Dales Trail to Ice Box Overlook - 1/5/21

Dale's Trail at the Base of the Sandstone Bluffs

Skull Rock with Wilson and Rainbow Peaks

Balanced Art Appreciation

Ron's Happy Hikers

It was a Terrific Two that arrived at the Pine Creek Trailhead for an 8 o'clock start. At the same time, Ron and Sandi's group was also arriving! It was so good to see them and the others in their group! It just so happened that we were all planning to hike up Dale's Trail for our morning outing so we all began together. Down the hill and out the Pine Creek Canyon Trail for approximately half a mile and a right turn onto Dale's Trail that is marked by one of those wonderful new trail signs. We hiked through the desert a short way and came to Skull Rock. This rock is marked by an old wooden sign on the right side of the trail. The "skull" itself is partially obscured by a tree that has been happily growing right in front of the eyeballs for many years.

Approaching Pine Creek Trail / Dale's Trail Junction

The group moved on past the rock to climb a long hill to the top of the next trailing ridge. Dale's Trail travels along the base of the Sandstone Bluffs where there are several trailing ridges with deep arroyos in between.

Beautiful Hike through the Desert

These undulations continue throughout the hike. However, the colorful, rocky and cactus-filled landscape makes this hike worth its reputation.

Ron sneaks in a Pic of Rita and Kay

Dennis walks by Skull Rock

Sometime after this first large undulation, Rita and I parted ways with the Happy Hikers to move on up the trail at a somewhat faster pace. Dale's Trail was created by (as legend has it) Dale, either a member of the Wilson family whose homestead still lays in Pine Creek Canyon or a friend of the Wilsons. Personally, I think Dale had a very good idea! This trail is at its best in the spring but any time of year, the colorful rocks stand out in the landscape. The views from the trail to the Calico Hills and North Blue Diamond Hill are spectacular as well. Ron made sure to point out the view around us at several opportunities. Of course, the view on the other side was the towering bluffs of Bridgepoint Peak. We hiked along the ridges and arroyos smoothly.

Calico Hills from Dale's Trail

As the trail circles around the base of Bridgepoint Peak, the views change to Turtlehead Peak and the La Madre Range beyond.

Rita and Ron on Dale's Trail

The deep arroyos provide passage for the desert rains and spring snowmelt. This, in turn, provides a good habitat for wildlife, specifically mule deer.

Turtlehead Peak from Dale's Trail

Old Bench on Dale's Trail Red Saddle

We had our eyes open looking for those mule deer that almost always were seen somewhere along this trail. Granted, they are very difficult to spot but we had decided that the drought had sent them foraging elsewhere. We passed the old bench on the red dirt saddle where previous hikes have stopped for a break. Later, we dipped in and out of the Ice Box Canyon wash that is filled with rounded rocks. Moving north, we entered the wash, went "downstream" for about ten feet, then turned to the left onto the trail that was hidden by trees and brush. Soon after, we were crossing the Ice Box Canyon Trail and connecting with the SMYC Trail. We hiked across the mouth of Ice Box Canyon on the SMYC Trail toward the embankment on the other side.

Chollas in the Morning Sun

There are three ways to climb to the top of the embankment to sit atop the overlook. The way we climbed today, I do not suggest!

Ice Box Canyon from SMYC Trail

We simply took a long traverse up to the left! There were remnants of an old trail but, for us, it was simply an exercise.

A Break on Ice Box Canyon Overlook

Still at Break on Ice Box Canyon Overlook

I do suggest to stay on the SMYC Trail until you reach the top of the trailing ridge where there is a flat smooth area. Here, take a sharp left and climb to the overlook. There are a few trails here you can take to reach the same place. We sat here for our break with the two views displayed in our twosome photos above and to the left. We hiker-watched as revelers hiked in and out of Ice Box Canyon in the distance below. After resting, we decided to drop down the steep slippery trail in front of us. This brought us down to a huge boulder where we took the trail that headed straight back to the SMYC Trail. These use trails should not be used to hike into Ice Box Canyon unless you are very familiar with the mouth of Ice Box.

Optional Steep Trail down toward Ice Box Canyon

We retraced our steps back over to cross Ice Box Canyon Trail and reconnect with Dale's Trail. We were lost in our concentration with all the roly poly rocks underfoot.

Mule Deer near Red Saddle with Bench

And, just when we had about given up on finding any mule deer, we were blessed with a rutting season display! (Is it rutting season?)

A Deer Scuffle - (It's about the female.)

The end of the Deer Scuffle

As we approach the red saddle bench, four mule deer were running across the trail and up the hill following (assumably) a female deer in heat. There were attempted mountings and a couple of hoof boxing episodes. When all the deer became aware of us, (we were upwind of the slight breeze), it was like a cold shower to the randy males. The female took her escape and the males bickered a little and just stared at us like, "It's your fault she left!" We waited but they were done! The remaining hike went smoothly as we concentrated our way back to Skull Rock and the cars. It was a wonderful day on Dale's Trail!

Stats: 5.6 miles; 1150' gain; 4 hours

Dale's Trail

Returning to Skull Rock (In Mound Below)

Bridgepoint Peak behind Skull Rock