Nuclear Loop - 6/26/25

View of the Sisters Ridge from Champion Ridge

View of Mummy's Nose from Champion Ridge

Desert View Overlook sans informational Signs

Starting down the first Wash

The Nuclear Loop is another hike of mine that seems to have caught on. Sure, there have been many hikers that explore the area. You can find old trails just about anywhere! However, there are a smidgeon of new trails, too. The Lady Hikers parked at the Desert View Overlook parking lot and started down the cement walkway. As we had been warned, there are no informational signs right now. They were in bad shape from being faded from the harsh sun. I am assuming that they will be replaced. At the end of the walkway, we dipped down behind the signs on a worn trail. (A new trail has appeared going around the signs to the same place.) We decided to follow the new trail down into the wash. This isn't the best way to descend. If you continue down the top of the ridge behind the signs a little further and then drop down to the left, you find yourself in the wash at the bottom at a better spot.

Some parts of the wash have become a trench.

Recent mountain lion Kills

Airplane parts in first Wash

Susan photographs the large Dryfall

The next wash descent is around a mile. We used the side trail on the right for some of the descent since it is much easier to negotiate. We found a deer head and some feet from somebody! We passed the airplane parts that someone has uncovered from the dirt. Then we came to the large dryfall. This is always impressive! We climbed around to the left and dropped into the wash below, took a lot of photos and continued down the wash where the waterway began to spread out like a dry delta. At about 1.5 miles into the hike, we found the survey marker that was painted red and now appears half red and half worn off red on the left of the wash. This is an important landmark because it is where hikers should turn left and bushwhack up the steep hill to arrive at the bottom end of Champion Ridge. The ridge is covered with conglomerate rock here and you are obliged to climb along the top of this rock with a little scrambling to continue your hike.

Around and down by the large Dryfall

View of large dryfall from the Bottom

Kay shows where to go at the Baton Rouge (survey marker)

Climbing along the lower part of Champion Ridge

As you climb the ridge, Mummy's Nose leads the way. Soon, the cliffs on the right make the ground drop away. Below is the Champion Road primitive campground. Be careful around the cliff edge but it is a great view! The Sisters Ridge can be seen across and up canyon. You can also see Lee Canyon Road and the beginning of Macks Canyon Road. We stayed atop the ridge and over at the cliff side for most of the long hike up. Finally, we came upon the old large campsite. I can only imagine that this campsite was built by the loggers that ran the pulley system between the bottom of the cliffs to the top of the cliffs. This timber was used to build the resort cabins at Deer Creek. My, how the world has changed! 

Group photo on Champion Ridge

View of Mummy's Head from Champion Ridge Cliff

Large Campsite at top end of Ridge

Down canyon view from break Spot

After a break here, we hiked down to Deer Creek Road to cross and continue on the Old Deer Creek Road located just above the new one. For the next 1.5 miles, we climbed the old dirt road. We passed an old staircase to ... I don't know. (Gonna find out someday!) We passed an old Plymouth car. We made the short climb up Rocky Peak speaking to the guys that were camped on the trail there. (We also met their sweet dog named Grace.) And, eventually, we crossed the road right at the Orange Trail Trailhead. All that remained was a descent on the Orange Trail (left side of the loop) for approximately half of a mile. Then, a very steep climb up the hill to the left where we ended up at the cement path with no info signs!

Starting up Old Deer Creek Road

Old stairs to unknown Trail

Old Plymouth just off the old Road

Wide view from Rocky Peak

There are usually visitors that are roaming around on the cement path that we pass on the way up to the car. This hike was no different. Still coolish in the lower elevations during the morning hours. This is a challenging hike due to extreme ascents. Maybe next time we should try doing it in reverse!

Stats: 5 miles; 1200' gain; 4.5 hours

Starting down the Orange Trail (wash side)

Orange Trail below Desert View Overlook

Last steep climb back to Desert View Overlook