Blue Point Spring Redstone - 2/24/20

Virgin Peak Arch

Chuck approaches the Mammoth

Redstone Arch

Blue Point Spring drainage to Right

 If you are looking for a fun place to work on your photo composition skills or if you just want a scenic walk through some redstone, Blue Point Spring Redstone just may be the place! If you are willing to make the long drive either up Northshore Road or through Valley of Fire or even down through Overton, Blue Point Spring is located around mile marker 41-42 on Northshore Road. Yep! Waaaay up there! But hey, it is an absolutely beautiful drive! Thirteen hikers made that drive and stopped at Rogers Spring (MM 40) for a restroom break and to look at the fishies in the pond. Got back in the car and drove on up to the next palm tree adorned turnout then readied for our hike.

Following an old Burro Trail to the Redstone

 The hike begins by following a wide trail that leads up along the Blue Point Spring drainage to the right. There are a few places that we could have crossed the water but we chose one just after the huge lone canary palm.

First Arch

 Continuing up, we found a game trail that started us in the direction of Valley of Fire. We could see the state park's sandstone plateau rising to the northwest.

Hikers mill about near First Arch

Terrain around High Point near First Arch

 There are many trails crossing the terrain in this area. They were most likely set down by small herds of burros back in the day when they lived around here. Now, we never see the cute stubborn animals in this area but it wasn't that long ago that they traveled to and from the spring for the desert water. We benefit from their well-surveyed and worn trails. We navigated the many arroyos easily on these trails as they zigged in and out to make the crossings. Soon, we neared the first redstone outcropping. Up to the left, we saw the First Arch, a freestanding arch seen in the photo above. We all wanted our best shot at photographing the arch then we circled up and around the outcropping nearby.

David looks for his Angle

After returning to the trail, we reached a second group of outcroppings. This one had a huge pack rat nest under one of the alcoves and there was another arch up the hill as seen in the photo above.

Hiking Group through the Virgin Peak Arch

 As we got deeper into the redstone, we left the trail and hiked straight for this area's best freestanding arch called Virgin Peak Arch. See the first photo of this entry.

A Delicate Side Arch

Limstone Mountains above the Redstone

 This arch frames Virgin Peak very well. Virgin Peak is seen in the distance across the Overton Arm of Lake Mead. In front of the peak, you can make out the Falling Man area and Black Butte/Bitter Ridge of Gold Butte NM. We took our photos then proceeded to make a tour of this area in the redstone. Here, there are hiker-made trails to each of the formations. One of the first noticed formations was newly named today! The Wildebeest! Then, we moved on around to a very delicate vertical arch and finished off with the Tea Kettle Arch. Each formation required a lot of milling around and photo-taking! It was a very relaxed and beautiful day!

Tea Kettle Arch

 Next, we headed on up to the hike's high point for a snack break. The views of Lake Mead, Gold Butte, and Valley of Fire from here were calm and tranquil.

Returning to Break Area after Arch Loop

 Afterwards, we worked our way around a very large outcrop to reach a trail leading up to an overlook mesa. There is a survey marker on this mesa. Then, we walked over to the edge where we could see the Valley of Fire Wash below us.

Valley of Fire SP High Point in Distance from Break Area

Today's Group at Break

 Just around the corner of the wash is Charlie's Spring. We'll work that spring into a hike later on. For today, we turned around and returned downhill continuing our circling of the large outcropping. Down the wash, sharp turn to the right, up a steep wash and around a large block rock (see five photos below). The group needed a short rest here! Then the hike proceeded down to the Cow Column. This is also a very delicate formation. Next, look around the corner and up. See the eyes staring at you! Arches up on the rock ridge create a mask of eyes. Continue around this ridge and head over to a massive Mammoth Rock. This formation makes a great photo when your kids climb up to "ride" it!

Rounding Corner to approach Overlook

See the second photo of this entry and you will see Chuck hiking up to the Mammoth's trunk. Must be feeding time!

Survey Marker above Valley of Fire Wash on Overlook

 By this time, we were all being bothered by gnats. I don't know if this is a seasonal thing or if they are always here. It's a little unusual for the dry desert but we ran into them last year on a hike nearby as well.

Hiking over to the Mammoth Area

Traversing the Redstone

 After the Mammoth, the hike begins its traverse back across the desert terrain but the formations aren't done yet! We passed by the Wave that has been renamed the Tsunami Wall. Then we hiked by the Angry Bird off to the left. Off and on, we were following one of the game trails. They were found everywhere! It is always good to find one of these because of the many arroyos you have to cross ... especially in the lower regions of this area. One of the last formations we past was the profile of a man. If you look at it from one direction, it looks similar to Bob Hope! Other hikers saw different famous profiles in the large rock found up high to our left from a large wash.

Small Break after Steep Wash Climb

  We came across bighorn bones a couple of times during the hike. Some of these bones have been here for, at least, the last five years.

Two sets of Bones along the Way

 You can torture me all you want but I won't tell you where you can find the bighorn skull! Even bighorn skulls are protected by the BLM as their property. Take only photos, leave only footprints.

Tsunami Wall

Leaving Tsunami Wall

 Finally, it was just a matter of finding enough game trails to cross the desert back to the spring drainage. We passed on the right of a large redstone outcropping and continued straight until we came to the lone canary palm and crossed the stream, this time downstream of the tree. From there, is was a short hike down the wide trail to the cars. This is always a crowd-pleasing hike! Thanks to Chuck H. for leading and to John W. for organizing. Many of the hikers went to Overton for ice cream afterwards!

5.2 miles; 700 feet elevation gain; 3.75 leisurely hours; average speed 1.4 mph

Rock Formations

Returning Off and On Game Trails

Crossing back over Blue Point Springs Drainage