Pioneer Spring & Rock Loop - 5/31/21

Foxtail Spring (aka Pioneer Spring)

Pioneer Rock

Aspen Lined Road to Spring

Burritos in Lee Canyon

Finally, the Six with Sticks were all able to hike at the same time! Since it was Memorial Day, we chose an out-of-the-way hike into Foxtail Canyon. There is a little known springs (Foxtail Spring) that we "discovered" last fall. We added that hike to the Pioneer Rock Loop and called it simply Pioneer Spring & Rock Loop. The spring was beautiful in the fall with yellowed columbine leaves. So we were wondering what it looked like in the spring! Well, to our surprise, the spring was iced over but it is melting fast! Starting from the beginning, we parked at the Pay Phone TH and watched a Momma Burro and two burritos plus five small deer crossing the road and running toward the Foxtail Picnic Area while we were getting ready! Great start!

Climbing up to Foxtail Ridge Forest Road

Foxtail Ridge Forest Road

Scenes at Girl Scout Camp

Pioneer Rock Road

After saying hello to another group parked there, we walked down to the road gate and the end of Foxtail Ridge. Easily finding the trail up the ridge, we woke our hearts and lungs climbing up to the Forest Road on top of the ridge where we spied two more deer. The forest road travels for under a mile ending at the Foxtail Girl Scout Camp's water tank. Here, we passed their amphitheatre and fire pit to drop into the camp. This camp is closed for now due to it being within the habitat for the Mt. Charleston Blue Butterfly. All the structures are still in good repair and the Pioneer Rock Road travels up through the buildings. As the road passes the Pioneer Rock Loop turnoff, it travels through a beautiful aspen grove. Next, the road starts getting steeper and steeper. 

Climbing past the Aspens

Getting Steeper

Really Steep to Spring (L)

Iced Spring with Gorgeous View

The road is no longer passable by vehicle but we assume it was made to construct a water pipe that runs down from Foxtail Spring to the camp. Maybe they used horses. It's really steep and rocky! Our group spread out taking on the hill to the spring at their own pace. I dropped into the wash about half way up to take photos of the spring from below. This viewpoint was less photogenic than it was in the fall. I climbed up to the spring getting thistles stuck in my bare legs. When I first saw the spring, I couldn't figure out why it was white. Ice was the last thing on my mind since the temps were reaching 100 degrees in the valley! As I climbed up to the level of the spring wall, it became abundantly clear that the spring was still frozen from the winter cold. 

View from Foxtail Spring

Trinkets hanging from roof of Spring Cave

Six with Sticks (A Team) at Foxtail Spring

Preparing to Leave Spring

Deserving a break from the steep climb, we wandered around taking in the views. Looking out from the spring alcove, you can see McFarland Peak, Mt. Everest (Nevada style), and the Sisters Ridge. We took our group photo and started down ... slowly! We managed to get down the really steep part without a fall then we hiked more easily down through the aspens. At Pioneer Rock Road turnoff, we turned to the right and climbed through some more camp structures. The Pioneer Rock Trail continues climbing around to the left to reach a saddle behind the huge rock outcrop. Today, we decided to not explore the rock. The very nice trail heads uphill from the rock saddle then curves around to the left starting a pleasant traverse.  

Down the Really Steep Stuff (Sisters Ridge Above)

Back into the Woods

Climbing to the Pioneer Rock Saddle

The tree across trail is still there!

There are three trees that have fallen across the trail. The first tree needs to be crawled under. The other two trees can be stepped over. During the traverse, you see views of Pioneer Rock and Foxtail Ridge. Further out, you can see the Lee Canyon Ski Slopes and the Upper Bristlecone TH. Up to the right is the side of Mummy's Tummy. The trail comes out to a point on a trailing ridge where there are a few pinnacles around. Let's call it Pinnacle Point! It is a great place to stop and take in the views. We took a second group photo here with the Sisters Ridge as a backdrop. One of the prettiest parts of the hike comes next as the trail descends down a somewhat craggy ridge. It wiggles down through a few rock outcrops and gives you views of Pioneer Rock rising up out of the trees. 

So is this one!

View of Ski Slopes from Pioneer Rock Trail

Pinnacle Point Break

Great View of Mountains to Climb

Eventually, you begin making a final drop down into the Girl Scout Camp. We passed the main dining hall and climbed back up to the forest road. On our way down the forest road, we picked up trash. This area is often used for small campsites and these campers don't always pick up after themselves. This hike was an excellent way to spend Memorial Day without being inundated with other hikers. Good stuff!

Stats: 5 miles; 1525' gain; 3.75 hours

Ridge Descent Trail

Approaching the Girl Scout Camp Again

Shelter built on Forest Road