Lee Canyon Narrows (Bottom Up) - 8/25/25

Kay and Sue peer into the Lee Canyon Narrows

Susan checks out the climb up to the top of the Narrows (Nope!)

One of the large cairns at a wash Crossing

Sunrise view of Mummy's Nose at beginning of Hike

Rain was predicted at noon in the lower elevations of Lee Canyon and the temps were quite pleasant down there for a change. The Lady Hikers were able to sneak in a short 4.5 mile hike starting at the Blue Tree Loop Trailhead located at 6600' on Lee Canyon Road. I used to call this the Old Lee Canyon Trailhead, mostly because it is located on a section of the old Lee Canyon Road that curves out from the new one for a very short distance. Recently, a new sign has been placed there naming this trail, the Blue Tree Loop. This is a route I named in the past as the Lee Canyon / Sawmill Wiggles Loop. For info on this route, search for this name on the blog. However, in the future, I'll use the new name.

Passing large tree, arriving at bottom of Lee Canyon

A sunny Spot

Beautifully maintained Trail

Hiking along interesting Cliffs

There is ample parking at the trailhead and just a couple of days ago, I noticed that there were several cars parked here. After this hike, I am wondering if these cars belonged to people who were maintaining the Lee Canyon Trail below. Our hike was extremely pleasant due to a recent maintenance of the trail. It was beautiful! In recent years, this trail was difficult to follow. There are several wash crossings that were often obliterated by rainstorms. It's not like you will get lost! You just either go up canyon or down canyon. Your choice! But, it is always very nice to have a trail and, right now, the hike up or down Lee Canyon is the best it has ever been! We dropped into the canyon on the long descent and found a signed intersection where we turned to the right.

Trail at base of Cliffs

So, Susan, what's the password?

Entering the Lee Canyon Narrows (note the high gravel level)

But, the low gravel level under Obstacle Rock

The trail to the left, climbs over the ridge and leads over to the catch pen and lower parts of Deer Creek Canyon. Right at the intersection, there are two of the very old "Deer Creek Loop" signs that have migrated here and there over the past few years. We started the gradual climb up the wide canyon. There are huge cairns built on either side of most of the wash crossings. The trail is built on the side of the canyon furtherest from the Lee Canyon Road above. We hiked over to the road side once during the morning to see that the main wash is wide and deep. Different than in years past. Following the trail, we hiked past a wall filled with holes and layers. Interesting look! How many animals and birds live in those holes? I guess the walls are indicative of what Lee Canyon went through over the eons. It wasn't until we were reaching the vicinity of the Lee Canyon Narrows that the trail became more messy. No matter. The trail was clearly directional. Then we came to a familiar section where the trail is crossing the wash(es) and ends at the bottom of a hill that heads diagonally up to the left. This was our landmark to backtrack a tad and go straight up the gravel wash. There are a few cairns about but, a simple trek up wash will lead you to the entrance of the narrows.

Very low gravel level at the top end of the Narrows

Axle (?) under rock in photo Above

View back under Obstacle Rock (no more duck walking)

Lady Hikers in Lee Canyon Narrows

The narrows are also in very good condition. Cleaned out and new "flooring." For those of you have visited the narrows, I will note that the shelf alcove inside the walls, is no longer a shelf. Gravel has been washed down and the shelf is now level with the floor. Also, of note, the floor below obstacle rock is lower! We didn't have to bend at all to pass through to the upper end. Next, there is a 3' to 4' shelf before you get to the much higher obstacle to the top. I don't recall the large stair-stepping decor before Hilary hit. The only enigma is, why is the floor lower under obstacle rock and higher at the alcove shelf? Hmm. I'm so confused! Isn't nature wonderful? We explored. We took our photo. We stepped out of the narrows for our snack break. Then, we started back down the wash to meet the trail that crossed perpendicularly. A right turn started us back toward the car.

Sue says, "What did I bring for lunch?"

Interesting cliffs along Trail

Very nice Trail

Following trail along lower portion of Hike

The trail was just as easy to follow downhill as it was uphill. Although we didn't see any burros or wild horses, we did see some evidence. We also saw a few deer (elk) prints. This may be a thoroughfare for animals heading to the springs of Deer Creek Canyon. We were back in our car before any cloud buildup above us. It was a very pleasant and easy hike.

Stats: 4.5 miles; 700' gain; 3 hours

A wash Crossing

Nice Joshua Tree near Trailhead

Susan smile during the challenging climb Out