Bonanza Peak - 7/5/21

Charleston Peak from Bonanza Peak

Pahrump from Bonanza Saddle

Descent on Approach Trail

Two of Five Elk seen from Road

So, July 5th was the official holiday for the July 4th weekend. That meant that there were a lot of folks out on the trails. We decided to go north to Cold Creek. This would put us away from the crowds and a tiny bit cooler than the Kyle Canyon area. We drove up between the prisons and through the Cold Creek community then out the 2 mile dirt/gravel road to the Bonanza Trailhead. (It is a bumpy road and prefers an HCV.) On the way out, we passed a group of four majestic female elk. Looking back after passing their low ridge, I saw another one. Great start to the day ... even though we didn't see hide nor hair of any wild horses all day.

Two of Five Elk seen from Road

It was going to be a warm day so we got to the trailhead around 7:20am. There was one car there and we saw a couple of campers off the road on the way up.

Starting up the Bonanza Trail

Anxious to get started up the 3.5 miles of switchbacks, we quickly readied and began the hike.

Into the Switchbacks

Somewhere around Switchback #27

The northern end of the point to point  Bonanza Trail presents approximately 57 switchbacks up to the Bonanza Saddle. Reaching Switchback #1 sees the trail wiggling through the forest and passing the Mt. Charleston Wilderness sign. After passing a huge log on the right side of the trail, the switchbacks begin. Quickly, hikers receive views of the desert floor and Cold Creek below. Out toward the south, views of monstrous Macks Peak and McFarland Peak make the horizon rise. Mike stepped out right away as he managed to reach the saddle without stopping. The rest of the Fab Five, kept a decent pace but had to rest every so often putting us on the saddle about 30 minutes after Mike.

Nearing the Window View

Along the way, we stopped at Switchback #35 to go out and view the Window in the Cliff from below.

Window in the Cliff at Switchback #35

Around Switchback #45, the trail takes a long traverse from the original trailing ridge to a trailing ridge just underneath the saddle.

One of several Tree Crossings on Big Traverse

Deserved Break at Bonanza Saddle

During this traverse, there are a few new trees crossing the trail. One, in particular, was more difficult to negotiate. However, being south Nevadan hikers / scramblers, we found our way over the obstacles. The remaining twelve switchbacks brought us around a bulbous rock outcropping and up onto the Bonanza Saddle that was filled with yellow flowers. The temps had settled down a bit at the 9600' elevation. In addition, we welcomed cloud cover for most of the duration of the hike. We took a well deserved break on the saddle as we watched three backpackers and two dogs hike by on their way down. (They had watched the Pahrump fireworks from their campsite the night before.) Feeling rested, we started up the trail to the left of the saddle.

Hiking Bonanza Trail to Junction

There is another mile on the Bonanza Trail before you reach the large turnoff cairn. During this mile, we passed another couple of hikers on their way down.

Nice view of Desert Floor

At the large cairn, we turned left and started up a cairned route that follows the ridge out to the peak.

On Approach Trail

Bristlecones are blooming like Raspberries

If you choose, you can stay on the Bonanza Trail a little further until the second cairn. This cairn marks a good trail up to the peak but it is often used only as a descent since it is a little steeper. Finally at Bonanza Peak, we sat to enjoy our just rewards on a small peak rock outcropping. This peak (known sometimes as the "Green Peak") is a little different from many of the Spring Mountains peaks in that it is surrounded by trees that obstruct a clear view. Regardless, three of the most prominent peaks of the view are (L-R) Macks, McFarland and Charleston Peaks. After a leisurely 25 minutes, we gathered ourselves for the hike down by taking that descent trail to the Bonanza Trail junction and turning to the right.

Approach Trail Beauty

On the way down the approach trail, we passed one more hiker on his way up. Later, this same hiker would hike into the trailhead about 3 minutes after we did!

Rita, Mike, Ralyn and Chuck

The hike back to the saddle was even more beautiful than the hike up! The view of Willow Peak at the north end of the ridge was very nice.

Pahrump view from Bonanza Peak

Fab Five (plus Kay) on Bonanza Peak

Again, we took a short break at the saddle. We were in no hurry! Then, down we went following Mike at a very nice pace. When we got to the traverse section, we tackled the tree crossings again. They were a little more difficult on the descent! ( See my struggle three photos below!) Next, we stopped again at the Window in the Cliff view on Switchback #35. The next 30 switchbacks were filled with conversation and taken at a decent pace. However, no matter the pace, the 3.5 miles of switchback descent always take a toll on the feet. When we got down to the Switchback #1 and log, the half mile of beautiful woodlands could not be appreciated enough. Still, a half mile is a half mile!

Almost back to Bonanza Saddle (Willow Peak in Distance)

Finally, we hiked through the last clearing to the trailhead. It was warm, around 80 degrees.

Reaching Bonanza Saddle

There was no cloud cover at the trailhead and one other truck sitting in the sun.

Those tree crossings Again!

Macks Peak from Switchbacks

After a quick photo of the window in the ridge above, we hopped into Chuck's FJ and started down the bumpy road drinking some cold water and talking a mile a minute! No elk and still no horses. But, a great time was had by the Fab Five on the 5th!

Stats: 8.7 miles; 2800' gain; 6.25 hours

Desert Floor and Cold Creek from Switchbacks

Below the Switchbacks

Yea! The Trailhead!