Gray Cap - 10/22/19

Red Rock Canyon from Gray Cap

Sandstone Bluffs from Top of Wall Climb

Sun Rises on 5 Stop Hill

Kraft Mountain Saddle

Tuesday hikes for the Around the Bend Friends have traditionally been the more difficult hikes. As the club morphs one way or another, these difficult hikes are more or less taxing. Today's hike to Gray Cap was slated to be a loop that ascended through Upper Gateway Canyon and descended through Gray Fox Canyon, a route cemented by Mike and Steve. Due to a necessary change in coordinators, an easier descent route back through Upper Gateway was taken by seven of the thirteen participants. The other six followed cairns down Gray Fox Canyon and made it out just fine. Nevertheless, thirteen hikers met up at the Kraft Mountain Trailhead in Calico Basin for an early start up 5 Stop Hill. This hill has other names but we prefer the historic name.

Trail down to Gateway Canyon

I suggested to the strong group of Tuesday hikers that they could go their own speed since I don't put myself at their strong advanced level, but they displayed happy restraint and followed me all the way up. (Plus, I don't think they know the complete route!)

Mike's Slab Climb

Anyway, we started out at a decent pace making our way over to 5 Stop Hill. At the top, we stopped for a breath and a short wardrobe change since the sun was making its presence known.

Starting up the Upper Gateway Scramble

Upper Gateway Canyon

The route continued down the other side on the main trail that descends diagonally down to the adjacent canyon. Entering the wash, we saw that the gravel was deep and wide. Trudge. Trudge. Trudge. Then, we came to a brand new dry fall! I was a little confused at first! Where did this come from? The gravel had been washed out here to the tune of around 5 feet producing a new obstacle that was easily overcome yet beautiful in nature. (See the top down view photo 3rd to last below.) The next slip and slide dry fall is still the same. No problems here. I heard that a lot of that gravel that washed down has made Pickle Rock in Lower Gateway a mere walk in the park! Gateway Canyon presents us with a different hike almost every year. Always fun to see.

Upper Gateway Scramble

We hiked past the entrance of Rattlesnake Trail on the left and began scrambles up to the canyon bend to the right. This is where the canyon begins gaining elevation a little faster.

Trail vs. Rock Climb

Everyone was following behind me and having a good morning conversation. A bunch of old and new friends.

The Wall Climb

Top of the Wall

Upper Gateway Canyon is formed from limestone. There are several dry falls made of bedrock. Over the years, these dry falls have changed very little with the exception that some of the foot holds seem to be slightly more polished from use. Still, they are all climbable ... even the hardest ones. A few of our hikers, today, proved that! There was absolutely no water within the canyon as well. We took the scrambles head on at a fairly decent pace. The group got spread out but only because of bottleneck scrambles that held hikers back at different times. We stopped once in a while to regather.

Hiking across the Bridge Fin (Deep Tenaja is Dry.)

Finally, we came to The Wall. This is the top of Upper Gateway where the limestone meets the red sandstone then the red sandstone meets the cream colored sandstone.

Mt. Potosi rises behind the Escarpment

Here, there is a wall of sandstone that tilts at around 45 degrees. Hikers begin climbing in the red then reach the cream colored sandstone that leads in a 12:00 direction with a target of a tree sitting at the crest next to a boulder outcropping. (It's always fun to tell newbies this! Similar to pointing at the crack on Bridge Mountain as you approach!)

Gray Cap rises in Front

Hugging the Wall before Final Approach

Everyone chose routes and the climbing ensued. When everyone reached the top (I was last!) there was a short break on the rocks. The views were tremendous with the backdrop of a beautiful blue sky. Next, we headed over to the bridge fin above a very deep tenaja ... that was bone dry. At the end of the bridge, veer around to the right and sidle past the rocks. Then, the route climbs up to the sandstone wall in a 1:00 direction. We hugged the wall loosely as we hiked around the corner to the left and down to a flat dip area. This is the start of the final approach. For me, this approach is not yet an exact art! After climbing up the logical way, I know you cannot go right too soon. There is a "canyon" of sandstone you want to avoid.

Climbing the Last of the Sandstone Trail

The climb should target the appearance of a saddle high up near the ridge. At this point, the "trail" should become apparent. Having not done the route in a couple of years, I still turned to the right too soon and ended up with a steeper approach missing the landmark of Picnic Table Rock.

Enjoying the View on Gray Cap Peak

Disoriented, I ended up on a trail on the opposite side just past the ridge. I had crossed the trail that I was targeting. Oh, well. We followed this other trail up to Gray Cap Peak.

Limestone Trail starts Down (Brownstone Canyon to Right)

The "Picnic Table"

The views from Gray Cap Peak are, by far, the best Red Rock has to offer. Yes, better than Turtlehead! (See the 1st photo!) We sat for our break and strategized our descent. Tim and Bob had decided they would try their hand at Gray Fox Canyon but didn't want the whole group to follow since it would be their first attempt at the route. Four more hikers decided to go along. The remaining seven hikers opted to return the same way they came following me. It was a great compromise! So, after the break, we started down. This time, I followed the preferred trail down from the top and it was much easier to decipher.

Last of the Sandstone Scramble before Circling the Next Wall

I recognized the landmarks and slowly made our way stair-stepping down the rocks. I even got to the Picnic Table Rock landmark!

Nearing the Bottom of the Wall Descent

Reaching the flat dip area, my knees felt the relief! Now, we climbed up and hugged the wall around to the right going up. Over a small crest, we turned to the left and headed for the bridge fin.

Top of Upper Gateway Canyon

Rita peers down Upper Gateway

Across the bridge fin, we reached the top of The Wall and stood for a moment. Yep. We have to go back down that! Sure, there are options but not better options. Maybe a long tedious switchback might do the trick. Hm. No, just go down! Strategy - Find as much slab rock to use as possible. At the top of Upper Gateway, we proceeded to scramble and route find down through the dry falls using the side trails when offered. My pace was not fast but not slow. Everyone seemed satisfied with the speed. Eventually, we were hiking past the entrance of Rattlesnake Trail. My leg, arm and core muscles were nearing the end of their usefulness!

Seven Hikers return down Gateway

Rounding the corner of the canyon, we came to that new dry fall. What a nice pic! Then down through that deep gravel to the Rattlesnake Trail junction.

Steep Fun!

The climb back up to the Kraft Saddle is usually tiring when done at the end of a hard hike like Gray Cap or Brownstone Canyon. But, today, it felt somewhat easy since we had only used "down" muscles for the last 1.5 hours.

More Steep Fun!

View down to Lower Gateway Canyon

At the top of Kraft Saddle, we faced one more steep descent on 5 Stop Hill. Not wanting to ruin my "no fall hike", I picked our way down then headed back to the cars at the Kraft Mountain Trailhead. Upon reaching the cars, there was one hiker waiting for us after doing the Gray Fox Canyon route. He said they had reached the cars a half hour earlier. Not bad considering the difference in distance. What a great day on the trails! And, man, what a workout! Thanks all! You're great!

Stats for the O&B through Upper Gateway Canyon: 6 miles; 2200 feet elevation gain; 4.75 hours; average moving speed 1.3 mph

Recently made Dry Fall

Lower Gateway Canyon Colors

Returning to Kraft Mountain Saddle