Wilson Tank via Deadhorse / Bonnie & Clyde Loop - 3/6/22

Las Vegas from above Wilson Tank

Blooming Joshua Trees in South Cottonwood Valley

Wild Horse herd in South Cottonwood Valley - Top Stallion at front left
(... before they were startled by an oblivious dirt biker and ran to the top of the ridge.)

Trailhead below Cottonwood Pass

Eight hikers set out to explore the southernmost end of Cottonwood Valley that is located within Red Rock Canyon NCA. This required high clearance vehicles since Cottonwood Valley Road is challenging in anything else. We had a pickup and a Rav4. The pickup happily tooled along. The Rav4 hit bottom a few times but came out none the worse for wear. (I think.) The road has a lot of high bedrock rising up to deter any other street car and could use just a little bit of maintenance. Instead, the road attracts off-roaders of all kinds; some who are happily racing obliviously down the road through possible herds of wild horses, hikers and other vehicles tooling the opposite direction. These are usually the dirt biking sort. (We love our children but they have much to learn.)

High Clearance - Cottonwood Valley Road

Climbing to Cottonwood Pass

Burn area of 2005 & 2021 (Mt. Potosi in Background)

Joining the Deadhorse Loop

We parked at the junction of the road that turns west to head into Mt. Potosi's Canyon #4. It was just before the road heads up a hill to Cottonwood Pass. Our loop of 9 miles began by climbing the hill on the road up to the pass and beyond. Soon, we saw the Deadhorse Loop trail paralleling the road on the left and we stepped over onto it. This loop trail begins all the way back at SR 160. We use the Red Valley section of the loop quite often in our other hikes. I had not been on this section of the loop and we were all anticipating the hike with curiosity. From Cottonwood Pass to the southwest, a fire had burned through the desert in 2005 and, again, in 2021. The landscape was empty of any large foliage.

Evidence of Forest Fire (2005 & 2021)

Passing between southern end of the Bird Spring Formation

Following winding trail down to Wilson Tank

Wilson Tank (Wildlife guzzler fed by Spring)

As the trail turned to the east, Joshua Trees began appearing ... and they were blooming their large white flowers in various stages. The trail climbed a small hill, offered a nice view of Las Vegas framed by the Bird Spring Range, then dove down the hillside to the pipeline valley below. This is where that myth of the Wilson Tank resides! Finally! The myth is real! And, it's full of spring water for the wildlife. Nice! Here, we saw evidence of previous cattle ranching and we found the Bonnie & Clyde Loop trail nearby. It was marked by two very large cairns 0.1 mile from the tank.

Leaving Wilson Tank on the Bonnie & Clyde Trail

Circling the end of the Bird Spring Formation

Healthy Joshua Trees south of Burn Area

View toward mountains near Mt. Potosi

The Bonnie & Clyde Loop travels the pipeline valley and over to Cottonwood Valley in a very large loop. We joined it at its southernmost end just before it circled around the last mountain in the Bird Spring Range and crossed Cottonwood Valley Road. During this section, we exited and re-entered the boundary of Red Rock Canyon NCA four times. The southern loop area was filled with old growth Joshua Trees viewed against the cornflower blue sky spotted with white puffy clouds. We chose a seat in the desert for our break then continued around to junction with the road. As we approached another boundary, we saw wild horses in the distance next to the road. What a treat! There were only three that we saw at first.

Bonnie & Clyde Loop through healthy Joshua Trees

Many Joshua Trees in Stages of Bloom

David H. leading on the Bonnie & Clyde Loop

Re-Connecting with the Cottonwood Valley Road

We got closer and a bunch more horses emerged from the east side of the road and crossed. It became apparent that the horse nearest us was the stallion of the herd. He was beautiful but also quite substantial ... a large animal. The horses gathered in a large arroyo next to the road and we continued up the road toward them taking photos. Before we were able to get really good photos, a dirt biker came over the hill in front of us. I tried to slow him down but ... "he didn't see the horses" until it was too late. (Hey, if someone is trying to tell you to slow down, at least look around.) Anyway, the gorgeous herd of horses took off up the ridge. I must admit, they were beautiful to watch as they ran. We took our photos from a distance then moved on up the road.

Crossing a Boundary - Wild Horses in the Distance

Susan watches the Gorgeous Herd

Beautiful and Healthy Wild Horses

Bonnie & Clyde Loop to Cottonwood Pass
(through burn area)

More dune buggies, rzrs, dirt bikers and bicycles came rushing by. I guess the quiet morning was over. We found the Bonnie & Clyde trail leading off to the west and we followed it up to Cottonwood Pass to the top of the Broken Escalator Trail. Gray clouds had covered the sky by then. We descended the Broken Escalator Trail down to the cars. What a beautiful and interesting morning! Great group of hikers enjoying the long distance hike! ... And, oh, the horses!!

Stats: 9 miles; 1150' gain; 4.75 hours

P.S. Passing other vehicles on the road going out was ... hmm ... a lot of fun.

Clouds taking over the Cornflower Blue Sky

Cottonwood Pass under Gray Clouds (Sandstone Bluffs in Distance)

Return to Trailhead from base of Broken Escalator