Wilson Tank Overlook Hike Loop - 1/16/25

Pipeline Valley from top of Bird Spring Range Escarpment

Wilson Tank from Above

La Madre Range from Wilson Tank Trailhead

Spring Mountains NRA sign at Cottonwood Pass

Four club hikers used a 4WD vehicle to drive 3 miles south of SR 160 on Cottonwood Valley Road. The road is in terrible shape. A higher clearance vehicle would have been nice. This section of Red Rock Canyon NCA would be a nice expansion of hiking trails and routes if the park would maintain this road better. It would undoubtedly take some of the strain off the colorful Scenic Loop section. At 3 miles in, we came to the southern boundary of Red Rock Canyon NCA and a northern boundary of the Spring Mountains NRA. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest also lays claim to this acreage. Just before we climbed the hill to Cottonwood Pass, we pulled off to the right side on a dirt road and parked. 

Hiking south along Cottonwood Valley Road

Thorn in Shoe - Mt. Potosi in Background

Descending to Saddle on the Bird Spring Escarpment

Descending canyon between escarpment Peaks

We started our 6 mile hike going up the hill on the road. After about a mile, we veered to the left and began a climb up to the top of the Bird Spring escarpment. The climb was gentle. On top of the chosen peak, we had a good view of the valley on the other side that was used to build a pipeline. Continuing along the escarpment was ruled out because of the cliffs on the next peak so we turned right to descend back toward the road in a swale-ish valley. Turning left on the trail near the road, we passed by the full skeleton of a wild horse that likely died of old age. Further up the valley, we veered left again and climbed up to a road circle where we could see Wilson Tank below. The trail down to the tank is also in sad shape and we opted to stay up top.

Here lies a wild horse (R.I.P.)

Las Vegas Strip from Bird Spring Escarpment

Wilson Tank next to Pipeline Road

Cottonwood Pass on approach from Trail

After viewing the tank that waters the wildlife in the area from a spring, we turned to continue that trail back down to the road where we crossed and began our hike back to the cars. The trail is a continuous gentle climb for 2.5 miles. Nearing the trailhead, we arrived on top of Cottonwood Pass and took the Broken Escalator Trail over the other side and down to the cars. We had a great walk in the quiet world of south Cottonwood Valley. The drive back on the road was quite exciting. I suppose the off-roaders really like it.

Stats: 6 miles; 1000' gain; 3 hours

 

Reaching Cottonwood Pass

Descending Broken Escalator Trail

Almost back to Wilson Tank Trailhead