Deer Creek / Catch Pen Loop - 5/21/22

Catch Pen & Spring

Through the Arch

Mummy Mountain from near beginning of Ascent

Odie gets down to business.

It was an Odie day on the trail! Ralyn, Odie and I started from the Orange Trail Trailhead located on Deer Creek Road between Desert View Overlook and Deer Creek Picnic Area to hike the 8.5 mile equestrian loop into the lower elevations. Odie was ready! We immediately turned to the right and followed the pleasant trail around to a nearby ridge that would take us all the way down to the catch pen and spring. The cool morning kept our speed up as we gently headed downhill. Odie sprung into action and didn't dilly dally. He's a very good hiker. Don't let his size fool you! At the low limestone/ dolomite arch, we stopped for our first break and photos. Continuing down the hill, we could see the scene of the Mahogany Fire of 2020. The regrowth of the underbrush is green and the ashy color has dissipated. We also noted a new building has been built in the saddle of Angel Peak. This is where the Spring Mountain Youth Camp is located. SMYC is a juvenile facility, which houses male youth between the ages of 12 and 18 who have been adjudicated for delinquent acts by the Juvenile Court Judge. This division provides for the therapeutic, educational, social, medical and recreational needs of approximately 240 young men each year. SMYC is located at Angels Peak in the Mt. Charleston Recreational/Toiyabe National Forest Area. It sits at an elevation of 8,470 feet and has a capacity of 100 youth. The average length of stay is approximately six months and the average age is 15 1/2 years. ~clarkcountynv.gov

Descent on Ridge side of Orange Trail

Two and a Half posing at the Arch

Progress of the 2020 Mahogany Fire Recovery

Catch Pen & Spring

At the bottom of the hill, we junctioned with a trail that runs between Lee Canyon Road and Deer Creek Canyon. There is an old catch pen and spring located here. We took another break here then continued on our way to the left on that trail. We passed the "shortcut" trail on the right and continued on the main trail to the Orange Trail junction point. (The shortcut would have bypassed this important junction.) To the right, we saw the large round hill (Jackrabbit Junction) and to the left, we had a great profile of the entire Mummy Mountain. We turned to the left and began our long climb back to the cars. After passing through a lot of desert terrain, we veered to the right and climbed up through a neighboring canyon. Among old growth trees, we climbed until the trail took a decided turn to the left to go up and over an intermediary ridge. Finally, we landed in the canyon that we would use all the way back to the cars.

Odie gets his Treats

Crossing over to Jackrabbit Junction

Orange Trail Junction Sign at a Sharp Turn

Shade Break

A couple more breaks while hiking in and out of the sandy wash or up and around brush that would hinder horse riders on their journey and we were making our final climb up the last switchback to the trailhead. The entire trail is clear. The lower parts of the trail are filled with migrating burro prints. And, it appears that the trail has been maintained recently. We only found two pieces of trash so the trail is good on that account, also. Just make sure the weather is cool! (And, Odie did great!)

Stats: 8.3 miles; 1800' gain; 4.5 hours

Climbing over Ridge to Orange Trail Wash

Wash Trail with Large "Horse" Cairns

Almost back to the Trailhead with Mummy's Nose in View