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| Cathedral Rock from Echo Trailhead |
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| Trail through Aspens in Mazie Canyon |
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| Cathedral Rock (L), Aspens on North Loop (C), Cockscomb Ridge (R) |
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| Echo Trail |
The aspens are showing their full color in the Spring Mountains NRA. Seven hikers drove up Kyle Canyon, veered right onto Echo Drive and turned left into the Echo Trailhead parking lot. Today's moderate hike was an out and back to Cathedral Rock. Besides the yellowing aspens, the other excitement was the drop in temperature. The mercury hovered around 40 degrees throughout our adventure. We were bundled up and feeling fine as we headed up the hill on the Echo Trail. The climb took us to a fork in the trail where we turned left and went down. This connected us with the Little Falls Trail. We turned left and descended to the area of the old Cathedral Rock Trailhead.
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| Deer Shedding Antlers |
Wanting to make a pit stop at the new Cathedral Rock Trailhead, we took a use trail down to the left. Before we got down the hill, we spied three mule deer ahead of us in the meadow. One was shedding his antlers.
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| Cathedral Rock from start of Climb |
We nudged them out of the way and hiked over to the restrooms. From there, we started up the hill on the Cathedral Rock Trail.
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| Heading into the Aspens |
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| Aspen Tunnel in Mazie Canyon |
The Cathedral Rock Trail switchbacks through Mazie Canyon. This canyon was the victim of an avalanche a little over twelve years ago. After such an event, aspens are a popular natural replacement. So up, we went, through a tunnel of yellowing aspens. Our pace was slow and steady. It was a beautiful day! We continued up until we stopped at Echo Falls turnoff. All but one hiker made the short trip up to view Echo Falls. Four hikers even climbed up to see inside the basin above the lower waterfall. Not much water was flowing but there was a small steady stream.
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| Exploring Echo Falls |
From here, we all enjoyed the aspen views as we completed the climb up to the top of the rock. It was chilly but not too windy so we stayed here for our break.
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| Nearing Aspen Exit |
Overhead, dark clouds kept passing by. It would get dark then light then dark again. There was very little blue sky still showing.
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| Starting the Final Approach |
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| Climbing the Rock |
So, we headed down the rock, down through Mazie Canyon and decided to take that detour, again, by the restrooms. While we waited there, we experienced an isolated snow shower. Yes! There were several flakes anointing the parking lot. But, as soon as we left the restrooms, the snow stopped. We climbed back to the Little Falls Trail and connected with the Echo Trail. We didn't see anymore flakes until we got back to the cars. Maybe these were only "parking lot snow showers!" Anyway, what a wonderful day!
5 miles; 1400 feet elevation gain; 2.75 hours
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| Mazie Canyon Aspens from Rock |
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| Enjoying the Cool on Top |
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| Mummy Mountain from Cathedral Rock |
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