, here at the junction, we found two folding chairs. Hmmm. Susan decided to take a short break here on one of the chairs! We turned right toward The Marker and followed the trail to another old road. We took a peek to the left for a look-see then turned right to follow the road for a half mile. At that point, the road turned into a very vague two track road. Continuing straight, we went another 0.6 miles. Nearing a larger dirt road that appears to still be in use, we crossed the road and climbed up and over a small ridge hill. At the top of the hill, we could see the trailhead. Completing the short bushwhack, we dropped down into a wash, walked down for just a little and climbed out to the right. Here, we joined another old road still heading back to the cars.

City view from Descent

Susan takes a break at Two Chairs Junction

Interesting Stuff

A look down a shallow Wash

The road made a turn to the right and we turned to the left in the next wash. Again using the wash as a trail, we eventually had to climb out and bushwhack some more. All the while, we were more or less going straight back to the cars. As I said, there are a lot of trails, unused roads and, apparently, roads that are still in use. We had a beautiful and fun day of exploring.

Stats: 6 miles; 900' gain; 3.5 hours

Pile of debris next to the vague 2 track Road

Our cars (right of center in distance) from bushwhack over the Hill

Passing a load of old Bricks