Nuclear Loop - 5/24/21

Mummy's Nose and Forehead from Champion Ridge

Desert View Overlook Walkway

Test Site from Rocky Peak

Starting out the Walkway

It was another cool day in the mountains so the Tenacious Trio chose a hike lower in elevation. This hike, the Nuclear Loop, was first explored for the club in 2015. There have been few changes and the route is in better shape than before. The trailhead is the tourist turnout called Desert View Overlook found on Deer Creek Road (SR 158). The first order of business is to walk down the concrete walkway and read the signs about how people from all over came to this place to watch the first explosion of an atomic bomb in preparation for Hiroshima. (Wouldn't we all want to turn the clocks back for that one?) Regardless, this is the reason I named the hike what I did. There is also information on the signage about the Nuwuvi people and the geography of the area.

Mike and Rita zigzag their way Down

The signs are in somewhat poor condition but they are still readable. And, there is a little graffiti on the walkway, too.

Reaching the Descent Wash

At the end of the walkway, we finished reading and circled around behind the signs to the north. A couple of use trails have popped up but I always try to stay on the left of the ridge and find a good place to drop into the wash below. There is not a lot of hurry to drop.

Old crashed airplane parts in Descent Wash

Removing survey Tape

Once in the wash, the route follows the wash down. There is a trail found on the right side of the wash and I usually change back and forth between the wash and the trail depending on the presence of brush. Today, we noticed that someone has tainted the quiet solitude of this area with those ugly survey tape ribbons. We removed what we saw. Really, it's simple. Just follow the wash down! Until ... you get to the large cliff pour over. We took a peek over the side of the cliff just for thrills then headed up to the left along the cliff. Soon, there is an obvious place where it is easy enough to drop over the rock and down to the wash again. Following the wash and trail, we eventually came to a wide wash confluence filled with trees and brush.

Dry Fall Cliff Area

When you realize that you are in a widened area, it is best to edge over to the left side. Not far down the wash, there is a survey marker painted red. (Today, we decided to call the landmark, "Baton Rouge!")

Descending around Dry Fall Cliff

Baton Rouge is a perfect place to start your ascent straight up to the end point of Champion Ridge. It is a steep climb but doable. There is even an old trail that you might catch on the way up.

Baton Rouge Landmark

Reaching the end of Champion Ridge

This end of Champion Ridge is made up of limestone, dolomite and probably some Pleistocene spring deposits. It is a very rough, sharp rock that requires care and precautions when using it to scramble. ... Especially, when you are too lazy to put your gloves on! So, climb on up to the top of the rock and turn to the left. For about a mile, we followed the ridge toward Mummy's Nose high above. Around halfway up, you begin to see views from the edge of the ridge's cliff. Lee Canyon Road, Macks Canyon Road and the Sisters Ridge are see across Lee Canyon. Champion Road, a primitive camp area, can be seen directly below. The large campsite at the top end of the ridge has been torn apart. It was there for years and now provides too much fire danger.

A little Scrambling Fun

We took our break at the campsite overlook then crossed Deer Creek Road just above the 8000' sign. The old Deer Creek Road has a remaining portion starting here.

Rita scrambles up with a Beautiful View

There is evidence of people camping on the old road in many places. We took the time to destroy the fire rings we found. ... And, picked up the trash.

Following Champion Ridge Up

Mike views from the Ridge Edge

Our route climbed a long gradual slope up the old Deer Creek Road. There are several "wash moguls" that cross the road but I guess campers have figured out how to get around them in vehicles. We passed the old staircase to nowhere. It is falling apart and a few of the risers may have been used for firewood. The history of the mountains are disappearing among the ignorance of the pandemic hordes. Next, we came to the old car. The plastic skeleton still sat in the driver's seat and there is a small sign asking that it not be removed. We took our group photo here. None of us were car buffs so we couldn't guess the make and model but, I might have that information in one of my previous blogs for this hike or the Old Deer Creek Road/Champion Ridge hike.

South and North Sisters from Champion Ridge

The hill was long but we finally arrived at Rocky Peak. Usually, there are campers here but maybe they all went back to work!

Destroyed Campsite

We did the short climb up to the peak where there is an amazing view of Mummy's Nose in one direction and the desert floor's Three Lakes Valley in the other.

Crossing Deer Creek Road

Climbing onto Old Deer Creek Road

A short rest after the long hill and we went back to old Deer Creek Road. At this point the road starts a descent and comes to a larger campsite area where there were no campers. The old dirt road finally junctions with the new Deer Creek Road (paved). We crossed the pavement and entered the Orange Trail Trailhead. A few weeks ago, I noticed on a club hike that the trailhead area was really trashy. So, today, we took the time to collect a lot of it. There is still more there but some of it is disgusting and we didn't have rubber gloves. (And, some of it is so deep inside sticky bushes that it was very difficult to reach.) We left the large bag of trash there so that we could pick it up on our way out in the car. (My guess is that this area could use a pit toilet!)

Tenacious Trio at the Old Car (Skeleton Inside)

Next, we started down the Orange Trail Loop veering to the left of the trailhead. Immediately, we came across a kid's inner tube that was likely used as a sled last winter. Yep. We reached into the brush and managed to get it out. Mike carried it back to the car. See last photo!

Mummy's Nose from Rocky Peak

This part of the route feels like you are losing elevation that you don't want to lose. But, it is a nice trail and woodsy feel and it is the only way to get back to the cars without walking along the road.

Approaching Orange Trail Trailhead

Descending Orange Trail (Wash side)

We'll take a trail over a road any time! So, when we reached the first wash crossing, we started up the hill on the other side. This steep ending to a peaceful hike takes whatever you have left inside and leaves it on the trail. At the top of the hill, we found the Desert View Overlook walkway. Taking a breath, we turned to hike up the concrete passing a few tourists on the way. Good hike. Pleasant. Good company. Watch your illegal campfires out there! And, pick up your trash.

Stats: 5 miles; 1200' gain; 3.75 hours (with trash pick up)

Points of Interest along the Hike

Last Climb back to the Desert View Overlook

Tummy Tube? Part of the trash we picked Up