Tony's Wrinkled North Blue Diamond Loop - 1/6/22

Cave Canyon Left Fork

View from Terminus of Second Finger

Hiking down to the Muffins

Passing through the Upper Corral

It was an invitation we couldn't, wouldn't pass up! Tony invited us to join him on a North Blue Diamond Hill extravaganza! After two weather cancellations, we finally found an excellent day for the occasion. So, the Spirited Seven hikers started the conversation ... ahem ... hike at the Cowboy Trails Trailhead and headed up past the upper corral. Our conversation was so fast and furious that we hardly noticed the climb into Cave Canyon. Soon, we were dealing with the 3rd class climb that each one of us knew very well. The ladder was still there but we didn't use it. Bah, humbug! Who needs a stinkin' rickety ladder? After the big production required by the climb, we climbed up past the main cave entrance still covered with graffiti. During the next half mile, we scrambled through and above the canyon wash but, when we came to a large bend, Tony pointed up to the right side and said, " This is the first "Wrinkle!"

Tony leads us into Cave Canyon

3rd Class Scramble in Cave Canyon

View back through Cave Canyon

First Wrinkle Junction

We stopped for a wardrobe adjustment since the weather was warming fast then proceeded to climb the embankment up to the top of the Second Finger. There, we turned to the right and hiked down to the terminus of the finger of terrain. After a few photos, we returned to the SARS Trail on the other side of the finger. A left turn took us down to the right fork of Cave Canyon. We turned left for the next wrinkle. Meeting the left fork, we turned to the right and finished climbing up through the wash to the 3rd class climb at the top end. We each tackled the climb differently but met at the top! Next, we turned to the left and climbed the hill to the SARS Trail, the next wrinkle. We turned left on the SARS then switchbacked at the Boneshaker sign. This put us on the Radio Tower Trail, a long gradual climb up to the Las Vegas Overlook.

Long Shadows at Terminus of Second Finger

Near Junction with SARS Trail

Snow Covered Griffith Peak

Hiking up through Left Fork of Cave Canyon

We took our break at the overlook. Unfortunately, there was a lot of smog over the city and the view was less than clear. There hasn't been much wind for the last few days. Really nice for hiking but not so much for the air quality. We took our group photo then Tony began telling us a lot about his Antarctica trip he recently took. It sounded like the trip of a lifetime. I never knew the difference between seals and sea lions! ... the presence of ears! And, penguins only mate after the female has agreed to a nesting site. And, oh my! He saw three different species of whales ... including a Blue Whale!! This conversation continued as we started around the Rim Trail passing by the high point where the lightning rod stick is now laying on the ground.

Cave Outlet, Shell Fossil, Radio Tower, Benchmark (1953)

Tony and Mark hiking up Radio Tower Trail

Spirited Seven at Las Vegas Overlook

Antarctica Discussion
(Sea Lions, Penguins, & a Blue Whale) 

We followed the Rim Trail around the cliffs as the pace picked up. Carefully, we dropped down to the old Las Vegas Overlook. I guess this used to be how far the trails climbed at one point. Without stopping, we continued down to the wash below and climbed back up to the junction with the upper Muffins Trail. We climbed up and over the small high point then proceeded down along the rim toward the end of the Muffin finger. The views from this part of the hill are filled with color of the Calico Hills. We stopped only for a moment at the grouping of conglomerate rocks we call the Muffins. There were two other hikers enjoying the views as well. Quickly, we continued our four mile descent on the Muffins Trail.

Large Cairn on Rim

Split Rock on Rim

Passing the Old Las Vegas Overlook

Approaching the Muffins from Above

Down, down, down, we went on the familiar Muffins Trail. This trail has gorgeous views of the La Madre Mountains, Red Rock escarpment and the Calico Hills. In the morning, this trail is in the shade but the sun was reaching the path while we neared the end of our hike. We zigzagged down as we junctioned with the Skull Canyon Trail then passed the horses' hitching area. Circling around through the desert, we saw a trail ride train up near Boneshaker Hill. This was a fantastic round-the-world trip on the North Blue Diamond Hill! Thanks Tony. Let's do it again sometime!

Stats: 8 miles; 1650' gain; 4.5 hours

Descending the Muffins Trail

Rita leads us Down

Trail Ride a'comin' Through - "Howdy Boys & Girls"