Little Falls Slip'n' Slide Loop - 7/17/25

Mt. Charleston Angelicas in Little Falls Canyon

Climbers' Trail at base of Cathedral Rock

Echo from High Point

Starting up Echo Trail

Well, the Lady Hikers met up accidentally at the Stepladder Trailhead and decided to hike together on what was supposed to be a simple hike up to Little Falls and Cathedral Rock. Simple, right? Not this time. We are like little puppies that are easily distracted by an obscure trail leading off into the brush! Let me explain!

    We parked at the Echo Trailhead and started up. So far, so good. It was nice to be together after a week and we talked a lot! We turned to the right at the Echo Trail / Little Falls Trail junction. We had not heard what the water flow was like at the falls so we anticipated nothing. This trail is an ascent that will wake you up on an early morning. Nearing the curve to the right, we noticed a questionable "trail" leading up the hillside to the left. Hmm. Deciding to check it out after we visited Little Falls, we continued up to find that the waterfall was flowing nicely. We took our photos noting that the scramble up to the base of the small waterfall was much easier than it ever was before. I don't know if this was maintenance by the park people or if the flood last year rearranged things for the better. That usually doesn't happen so I'm thinking it was "improved" by the park or wilderness people. Thanks!

Sue and Susan on Echo Trail

Entering Little Falls Wash

Little Falls top to Bottom

Group photo at Little Falls

At any rate, we had no problem climbing up through the small canyon without getting our feet wet. We took our photos and returned through the beautiful blooming Mt. Charleston angelicas. At this time, there was only one piece of graffiti on the wall. (Why ... just why?) BTW, I have photoshop if you haven't figured that out by now! We returned down the trail finding that "trail" leading up the hill. Susan and I decided to go up and just see where it appeared to go. Sue followed after we saw that the trail led up beside the base of Cathedral Rock. We knew it was probably a rock climbers' trail ... or ... maybe it led to the other side of the rock where it would connect with the old Cathedral Rock Trail. Hmm. We decided to explore.

Exiting canyon through Mt. Charleston Angelicas

We spied an unknown trail.

Climbing the unknown trail at the base of Cathedral Rock

It's a steep One

We found ourselves climbing up steep dirt and rock on a clear trail next to the rock wall of Cathedral Rock. Soon, we arrived at a rock climber's paradise! There were climbing apparatus in the walls leading up to the very high top above. At the bottom, there was plenty of room for a group to convene for a day's fun. But wait! There's more! The trail continued along the base undulating a bit. It got steeper and slipperier as we rounded a corner. In fact, we noticed that there were a few broken steps made with rebar and posts on one particularly steep section. What? Well, maybe this is, in fact, an old trail to the top of the rock! We began to have hope! Up, down, up and up, we went. Then, alas, after passing another climber's paradise, we came to the end of the dream. The trail cliffed out at the last corner. A cliff band circled around from the trails below to meet the last corner of the trail at the base of the rock. Disappointed, we turned around to return a bit hoping that we would find a trail down the steep hillside. (The things we get into!) We found a previously used route. It wasn't used much! But, it was a route that someone else had been able to use so we very very carefully started down. With the use of small switchbacks, we navigated the gulleys filled with scree, the abundant deadfall, brush and rotting wood ... and, of course, the cliff bands that we knew to be there. 

Break point on small climbers' Trail

Loose rock? No problem for Susan!

Another steep ascent at Cathedral Rock Base

Nearing the end of the trail at a Cliff

Close observation told us that there were ways to circumnavigate the small cliffs. Although the descent was tough and extremely slow, we managed to zigzag enough to only use the scree gulleys for a total of about thirty feet. Half of that was done on 5-points. (What can I say? It was very steep! ... and I told my husband I would be careful.) Very slowly, we made our way down the hill, magically not meeting any cliff bands. Also magically, with no one falling. Hey, it was a great day! We were having a ton of fun concentrating our brains away and working together. Finally, when the end was in sight, we stopped to rest on some large flat rocks for a break. After we started again, we followed a game trail diagonally down to the Echo Trail that passed laterally across the hill below us. Since we had already decided to forego the climb up to Cathedral Rock, we took a left turn and started back to the junction with Little Falls Trail. Yes, we didn't go very far but quality was in the 2.5 to 3 mile adventure. I have to tell you that my arms are still unbelievably sore from using my hiking sticks on the downhill! We turned to the right to continue the Echo Trail back to the trailhead and passed a group of three girls, the only other hikers we saw all morning.

Cliffing Out

The "down" Part

Avoiding cliff bands during bushwhack Down

We could see the bottom. So far away!

We had a ton of fun but we all said that we don't ever want to do the Slip 'n' Slide Loop again!!! I guess we'll save Cathedral Rock for another day. And, the Fletcher Peak hike that I thought I was doing when I left my home that morning! I wonder how sore Susan and Sue were after that. Maybe not at all. Their arms are stronger than mine!

Stats: 2.5 miles; 850' gain; 3 hours

Reaching the Echo Trail at the Bottom

Completing the Slip'n'Slide Loop

Cathedral Rock from Echo Trialhead