Cathedral Rock, Etc. - 09/19/19

Charleston Peak from Cathedral Rock

Little Falls - Still Running

Cathedral Rock and Rabbitbrush

Hiking up the Echo Trail

The weather forecast promised wind gusts up to 40 mph! 😬But, the wind was coming from the southwest and we would be on the northeast face of the mountain. Onward!! 😃As it turned out, it was an absolutely gorgeous day for a hike up to the top of Cathedral Rock. Eleven hikers parked at the Echo Trailhead and started up the old road/trail. The morning sun had not quite filled in the shadows. When we neared the junction with the Little Falls Trail, we saw our first yellowed aspen. Here they come! 😁The beautiful aspen colors of the autumn season. We turned right at the junction and began our climb up to the small waterfall slot.

Changing Aspen

Last spring, this waterfall was gushing with snow melt water. The photos were fantastic. Now, in September, we didn't expect anything but a trickle.

Climbing up to Little Falls

Lo and behold! The Little Falls is still running quite well on all four tiers. We all enjoyed our moment with the falling water then turned around and started back down the trail.

Fun Group!

Exiting Little Falls Slot

The group of strong hikers gathered at the Echo Trail junction sign then we continued over to the Cathedral Rock Trail. If you started hiking in the Spring Mountains after the new South Loop / Cathedral Rock Trailhead was built, you might be interested to know the area where this part of the trail comes close to the road at the Mt. Charleston Lodge is the old trailhead for Cathedral Rock. By the time they began building the new trailhead, this parking lot would fill fast and, sometimes, we had to park down the road. This is also when the Echo Trailhead became more popular! Another improvement here are the new restrooms. People! Remember the terrible condition of the old outhouse? 😮

Little Falls Trail

So, we climbed the hill toward the Cathedral Rock Trail and decided to step back into memory lane and try out the old trail that connects with the new trail. After all, the new trail loses elevation after which you have to regain it.

Cathedral Rock Trail

It appears that the old trail has been worn into two or three different paths. We chose one for the ascent then, later chose another for the descent. Neither were in good condition.

Cathedral Rock from Approach

Echo Falls almost Dry

I strongly suggest to stick to the new trail and hike down to the signed trail junction where you would need to turn right. Next, we began our steep climb up to Echo Falls. The group spread out using their own speed up the incline. More yellow aspens could be found among the green ones. This wide canyon, called Mazie Canyon, is prone to avalanches and the aspens never seem to regain their old age. Nevertheless, the aspens created a trail tunnel around us. At the Echo Falls left turnoff, most of us went up to the waterfall to see if it was also still running. Nope! Moss had replaced the waterworks and a minimum trickle came down under it.

Heavy Snow? Or, Avalanche?

Returning to the Cathedral Rock Trail, we climbed up another couple of switchbacks. The aspens around us near the end of the hike through the canyon, were bent and chaotic.

Cathedral Rock from the Back Side

Last spring, we all thought that there had been another avalanche here. The snow was very deep and difficult to get through. But, the rangers assured us that it was only heavy snow that did the damage. 😏Hmm. Okay.

Final Approach to the Top of the Rock

Balcony Seating - View down Kyle Canyon

The last of our group rounded the corner to the right after passing an unsigned fork and began the final ascent to the top of the rock. There are a lot of steps built into the trail here. At the top, everyone was enjoying a break and the view. To the right, we could see all the way down through lower Kyle Canyon. (See photo to the right.) To the left, we had a beautiful view of Charleston Peak and the North Ridge. (See first photo.) We shared the rock top with some other hikers. There was plenty of room. Then, we returned to the trail via the small loop around the rock top. There is a great artistic tree on the back corner of this loop. (Photo not good today!) We completed the little loop and descended the rock.

Turning onto the Manhole Cover Trail

A right turn, as seen above, put us on an old road that headed out to Manhole Cover #1. Yes, no longer a point of interest! But, there is a trail there that leads up toward the South Ridge. (Warning: only for strenuous and experienced hikers!) 😳

Mummy Mountain from Manhole Cover Trail

We returned back along the old road where boy scouts sometimes do campouts. Then, we turned right to go back down the Catherdral Rock Trail.

Hiking out to the Manhole Cover #1

South Ridge above Manhole Cover #1

We began passing several other day hikers who also chose to ignore the wind warnings. ... What wind? ... One group of hikers were carrying trash bags and picking up trash. There wasn't a whole lot of trash on this trail but their bags seemed to have something in them. Thanks! We turned left to return along the old trail path. The choice we made on the way up was better than the one we made on the way down. Again, just stay on the new trail. Anyway, we hiked down past the old trailhead area and continued up to the Echo Trail junction sign. Here, we helped out another hiker that had gotten separated from the trash pick-up group.

The Vatican to the Right

We turned right onto the Echo Trail where we had to climb the last significant hill. 😧

One of the Old Benches

As we hiked along the last stretch, hikers drifted over to the construction fence on the right side of the trail. The fence is located at the top of the new high embankment that they have been digging out as of late.

Shortcut Trail

Climbing last hill on Echo Trail

This could be a great overlook for the future! The view is straight down through lower Kyle Canyon and right above the hairpin curve of Kyle Canyon Road. And, last, as we made our final descent back to the trailhead, we saw two young bucks. Nice antlers. 😉

Always a great hike. A gorgeous fall is in the works! 😁

6 miles; 1525 feet elevation gain; 3.25 hours

Site of Future Overlook - Maybe

Echo Community - Cockscomb Ridge Above