 |
| Painted Pinnacles |
 |
| Small Wash Descent (Baseline Mesa in Distance) |
 |
| Silica Dome from Start of Hike |
 |
| Shortcut Trail to Road |
Baseline Mesa is one of the mesas in Valley of Fire State Park where the limestone and dolomite stand firm. Just below one end of the mesa to the west, Fire Canyon begins. This immediate area has been dubbed the Painted Pinnacles and are quite an impressive sight as seen in the first photo. The colors are striking as they paint the Bryce Canyonish pinnacles over a large area. Seventeen hikers finished their tailgate lunch at the Silica Dome / Fire Canyon Trailhead. The short out and back 3 mile hike would finish the day that started with the 4 mile Three Slots hike.
 |
| Hiking down Small Wash |
We hiked past the trail block sign and quickly dropped down onto a shortcut trail that took us past precipitous cliffs and over to the road that also leaves at the trailhead restrooms.
 |
| Small Wash |
After a very short time on the road, we veered to the right on a seldom used trail through the desert. Next, we curved around a small hill on our left, went to the end of an old road and descended adjacent to a draining wash that poured down into a shallow wash.
 |
| Old Tortoise Shell |
 |
| Arriving at the Painted Pinnacles |
This shallow wash can be followed all the way down to where an old dirt road crosses it. Turn right on the road or wait a little longer and turn right in another small single banked red wash. Today, we used the road. It took us over toward the upcoming hill. Aiming for the small saddle on the left end of the hill, we sidled over to the wash and found a small road/trail that ran up the ridge. At the top of the road, there is a vague trail that leads around to the left. This brought us to the Painted Pinnacles Overlook. Oohs and ahhs were heard as the group of hikers rounded the bend. It really is quite a sight! ... Hmm, I think I said that already.
 |
| Leaning into the Color |
We took just a few moments at the overlook for photos then turned around. The return begins by retracing steps to the initial small wash then continuing on the approach road until it junctions with a large dirt road perpendicularly. Turn left.
 |
| Painted Pinnacles |
This is the same road that begins at the trailhead next to the restrooms.
 |
| Trail Around and Road Down at Start of Return |
 |
| Road across Desert |
After a long day, the seventeen hikers took on the gentle hill of the road at different speeds. There is a big washout on the road about 3/4 of the way up. We walked around it to the left then down and up through the dry water channel. The shortcut trail could be used to return but the ascent is a little more gentle if you stay on the road. Everyone was very impressed with the overlook and had enjoyed the day. This one's an easy one to do yourself if you are not directionally challenged. Always use GPS (mechanically or your brain), don't get lost and have loads of fun!
3 miles; 400 feet elevation gain; 1.75 hours
 |
| Left turn Road up to Trailhead |
 |
| Climbing Road on Return (Baseline Mesa in Distance) |
 |
| Dealing with the Road's Washout |
No comments:
Post a Comment