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Entrance to Lee Canyon Narrows
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Smokey Mummy from Brown Trail
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Diving into Lee Canyon from Trailhead
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Large Cairns guide the Way
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Four of us started out at the Lee Canyon Road Trailhead located 10.5 miles up from SR 95. It is near the mile marker 6.5 on the left side. (Remember that the mile markers are in reverse order as you go up the mountain.) We started early so there was a little chill in the air and as we progressed through the hike, smoke from California fires filled the upper elevations. We smelled the smoke, once in a while, as we followed the trail up through the canyon. Our route started by dropping down into Lee Canyon on a well trod trail. It had been a couple of years since I had followed this trail and the improvements were obvious. The trail had been marked with more large cairns and the path was much easier to follow since it had been used properly a lot more.
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Lee Canyon Trail (Blue Trail)
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In the past, there was always a certain section that was very difficult to follow and resulted in me just going up wash to find the trail again. Today, we learned that, twice, the trail turns down wash to zigzag and find the proper path. Cairns are there, so look around when you find yourself flummoxed!
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Narrows Approach
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As we climbed the pleasant trail, we started picking up trash. Our "move along" pace slowed to a crawl as we went here and there, removing trash. Lee Canyon tends to collect a lot of trash since it is a major drainage.
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Within the Narrows
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Four down Under
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We took the spur into the Lee Canyon Narrows when we got to the three big cairn crossing. The narrows were clean and the gravel was low enough to make it easier to go under the obstacle rock. Back on the trail, we went up and around the narrows and down onto the trail that runs parallel to the wash. There was a lot of trash here. We spent some time here while also dismantling a recently used fire ring. Then the trail took us up to Lee Canyon Road and further to Cardamine Road. Turning left on Cardamine, we hiked into Sawmill Trailhead where we stopped for our break. There were restrooms, garbage bins, and picnic tables to attend to our needs. After the break, we started up the Yellow Trail.
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Exiting the Narrows
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About 3/4 mile from Sawmill TH, we came to a fork where the Yellow Trail continues to the right. To stay among the trees, we took the right fork and made the traverse over to the steep rocky old dirt road. By this time, we had taken a left onto the Blue Trail.
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Trail Up and Around the Narrows
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At the old rocky dirt road, the Blue Trail continues down and to the left. I was talking too much and forgot that the Upper Rocky Gorge/ Pinion Pine Loop Trail (Orange and Brown Trails) come into this junction as well. The trail used to be well worn onto the Blue Trail. Now, the trail is more worn onto the Brown Trail! Oops!
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Old Packard?
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View down Lee Canyon from Climb Out
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It wasn't long before I realized that we were not on the planned Blue Trail route. No worries. New stuff! I knew where this trail came out onto the lower No Mads Trail. Besides, the trail headed straight downhill. Fun! Long story short, we turned right onto No Mads Trail when we got there but didn't stay on that trail long enough. A serious bushwhacking ensued! Again, no worries. I knew where we were in general and started heading toward Lee Canyon Road in as much of a straight line as I could in the sometimes light brush. (I did not have my GPS since I knew the intended hike so well ...! Yeah.) Anywho, we kind of enjoyed the "not terribly difficult" bushwhack and eventually, ended up on Lee Canyon Road at mile marker 6. Woohoo!
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Entering Sawmill Trailhead
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Taking the Blue Trail to the Brown Trail
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At mile marker 6, we followed a short drainage over to the old Lee Canyon single lane dirt road and turned left. Finally, we were back on the original plan.
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The Brown Trail (Upper Rocky Gorge Loop)
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Climbing up and over Hill on Road
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This dirt road led all the way back to the cars over the remaining half mile. If nothing else, this hike brings to mind a possible long distance hike for the cooler months. You could continue down the Rocky Gorge Loop through Rocky Gorge, over the hill and back to the Blue Tree parking lot and up to the cars. This hike would be approximately 10.5 miles and could be shortened slightly by using various options. Nevertheless, a fun day!
Stats: 8.5 miles; 1600' gain, 4.5 hours
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