Raintree / Mummy Springs Loop (with a little snow) - 5/11/26

Mummy Springs (right of center) before snow Crossing

Raintree Junction

Descending Deer Creek Ridge

Mummy's Nose from North Loop Trailhead

Sometimes, do you ever get a burr up your ass ... ahem ... rearend and just want to do something that everyone says you shouldn't do?  ... Like, hike alone. Normally, this isn't a problem in the Las Vegas area. But, my usual hiking buddies weren't up to the task of higher elevations, yet. However, I was pulling at the reins and decided to go up Deer Creek Road to the North Loop Trailhead for a delve into the elevations that I had not tasted, yet, this season. (Is that enough metaphors? Okay, I'll stop!) I had intended to only hike to Raintree if I was feeling up to it. So, up I went with only a couple of hikers on the trail so far. I took it slow and easy and felt very comfortable. My Lady Hikers and I had only done one hike in the elevations earlier this week on the South Loop de Loop.

North Loop Trail

North Loop Meadow

A North Loop Switchback

This photo is for Onyx. One of her friends.

I looked around to see things that I had not seen before since I'm usually either going too fast or talking. Yes, those are sometimes good things. But, today, for instance, I decided to take a short cut up the last switchbacks to the meadow. This is a shortcut that Guy showed me way way back. So, for only the second time ever, I took a small ridge up to the meadow. As I was away from the trail, a hiker passed me on the North Loop not too far away. When I reached the meadow, he asked me how far he had to go. I told him what I knew and he went ahead as we both tackled the switchbacks at our own speed. Just before reaching the High Point Corner, I met up with the first snow drift.

Snow near High Point Corner

Three peaks seen from North Loop Trail Ridge

A look up into Raintree

Mummy's Toe above Raintree

Further down the trail, I came to Raintree without much more snow. I sat and took a break then decided to continue down to Mummy Springs, the first small risk I had taken. Why? Well, you never know how much snow you will encounter on the trail. So, I came to a snow crossing about half way down to the springs. It wasn't difficult to cross it with others' post holes. But wait ... there's more! Just before I reached the springs area, there was another snow crossing. This one was longer and the post holes weren't as dependable. Phew! I got across that one, too, not really wanting to have to return that way! Shortly afterwards, there was snow most of the way across the bottom of the springs area. 

Snow river down a gulley from Mummy Springs Trail

Mummy Springs after snow Crossing

The treacherous snow crossing below Mummy Springs

Mummy's Toe from trail down Deer Creek Ridge

People had made snow steps but they were less dependable than even the previous crossing and the price for falling would have been more dangerous. My first reaction 😕 was to climb up the hill to my left out of the snow. Not a great decision. I got up about thirty feet to take some photos of the running spring water then ... had to resort to sitting for the descent back to the trail. I studied the snow and terrain for 5-10 minutes and finally decided I had to try crossing the snow just like others had. I'm just not great with snow! Well, I studied every step. There were not many useful footsteps in the snow. The terrain descended sharply on the right and ascended sharply on the left. And, ... there were a few small trees in the way bending into the trail with a small drop made by the slippery snow. A fine mess you got yourself into, Kay! Very slowly and very carefully, I made every step count as I negotiated the brush and snow-covered terrain. Luckily, the snow crossing was only about thirty feet. ... But, do you like the photos?? Anything for a photo, right? Well, I lived to tell the tale. I had already eyed the descent ridge on the other side and knew that it was in the sun and snow free. So, after recovering from the fright, I continued around to take the Deer Creek Trail junction, a right turn.

Descending Deer Creek Ridge

Deer Creek Trail

Dilapidated Fortress 

Deer Creek Trail junctioning with Cougar Ridged Trail

The Deer Creek Trail is very familiar to many of us and I slowly made my way down taking yet another break. At the bottom of the ridge, the steepness changed to an easy forest trail down by the running water. As I walked down Cougar Ridge Trail, a dirt road, I found the trail on the right that takes you up to the foot of Wild Horse Ridge and over to Wild Horse Canyon. Upon emerging onto Deer Creek Road, I found a few familiar trails to take me off of the side of the road and return to the North Loop Trailhead. I really enjoyed my day off the reservation! But, my recommendation is to always have a buddy!

Stats: 5.7 miles; 1770' gain; 4.5 hours

Cougar Ridge Trail

Trail leading to the base of Wild Horse Ridge

Bottom of Wild Horse Canyon