La Madre Double Arch v Pinnacle Canyon - 1/24/22

La Madre Double Arch from Approach

Eleven Great Hikers at the Arch

Arch Wash Terrain (Foreground)

Arch View from Keystone Thrust Trail

In a combination of three pods, eleven hikers started out at the bottom of White Rock Springs Road Trailhead for a strenuous hike up to the La Madre Double Arch. It was great to see everyone starting to come together after being two years into the COVID-19 pandemic although we are still alert on keeping our distance from each other. Not much hugging! 😕So, we walked up the road toward to upper trailhead and restroom. Btw, the road looks a lot better than it did two years ago and we probably could have driven up this time. After everyone was refreshed, we started up the White Rock Hills / Keystone Thrust Trail. A right turn up steps put us on the Keystone Thrust Trail proper. 

Keystone Thrust Open Fault Below

Hiking up the Ridge Trail

Dropping into Pinnacle Canyon Wash

Approaching Pinnacle Canyon

We climbed at a decent steady pace until we reached the Cactus Hill junction. Down below, we could see the open thrust fault area. However, our route, today, continued up the ridge we were on, on a good trail. Our pace stayed about the same until we reached a saddle area where a very non-pristine agave roasting pit marks the junction of a trail to the right. We turned and descended down to a big wash junction. The wash that we wanted to ascend was located past the initial wider wash going up to the left. We found it and dropped into a rocky smaller wash heading toward Pinnacle Canyon. To be clear, the easier route is to keep going straight up the ridge at the agave roasting pit junction. But, Pinnacle Canyon adds a little fun!

Pinnacle Canyon Scramble

Pinnacle Canyon 

Hiking up La Madre Wash

First View of Arch

We climbed up through the pinnacles in 2nd to 3rd class fashion until the wash leveled out again. The left embankment lowered down near our level and we climbed out crossing the trail that came up from the worn down agave roasting pit junction. Weaving our way through the low brush, we followed a kind of trail down to the main La Madre wash below. It is a wide gravel wash that begins a steep climb up toward the La Madre Range. As it climbs, it gets steeper and more scrambly. At this point, the pace slows considerably. We tried what looked like a shortcut to the right but I'm not sure that it is worth a repeat. It did pass up a few harder scrambles in the wash but, soon, we were right back in it. A rest pause in the shade was welcomed.

Best view of both Arches

View down from Arches Wash

Rita standing in the Arch from Uphill Side

Peering out from within Arch

The wash terrain was a little confusing and undefined so I understood how I missed the junction two years ago. My advice is to watch for a few newly placed cairns and to keep to the right. The Arches Wash begins steeply up at a very messy place but you can see the arch above you just before you have to deal with the mess. A few hikers in our group could not see the arch because it is a bit of an optical illusion! Don't expect to see sky through the hole until you are almost inside it! And, the smaller "arch" above the very large one can only be seen from certain viewpoints. All that said, it is definitely an impressively large arch. The best idea is to climb the wash until you pass it and find your way over to it from behind.

Preparing to descend Steep Hill to Wash

Descending Arches Wash

Scrambles

Charlie says "Hi"

At the arch, we posed for the group photo and took our break. Next, we followed the very steep and slippery trail back down to the Arches Wash. Continuing down the steep Arches Wash, we then connected with the main wash at the cairned location. Lots of scrambling going on! Relieved of the hardest work of the hike, we started down the main La Madre wash as it started leveling out. There are a couple of cairns marking the place where we dropped in from the ridge and that is an option for the return. However, we chose the main wash as the return route and continued crunching down the mostly gentle drop of the gravel. There are only three places of interest in the wash before reaching White Rock Hill below.

Descending out of the Main La Madre Wash Scrambles

Drop into Small Slot

Small Slot in Main La Madre Wash

Another small Drop

The first is a ~10' dry pourover that cannot be negotiated. No worries. There is a trail that leads around it on the right side. The second is a really cool short slot that you can drop into and pass through. Again, no worries. This can be easily circumvented on the left side. The third is a small rocky drop that can hardly be called a "scramble." As you near White Rock Hill in front of you, you pass over the White Rock Hills Loop trail. Continuing straight, try to not get caught up with the wide wash delta that has been created. Finally, you flow into the White Rock Wash that flows at the base of White Rock Hill and turn left. This is a beautiful wash filled with ... white rocks. Very photogenic!

Our hike finished as White Rock Wash junctioned with the White Rock Hill / Keystone Thrust Trail as it climbed out of the wash to the right and into the upper trailhead of White Rock Springs Road. Back down the road and we were done! Fantastic day! Quite the workout!

Stats: 6.5 miles; 2200' gain; 4.5 hours

Junction with White Rock Wash

Eleven enjoy the Colors

White Rock Wash