Horse Peak Loop - 9/2/21

Mummy Mountain and Lee Peak from First Ridge Peak

Panorama from Horse Peak Ridge

Coming out of the Brush on Descent Ridge

Starting out the Sawmill Trail

Last year, we did several exploratory hikes that included Horse Peak, a small white peak at the top of Horse Canyon. Today's hike finally set in stone, maybe, a great loop that was not repetitive of any other hike. We started from the Sawmill Trailhead and headed out the Yellow Trail to do the crossover from that trail to Macks Canyon Road. When we neared the junction, we heard a few very loud snorts! Sure enough, we rounded the corner and there were four burros standing in our way between us and Macks Canyon Road. A photo, then we retreated to a different route to cross up to the dirt road. Once on Macks Canyon Road, we hiked up to the first dirt road that turns off to the left. This is Horse Canyon Road; about 0.85 miles into the hike.

We had to temporarily change course due to these "snorters!" (White burro baby in the back!)

On Macks Canyon Road

Starting up Horse Canyon Road

Horse Canyon Spring

Horse Canyon Road may be travelled by only the toughest of vehicles. We saw tracks of such a vehicle all the way up the canyon road to the trail that continues from there. About 1.5 miles into the hike, we passed the Horse Canyon Spring where many wild animals go for water. At this time, the spring is very shallow but still can provide water. We saw hoof prints in the muddy hole. Just after the spring, the road turns into a trail and in one tenth of a mile, we turned to bushwhack steeply up the hill on the left side. Some diagonal hiking can be done but my rule is to stay out of a very deep wash on the right side. Nearing the top of the hill, we cross a game trail going from left to right. We turned to the right and followed this trail up to a ridge saddle. We deserved a short rest here where there is a view of this end of the Mummy Mountain Cockscomb Ridge. Afterwards, we proceeded to the right on a game trail just below the ridge. A couple of times, the trail tended to drop in elevation. Each time, we course corrected to stay as near to the top of the ridge as we could comfortably. There are a couple of small tors along this section that are fun to climb up and see the view. Finally, we found ourselves climbing up a larger peak. This pretty peak is only a couple of feet shorter than Horse Peak.

Steep Bushwhacking

Reaching a Ridge Saddle with view of Mummy Mountain

Leaving Saddle to Follow Horse Trail just below Ridge

Onyx Peak across Horse Canyon

We'll call this peak the First Ridge Peak. We took our group photo here then moved on to the slightly higher Horse Peak for our break. Where we sat, we could see Onyx Peak, a black rocky peak that is further on around the ridge chain. Onyx Peak is about 100' less in elevation than Horse Peak but from this vantage point, it appears the same, at least. We continued our hike around the ridge by dropping down and around to the left. Next, there was a climb up a false tor. Only then were we on our way up the side of Onyx Peak. Following the trails that were pressed into the terrain, we reached the summit of the small rocky peak. On the other side, the terrain drops out and we found our way down a steep scree slope, zigzagging as the trail led.

Climb up to the First Ridge Peak

The Fearsome Foursome on First Ridge Peak

Macks Peak from Horse Peak and Weathered Tree

Climbing up the Tor before Onyx Peak

 Becoming more and more dependent on the horse trails, we doggedly stayed as near the ridge as possible. There was a lot of brush up there and the trails led us below to the left. However, we didn't want to lose too much elevation so we were always climbing back up the hill and finding a higher trail up there! So ... no ... it wasn't as easy as following a horse trail from beginning to end! There were a handful of small tors that we had to circumvent because of brush but, suffice it to say, we followed the ridge down and veered to the left. The ridge became less and less brushy and the horse trail became more decided. Just before we made one of the last descents, we came to a great climbing tree. I asked Rita to climb it for a photo op. ... So, it's my fault!

Ralyn and Mike on Onyx Peak

Steep Descent from Onyx Peak staying near Ridge

Still following Horse Trail on Ridge

Desert Floor view from a Tor

The ridge began dropping and we passed by several fire rings on the side of the trail going down. Eventually, the horse trail became an old narrow road. Then, we dropped down to Macks Canyon Road in the middle of one of the loop curves. A right turn on the dirt road and a left turn at the connecting junction (no burros this time), and we turned to the right onto Sawmill Trail. We picked up some trash on the last mile and delivered it to the large trash bins found at the trailhead. Great hike and cool day!

Stats: 5.3 miles; 1600' gain; 4 hours

Never pass up a chance to climb a tree and show off for the grandchildren!

Macks Canyon Road

Finishing up on the Sawmill Trail