Cholla Forest v Seven Falls Canyon - 12/24/20

Cholla Forest with Mt. Wilson (AZ) in Background

Bacon Canyon

The Females

Wow! A really big tire!

'Twas the day before Christmas when all through LV, creatures were stirring to prepare for their feasts. 

The stockings were hung on the chimneys with care, in hopes that St. Nick wouldn't forget that we are here. 

With us in our warmest, we set out to hike, in the hills somewhat west of a huge blue lake light.

Eyes from above, up high on the ridge, watched as we played returning with a smudge.

Could they be the reindeer, all surefooted and sleek? We slogged up the gravel 'fore one came to meet.

At the top of the First Dry Fall

At the first decision, we turned to the right. Climbaway, climbaway, up the falls we used might!

At the top of the Second Dry Fall

We stuck to the rock with treads of a sort, trying our best to not climb and abort. Up we climbed through the rabbit hole on Two, then up we again climbed the number Three wall with poo. ... True.

Negotiating the Third Dry Fall

Seven Falls Canyon

Four, Five and Six, always a mystery to count, we took on the challenges ... nevermind the amount.

We laughed and conversed and enjoyed our endeavor. A rarity to find in this pandemic born social sever.

According to plan in the Seven Falls Canyon, we reached a breezy saddle and dropped.

Trajectory to h-e-double hockey sticks, we crossed the big divide, an errant angle led us to the upper loop canyon side.

Fourth Dry Fall

Enjoying the moment, I led us on. We then faced that big dry fall from the bottom up. Come on!

Sixth Dry Fall

"Where the h-e-double hockey sticks are we?" said the revelers all. "No worries at all, just follow the side walls."

Still Smiling

Seventh Dry Fall

On Mike, on Rita, on Jerry and Cheryl, on Ralyn and Kay down the hill to the bay. When up to our left, we heard not a clatter, but more reindeer eyes on our small hiking matter.

Coming into the forest of chartreuse sticky plants, pom poms of spines lay surrounding our pants.

We sat for a spell, when suddenly magic a-fell. 

Two Christmas elves popped up from the spines. Then another and another and soon there were six.

They spoke constant jokes but went straight to work, magic takes a toll on all hands and foot.

Heading into Loop Canyon

What did they do? Nothing seen, nothing heard. But a feeling of camaraderie came over the group.

Level Up in Loop Canyon

We finished our break and got up to leave, bidding the elves "adieu," we did the ol' pack heave!

Approach to Cholla Forest from Loop Canyon

The Males

Hard work before the break in the gravel upslope, earned us a smooth ride down so there was no mope.

Down the power line road, we sailed like a yacht. Not exactly sunbathing in the cloud cover a lot.

Spying the exit route below the square-pointed knob, we headed straight for it crossing washes and lobs.

A cairn marks the turn and we climbed on up. The bright red rock welcomes clueing in on the mark.

Cholla Forest and Christmas Elves

Straight up the first, then down and up again. A right turn took us to the saddle and trail.

Cholla Forest and more Christmas Elves

A view of the blue and a flat long odd hill, appeared to the east as we followed Bill. (Bill is Rudolf's brother who got sidetracked in the Las Vegas casinos. He never returned to the North Pole with Santa but still comes around Lake Mead to help train others for the Christmas Eve ride.)

The Road to the Left Turn

Climbing after Left Turn

Down the hill to the left, Bacon Canyon exceeded expectations. We dropped on down and began our long exit. Bacon Canyon was filled with fun and excitement. And, many creative cairns whose balance was exceptional.

Someone before us had a creative flair, not to mention an incredible sense of balance in the open air.

Short falls, short falls and a few long falls abound. The Take-It-Easy Fall, the Down-to-the-Right Falls and the Stay-on-the-Left Falls arrive.

The Panther, arches and the Bacon pass by. A wonderful hike. A painting to delight.

Game Trail View

Down past the Bacon. Down past the junction. Down past the tire and construction debris gumption.

Easy-Does-It Dry Fall in Bacon Canyon Descent

Now, Dash away, dash away, dash away into the light! Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

Down to the Right Dry Fall

Short Break

After making the mistake in the track direction near Cholla Forest, I decided that I will do this "mistake" again in the future. We were pleasantly pleased with the appearance of both the female group and the male group of bighorns high up on the ridges. The cold day turned out to be just fine ... actually beautiful ... since the wind was a non-issue. A fine day, a fine hike and a wonderful way to spend Christmas Eve on this pandemic year full of, well, yucky stuff. We even sang a few Christmas songs! 

Stats: 6 miles; 1400' gain; 4.25 hours

Bacon Colors

Near bottom of Bacon Canyon

Bottom of Bacon and Seven Falls Canyons Junction