Stanley B Loop - 8/16/21

View to Kyle Canyon from Stanley B Saddle

Cockscomb Peak from Intermediary Ridge

The Stanley B Wash Trail

Climbing up the Wash Trail

The Fabulous Five parked at the Stanley B Trailhead this morning and started up the beautiful wash that drains out above the parking turnout. It was early so the temperature was a cool 60ish and the climb was our morning coffee. There is still smoke in the air from California fires but the morning is the best time to avoid  the worst of it. A well worn trail led us up to where the wash crossed the old mining road. Instead of turning right here, as we usually do, we kept going straight up the wash. There are a couple of good scrambles a little ways up. Then, the trail began weaving in and out of the wash and the surrounding forest. When the forest ahead began appearing very brushy, we made our way over to the right to connect with the old mining road that was running parallel to us.

Scrambling in the upper Wash

Connecting with the Mine Road

Fork Area facing Right Fork

Stanley B Mine

Continuing up the small road track, we came to Stanley B canyon fork marked by a sign high on a large tree. ("Leroy Mining Claim") Our route would ascend on the right canyon fork and descend on the left with a climb to the saddle high above in between. Turning right, we passed through a garden of Mt. Charleston rough angelica preparing to bloom. There was a light stream of water flowing down the path. Up past the double tree "gate" we saw the barred mine with the spring water flowing out of the large opening. Not far up the brushy wash, we saw the second mine up on the hill to the left. From there, it was a continuous climb up the wash on a trail that sometimes weaved up to the right to miss obstructions. We climbed slowly and steadily.

Climbing the Right Fork

Checking out the Rock Climbing Possibilities

Climbing up and Around

Hiking through Small Glade

As we came to the last steep quarter mile, we passed through a small glade at the bottom of another wash fork. We chose the left wash and followed the canyon up until another fork appeared with a large fallen tree over the right option. Choose one of three ways to get to the other side of the tree and climb up this wash to get to the lowest part of the ridge above. It is a beautiful saddle with views of Mummy's Toe & Knee and Cockscomb Peak. We sat here on the log for our photo and break ... and rest! That was the work and, now, the fun! Btw, there is still a little work to be done on the next part of the route! So be it! Today, we went back down the wash we came up only about twenty feet and turned to the right. 

Arriving at the Stanley B Saddle

Fabulous Five on Stanley B Saddle (Mummy's Toe in Background)

Interesting Stuff

Side Hiking where there is No Trail

As best we could on the very steep terrain, we side-hilled it over to the second ridge. (The first ridge is a very small anomaly.) The second ridge is the intermediary ridge between the original right and left canyons at the Stanley B Fork. This section of uncomfortable hiking needs to be improved. Hopefully, we will find or make a trail in the future. Could be higher or it could be lower. (I would rather it not be lower!) Once we were on the intermediary ridge, views opened out beautifully. There is a vague trail that follows the top of the ridge down. As we were beginning our descent on the ridge, we noticed a new trail just below us to the left and realized that it switchbacked up to our position! Cool! So, we followed the trail down until it seemed to be leaving the top of the ridge.

Following a Trail down intermediary Ridge

Nice Smokey Views from Intermediary Ridge (down Kyle Canyon)

Trail weaving down Rocky Slope Section (Rainbow Saddle in Distance)

Trail connecting with Wash Below

Wanting to stay on the ridge, we returned to the vague ridge trail then ran into what might have been the new trail again! Cute little switchbacks! Then, off it went down the side of the ridge on an unexpected white rocky slope. The trail was so well marked, we decided to follow it all the way down to the top of the canyon wash below. We were now in the left canyon wash of the Stanley B Fork. Someone has done an incredible job of marking this trail all the way down to the signed fork! Thanks. I love trails! On the way down, we passed three piped springs with flowing water (not counting the piped spring at the fork below) and a large flat area that may have held a cabin or mine camp at one time. The large campsite that I thought I saw near the top of the left canyon wash last year did not exist after all!

Following the Trail down Wash

Upper Stanley B Spring (Mid R)

Nicely Maintained Trail

Stay High Here!

Just above the fork spring, there is a large airhole for the mine. We passed this and took the alternate trail down to the fork. The brush has grown up too much to hike right past the spring pipe here. At the Stanley B Fork, we started down the old mine road and took this route all the way back to where it crosses the main wash. We turned left and descended back to the cars on the wash trail. Like I said, that one section of side-hill hiking needs improvement but this is still a great loop, especially with the addition of the well-built trail between the top of the left canyon wash and the top of the intermediary ridge. Fun day!

Stats: 3.8 miles; 1500' gain; 3.5 hours

Down the last Spring Pipe

Starting down Mine Road after Fork

Descending Stanley B Wash Trail to Cars