Lunar Loop - 5/24/25

Three Lady Hikers at the Inner Wash Junction

Kay and Sue hiking down the Inner Wash

Interesting Stuff

Inner Wash

Susan R. took all of these photos for this blog entry! Thanks Susan. Great job! 

  So, if you're looking for a 6ish mile hike in the desert, this is an nice one that does not require driving too far up the mountain to get to it. It does, however, need coolish weather for a spring day.... Either that or leave early and enjoy the morning fresh air like we did. Twilight Trailhead is approximately 9 miles up Kyle Canyon Road from SR 95 on the right side of the road in a very large dirt parking lot. We started out the same way we did for the Grapevine Springs hike. Into the wash and up to find the trail that runs along the cliff next to Kyle Canyon Road. Eventually, we crossed Lucky Strike Road. At 1.6 miles into the hike, there is a vague trail that crosses the desert terrain to the right. In a short distance, we crossed Lucky Strike Road again and found an old dirt 2-track road heading north-ish. We followed this road for about 1/2 mile until we junctioned with the main trail, Twilight Zone, and turned right. Down and up 2 or 3 arroyos, we hiked down one more time to come to the Inner Wash. Inner Wash can be recognized by the conglomerate overhangs on the left side of the wash near the junction.

Inner Wash

Main Kyle Canyon Wash at Inner Wash Junction

Corner on Hilltop Loop

Saddle on Hilltop Loop (La Madre Peak beyond)

It was obvious that this wash is frequented by burros! We followed the burros to the end of the wash 0.8 mile later. Here, we junctioned with the main Kyle Canyon gravel wash where we took our break. Next, we chose to grab another burro trail across the wash to hike down to the Hilltop Loop junction. The loop is a nice trail that took us up into the nearby hills to a saddle and up to traverse around the highest hill. Nice views. The trail brought us around and back down to the trailhead that we saw on our approach. Nice desert hike. Pleasant morning. 

Stats: 5.8 miles; 850' gain; 3.25 hours

Two unpleasant things: 1) There were two motorbikes that passed us. They were not even staying on trail. 

2) When we reached the main Kyle Canyon junction from the Inner Wash, we began hearing gunshots that sounded much closer than the shooting range that we knew about across SR 157. As we got up from our break, we actually heard a bullet whiz by. It could have ricocheted off the limestone walls we were near. THAT WAS SCARY! Luckily, we are all okay. Seriously folks, "Are you CRAZY?"

Climbing up to traverse Around

Interesting Fossil

Memorial near Trailhead

Harris Springs Canyon Slots & Ridge Loop - 5/22/25

Entrance to first Slot

Starting up Waterslide Wash

Beautiful tree on the exit Plateau

Sun rising in the slot Area

In college, someone once told me that my first draft is never the best that I have to give. (I studied architecture.) Over the many years since, I have remembered and followed that rule. It was very useful in my career as a ballet dancer / teacher / choreographer. (No, I never became an architect.) However, perhaps, this background has helped me in this "career" as a Las Vegas hiker / hike leader / hike developer. I truly enjoy developing hikes that entertain as well as keep you in condition. The hike in this entry was developed over the course of three explorations and this last track is probably my favorite. So, on a coolish day, pick up your pack and figure this one out. If you recognize a burro trail when you see it, you shouldn't have any problem.

   The Lady Hikers parked at the Harris Slots Trailhead at the base of Harris Springs Road. This is a large parking lot ~13 miles up Kyle Canyon Road from SR 95 on the left. Southwest of the trailhead, is where the slot canyon is located. We stepped up on the raised trail leading out from our car, hiked to the trail sign that says the trail ends there and dropped down to the left. Connecting with the gravel wash, we turned right and hiked up to the slot canyons.

Entering the first Slot

Entrance to the second Slot

Sliver of light through the second Slot

Kay admiring the huge Slot

We hiked through the first slot, through a large open area where it appears that people have camped, then entered the second slot. This slot is more "spooky" (as Sue described it). Darker, longer, and more architectural. Out the other end and facing upwash, we headed in an eleven o'clock direction to the left of the wash. In the distance, there is a canyon opening. Taking advantage of a vague trail through the brush, we headed to this opening and came to the bottom of a beautiful huge waterslide area. The waterslide is made by a rock layer collapse to a slant. We scrambled up to stand on the slanted rock and climbed to the top. This brought us to the bottom end of the Waterslide Wash. Last time we were here, the wash seemed a bit more brushy. This time, we didn't have any trouble staying within the wash as we ascended except for one messy dryfall area. There is an up and around trail for this. As we hiked up the wash, we heard braying in the distance. There, up on the hill on the left side, we saw a lone burro foraging his way up. So, who was he talking to? Later, we saw who. Another burro was on the bank on the right side of the wash. Both burros were far away from us so we were free to gawk at the semi-native creatures.

Starting up the Waterslide Wash

Hiking / Scrambling up Waterslide Wash

Waterslide Wash was touched by the Carpenter One Fire of 2013

Lady Hikers having a fun Time

Finally, a trail appeared on the right side that climbed up the hill to a plateau above. On the plateau, we had to look around a little before we found the burro trail that led across to the descent trail into the very large Harris Springs Canyon wash. Sure enough, we came to the descent trail and it was in good condition. Because it is used by the burros, the trail was very rocky. But, we were careful and made our way down slowly. From this trail we took a good look at the high bank on the other side of the canyon. I was concerned that the ascent trail we last used might be washed off the side of the embankment! From this perspective, we were able to chart our course. It was a different route but one that appeared more solid.

A burro seen foraging on the Hillside

Crossing the plateau to the Harris Springs Canyon Descent

The worn burro trail starting down into the Canyon

Burro trail descending and ascending the Canyon

As you can see in the photo to the left, steepness is involved. But, most of the time, you can count on the burros having it all figured out. We followed their trail down and across the canyon. Then, right up the other side, we found the trail up. The burros gave us a choice to go right or left after the initial climb. We chose right and ended up in the next wash. This wash ran just below an overlook where I had been on previous explorations. We climbed up the wash a little ways and found a trail that switchbacked up to the left. On the overlook road, we took photos and rested. We turned to go up the road to where there are several back roads making a network on top of the ridge running between Harris Canyon and Kyle Canyon. I call it Harris Canyon Ridge.

Overlook view after the canyon Ascent

Following old road on the Ridge

They're watching you!

Old road entering a wooded part of the Ridge

At our first chance, we turned left to continue climbing the top end of the ridge. Passing a group of three burros, we soon entered the only forest up there that the fire of 2013 left standing. Immediately following the forest, we turned left and found a trail that runs along the cliff. As we neared the main ridge road (Erce Rd.), we decided to bushwhack over to it. After a break, we started our straight route back down the ridge on Erce Rd. This led us to a road to the left. Another new part of the hike starts here. We dropped down this road just thirty feet and turned right onto a burro trail. This burro trail took us down to the next flat level of the ridge. The burro trail took us all the way to the end of a point on the ridge. And, ... down the point end, we went.

Prickly Poppy, Rodent skeleton, Artifacts, Skull (dog or cow?)

View from rim Trail

Erce Road Return

Burro trail starting down the exit Plateau

It was a burro trail! No bushwhacking! Wonderful! We loved it as it took us all the way down to the parking lot level. Next, we found our way to the flat raised trail and all the way back to the car. Fantastic! What a ride!

Stats: 6.2 miles; 1000' gain; 4.25 hours

Burro trails range from clear dusty / rocky trails to vague dusty trails that clearly have hoof prints. At some places in the Spring Mountains, these trails can take you to water or just over the next ridge. We love our burros!

Burro trail nearing the point of the exit Plateau

Burro trail descending the point of the Plateau

Joining the raised track back to the Trailhead

Grapevine Springs Loop 2 (Kyle Canyon) - 5/20/25

Cliff above Grapevine Spring

Burro on his/her way to drink Water

Cliff Trail above SR 157

Sue and Susan on loop Trail

It had been years since the club visited Kyle Canyon's Grapevine Springs. The last time we saw the spring area, it was dry and ugly. However, on this hike, the grapevine was green and healthy and the spring cistern was full of clear water. We even had a single burro attest to the thirst quenching liquid. The Lady Hikers parked at the Twilight Trailhead 9 miles up Kyle Canyon Road on the right side and dove down the hill to the wash. Following the bike / horse trail through the wash and up the other side, we joined the Cliff Trail that continues straight along the cliff. (It probably has another name.) Anyway, we followed this trail and crossed the high clearance 4WD dirt road called Lucky Strike Road. 

Twilight Ridge (L) and Sheep Mountains (R)

Burro Bones

Loop Trail

Lucky Strike Road in Grapevine Canyon from Saddle

Staying on the trail, we looped around until we met up with the dirt road again. The trail glided through several arroyos and hundreds of joshua trees. We even passed a grouping of dry burro bones. Meeting the road, we continued up to a saddle. Sidling over to a trail on the right, we joined the Twilight Zone Trail. This trail took us down through the Grapevine Canyon staying parallel to the Lucky Strike Road. About halfway down the canyon, we looked up to the right and spotted an adolescent burro. Taking our photos, we realized that the young'un was trying to make their way down toward the spring but we were blocking their way. So, we continued down the trail not wasting anymore time and allowed the burro to make their decisions according to our location. Finally, we came to the "Twilight Zone" sign and continued straight down toward the road below. Crossing the road, we dropped into the wash that also had tire tracks and turned right.

Hi There!

Heading down to the spring Area

Descent to cistern area from Grapevine Dryfall

Descending to Spring

Shortly, we came to the Grapevine Spring area right at a dryfall cliff covered with lush green grapevines. There was no down climbing here! We turned to the right and made our way down the neighboring hill to find the corralled cistern. There were two ways to reach the cistern pooled water by the wildlife. We took a peek at both sides, well aware that the burro had followed us to a ridge above. They were waiting patiently enough for us to vacate the premises. We took our pics and forewent the break near the spring water and were careful not to touch (or contaminate) the cistern water. Afterwards, we returned to the nearby dirt road and peered up to the right to see the burro descend our trail and cross the road. They made their way around to the corralled spring water and began to take their fill of the necessary liquid. We could see the head just above the large bushes. Taking our leave, we found a burro trail to take us over the old old fence and up the hill to our trail and the Twilight Zone sign. There were so many trails that it was difficult to find the one we had come in on. Regardless, we started back up Grapevine Canyon while the burro drank and drank. When we were not too far up the trail, we suddenly heard a loud burro braying ruckus from a ridge above. 

Cistern from corral Side

Cistern from spring Side

Grapevine covering the springs Cliffs

Kay hikes up toward the Grapevine

Wow! It was a mother burro having a fit of terror for her baby as she ran down the ridge toward the road below. The adolescent burro returned the call and all was suddenly well! We skeedaddled up the trail! None of us wanted to get in the way of nature. A little further up, we found rocks to sit on for our break. Hiking up to the saddle, we stayed on the trail without crossing the Lucky Strike Road. This main trail, called the Twilight Zone, would take us straight back to the trailhead. During the desert walk, we crossed 3 or 4 other trails that ran perpendicular to ours but we stayed the course as we negotiated a few deep arroyos and finally passed the Inner Wash junction. Next, we dropped down into the main Kyle Canyon wash and followed the trail up to the trailhead. It was a wonderful morning with a breeze that kept us very comfortable. Fun. Fun. Fun.

Stats: 7 miles; 950' gain; 4 hours

Lucky Strike Road ascending past Grapevine Spring Area

Starting down Twilight Zone from the Saddle

Reaching the trailhead area on the Twilight Zone Trail