Mom's Eagle Loop (Easy Moderate) - 9/11/21

One of the Anemometers on the Eagle's Nest Plateau

Erbar Road climbing up to Eagle's Nest Plateau

Trail leading down from Visitor Center to Kyle Canyon Wash

Taking the trail down from Visitor Center

Eight Great Hikers started out from the Stepladder Trailhead and crossed Kyle Canyon Road to hike past the Spring Mountain Gateway Visitor Center and drop into the wide canyon behind. At the bottom of the hill, we continued straight instead of taking the usual sharp turn to the left. This put us on part of the old golf cart path that is being overgrown with rabbitbrush. We could see the asphalt beneath our feet as we hiked up canyon. The cart path rolled up and down as we were led beneath the Mt. Charleston Hotel and Resort but we kept a general direction leading up canyon parallel to the Kyle Wash. Just after passing the old pump house at 1 mile into the hike, we dropped down into the wash on the left. 

Hiking Kyle Wash

Kyle Canyon Wash

Landmark Log leading up to Road Crossing and Erbar Road

Climbing Erbar Road

With hiking poles in hand, we began a 0.7 mile hike up the wide wash. This paralleled the Acastus Trail further to the left. The Acastus Trail has much better footing but the rocky footing in the wash increases the quality of the workout. Finding our landmark log as seen in the photo above, we climbed out of the wash on the right side and climbed up to Kyle Canyon Road. Watch for cars that are, many times polite to allow hikers to cross, and cross over to Erbar Road. This dirt/gravel road is gated for cars and used to service the anemometers on the plateau above. Erbar Road begins the long gentle ascent of the hike's route. The road turns to the left and takes a switchback to the right. One more switchback to the left and we arrived on top of the Eagle's Nest plateau.

Erbar Road

Anemometer and Fletcher Canyon Beyond

The Eight Great in front of Harris Peak's Ridge

Inspecting the Second Anemometer

The first of two anemometers is seen immediately with the backdrop of Fletcher Canyon. Across Kyle Canyon, there is a large view of Charleston Peak's south ridge from Harris Peak onward. The steeply rising mountain on the other side of us tops out at Fletcher Peak. At the base of the Fletcher Peak escarpment, you can see a few large caves. Years ago, a few club members tried to climb up to the caves and they reported that it was an extremely difficult endeavor. The scree-filled steep slopes almost refuse to be negotiated. We followed Erbar Road around and passed the second smaller anemometer. Here, we sat in the shade of the trees and took our break. There was nothing to sit on so we sat on the ground. ... Allll the way down on the ground!

Trail Signs at the Eagle's Nest Junction

Trail up to the Upper Eagle's Nest Loop

Aspens Changing among the South Ridge of Charleston Peak

Taking in the View

Rising from our break, we continued up Erbar Road until we ran into the lower part of Eagle's Nest Loop trail. A left turn led us to the junction of Eagle's Nest and the approach from Fletcher Canyon. We chose right here and continued around the Eagle's Nest taking in the high views of Kyle Canyon on the upper section of the loop. Aspens are turning yellow! On the other end of the loop, there are a few small switchbacks taking hikers back down to the lower section. After a few of these turns, we looked for the little known trail leading off to the left that appears to have existed long before Eagle's Nest Loop ever did. Last week, a cougar was spotted in this general area so I am dubbing this trail the "Pussycat Trail!"

Hiking down the Pussycat Trail

Connecting Pussycat Trail and Old Road at Turnout

Hiking down the Old Road between Deer Creek Road and Kyle Canyon Road

Mule Deer says, "I'm outta here!"

The Pussycat Trail took us down to Deer Creek Road. After crossing the pavement, we turned to the right and walked down the shoulder a short way to a turnout. There is an old road that leads from this turnout down to Kyle Canyon Road at Mom's, a little abandoned store. Here, we hiked around Mom's gate and dropped back to the old golf cart path we were on before. A left turn took us back along the base of the hotel and on to the Visitor Center. It was a fun day exploring new routes and pathways. Fun group!

Stats: 4.8 miles; 725' gain; 2.75 hours

Mom's Gate

Old Golf Cart Path below Resort Hotel

Nearing the Trail up to the Visitor Center