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| Angel Peak Dome |
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| Intrepid Hikers in a Teeny Tiny Sleet Storm |
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| Angel Peak from Juniper Trailhead |
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| Starting Out from Juniper TH (notice SD!) |
Warily stepping out from the safety of my home, I began hiking with a few friends a week ago after socially isolating because of COVID-19 for two months. We have, thus far, done four hikes meeting high winds, sleet and wonderful weather alike. We keep our social distancing (SD) and wear masks when we feel uncomfortable. We also know the Spring Mountains NRA pretty well and find great hikes to do that are much less travelled. Rita, Cheryl and Jerry T. and I have a lot of fun together as we can all be pretty silly when we want to! And, I have to say, my first hike back out of isolation was absolutely freeing and beautiful. It was as if I was seeing Windy Peak for the first time all over again!
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| Still SD-ing! Getting into the First Wash |
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| Good Landmark - Mushroom Rock Wall |
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| Cheryl Swings on a Branch - (We don't take ourselves too seriously!) |
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| Nearing the Angel Canyon Confluence |
So, Wednesday, the three of us wanted to climb Angel Peak! (Well, mostly me!) This was my third ascent of the ridiculously difficult-to-reach peak. I am honing my route to become as straight forward as possible. And, this round became extremely brushy as we explored a neighboring ridge for the ascent to Wooden Pole Powerline Road then negotiated the brushy wash (shortest route) for our descent. Also, we accidentally explored a different wash below the trailhead on the way back. (It had to be done!) At the end, we came to the conclusion that the shortest route out and back is the best with the option of the initial descent to the First Wash be done in the explored wash.
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| Kay at the Angel Canyon Confluence (View down Canyon) |
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| Rita in the Wide Brushy reaches of Angel Canyon |
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| Exploring a Ridge next to the Connecting Ascent Brushy Wash |
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| Cheryl presents the Wooden Pole Powerline Road |
We began dropping down on the Showgirl Trail, then entered the First Wash. Although it is a little confusing, the wash is found by just continuing your descent fairly close to the left embankment. We passed a couple of reassuring landmarks like the Rotted Trees and the Mushroom Rock Wall. Before we realized it, we were at the confluence of the First Wash and Angel Canyon. The best thing to do here is go upstream staying in the trench-like wash. But, we went ahead and crossed the very brushy wide area of Upper Angel Canyon. We found an entry up onto the ridge just before the Brushy Wash to the saddle and began our steep brushy climb. We knew that staying on the trailing ridge would require us to gain more elevation, but we were willing to see if the going was less brushy on the ridge than the previously taken route on the side of the ridge above the Brushy Wash. Comprenez?
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| Rita and Kay slowly climbing the Steep Slope |
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| Views from Angel Peak Place (paved road) |
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| Circling the Angel Peak Dome |
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| Approaching the Summit! |
Nope! Very, very brushy. We were bulldozing, again and again, through the dead wood with a clear space appearing only once in a while. And, we decided that the extra elevation gain was not worth the effort. On the Wooden Pole Powerline Road, we followed the steepness all the way up to the paved road, Angel Peak Place. Gorgeous views with a large dark cloud that was lightly dropping tiny sleet balls on us as we worked. More fantastic views could be seen from the paved road as it curved around and up to the peak. Most interesting was the view of Lucky Strike Canyon and the small peaks that lined its road. Jerry and Cheryl had climbed those peaks only a few weeks before.
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| Taking a Break on the Summit |
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| Well Worn Guard Rail on Angel Peak Place |
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| Starting down the Treacherously Steep Dirt Road |
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| Rita makes her way through the Brushy Wash |
Finally at the top, we enjoyed our rest and started back down through the increasing teeny tiny sleet storm. Down the treacherously rocky dirt road and into Brushy Wash. After some wishy washy decision-making, we barged down the center of the wash. Yep! A lot of brush but passable. Definitely better than the ridge. At the bottom, we crossed to the wash that flows down Angel Canyon in a small trench and junctioned with the mouth of First Wash. On the way up this wash, I took a "wrong" turn and ended up climbing the wash that goes directly up to the cars. It's steep but the route is, indeed, shorter. Absolutely fun day! Maybe I'll see you around out there ... or not!
Stats for the recommended route: 7 miles; 2100' gain; 5-6 hours
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| Small Dry Fall in Brushy Wash |
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| Happy Hikers reaching Angel Canyon Again |
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| Return in First Wash |
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| Previous Hike Elevation Graph |
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| Recommended Route |
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| Recommended Route |
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| Recommended Route |
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| Recommended Route |
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