Robbers Roost Loop - 5/20/18

Robbers Roost from Gypsy Trail

View toward Kyle Canyon from Gypsy Trail

Mummy Mountain from Upper Showgirl Trail

Hiking Upper Showgirl Trail

 Another beautiful day ... as long as you finished your hike before noon! It appears that the monsoons may be starting early!
 The North American monsoon is a pattern of pronounced increase in thunderstorms and rainfall over large areas of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, typically occurring between July and mid September. During the monsoon, thunderstorms are fueled by daytime heating and build up during the afternoon-early evening. Typically, these storms dissipate by late night, and the next day starts out fair, with the cycle repeating daily. The monsoon typically loses its energy by mid-September when drier and cooler conditions are reestablished over the region. ~ Wikipedia
 

Fletcher Ridge coming into View

 Monsoons play a vital role in managing wildfire threat by providing moisture at higher elevations and feeding desert streams. Heavy monsoon rain can lead to excess winter plant growth, in turn a summer wildfire risk. A lack of monsoon rain can hamper summer seeding, reducing excess winter plant growth but worsening drought. ~ Wikipedia

Hike a Bike Trail

 Flash flooding is a serious danger during the monsoon. Dry washes can become raging rivers in an instant, even when no storms are visible as a storm can cause a flash flood tens of miles away; it is therefore wise to avoid camping in a dry wash during the monsoon. Lightning strikes are also a significant danger. It is dangerous to be caught in the open when these storms suddenly appear. ~ Wikipedia

Hike a Bike Trail

Pixie Trail Bike Ramp

 Regardless of whether the monsoons are already here to stay, thirteen hikers began their hike at the Juniper Trailhead with darkish clouds already in the sky nearby. The Juniper Trailhead is relatively new to the Spring Mountains NRA. To get there, turn onto Angel Peak Place from Deer Creek Road and veer to the right at the fork leading to the Hilltop Campground. The right fork takes you out to the Spring Mountain Youth Camp and on to Angel Peak. However, both of these places are off limits to unauthorized vehicles. That said, there is a trailhead parking lot with a restroom facility about one mile down the road before you go out of bounds. This is the Juniper Trailhead.

Pixie Trail

 The trail that leaves the Juniper Trailhead is the upper portion of the Showgirl Trail. This trail leads into a maze of bike trails that are great fun to hike. As soon as we hiked down the hill and started to cross the first wash, we saw a large group of mule deer running across the wash some distance up. Be careful when driving on Deer Creek Road. The deer are running about.

Robbers Roost Trailhead

 We followed the trail through the shade of the trees passing junipers, pinion and ponderosa pines. Views of Angel Peak and the SMYC can be seen across the neighboring canyons.

Climbing Robbers Roost Trail

Switchback up to Robbers Roost

 Without veering off onto any other trails, we zigzagged our way up and down over to a four-way trail intersection. The Trough Trail goes to the left. An overlook can be reached via the right. We went straight putting us on the Hike a Bike Trail. This is a nice trail that took us across a small bridge and up to junction with the Pixie Trail that leads down to the Robbers Roost Trailhead approach. We passed a few bikers that were taking a small break. This reminded us that it was Sunday and we would likely see a few more bikers before the morning was over. When you are hiking these bike trails, it is necessary to keep sharp vigil for racing two-wheelers. They aren't usually expecting hikers when they come around a corner ... but they should. It should be said that when they do see hikers, they are considerate.

Alcove at Robbers Roost

 The Pixie Trail junctions with the very steep approach trail to the Robbers Roost Trailhead and we climbed up. Whew! After this short distance, we were likely the most out of breath that we were all morning!

Taking a Break with Rock Climbers and Mayhem, the Dog

 (We needed to read the signs and maps on the billboard....) Then, we crossed the road and started up toward Robbers Roost. As the story goes, the caves and alcoves of Robbers Roost were where highway robbers would shelter while waiting for the next mark.

Limestone Crack at Robbers Roost

A Rock Climber starting Up

 We chose the long switchback instead of the rock scramble to reach the top where a very large crack in the limestone provided a great place for a snack break. There were also rock climbers getting set up ... and a great pit bull named Mayhem. We watched as the rock climbers started their climb then headed on back down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, before we crossed the road again, we turned to the left and hiked through a tunnel of mountain mahogany trees. We were now connecting with the Gypsy Trail. There are a few other bike trails that junction in this area. We stayed to the right whenever given a choice. This put us on the old Deer Creek Road circling the edge of the hill as we ascended. There was occasional old asphalt beneath our feet. We passed a few bikers who were practicing their jumps and saw great wide views of Telephone Canyon, Deer Creek Road, Hummingbird Gulch, Fletcher Peak ridge and Robbers Roost. The climb was gentle.

Mountain Mahogany Tunnel

 We passed up all the trail turns and stayed near the outside of the hill ending up at the top of the bike trails area. This was not far below the North Loop Trailhead.

Gypsy Trail passing a Bike Ramp

 We crossed Deer Creek Road one more time and hiked to the right to drop down into a small wash. Watching our footing, we hiked down the wash. There was optional hiking on the hillside.

Junctioning with Deer Creek Road

Next Section of Route

 Again, I forgot to bring a large trash bag. This wash is incredibly trashy. Next time. Anyway, we followed the wash all the way back to the upper Showgirl Trail where we had stopped to watch deer earlier that morning. All that was remaining was the climb back up to the cars. On the way, we saw a large doe bouncing quickly along up the hill from us. What a sight! This trail is a pleasant 6 miler that continuously ascends and descends at gentle rates except for the Robbers Roost section. Great group today!

6 miles; 1000 feet elevation gain; 3 hours

Descent in Small Wash

Rain Clouds rolling In

Returning to Trailhead