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| 2013 Northern View Along the Escarpment |
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| 2013 Southern View Along the Escarpment |
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| Starting the Climb up South Side of Baby Wilson |
Mount Wilson (aka Wilson Peak) is the highest of a string of peaks along the Red Rock Canyon NCA escarpment. It stands at around 7000 feet with a face that appears to be a shear cliff from a distance. Sitting on the "cliff face" at just over 6000 feet is a "pocket" of trees. Hikers have named this precarious green ledge Sherwood Forest. It has become an aloof destination for advanced hikers who don't mind the extreme exposure and using a couple of ropes to aid in the climbing.
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| Landmark Scramble up Baby Wilson Wash |
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| Zigzagging |
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| Somewhat of a Crux? Ahem ... Where are the helmets and harnesses, guys? |
When the hike was announced, it was described as a full body workout! These photos that Richard Natale took of the climb supported this claim. Thanks, Richard, for taking the time to photograph and share the hike with those of us that will probably never get to the pocket of trees on the cliff.
The GPS track for this hike was MIA. However, an old track image of the hike was sent and the effort was made to "draw" the track on Google Earth. It is assumed that if anyone wishes to repeat this hike, they are smart enough and strong enough to figure out the details.
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| Happy to be on Terra Firma Again |
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| Hope You all Stretched This Morning! |
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| Liking the Sandstone |
A narration of the hike is also MIA. Strong hikers, long day .... At any rate, the photos tell the story pretty well. It is clear that the hike began similarly to the Baby Wilson hike done in 2013. It is not entirely clear how the Baby Wilson climb transitioned to the Sherwood Forest climb. From there, the climb met obstacle after obstacle. Yet, Richard knew the way and things appeared to go along smoothly. He's been working on this route a long time.
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| Yes. I heard there were ropes! |
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| Up |
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| Then Down |
The last part of the route leads the hikers down then up then down onto a sandstone slab. Happy faces at Sherwood Forest said it all! A photo below shows all the hikers clinging to the side of the sandstone slab taking their break. The trees around this area seem to have suffered the consequences of their exposed situation. When the euphoric break ended, the exit started with a steep climb off of the slab.
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| Then Up and Down Again |
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| Clinging to Mt. Wilson at Sherwood Forest |
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| Exiting the Sherwood Forest Area |
The descent route covered the same path as the ascent did. Steve Anderson wrote that everyone worked as a team throughout the hike. It appears that there wasn't a weak link in the group of eight hikers. Congratulations! Once again, the Around the Bend Friends showing how it's done!
5 miles; 3045 feet elevation gain; 6.75 hours
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| Down |
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| Oh, yeah. The red rope. |
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| Helmets & harnesses? We want you guys to come home safely! |
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| Actual Track from which Maps were Drawn Figuring in the Baby Wilson Approach |
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