The Muffins / Skull Canyon Loop - 11/18/24

AtBF taking the trail out to the Muffins (above R)

Trail above Skull Canyon

Colorful horses in the Corral

Desert approach to the Muffins Trail

Eleven club hikers came out for a nice 5 mile loop hike from the Cowboy Trails Trailhead. It was a chilly morning but was soon to be good cool hiking weather. We hiked past the horse corral noticing that there were a lot of colorful horses and mules this year waiting to be ridden. We took the trail that headed straight over the desert to the Blue Diamond Hill ridge that held "The Muffins." These are large rock outcrops made from conglomerate that sit "stacked" on the end of the northernmost ridge. The 1.5 mile hike up to the rocks is a popular hike among many locals, as well. The desert trail took us over to the mouth of Skull Canyon and started up the hill. Soon, we took a turn left to continue.

Doug climbs the Muffins Trail

Sunrise on Calico Basin as seen from Trail

The Muffins sit atop Blue Diamond Hill

Sue and Susan reach the Muffins

The Muffins Trail starts climbing at this point with intermittent straight flat sections. It also traverses the contours of the ridge cliffs to the right. The group stayed mostly together but a few hikers separated to get the hike they came for. Near the top, the trail reaches the end of the ridge and balances the ridge the rest of the way to the Muffins. As we reached the Muffins Overlook, we took our rest and waited for everyone to do the same. Before too long, we started hiking further up along the ridge. On this hike, we took a trail to the right. This trail circled around the high point of the ridge and ended at a saddle. Instead of turning left and hiking up to the Old Las Vegas Overlook as seen on the maps below, we turned right and hiked down to the top of Skull Canyon for our break.

Red Cactus Barrels sit among the Muffins

Doug admires the Muffins and the surrounding Views

Kay admires the Las Vegas View (albeit hazy)

Red Rock Campground below the Muffins

The trail down Skull Canyon is pretty but it is very slippery at times. Hikers have to be careful on the short descents. Sometimes, hikers choose to scramble down the wash in the center of the canyon just to avoid some of the more precarious sections. On this hike, we stayed on the trail and went as slow as necessary. It appeared everyone was just fine with that choice. John W. was a very patient leader and took care that everyone stayed safe.

Wilson and Rainbow Peaks from the Muffins

Continuing the Muffins Trail around to a saddle above Skull Canyon

Diving into Skull Canyon

Skull Canyon Trail upper Portion

At the bottom of the canyon, the walls grew tall and the wash grew deep. The trail circled around the side. We passed the junction with the Muffins Trail and continued down a couple of switchbacks. Finally, we were on the desert trail again. Passing the horses, we returned to the cars. Very nice hike.

Stats: 5 miles; 1200' gain; 3.5 hours

Sponge fossils in limestone of Skull Canyon Wash

Skull Canyon Trail along Skull Canyon Wash

Returning to the Muffins Trail Junction

Inscription Rock (& nearby ruins) - 11/16/24

Inscription Rock

Ruins behind Oliver Ranch

Bedrock Spring

Susan leads us out toward Oliver Ranch

Five club members parked at the Wheeler Camp Spring Trailhead and headed out for a partial exploratory. After having done a similar hike last year, we learned more about the area and were ready to bring the hike together to form an interesting 6.5 mile partial loop hike. We began by hiking through the open fence in the back of the parking lot and past the end of the bird sanctuary. The trees were a lovely autumn yellow in the springs wash. Essentially, we turned to the right just past the wash and followed the trail and shallow wash toward the old Oliver Ranch. Meeting the next wash full of trees, we turned to the left. Before we reached the end of the fence to our right, we turned right and entered through a space in the fence.

Foliage growth around Ruins

Visiting the Ruins

Sue exits the Ruins

Gorgeous Skies

The route loops to the right into a large grove of trees. The Mormon Green Spring is located in this area. In the midst of the grove, is a set of house ruins as seen in the photos of this entry. It was exciting to see something so historic like this. After taking a few photos, we exited the grove back in the direction of one of the large washes and continued. We crossed the wash twice and came to a large junkyard on the embankment. So much junk! But, also, so much history. We lingered for a few photos and speculations then continued by crossing the wash to join a worn trail on the south side. The trail paralleled the wash and soon we came to a familiar bedrock area of the wash. There is a spring here, also. We named the spring, Bedrock Spring.

Wide rocky wash next to Worn Trail

Old car in junkyard next to Wash

Fencing wire and alcohol bottles in Junkyard

Hare with a growth on its Shoulder

Returning to the worn trail, we continued in the direction of the Sandstone Bluffs. There was one more stop in the wash as we neared another large grouping of autumn-colored trees. We climbed down into the rocks and found Point Spring, another small spring that nonetheless produces water for the wildlife of Cottonwood Valley. Once again, we returned to the worn trail that, now, led us up the hill to the left. We could see the Inscription Rock Hill to the west. Compared to the surrounding terrain, it was clearly a "hill." We followed the worn trails to the base of the hill and started a small climb. On the top of the hill to the right of the trail, we found the inscribed rock as we walked right by it.

Heading into the Point Spring Area

A lot of color this Morning

Nearing Point Spring

More Color

We sat for our break and looked around. The sky was beautiful. We saw the Calico Hills to the north. South Cottonwood Valley and East Monument Peak to the south. The Sandstone Bluffs rose to the west showing us the canyons between Wilson Peak and Indecision Peak. To the east, we had already lost sight of the fencing behind Oliver Ranch and the Landmine Loop bike trail. We didn't sit long before we were ready to begin our return. By finding the worn trail from where we came, we were able to return at a fast pace. It was easy to follow the trail past Bedrock Spring. Then, we set our sights on the fence and the bicycles on the Landmine Loop. The trails were many! Finally, we were hiking along the fence away from the rush of the bicycles.

Point Spring

Inscription Rock Hill

Visiting Inscription Rock

Escarpment beyond Inscription Rock Hill

At the end of the fence, we turned left. Next, we veered to the right to follow a different trail that cut off the corner of the hill we were hiking around. When we saw the cars, we used the trail and a bushwhack to head straight to the trailhead. Good new hike!

Stats: 6.5 miles; 650' gain; 3.5 hours

View toward La Madre Range

Wash embankment at Crossing

Returning on trail between fence and Landmine Loop bike Trail

Indecision Peak (East Ascent) - 11/12/24

At the Summit

Approach from First Creek Trail

Up the Rockslide

Scramble Transition

              Bruno in the Rabbit Hole

Indecision Peak rises to the south of Wilson Peak in the Sandstone Bluffs, aka the Red Rock Escarpment. It is a fun hike / scramble to get to it from the west side. But, the east side is a little more "fun" and challenging. Jerry and Cheryl brought a group of hikers who were ready for the challenge on the seldom done route that begins from the First Creek Trail going to the left. It looks like they had a lot of fun! The photos are from Jerry, Cheryl, Ralph, Bruno and Brian. The narrative is from Jerry and Cheryl. Thanks!

Seven hikers met at the First Creek trailhead for a strenuous day of hiking. According to weather forecasts the temperature was supposed to be cool with little wind. Well, as is typical only half the forecast was correct. It was cool but very windy. So, we bundled up and started hiking west towards the escarpment along the familiar First Creek Canyon trail. At the first juniper tree on the left side of the trail we started hiking off trail following some cairns through a small boulder field and up onto an ascending ridge. The ridge got steeper and steeper as we hiked until we reached a cliff band. Here some hikers left their poles and we started scrambling up a well cairned route through the cliff band and brush.

Down then Up

Sandstone Climb

Hmm

Reaching Indecision Peak

Starting Down

We emerged from the rocky cliff band onto a slope where there was a distinct social trail which we followed up to a slot and then onto a sort of knife edge between a large gully and the east face of the mountain.  We continued up and started scrambling up to the northwest towards the first of two ledges.  The first ledge is quite wide with an interesting rabbit hole.  Then we continued up another gully to the second ledge which was quite narrow.  Everyone made it across the ledge down into the last gully leading up to the summit.  We signed the register and quickly descended to the saddle just below the summit where we had out snack break.  We descended without incident.  

~Jerry and Cheryl Thomas

Stats: 5.5 miles, 2800 ft elevation gain, 7 hours.

Down through the Mini-Slot

Ralyn Rescue

Down the sandstone Slab

Continuing Down!