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| Small Waterfall at Fletcher Canyon Junction |
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| Cliff Dry Fall at end of Ravine #2 |
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| Upper Fletcher Canyon Narrows |
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| View Out from Stanley B Wash |
This was our second trip up and over the Stanley B Saddle this summer. Although the first trip had its problems, this trip went off without a hitch! Practice makes perfect! Nine plus one hiker began at the new Fletcher Canyon Trailhead on Kyle Canyon Road in the Spring Mountains NRA. In lieu of hiking the one mile up the road, we crossed the bridge at the trailhead and turned right to begin the one mile up the Kyle Canyon Drainage Trail. Our first landmarks were the ranger residences on our left. We noted the empty area on our right that previously boasted a tiny Visitor Center and old bathrooms with running water.
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| Hiking the One Mile of Kyle Canyon Drainage Trail |
The Fletcher View Campground came next. $33 per night and vacancies at this time. Showers and camp host included.
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| Hiking up to the Stanley B Mine |
We continued up the drainage trail until we reached Rainbow and exited out to the highway. We could have stayed on the trail for a little longer. Anyway, we hiked up the road a short way then crossed it at the Stanley B Trailhead.
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| Passing through the Newly De-Brushed Trail above the Mine |
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| Climbing the Stanley B Wash |
Our choice of route to the Stanley B Mine was the regular way of wash / shortcut trail / old road. As we made the short climb up to the signed fork, two of our hikers lagged behind a bit. At the fork, we agreed to slow down the pace. All were happily in sync. We were facing the steep wash anyway. So, after a look-see at the flowing spring pipe, we climbed on up to the mine entrance. Not wanting to disturb the bee hive near the entrance, we quickly continued up. A pair of yard clippers had been brought to help in getting through this next section since last time, we had a tough time here.
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| First Obstacle |
However, lo and behold(!), someone had beat us to it! The trail was clear and free of brush! Quite a difference from last time. Thank you. Now ... if someone could just bring an ax next time!
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| More Wooded Wash |
Just kidding, but there were several fallen trees that still need to be climbed over as you ascend. Yeah. We know. That's part of the fun of hiking!
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| Second Obstacle |
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| Third Obstacle at Wash Fork Junction |
At our first rest, we realized that the tenth hiker had decided to turn around. For him, it was a long summer vacation in Canada, etc. So, the nine hikers handled each obstacle as they presented themselves. Dry falls, fallen trees, steep up and arounds. The trail showed us the way as we arrived at the clearing found two-thirds of the way up from the mine. This clearing is the landmark that tells the hiker to begin watching for a fork in the wash. (... not the immediate fork!) As we climbed the main wash, we saw the limestone rock outcropping on the right side. This is the fork indicator.
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| Up and Over a Big Fallen Tree |
A short steep difficult climb up next to the limestone took us past the brush in the bottom of this wash at the right of the fork. Then, the trail continued up this wash all the way to the saddle.
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| Snack Break at the Stanley B Saddle |
We stopped at the saddle to sit on the log and have a snack. Mummy's Toe watched us from across the Fletcher Canyon Bowl.
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| View Out of Ravine #1 |
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| Walking the Rotting Tree in Ravine #2 |
After the break, we found the trail that switchbacks down to the left into Ravine #1. A few difficult small descents took us to the short trail through the woods on the left. Into Ravine #2, we dropped gently finding the big rotting tree lying lengthwise in the wash. We balanced the tree a la cirque du soleil then hiked on down. Ravine #2 ends at a cliff dry fall. After a quick look-see, we turned to the left again. Another trail took us down a very steep dirt hill to the Fletcher Canyon junction. (Note: This trail leads above a cliff that you cannot see not far to the right.)
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| Ponderosa Waterfall Up and Around in Fletcher Canyon |
Water is flowing in Fletcher Canyon in the exact place where you drop into it. Turning to the right, follow the trail and shortly, you come to the Ponderosa Waterfall up and around. Teamwork is sometimes needed here as seen in the photo above.
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| Above Small Slot in Secret Passage |
Stay in the wash or on an obvious trail. Soon, you will squeeze between the rocks into the "secret passage" in the area of the small slot canyon. Someone has recently placed a cairn at the secret trail turn to the right at the top of the slot. We didn't move it. Guess it's not a secret anymore.
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| Bottom of Small Slot |
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| Upper Fletcher Canyon Trail |
On the other end of the small slot, two hikers who were newbies to the hike explored the slot from below. Then we continued down following either the wash or a trail. Although the trail seems like sort of a maze, you can't get lost if you stay between the walls! (Maybe we shouldn't say that!) Anyway, we continued down enjoying the beauty of Upper Fletcher Canyon. It did seem like there had been some flooding this summer but the trail was still clear.
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| Through a Campsite Area |
Eventually, we started into the Upper Narrows. The walls were high on either side. There were no added obstacles.
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| Narrows above the Upper Narrows |
We arrived at the rabbit hole in Obstacle Rock with the two newbies' eyes and ears open wide! With the other rabbit hole veterans present, there were instructions given at an even quick flow. Like clockwork, we each slipped through the hole and passed along the packs.
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| Upper Fletcher Canyon Narrows |
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| Dancing through the Rabbit Hole |
There were a few changes to this section. Rocks and logs had been changed about. Flood or human interference? At any rate, we met our Canadian friend at the bottom of the drop. He had returned to the trailhead then climbed up Fletcher Canyon to meet us. Ten again, we descended through the Lower Fletcher Canyon Narrows and hiked on out the trail. Success. This is a great hike! We had a bunch of fun!
6 miles; 1800 feet elevation gain; 4.25 hours
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| Hiking through the Lower Fletcher Canyon Narrows |
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| Exiting the Narrows |
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| Hiking Out the Trail with View of New Growth in the Burn Area |
