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| View from descent off of Stepladder Peak |
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| Griffith Peak above Kyle Canyon from Stepladder Peak Ascent |
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| Shady Hollow Trail |
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| Starting Out in Bright Morning Sun |
Stepladder Peak is a low elevation peak climb in the Spring Mountains NRA. To get the full benefit of the hike, a six mile loop hike among forested bike trails is a prelude to a small climb to a peak with unique views of the Deer Creek Road area. Six hikers came out for the hike and parked at the Stepladder Trailhead located across from the new Visitor Center on Kyle Canyon Road. We started up the trail at the far end of the parking lot and turned right at the junction onto the Shady Hollow Trail.
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| Sardine Can in Tin Can Alley |
The Shady Hollow Trail circled around the hill to our left and afforded the third photo above.
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| Climbing up to the Fork |
The Shady Hollow Trail melds into the Tin Can Alley Trail; so called because of the several rusted tin cans that the bikers have hung on trees.
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| Hiking the Upper Return Portion of the Route |
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| Old Deer Creek Road |
The trail runs alongside the Telephone Canyon Road as we felt the elevation rise under our feet. The trail turns up to the left after passing the junction with the Trough Trail coming out across Telephone Canyon Road. Eventually, this trail comes to a junction that presents a fork turn that switchbacks to the left. We took the turn and, just before running out of shade, we took a snack break on the hillside. After climbing so long in the forest on bike trails, this new section of trail seemed much more interesting.
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| Rabbitbrush along Trail |
There were parts of the trail that followed along the Old Deer Creek Road. And, there were parts that hung precariously on the side of the hill.
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| Stepladder Peak from approach Trail |
In the near distance, we could see Stepladder Peak rising ahead of us. The paved Deer Creek Road could be heard up to our right.
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| Starting Climb up to Stepladder Peak |
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| Minimal Scrambling on way Up |
We reached a saddle where there are a few other trails junctioning. Our peak climb started straight ahead. There is an old trail leading up along the ridge that is fairly easy to follow even though one must watch carefully. When making the final climb to the highest point, there are just a few places where a minimal amount of scrambling is required. On the peak, we had a 360 degree view of the low elevations near the Visitor Center. The view also extended on up the canyon to Griffith Peak and some of the South Loop ridge.
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| View of La Madre Mountain from Stepladder Peak |
Yellow aspens showed golden on the hillside below Harris Peak which is seen just before Griffith Peak.
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| The Group on the Peak |
After a short rest on the peak, we began the bushwhacking portion of the route continuing along the ridge in the same direction.
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| Northwest View from Peak |
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| Bushwhack Descent |
Continuing, the terrain started on a fairly steep downhill littered with stabilized scree. On our right, there was a rock ledge. We headed straight for the saddle below. Once there, we continued straight until we found a decent place to drop down on the right. Wherever you drop down, you will run right into the Stepladder Trail as we did. Next, we turned to the left and followed the trail back to the junction with the Shady Hollow Trail. One more turn to the right and we headed back to the cars. Fun outing! Fun group! Beautiful day!
6.5 miles; 1500 feet elevation gain; 3.75 hours
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| Minimal Scrambling |
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| The Last Saddle |
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| Descent View going down to Stepladder Trail |
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