Foxtail Spring & Pioneer Rock - 5/28/22

Ice Fall at Foxtail Spring

Foxtail Spring Ice Fall & Grotto

Pioneer Rock (L) & Foxtail Ridge (R) in front of North Loop Ridge & Lee Peak

At the Campfire Amphitheater

Four hikers put their feet on the floor and started out from the Pay Phone Trailhead. We passed the Foxtail Picnic Area gate and climbed a trail on the hill to Foxtail Ridge. At the top of the hill, there is an old forest road that runs along the lower part of the ridge up to a large water tank. Alongside the water tank, there is a campfire amphitheater built with logs. Following that, there is a log-lined path and steps down to Hudlow Hall; the abandoned mess hall for the girl scouts that used to have summer camps here until just before the pandemic hit. Camp Foxtail is quite a large spread of cabins, get-together places, bath houses, and utility buildings. All of them are locked up and seem to be maintained and watched over.

Other Scenes at Camp Foxtail

View back down Aspen-lined Road

First Steep Climb

Wash Crossing

We turned right just past Hudlow Hall to follow the main gravel road that passes through the camp and up the canyon. Continuing straight, the road becomes steeper. It crosses a wash that is filled with debris left and right. Then, the road becomes even steeper. There is a less steep option to the right but we are in the process of finding a good path and recording it. The steep road climbs and climbs up to a grotto, or rock wall in the wash with a spring coming out of its crevices. Last year, we visited this calming place in May, also. Both years, there has been a huge thick ice fall coming out of the wall. You can still see and hear the water dribbling out of the center part of the overhang. Bring your tripod if you wish to get good photos at the ice fall and spring cave. I did my best without one. We sat for a rest in the sun since it is very cool there at the ice fall.

Really Steep Climb

Charlie at the Ice Fall

Dripping Foxtail Spring

View down Foxtail Spring Drainage

The view down the drainage is beautiful but takes second place to the spring. You can see McFarland Peak and South Sister in the distance. After we posed for our group photo, we headed down. Instead of tackling the steep gravel slope, we ducked over to the easier trail to explore. During the next couple of visits, I will record the best way to use this easier trail. Right now, you are on your own! We emerged onto the approach road right where the road crosses the messy wash. (Many avalanches must have victimized this area in the past.) Continuing down the road through the aspens, we turned right at the Pioneer Camp sign that lies on the ground next to a large tree. Climbing up through the camp, we found the Pioneer Rock Trail and finished our climb at the saddle found just behind the huge rock outcrop. (On the way through the camp, we noticed yet another trail that we must explore someday! We think it might go past the base of Pioneer Rock. ... 😎

Taking our break in the Sun

Four on the Floor

That familiar tree on Pioneer Rock Loop

Pinnacle Point View

The loop trail circles around Pioneer Rock at the base of the west side of Mummy Mountain. After dealing with a few fallen trees (one was new this year), we passed Pinnacle Point and started down a beautiful white rock-filled ridge. (It does not appear that the forest service is going to maintain this trail and remove the fallen trees. Perhaps someone will someday have the energy to bring some saws up there!) The trail ends up back at Hudlow Hall. From there, we climbed back up to the forest road on Foxtail Ridge and returned to the cars. Foxtail Picnic Area was gearing up for the holiday weekend ... reservations only. And, Lee Canyon was all abuzz! Great morning out!

Stats: 5.3 miles; 1530' gain; 3.5 hours (exploring included)

Pioneer Rock (L)

South Sister and Pioneer Rock Loop Trail

Trail down from Foxtail Ridge forest Road