Hummingbird Gulch Loop - 8/31/20

Hummingbird Gulch from the Outside

Hummingbird Gulch from the Inside

Six on Break at the High Point Corner

Robbers Horses

 The temperatures finally dropped a little - enough to hike the Hummingbird Gulch Loop that begins at the Robbers' Roost Trailhead on Deer Creek Road. As we climbed Kyle Canyon Road, most of us saw a mule deer with a decent size rack! Then, at the trailhead, we saw four wild horses close by munching. One of them was a young one and he/she did not seem to understand that the paved road was off limits. Cars travel ridiculously fast on Deer Creek Road and it is dangerous for everyone ... including baby horses. While I was taking my photos, the black and white male came straight for me! I got the message and quickly got out of the way. Yep! They're wild ... and unafraid!!!

Starting up Old Deer Creek Road

 We had a full roster of six hikers as we headed across the road, climbed up the embankment and turned right onto remnants of the Old Deer Creek Road.

Sun Rising on Old Deer Creek Road / Gypsy Trail

 It was a weird day. Someone forgot their hat. Someone forgot their stick. And, someone who never slips and falls, fell. Maybe Mercury was in retrograde. Hmmm. But, with our laid back group, it matters not. We wait. We have no bad feelings. And, we move on. It's really nice.

View down Telephone Canyon

Unpleasant road walk but Necessary

 The loop climbs for approximately 4 miles then descends for around 2 miles. The climb is gentle while it circles around parallel and above the new Deer Creek Road. I believe the mountain bikers have named this section of the route Gypsy Trail. There are two options for a steeper climb up to the North Loop Trailhead. One is the Pixie Trail and the other is unnamed ... just very steep and not recommended for hikers. As we circled around and came to the pavement junction, there was a huge truck loaded with machinery heading into the Hilltop Campground. They have been doing some work there. We have no idea what. Maybe repairs after the fire or just giving the campground a face lift.

Starting up North Loop Trail (Mummy's Nose in Background)

 We walked along Deer Creek Road up to the North Loop Trailhead with the feeling that we were taking our life into our own hands. Luckily, it was early and only one car passed us. Scary.

Pause on the North Loop Meadow Climb

 The view down toward Kyle Canyon from this dangerous traverse is fantastic but stopping to take a decent photo was not on my mind!

Bristlecones at a Switchback Point

View down to Deer Creek Canyon and the Mahogany Fire Burn Area

Next, we started up the North Loop Trail. This section of the North Loop has been extremely busy of late. On the weekends, you must get to the parking area by 5 or 6am to get a place! But, on the week days, it is a bit more regular. Anyway, we haven't tried to compete for a parking place yet this summer and a few of us had not even climbed here since last year. The state of the trail is wonderful. Someone has recently done some trail maintenance! We climbed steadily up to the meadow and took a short break. No hurrying for this group! Next, we took on the 12 switchbacks. Slowly and steadily, talking the whole way!

We love this tree!

 We took our snack break at the High Point Corner. This is also where we took our group photo. Afterwards, we hiked down to the Fletcher Peak Trail junction and took a sharp turn to the left.

Mike heads toward Mummy's Toe

 So far, we had only seen a small number of other hikers. School started and mandatory isolation is over. Has been for a while. But, Nevada still requires face masks in public. Thankfully, face masks are not required out on the trails.

Arriving at the Fletcher Saddle (Griffith Peak in Background)

Playing with the Camera ... Again

 The Fletcher Peak Trail circles up behind the hill opposite to the North Loop Trail. Then the trail takes a decided drop down to the Fletcher Saddle. Taking a breath before starting our big finale dive, we took another couple of photos. There is a trail that begins next to the large surfaced tree root on the left side of the trail here. This is the Hummingbird Gulch (or Hollow) Trail that begins rather gently through the woods on a nice soft bed of decaying pine needles and cones. It was clear that the downpour that happened last week cleaned the small ditch that we were following. This small ditch soon turned into a larger ditch and eventually, into the humongous gulch. Intermittent cairns marked the way.

Following the Wash Trail in Upper Hummingbird Hollow

 The first sign of the narrows is seen in the photo below. Next, the spring is seen running smoothly.

Top of Narrows of Hummingbird Gulch

 Soon, the trail leads you to a small limestone drop of about 4 or 5 feet. There is a go around through the tree if you prefer not to sit and drop.

Healthy running Spring in Narrows

Small drop on Trail

 Not too long after that, the trail leaves the wash climbing up and around to the left. The wash dives into a brushy mess and then a twenty foot dry fall. The up and around is difficult terrain but necessary. Use the sit and drop method if necessary. Steep and loose is the best way to describe it as it circles around to the left then drops down to the base of the dry fall to the right. We negotiated the mess then resumed trail finding. There are still a few cairns but, if you keep your eyes peeled, the trail can be followed without them except for a couple of places where "either or" will get you to the same place ... probably! Essentially, the trail leads down canyon on the left side under the cliffs and through a lot of scree.

Trail up and Around (L) - Brushy Dry Fall (R)

 Descending Hummingbird Gulch sounds a lot easier than it really is! It takes a lot of time unless you are a young and strong whippersnapper. For us, "not falling" is the primary concern!

Safely at Bottom of Dry Fall

 Someone once told me that we may look and feel like 40 or 50 years old but we have to play by the 60 or 70 year old rule book!

Following Trail past Fallen Tree (Fallen tree seen in 2nd Photo.)

Angel Peak from Gulch Trail

 Carefully, we weaved and undulated our way down the gulch with the high walls and scree providing the boundaries. It was "slippy!" Finally, we entered the woods at the bottom and stopped to cool off a little before we hit the connector route back to Robbers Roost TH. Turn left on the old road and climb gently until the trail starts to fall off the road embankment. Then, find the trail up in the woods to your left. This trail will take you to the descent onto the Robbers' Roost Trail and out to the cars. Great day in the mountains!

Stats: 6.7 miles; 2150' gain; 4.75 hours

Lower Hummingbird Gulch

Six Hikers dealing with the Scree!

Trail connecting to Robbers Roost Area