Virlis Fisher & Bridge Spring Arches - 2/29/20

Virlis Fisher Arch

Bridge Spring Arch

Evidence of Basalt and Andesite Lava Flows and Ash Flows (Tuff of Bridge Spring)

Starting up the Trail to the East

After turning left from Eldorado Valley (US 95 south from Boulder City, NV) onto SR 165, a small quarry cut into the side of the hill to the left exposes the tuff of Bridge Spring, a regionally extensive ash-flow sheet that erupted from a caldera in the Eldorado Mountains about 15.2 million years ago. The hills extending away from the road to the left are thought to be composed of a thick section of this tuff that was deposited against the wall of the caldera. The caldera wall, and the tuff, has been tilted 90 degrees onto its side. The tuff exposures are cut by a left-lateral strike-slip fault that represents an adjustment or tear fault in the upper plate of a major detachment sheet. This unit is named after Bridge Spring, located about 2 miles north of Nelson and about 1 mile east (left) of SR 165.

The Trail Continues

Low-angle normal faults that move rocks a considerable distance are called detachment faults. They place younger rocks (commonly Tertiary volcanic rocks) in the upper plate over older rocks (usually Precambrian rocks) of the lower plate.

Starting down the Bridge Spring Wash

The tuff of Bridge Spring forms the jagged cliffs on the skyline to the east (left). The tuff dips about 45 degrees to the east and is underlain by basalt and andesite flows that were erupted between 18.5 and 15.2 million years ago.

Some Scrambling before the Bridge

Boulders after the Bridge

The quotes above were retrieved from:
 Geologic Tours in the Las Vegas Area (Expanded Edition with GPS Coordinates), Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication 16, University of Nevada, Reno, Mackay School of Earth Sciences, 2008, Bear Printing, Sparks, NV; pages 108 & 109.

At the trailhead 9.5 miles uphill on SR 165 from US 95, we had seventeen hikers to sign in. The trailhead parking easily accommodated around eight cars ... more, if you are able to drive up the road to the right of the parking. This is the direction we began the hike. Up the road and on out the obvious trail that led down toward the Bridge Spring Wash. At the entrance of the wash, there is a flattish double arch formation on the left. (See sixth photo.)

Good Scramble out of the Canyon

As we neared the large bridge known as Bridge Spring Arch, Nelson Arch, and/or Techatticup Arch, there were bigger boulders to go over and around. Some hikers chose to cross the bridge above. Others stayed in the wash and went under the bridge taking a lot of photos.

Following the Trail across to Next Canyon

After the bridge, some hikers climbed up the left side embankment from the top of the bridge and others took another trail above the canyon. Everyone met on the left ridge where there was a trail passing through.

Rabbit Hole Canyon (foreground) and Saddle Overlook (background right of center)

Hiking down to Rabbit Hole

Gathered, we followed the trail around and across to the next canyon descent. This is the rabbit hole canyon. We stayed to the right of center wash then dropped through a large rabbit hole that let us out in a wide valley below the Virlis Fisher Arch across the way. The valley had somewhat of a wall on the east end with an obvious bare saddle. Our next climb headed to that saddle where there was a fantastic Colorado River overlook awaiting us. Using washes and bare spots, we reached the saddle. The last of the climb was the toughest. Photos and conversation ensued. Finally, we turned to make our last approach to Virlis Fisher Arch.

Smiling Faces Everywhere!

Virlis Fisher Arch is somewhat of a jug handle arch that juts out sideways from the wall on the north side of this valley. It is approximately 15' high and 10' feet wide. (Just a guesstimate. Mabye next time, I'll measure!)

Following Chuck to Saddle Overlook

From the saddle to the arch climb, there are a couple of game trails. It is best to take the higher trail since you will want to be as high as possible (the base of the wall) when you make your final climb.

Taking in the View at Saddle Overlook

Colorado River from Saddle Overlook

Instead, we had started on the lower trail and the climb up to the base of the wall was very difficult. It is filled with steep scree no matter where you try to climb. We could not see the arch from below since it was "hiding" around a corner of the wall above. But, some of us knew where it was and when we got to the base, we chose our route and began climbing. No matter which route you choose, it is a difficult endeavor. Perhaps the easiest is the route furthest to the right of the arch. ... Or not. My choice was not an easy route! I went up just to the right of the arch and it was, at best, a 3rd class effort. Exciting. At any rate, around twelve of the seventeen hikers made it up to the arch shelf and got their photos.

Using Game Trail to cross to Virlis Fisher Arch Climb

None of us stayed too long up on the shelf. Usually, we have our break there but, this time, some of our group were waiting for us down at the big rock at the bottom of the hill. We all made our descent in our own time and descended to the "waiting rock" for our break.

On the Virlis Fisher Arch Shelf

Most of us used the traditional chute for our descent. It is located just to the left of the arch. But, there is another chute that some hikers enjoyed that is found in the fourth chute to the left.

The Waiting Rock below Arch

Descent from Arch Shelf - Zoomed in from Waiting Rock

After the break, we followed Chuck down to the flat, gravel, main valley wash. On down this wash, we got to a point where we could look back and see the full arch on the wall. Here, we turned to go up a wash on the left. After some wiggling over to the right, we found a large scramble wash to ascend. From there, we junctioned with another scramble ascent wash that forked to the right. This wash passed Heart Cave and Frown Cave, very large openings on the walls up to the right. We gathered again at the top of this wash and realized that we were standing on the trail that Chris and Guy used way back in the day! But, Chuck had other plans.

Hiking down to Center Wash from Waiting Rock

The weather forecast had promised bad wind gusts coming in around noon so we were trying to finish the hike without dilly dallying. (My legs can attest to this as I write the next day!)

Climbing out of Center Wash

Therefore, Chuck found a very interesting wash that took us from the west side of this area to the east side so we could connect with the shorter route back to the cars.

Rock Lichen, Natural Bridge, Caves and Cactus Wren Nest in Cholla

Scramble Canyon

The group got separated as we each found interesting ways to get back to the trailhead. (One group found a very interesting way down the side of the wall to the road!!) Some followed the regular trail and others found the old trail that swings out to the east a little. I know the leaders always feel that they lose a little control when this stuff happens but, really, it's just us having a little bit of last ditch fun! And, today, seventeen hikers had bunches of fun in a beautiful location before the wind kicked in! Thanks Chuck and Mike!

4.6 miles; 1150 feet elevation gain; 3.75 hours

Shoulder above Scramble Canyon

Crossover Wash

On Trail back to Cars