Traction Benchmark Overlook - 9/19/25

Sunrise in the Desert

Traction Benchmark from the Trail

Peaks on the Spring Mountain Divide

Do you see the irony?

Three days after our Deer Creek Canyon excursion, we parked at the same trailhead (Fleabane Road & Lee Canyon Road) and hiked in the opposite direction. First, the Wanderers started up Fleabane Road to junction with the trail but we were sidetracked by an interesting pile of dirt up to our right. We climbed up and saw that it was probably an old mine that has now been filled in with dirt and rocks. We continued up the hill to the ridge passing a fat arch with a neighboring pack rat nest. The top of the ridge led us down toward the trail that we were going to in the first place. We turned right on the trail and hiked over to the Fleabane Road spur where the road ends on a ridge.

Views from ridge Excursion

Starting out the main burro trail toward Cold Creek

Crossing the Fleabane Road Terminus

An old shooting Target

The next section of the trail has several old target structures. This was a target shooting area back in the day and we surmised that it still is as we found some evidence of such. The trail continued across the ridges and arroyos of the desert terrain. We missed seeing any burros. I guess they had already passed through for the day. The trail was easily followed. I had hiked this trail once before at a time we discovered a large burro skeleton. Ironically, on this hike, we discovered an elk skeleton in the exact same location! A little further and we came to the last ridge before the trail dropped down to circle around this side of Traction Benchmark. This small peak is 6496' in elevation. The overlook where we sat is around 5800'.

Traction Benchmark from desert Crossing

Female elk Remains

Mummy Mountain from desert Crossing

Spring Mountains Divide with threatening Clouds

In the distance, rain clouds were brewing over the higher elevations. Over our heads, we didn't feel threatened. But, before we could get back to the car, we felt several sprinkles. We turned back after our break at the overlook. Finding the return trail was somewhat of an issue. Between two GPSs, we finally found it and were on our way. The trail is good all the way over but it is small. Nothing stands out between all the blackbrush to say, "Hello! I'm the trail! I'm over here!" So, it is best to have your GPS working. We passed the skeleton and went over a few arroyos and up a wash or two. Finally, we saw two white burros. Last time I was here (4-5 yrs ago), we saw the big white burro acting like he owned the place. Now he has a lady friend!

Club Cholla

Joshua Tree frames Mummy Mountain

Resident white Burro (or a Bad-Ass)

Tall, dark and Handsome

Just before we reached the Fleabane Road spur, we started looking for something we had seen from the road earlier. There it was! Red and white and torn up all over! We bushwhacked over to the large piece of junk. Yep. It was Santa Claus. Someone had used poor Santa for target practice then left him there like a piece of garbage. We hiked on up the hill to the road spur and crossed onto the trail. Over to the saddle and down to Fleabane Road, we went. At the junction, we turned left and we had about half a mile to go on the old dirt road to our car. Our pace was pretty good when we were crossing the desert but we took our time studying interesting things along the way. The desert is absolutely beautiful in the morning sun! And, the sky is absolutely beautiful when the rain clouds are about.

 

Stats: 6 miles; 1125' gain; 4.75 hours

A dead Santa

Returning from trail to Fleabane Road Trailhead

Okay Susan, just one more shot!!