Overlook Ridge Loop - 6/28/21

Pahrump Overlook Peak with the Group on the Precipice

Wallace Canyon (L to R = Charleston Pk, Mt. Reagan, Mt. Clinton, Pahrump Overlook Pk)

Old Shelter

Starting out Upper Bristlecone Trail

A Sensational Six hikers parked at the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead at the top of Lee Canyon Road and started a hike that was first put on this blog last year. The hike "Overlook Ridge Loop" is made up of various routes that have been in our hikes for quite some time. Putting together the routes in this way was new and it is a good challenge that gets most of the hard work done in the first 2 miles. We hiked up the trail for 1 mile and turned left onto the No Name Trail. About 0.2 mile further, a trail veers off to the left. This is Wallace Canyon Saddle Trail. We turned and started climbing the steep trail with a couple of stops to breathe. The weather was already getting warm. Finally, we reached the saddle and wonderful cool wind hit us!

Teepee with Sensational Six (on Upper Bristlecone Trail)

Rest Stop on Wallace Saddle Trail

Lee Peak from Wallace Saddle

On Wallace Saddle

We rested here for a couple of minutes while we looked out at Wallace Canyon. We could see the Split Rock and Lee Peak. To the right, we saw the high long steep hill that we would tackle next. So, up we went! Slowly! It was a long hard climb but we stopped whenever we needed to breathe and when we needed to take a photo or two. The views were amazing! The group seemed okay with the slower speed of the day. We followed a trail up to the first false peak, across a long saddle and on up to circle around the rocky outcrop at the top. The high point of the trail at the rocks was 10,000 elevation feet. Here, we continued following the trail down the ridge to the left and went up to enjoy the overlook. This overlook ridge is the namesake of the hike.

Steep Trail up to right of Wallace Saddle

Climbing up to 10,000'

Saddle before High Point (10,000')

Enjoying the Saddle

Across Wallace Canyon, we could see Charleston Peak along with Mt. Reagan and Mt. Clinton. Pahrump is seen in the distance past the end of the canyon. At the end of the ridge that we were on, there is Pahrump Overlook Peak. On the other side of the ridge, there is Clark Canyon and McFarland Peak. The Bonanza Trail runs along the ridge above Clark Canyon across from us. We returned to the double cairn where we had come down from the high peak. The cairns mark where the trail begins that runs steeply down to the No Name Saddle. Carefully, we descended. If you would like a short hike, you could continue down the No Name Trail and return to your car (~4 miles). Since the cool wind seemed to be sticking around, we decided to continue our 6 mile endeavor.

From Overlook Ridge to Wallace Canyon

Enjoying the Overlook Ridge

Steep Trail down to No Name Saddle

No Name Saddle

We hiked out the trail until the small ridge on the right dipped down to gather us up. We left the official trail to pass the dead photo tree and follow along the ridge. There is a vague trail along the ridge but, at one point, I lost the trail and caused an unplanned elevation gain. Just try to stay on the ridge! At the high point of the ridge, there is an old shelter of logs. We hiked past it and continued down the hill to the No Name /Bonanza Trail junction for our break. While we were there, we didn't see anyone hiking through the popular junction. Afterwards, we continued down the long switchbacks to junction with the Bristlecone Trail. Here, we turned to the right and tried to quickly hike out of the sun. Upper Bristlecone Trail is as beautiful as ever!

Large Dead Photo Tree

Wooden Animal

Peering into the Large Shelter

Taking a break at the Bonanza Trail Junction

The trail zigzags along the contours through the limestone and bristlecone trees. The Desert Paintbrush, Firecracker Penstemons, Brushy Phlox and Desert Sage are all blooming among several others. We hiked around and down to the big overlook switchback where there is a wild horse game trail that continues out the ridge at the apex. We followed the trail as it wiggled itself along the top of the ridge. Finally, when the ridge took a large dip, we connected with a trail at the bottom of the dip and hiked around the last peak of this ridge. At the end of the trail, you simply veer right and begin a steep descent down to connect with the Bristlecone Trail again. Except, this time, we all took the trail down the wash and connected with the Upper Bristlecone just below the tiny switchback in this area.

No Hang Gliders!

Beautiful Upper Bristlecone Trail

Chuck, Mike and Larry

Following the Wild Horse Game Trail

We completed the 6 miles hiking among the aspens between the iron fence that was built here to protect the Charleston Blue Butterfly habitat. Cloud cover had aided us in our efforts to finish the hike before it got too hot. Plus, the cool wind kept coming. Nice! This is a fun and challenging hike. A great day!

Stats: 6 miles; 1700' gain; 4 hours

Dip down to the Trail around last Peak (Lee Peak above)

Connecting with the Trail

Back on the Upper Bristlecone Trail