Boneshaker Hill / Fossil Ridge (Afternoon Hike) - 10/19/21

Fossil Ridge in Late Afternoon

Burros at the Boneshaker Hill Junction

Desert Beauty

An Afternoon at the Corral

Double Trouble started our hike at around 1:30pm (DST) from the Cowboy Trailhead. Our late start was unusual. It was so weird that there were very few hikers around. It was even more weird that, as we hiked, we didn't see any rabbits and saw only one lizard and one ground squirrel! The weather was perfect for an afternoon hike and we set out past the horse corral and headed for the base of Boneshaker Hill. As we turned the corner, we saw a herd of about ten wild burros on our right side. Luckily, they were not quite on the Boneshaker Trail so we turned right and hiked past them without incident.

Circling Boneshaker Hill

Oh, Hello Burros!

Skull Canyon and Muffins Trail from Boneshaker Hill Ascent

Calico Hills from Boneshaker Ascent

In no particular hurry, we climbed Boneshaker Hill. The sun was bright and the photos had not started to get that evening sun effect. We reached the Boneshaker sign and turned right onto the SARS Trail. We crossed upper Cave Canyon and tried a little shortcut to the other side of the ridge to get in our adventure for the week! Catching the SARS Trail on the other side, we hiked up past the 2nd Finger and the 1st Finger taking a small break at the white rock junction of the old mining road before we turned right to hike down to the Echo Canyon junction. The sun was dipping down toward the escarpment setting itself up for beautiful colors on the Calico Hills. We noted the many red barrel cacti on the southern slopes of the North Blue Diamond Hill.

Boneshaker Sign in Afternoon

Top of Cave Canyon from SARS Trail

Approaching Fossil Ridge Cliffs

An Abundance of Red Barrels

We followed the Echo Canyon Trail down the two switchbacks and continued on the Fossil Ridge Trail that runs above the canyon on the south side. It is a beautiful trail. And, today, it was even more beautiful with the sun low on the horizon. Our trail was in the shade but the sun shone brightly on the Calico Hills and the red barrel cacti on the southern slopes across from us. We continued down to the Echo Canyon cliffs and were rewarded with some nice photos! As we started dropping down toward the cars, a trail ride was being organized at the upper hitching posts. I am sure they had a beautiful ride!

6 miles; 1165 gain; 3.25 hours

Fossil Ridge in Late Afternoon

Calico Hills and mouth of Echo Canyon

Descending Fossil Ridge Trail