Stanley B / Fletcher Canyon Loop - 8/29/19

Stanley B Saddle (Mummy's Toe in Background)

Small Slot of Upper Fletcher Canyon

Mt. Charleston Angelicas in Lower Fletcher Canyon

Starting along the Kyle Drainage Trail

 It's the dog days of summer and six hikers showed up for a mostly pleasant cool loop hike that began and ended at the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead. At the high point of the hike, Stanley B saddle, the air was so fresh that we spoke of sitting there for the rest of the day. Then, as we followed the maze down through Fletcher Canyon later, we felt the most amazing cool breezes angling up between the walls. Yes, considering the unrelenting heat in the alluvial fan of Las Vegas, today's hike in the Spring Mountains was not only beautiful but cool as well. We started the loop by crossing the bridge over Kyle Canyon wash and starting up the drainage trail.

Deer in Campground

We followed the trail for about one mile next to the drainage up past the entrance to the Rainbow community then turned right to climb up over the paved road and into the Stanley B Trailhead.

Climbing the Beautiful Stanley B Wash

 The first 1.5 miles of the Stanley B Trail is considered an easy moderate hike out and back. Using the canyon wash and an old mining road, the trail leads up to a mine entrance and piped spring.

Stanley B Wash

Trail to the Stanley B Mine

 The rocky canyon wash is pretty then we crossed paths with the mining road. This took us up the hill with Kyle Canyon views to the short cut path on the left. Up the path, we junctioned again with the same mining road that led us to the Leroy Mining sign high up on a big old tree. Since we had a few newbies in our group today, we explored the piped spring and the air hole on the left side of this fork. Afterwards, we continued up the right fork to see the main mine. BTW, the bees are back in the area here. After a pause and a look-see, we headed on up the wash which is a lot easier said than done! What a brushy mess! My guess is that not many hikers have been through here this year.

Stanley B Mine Points of Interest (L-R)
Old Mining Road, Small Waterfall below Spring, Leroy Mining Sign,
 Main Mine Entrance, Air Hole of Main Mine, Piped Spring

 Hand clippers would help a lot but there are also a few trees making the way through here very difficult in the first 50 yards or so.

Climbing Stanley B Canyon

 As we ventured further through our morning, it was very clear that the use trails along the route had not been trod much at all this summer. Probably due to the late snow pack.

One of Three Dry Falls in Canyon

Under the Windmill Tree

 Getting through the initial brush, the route through the wash opened up and we followed it easily. It is a somewhat challenging route that includes three dry falls, fallen trees and steep scree-filled short climbs. Important directions are to take the left fork at the clearing then take the right fork at a sharp limestone outcropping. Duck under the windmill tree at one point! Next, the climb to the saddle becomes steep and final! As mentioned, we took our break here while enjoying great views of Kyle Canyon on one side and Mummy's Toe on the other. Reluctant to leave the cool saddle, we rose for the "fun" part of the hike and headed toward the landmark tree with a U-shaped branch.

Above Last Right Fork

 This is the first place that was missing a worn trail. In the past, there has been a trail that angled past the tree and down to the wash below. Pretty much gone, we made our way down anyway.

Kyle Canyon View from Stanley B Saddle

 Then the "trail" down the first ravine was non-existent. We found our way anyway. Drifting to the left after the big rocky descent, we found the trail over to the next ravine still in tact ... vaguely.

Taking a Well-Deserved Break at the Saddle

Making our Way down the Rocky Descent of 1st Ravine

 Down ravine #2, I must urge myself to stay in the wash as long as possible ... only leaving the wash when the way is blocked ... until the top of the cliff dry fall is in view below. A large fallen tree is in this section where we balanced carefully since the tree is approaching total decay. At this point, the trail to the left is not clear until you get up to the top of the small ridge. From there, it is imperative that you find the trail that angles down left to Upper Fletcher Canyon. A false lead here could put you at the top, or the bottom, of a cliff whose base borders Fletcher Canyon. We don't want that! Finally, we dropped down to the sound of flowing of water at a familiar place but without the assurance of previous footsteps.

Precarious Up and Around Ponderosa Waterfall

 The route down Upper Fletcher Canyon is, at best, a maze that reappears every year. However, this year, the harsh winter snow has offered a few more fallen trees.

Ponderosa Waterfall

 The tree that you usually go under near the campsite broke likely due to weight of snow. There is a new tree in the Upper Narrows which does not impede progress. It did a header into the gap. And, one open section of the canyon seems more convoluted due to ... I don't know ... brush(?), fallen trees(?), or just lack of hikers. Need clippers here to clip away the thorny wild rose bushes. Ouch!

The Water still flows deep into Fletcher Canyon

Almost down to the Upper Narrows

 Some of the trail is unchanged so we made good progress. Quickly, the first obstacle is going up and around the Ponderosa Waterfall. All is still in tact here except for a new log in the waterfall cove. The small slot seems clearer at the top (see 2nd photo) than in the past. The secret passage is still good with a cute small cairn marking the way. We showed the newbies how to get down to the small slot from below. The log that we had to start balancing a few years ago is broken and it is difficult to get around at this time. The large shelter has returned to a broken mess of logs among more thorny rose bushes! Clippers? Then water in the canyon makes getting through certain sections difficult.

Entering Upper Narrows

 Finally, we roamed into the Upper Narrows. Gorgeous as usual. Lots and lots of butterflies fluttering about drawn by the smell of a possible decaying animal caught in the jaws of the narrow opening. (Okay, so I'm a frustrated mystery writer. 😕)

Narrowing Down

 The narrows led us down to the top of Obstacle Rock, that same rock where we end our hike from the bottom up. Next, the dance of the infamous Rabbit Hole!

Inside Fletcher Narrows just above Obstacle Rock

Through the Slippery Rabbit Hole and Under the Rock

 The state of the Rabbit Hole has also changed with the spring flooding and other hikers making attempts at facilitating the climb and descent with logs. We made it through the mangled mess under the large rock after slipping through the narrow opening and said "hello" to hikers at the base, one hiker was the cutest little toddler ... a future Around the Bender! The last mile of the canyon exit got warmer and warmer but was offset by the intermittent cool breeze that persisted. An absolutely lovely day in the mountains on a hike that survives on its wonder and beauty.

6 miles; 1800 feet elevation gain; 4.5 hours; average moving speed 1.5 mph

Hiking through the Lower Narrows

Nearing the Bottom of Fletcher Canyon Narrows

New White Pedestrian Crossing Lines!