Overlook Ridge Loop - 8/25/20

Five off Trail on the Dead Photo Tree

South Sister and Mummy Mountain from the Upper Bristlecone Trail

Lee Peak (L) and Charleston Peak (R) from above Wallace Saddle

Bristlecone Trail nearing No Name Junction

Today, we had five of the pod of six starting out from the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead. It would be a new route for the group in the category of a strong moderately strenuous level. This route utilized an assortment of previously club-hiked trails that have been in use by the club for the last few years. Since this hike is a conglomeration of various hiking and game trails, I strongly urge you to research the hike before heading out. Use a GPS that will allow you to retrace your steps if necessary. The hike begins by hiking up the Upper Bristlecone Trail to the No Name Trail junction one mile up. It was a beautiful cool morning with the sunlight just making its way through the aspens and pines.

Morning from Wallace Trail

We turned left onto the No Name Trail then left again on the Wallace Trail a little further up.

Climbing Wallace Trail - "Wake up Heart and Lungs!"

The Wallace Trail has been blocked off by limbs to deter those who do not know where they are going. We turned left here and started waking up our hearts and lungs on the steep short climb.

Climbing up from Wallace Saddle

Respite on the Ascent

 At the top of the steepness, the trail turns to the right and traverses on a gentle slope over to the Wallace Saddle. The wind was blowing pretty hard on the saddle since Wallace Canyon opens out in a southwestern direction. With a brief pause here, we turned to the right and faced the music. This is a formidable ascent up to a ridge peak. There is a trail that follows or parallels the steep ridge line. In the three weeks prior to today, we had used this ridge for a descent. The consensus from the group held that the ridge is better as an ascent than a descent so when we reached the top, we were all pretty happy that it wasn't as challenging as we had anticipated.

Slope of the Ascent (Charleston Peak in Background)

There was a small intermediary peak then a flattish saddle type section then the trail heads around the top peak on its right side.

Mt. Reagan (L), Mt. Clinton (C) and Wallace Canyon (R)

After you follow the trail to the other side of the peak, the route continues around to the left until it turns to the right and leads down the remaining ridge. The vague path is a bit unclear.

Still Climbing

First small peak on Ascent

Nearing the saddle below, we took note of the two cairns placed in the middle of a trail fork. The other side of the fork leads back to the other side of the "hill." We kept straight for a short way to take in the magnificent view of Wallace Canyon, the back of Charleston Peak, Mt. Reagan, Mt Clinton and Pahrump in the distance. On a shorter hike, this would be a great snack place! After a few photos, we turned around to follow the trail back to the fork. This time, we took the trail leading around the other side of the mountain. (now left of the cairns) The trail slowly starts descending into a steep shortish route down to the No Name Saddle.

Highest Ridge Ascent Peak Ahead

As we stood at the saddle, we discussed Clark Canyon which laid out to our left. We have heard that there is some privately owned land down there. Where are the boundaries? Inquiring minds want to know.

View of Wallace Canyon and Pahrump from Overlook Ridge

We turned to the left and followed the No Name Trail around the head of the canyon then climbed up to the Photo Tree and a campsite on the ridge above the trail.

Small rest at the Overlook

Important Double Cairn

Must have a photo at the Photo Tree! The tree is dead so, climbing onto the strong branches, we posed for a shot. Next, we walked over to the campsite and destroyed the fire ring among the trees. Think again folks. The next part of our route took us along that ridge paralleling the No Name Trail below and to our left. At the end of the ridge, there is a nice climb up to a peak among the old trees. Here lies an old fort structure built many years ago with deadwood limbs. There is a fire ring inside it as well but we didn't climb in to do our destruction. From there, the trail continues down the hill to the No Name/Bonanza junction. Since the junction was busy with other hikers, we sat on a log about 50 yards up and took our break.

Steep Descent Trail to No Name Saddle

At the junction, we turned to the right and headed downhill on the four long Bonanza switchbacks ending up at the Bonanza/Bristlecone junction.

Hiking the Ridge above the No Name Trail

This part of the Bristlecone Trail is in the sun so we didn't stay long at the junction. We turned to the right and started up the Upper Bristlecone Trail.

Proud Bristlecone on Ridge - This one is alive!

Starting down from Fort Structure to No Name/Bonanza Junction

We hiked around the familiar trail taking in the absolute beauty of the bristlecones, limestone and surrounding mountains. We passed a small group of hikers recognizing one of them as being no other than Linda O'Leary. We almost always see someone we know! When we reached the one switchback on the trail, Jerry and Cheryl took the extra elevation gain up to the overlook. Next, we parted from the Bristlecone Trail and continued straight out the ridge from the point of the switchback. We'll call this a game trail even though there is plenty of evidence that hikers use it, too! The trail follows the ridge line out to a dipped saddle.

Fort Structure

At the saddle, there is a trail that leads down and around the hill in front of you. We followed that trail ending up at the top of a very steep hill that passes through a pine glade.

Approaching the Bristlecone Trail Junction from Switchbacks

Down. Down. Down. We ended up at a small trail that leads to the Bristlecone Trail where we turned left and started back to the trailhead.

South Sister and Mummy Mountain from Bristlecone Trail

Starting out Game Trail Ridge

As an option, I separated from the group and took the wash down to just past the tiny switchback further down. It is a shortcut and there is a vague trail. All of this last part is pretty intuitive starting with the pine glade. Again, it is a no brainer if you have a GPS that tells you where you are! This hike is a keeper! Expect it on the schedule next year!

Stats: 6 miles; 1700' gain; 4.25 hours

A Bird? A Plane? No, it's a low-flying helicopter!

Lee Peak from Game Trail Ridge

Steep Drop back to Bristlecone Trail