La Madre Spring & Cabin - 2/6/20

A La Madre Spring Waterfall

Miner's Cabin Entrance

Springs Source Area

Starting up Rocky Gap Road

According to local lore, the La Madre Mine that sits up a steep hill above the La Madre Springs was dug in the late 1800's to mine silver. At that time, the cost of transporting the silver ore was more than the mine could pay for so it was closed in 1883. Then, in 1907, two entrepreneurs named W. E. Hawkins and J. R. Hunter reopened this mine and a few others in the area setting up a base in what is now Blue Diamond. A gentleman named Arthur J. Frye was commissioned to work the La Madre Mine starting in 1908 where he built the stone cabin just below the mine. He and his wife lived in the cabin off and on until 1912 when they moved away to California.

Junction onto La Madre Springs Road

The cabin has become a great destination hike for Las Vegas hikers and tourists alike. But, it should be noted that the roof of the cabin is an addition made later.

La Madre Springs Road

Not too long ago, volunteers have cleaned up the cabin, inside and out. At this time, it looks great! All the rusted cans have been swept to the corner (DO NOT REMOVE), and the fire place(s) are neatly rebuilt.

Old Summer Home Foundation

La Madre Springs former Pond

The mine is located straight up the mountainside from the cabin. There is a vague trail that starts up behind the cabin. Be aware that mines are dangerous places to explore. This one is no different. Also in the vicinity of the cabin is the ravine that emits the La Madre Spring. This spring provides a flowing stream down through the canyon beside which the trail leads. Several years ago, there was a dammed pond at the end of the La Madre Road and at the bottom of the La Madre Trail. It was a favorite place for early morning wildlife viewing until cattails took it over. The dam and strangling cattails were removed and two small waterfalls still lie in the former ponds location.

Starting up Cabin Trail

Ten hikers arrived at the Willow Springs Picnic Area Trailhead for a moderate hike up to the cabin. But, by the time we all made it up to the cabin, we decided that it was almost a moderately strenuous hike!

One of a Handful of Scrambles

We left the parking lot and hiked up Rocky Gap Road to the Rainbow Wilderness sign on the left side. On the right side of this junction, there is a La Madre Mountains Wilderness sign. Yes, Rocky Gap Road divides the two wilderness designations.

Crossing above the Waterfall

A Slushy Part of the Trail

We turned right onto what used to be a road. Now, a washout has prevented use by vehicles but the road is well graveled since horses were used to remove the dam and do maintenance. The hike follows the road on a gentle incline passing the junction for the White Rock Hills Loop Trail on the right. If you miss the official junction for this trail, there is another less used trail further up that will take you to it. Almost a mile from the beginning of La Madre Road, we turned to the right to visit an old home foundation. This home and another across the road were summer residences back in the 30s. Fresh water was piped in from the La Madre Spring. Another quarter mile up the road, we found the old pond site.

Last Hill to the Cabin

Frogs were another fun attraction when the pond was still there! This is where the cabin trail begins up the hill staying fairly close to the stream the whole way.

View from Hill above Cabin

The trail is well worn but there are a few places where the path forks into different routes. A totally unnecessary path has been made up the hill to the left. It comes right back down. A better alternate is to cross the small stream here and start up on the other side. (Old folks know the old route!)

The Group of Hikers at the La Madre Miner's Cabin

Inside the Miner's Cabin

The trail is and always has been slushy in a few places. Much care should be taken in these places because that limestone is very slippery when wet! At one point, the trail goes up and over to cross the top of a waterfall. All steps should be measured well here! Finally, the trail leaves the side of the water and climbs a hillside to arrive at the cabin. This is where we took our well deserved break - opting out of an extra climb to the mine entrance. Our hike was only half over! The trail descent would be just as slow. But, feeling happy to have a few minutes at "the cabin with a view," we summoned the patience to tackle the slippery downhill. Slowly but surely, we made our way down the difficult terrain.

Descent from Cabin

Our goal of no one falling was met. Again, what's not to love? Then, when we arrived back at the pond site, a sigh of relief was felt and we started down the road at a faster pace.

Descending through Slushy Area

We began seeing a lot of other hikers now. There was no telling whether they were going all the way up to the cabin. The Visitor Center sometimes only suggests going to the pond site. This is probably a good idea since the trail up to the cabin is such difficult terrain.

Back across the Waterfall

A Scramble

The stretch of rocky road/trail is almost 2 miles one way. Since this is easy to hike, the pace tends to speed up when you are descending. Keep in mind that this is a lot of pounding on feet. The rocks are very unforgiving. Measure your steps and don't get too rambunctious! Willow Springs had come alive when we walked into the parking lot. We were very happy to have visited the cabin after a long break from it! And, we are loving the new trail signs that are popping up everywhere!

5 miles; 1150 feet elevation gain; 3 hours; average moving speed 1.7 mph

Ladies crossing the Stream

Returning to the Old Pond Site

Down, down, down the Rocky Roads