Stanley B / Fletcher Canyon Loop - 5/27/21

Small Slot in Fletcher Canyon

Mummy's Toe from Stanley B Saddle

Top of Fletcher Canyon Narrows

Starting Hike up Kyle Drainage Trail

The Tenacious Trio were at the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead preparing for our loop hike up Stanley B Canyon and down Fletcher Canyon when a familiar car slows down on the road and turns in. It was Bob W.! We invited him to hike with us and since he had previously planned to hike alone, he decided to join us making it the Fantastic Four. When ready, we crossed the drainage bridge and started up canyon on the drainage trail going past the ranger cabins, through the campground and past Rainbow. Here, there is a trail that climbs up the embankment to Kyle Canyon Road where you can cross over to the Stanley B Trailhead. Already a mile into the hike, we stopped to read a sign that had been placed on a rock there. "Cougar in Area!"

Hmm. It should be gone by now, right? (Stanley B TH)

As we were discussing the implications of the sign, another AtBFer, Jackie drove up to say hello. We hemmed and hawed then decided to rely on strength in numbers. ... and a lot of noise!

Stanley B Canyon Wash

We started up with me in the lead. By golly, if I'm going to be first, I'm going to make a lot of noise! So I did ... and, I even irritated myself! But, long story short, we never saw the critter.

Stanley B Trail to Mine

Fork Spring running Well

We hiked up the beautiful wash and turned right onto the old mining road. Next, we turned left onto the shortcut trail, connected back with the mining road and hiked on up to the fork area. We took a little trip to the pipe spring and climbed up to the gated mine entrance. Here's where the hike really starts! The climb up to the saddle from here is interesting and steep. There is a trail up through the wash and it appeared that the trail had recently been maintained. Thinking that I had adjusted to the higher altitudes, I started out strong. Oh, my! This climb has never been easy but, today, the altitude made it worse for me! Nevertheless, we slowly made it up the drainage. I needed several stops to breathe. A left at the small wooded meadow. A right at the rock outcrop.

Large Grate at Mine Entrance

Lastly, a very steep climb to reach the saddle. Mummy's Toe was a beautiful sight! We sat here for our break on large ponderosa tree roots.

Climbing Stanley B Wash

On the other side of the saddle from whence we came, we saw Rainbow Saddle on the ridge between Harris Peak and Griffith Peak.

Navigating Debris

Nearing Final Climb to Saddle

After the break, we began the part of the hike that behooves you to know the route well. Essentially, you drop to the first ravine and go down until you find a very vague trail leading to the left. Then you follow the second ravine down until you almost reach the cliff dry fall. Here, there is another hard to find trail leading to the left again. This trail ends by dropping steeply down to Fletcher Canyon in its upper regions. As you turn to the right, the remaining part of the hike is just fun! Today, there was a lot of water running down the creek at this point. It seemed like more than normal. The first obstacle comes right away. The ponderosa waterfall! An up and around is offered on the left side but it is a tricky maneuver ... especially if you don't have the nerves to down climb and jump.

Dropping down First Ravine

Lately, I've been dropping down over to the left but, even this route, is tricky. Nevertheless, it gets the job done. Then, a short walk up to the waterfall provides a nice photo sometimes. Today, there was too much debris standing in front of the water.

Rotting Tree in Second Ravine

We headed on down the canyon following the trail and noticed that there are several more trees that have fallen over the winter months. We managed to get through or around them. However, it also appears that someone has maintained the trail in some of the more ambivalent places.

Dry Fall at end of Second Ravine

Steep Descent into Fletcher Canyon

There used to be a couple of campsites within the canyon but they have been obliterated. We were happy to see this. We don't want another forest fire in the Spring Mountains any time soon. (Please camp responsibly!) Soon, we came to the small slot where there is a secret passage to the right that goes around the slot. At the other end, we all went into the slot and posed for our group shot. Next, the trail leads on down coming to the end of the running water. The water goes underground as we drop into the top end of the upper narrows. This is a magical place with high walls that are only around 8-10 feet apart. Finally, we reached the rabbit hole at Obstacle Rock. Last year, someone put climbing logs on the drop side opposite to the hole. Fine. But, the logs are a little treacherous and they also block some of the underneath portion of the rabbit hole route. So, even though Mike and I still went through the hole, it took twice as long as it did for Rita and Bob to climb down the slippery logs. Then, three of us reached the bottom of the Obstacle Rock area via the slippery chute. That is definitely a fun thing to do! Next, we started down through the lower narrows.

We found a seat!

One change in this part of the route is that the big tree that blocked the canyon for a few years has been breached! You no longer have to go up and around it to get to the other side.

Small Slot from Above

At this point, we started seeing other hikers in the canyon. First, it was a large group of children. Surely, the mountain lion was long gone!

Fantastic Four in the Small Slot

Running Water

Not much has changed with the lower canyon portion of the trail. But, there has been some odd use trails popping up here and there. Once out of the narrow parts of the canyon, we skipped down the trail passing more and more other hikers. It was nice to have Bob join us today. For me, it was a hard workout but fun, fun, fun! This hike is an oldie but still a goodie!

Stats: 6.2 miles; 1800' gain; 4.5 hours

Passing Through

Upper Canyon Narrows

Exiting Lower Canyon Narrows