Griffith Peak via Harris Springs Road - 6/19/21

Harris Spring Trail from Cliffs

Charleston Peak from Rainbow Saddle

Cliffs and Lovell Canyon Beyond

Getting ready at the Trailhead

Ah! The mysterious Harris Springs Road! Mysterious, that is, when you don't own a high clearance vehicle! Its siren song lilted to me every time I passed by the beginning of it on Kyle Canyon Road. Saturday, Jerry and Cheryl offered to take us up there to check out the newly redone Griffith Peak Trail. My last hike on that trail was done in 2013 just before the Carpenter One fire broke out. It was a route that came up from Rainbow, circled around Griffith and returned through Rainbow. This was, at one time, my favorite hike. It was a 10 mile loop that cannot be done anymore due to a couple of factors. One: Rainbow won't allow hikers to hike through anymore. And, two: the fire obliterated the trail we used from Rainbow up to the saddle.

Gentle Start

Following old Harris Springs Road - Griffith Peak in Distance

Hiking through Rabbitbrush

Starting up the Gulch-Go-Around

Recently, "Friends of Nevada Wilderness staff and volunteers completed more than 60 days of trail work and donated thousands of hours in trail time to completely rebuild Griffith Peak Trail." This is written on a sign at the trailhead with a photo of some of the volunteers. As we learned after our hike on Saturday, through GPS, the new trail follows the old trail to the T! One of the reasons that I (and many others) liked this trail so much was the abundance of large bristlecones and shady hiking. I am afraid to say that that is no longer the case. There is only a very narrow swath of green trees remaining on the trail located just above the cliff section. Otherwise, there are only burned out tree sculptures to capture your imagination.

Arriving at Rainbow Saddle

Nifty Nine on Rainbow Saddle

Climbing the Cliffs

Cliff Zigzag

The trail begins by using the very old road track that climbs gradually up 2.6 miles to the Rainbow Saddle. There is one washed out gulch where a trail had to be constructed up and around. This gulch go around becomes an issue on the return part of the hike. We enjoyed reminiscing at Rainbow Saddle then continued toward the cliffs. The dolomite limestone cliffs are a special feature of the hike as the trail uses the ledges for switchbacks up the side. There is only one step up that required use of hands. At the top of the cliff section, we entered a meadow area that is part of the green swath. The view back of Harris Peak was something I had missed! "Oh! That's what it looked like!" Heading into the burned forest, the real work began.

Mummy's Toe from Cliffs

Nicely built Trail

Arriving at the Burnt Forest

Charleston Peak from Clearing

As seen on the elevation graphs below, the climb around the ridge and Griffith Peak was a steady and sometimes steep climb. Jerry and Cheryl had set a fast pace nearing 3 mph and that didn't relent much when we started climbing! During the next mile, we lost three hikers. One continued and reached the bottom of Griffith and the other two turned back. It was a hot day (even at 10,000') and very difficult to keep the necessary pace. Six of the nine hikers forged on with determination. The faster pace was necessary because of the long hike, long drive to the trailhead and the long drive back from the trailhead. And, ... it was hot! Jerry and Cheryl, being excellent hike leaders, were taking all this into consideration. We rounded the last curve where we could see the South Loop ridge and passed the only other hiker we saw on our trail.

Continuous Ascent

Burnt Forest Rest Area

Scenery

Nearing the final ascent Junction

Joining the final Griffith Peak ascent trail, we hiked up while passing several other hikers coming down. We had climbed this peak only nine days before. On the top, the sensational six took a break and photos. Feeling awesome, we finished our break and started down. Immediately, we met up with one hiker that we lost earlier. She joined up with us and the 5 miles of relentless and speedy downhill began! There are not many photos of the return portion of the hike because I'm afraid I was The Slow One! Jerry and Cheryl were trying their best to get the group out of the heat as fast as possible. ... Me, too! I love this group! It was a difficult descent for all of us so I guess you could say it was a group effort!

Climbing Griffith Peak

View back across South Loop Ridge

Harris Peak from Griffith Peak

Flag on Griffith Peak

We got back to the trailhead and the other two hikers that dropped back were there. A few of us needed extra water that was in the car. (BTW, it was 113 in the city!) I did tell you it was hot, right? We drove back down the road meeting one other car coming up the other way! Luckily, we met him at an opportune time on the one lane dirt road. And, so went my first trip up Harris Springs Road. A hike to remember! ... Did I tell you it was hot?

Stats: 10.7 miles; 2900' gain; 6.75 hours

Sensational Six

Return through the Burnt Forest

Bringing up the Rear