Nuclear Loop - 5/14/22

Mummy's Nose from Rocky Peak

Lee Canyon from Champion Ridge

Taking in Desert View Overlook

Starting down Wash north of the Overlook

On Thursday, our group did a strenuous scramble at Red Rock. It may have been the last Red Rock hike before the hot summer temperatures ensue. We all got a little sore so we opted for a moderate hike in the Spring Mountains of 5 miles for Saturday. A few years ago, I created this hike and named it Nuclear Loop since it begins at the Desert View Overlook where there are multiple informational signs describing the nuclear tests done in the valley that you can see in the distance from this point. At the time the atomic bomb was tested, many unsuspecting onlookers came to this overlook to watch the mushroom cloud. Later, they might have wished they had not done that. Anyway, it is a nice view here off of Deer Creek Road.

Picking up a lot of old aluminum Cans

Huge Dry Fall in Wash

Last Look back at Dry Fall

Preparing for climb up to Ridge

This hike is best done in early spring or fall. Our temps were perfect with a small cool breeze. We walked down the cement path to the last set of signs then hiked around the signs to start the hike behind them. The trail has become worn as more people have become aware of this route. I dropped down to the left a little too early and ended up in brush but, suffice it to say, the route drops down into the wash on the left side of the initial ridge. We followed the wash down picking up trash, sometimes using an old trail that parallels the wash. There are remnants of an airplane crash in the wash and then you reach a very large dryfall pourover. 

Reaching the Northeast end of Champion Ridge

Nice to have a Nurse Around when you need One

Scrambling up the Sharp Limestone / Dolomite

Views at Cliff Edge

We circumvented the dry fall by going to the left and down to the wash below. We continued down the wash through a wide delta area and came to the red survey marker (baton rouge) on the left side of the wash. This is the landmark that told us to begin our climb straight up to the point of Champion Ridge above. The point of the ridge is made of that sharp limestone / dolomite / pleistocene rock that we scrambled delicately up. Turning left, we hiked and scrambled up the ridge enjoying the cliff views on the right side. The left side of the ridge revealed our route down from the overlook. A semi-trail will take you up the ridge and along the cliffs to an old campsite shelter that has been there for many years. This time, the shelter showed use and the campsite even had a barbecue grill sitting nearby.

Posing on the Cliff Edge (sometimes you feel like a nut...)

Climbing to Old Deer Creek Road after pavement Crossing

Gradual climb up Old Deer Creek Road

Mike found someone's side view Mirror

We took our break here then hiked down to the road and crossed at the 8000 elevation sign. We climbed up to the old Deer Creek Road and began a gradual climb up past the "staircase to nowhere" and the old car to the Rocky Peak base. Still collecting trash, we did notice that there was a lot less trash to pick up than last year at this time. Kudos people! However, we did find a side view mirror that someone lost on the road that they best not drive on anyway! A short climb up and back on the Rocky Peak Overlook (where views are even better than at Desert View Overlook) and we were on our way again. The old Deer Creek Road led us to the Orange Trail Trailhead on Deer Creek Road. 

The Old Car next to the Road

Objects to find in a Scavenger Hunt

Old Deer Creek Road

On top of Rocky Peak

We left our large bag of trash here to pick up later and started down the left side of the Orange Trail Loop. The ridge holding the Desert View Overlook drops down in the wash direction and we junctioned with that ridge approximately 0.4 mile down from the Orange Trail Trailhead. The last part is a steep hike up that ridge to the cement path of the overlook above. It was a fun and relaxing day in the clear air of the mountains. 

Stats: 5.1 miles; 1200' gain; 3.75 hours with trash pickup

Traction Benchmark from Rocky Peak

Cleaning out an old Fire Pit

Following the Orange Trail down to Ridge Junction