Foxtail Ridge - 8/27/20

Bristlecone Snag on Foxtail Ridge - View to North Loop Ridge

View down Canyon & Mummy Mountain from Foxtail Ridge

Five on the Line ... Ridge Line

First Mile from Trailhead

 There were five on the ridge line today as our small pod of club members climbed Foxtail Ridge. This rugged and steep ridge had been explored by Jerry and Cheryl on previous dates and declared strenuously steep in the upper regions. Today, our modestly strenuous hikers intended to go to only a certain point on the ridge and then return. The ridge promised a new perspective of the upper part of Lee Canyon. It also promised a good workout with fantastic views. The five of us parked at what we are now calling "The Pay Phone Trailhead!" This TH is located across Lee Canyon Road from Old Mill Picnic Area immediately below the Lee Canyon Road traffic circle. The old pay phone can almost be seen up the Old Mill Road in front of the fire station house. (And, yes, it still works!)

Pioneer Rock (L of C) from Foxtail Ridge

 The Girl Scouts' Camp Foxtail and a Group Picnic Area is found to the left of the traffic circle as you are going up canyon. Most of the time, the gate is closed to this area as it was today.

Climbing Ridge through Pines

 When the gate is closed, cars are not allowed in. But, hikers are free to roam as this area is included in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. (However, not suggested when the girl scout camp is in session.)

View back to the Sisters Ridge

Enjoying the Beautiful Ridge Area

 We, however, crossed over to the hillside that rises directly from the gate area. This is the beginning of Foxtail Ridge. Right away, we woke up our hearts and lungs to get to a level area at the top of the hill. There is an old abandoned forest road here that we followed for around a mile up to the Lee Canyon Water Tank. (On the way, we noticed a skinny tall tree leaning on some telephone(?) wires.) Up at the water tank, we continued straight up the ridge and found ourselves on a vague trail. This trail continues off and on all the way up the ridge. The places that it was not very clear were usually the "go arounds" needed for passing cliff bands. The trail was fairly strong on top of the ridge itself.

Pause for Photo

 There was a lot of evidence that wild horses sometimes frequent this ridge and they seem to prefer the lower or "go around" trails.

A Mountaineer!

 Reaching the Monte Cristo Limestone that makes up the cliffs of the ridge, we fell in awe of the beauty. Many photos! This is where we saw a big white rock outcropping near the base of Mummy Mountain. Checking with our topos, we learned that this rock is named Pioneer Rock.

One of the "Go Arounds"

Rita returns to the Ridge

Moving up along the ridge trail, we passed Pioneer Rock and the cliff views continued. The view back revealed the entire Sisters Ridge to one side and Mummy Mountain to the other. A little further up, we looked directly down on the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead and the Lee Canyon Ski Resort and ski slopes. Approaching the first of a series of cliff bands, we had to choose a route around. At each "go around" we started by leveling off on a "trail" down from the ridge. But, to return to the ridge, there was some very steep climbing to be done. This is somewhat tiring and a little frustrating since you had to keep re-attaining elevation. But, hey, you are hiking!

A Slightly exciting Place!

 The most beautiful and satisfying section of this hike for me is what I will call the "Beautiful Ridge Area." But, I concede, if you are satisfyingly sated with scrambles of class 2, 3 and 4, the best is yet to come!

The Group with Cheryl behind the Camera

 With the "Beautiful Ridge Area" coming to an end, we reached the first of the scrambles; a short class 3 wall. Very "sticky" and lots to hold onto. Fun!

Another Mountaineer!

Women climbing a Wall!

 After this, we had to go around a long wall that ran along the cliff. There is brush to contend with then a very steep climb back up to the ridge that had not stopped ascending. This happened a couple of times before the King Wall of them all, appeared ahead. (See second photo down.) I cried "Uncle" and we decided to stop about 0.4 mile before our target. It had been an amazing climb and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Suffice it to say, Jerry and Cheryl said that the 0.4 mile remaining "just gets worse." We retreated to a fire ring we had recently passed and sat for our break after destroying it ... the second fire ring destruction of the day!

View back from top of That Wall

We wondered where the ridge connected with the North Loop Trail at the top. Research tells us that Foxtail Ridge connects with the North Loop at the 5 Mile Campsite.

Our Turnaround Point - ~2.10 miles Up from Trailhead

 The descent was difficult at times but retreating down the Beautiful Ridge Area was magnificent! The go arounds were easier since there wasn't a need to return to ridge as soon as possible. Our descent ended at the water tank where a log-lined trail headed down the hill into Camp Foxtail.

 Second Fire Ring Destruction of the Day - (Rita just threw a rock!)

View down to the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead

 Instead of following the forest road back as we had come, we dropped down into the camp area. There was no one around and we quietly turned to the left and started hiking down the access road. Eventually, we came to the group picnic area. The signs here named each group site as a desert animal with the native word for the animal on the sign as well. Interesting! We had fun trying to pronounce the unfamiliar words and probably butchered them in the process. This was an interesting new strenuous hike that should be repeated as a four miler for the mainstream club members. It could also be incorporated into an easier hike with further exploration in the Foxtail Canyon.

Stats: 4.2 miles; 1400' gain; 4 hours

Descending Beautiful Ridge Area

Passing through Camp Foxtail & Group Picnic Area

Down the Access Road