Raintree via North Loop & Wild Horse Canyon - 5/9/22

Raintree

Old Bristlecone Tree on North Loop Trail

Wild Horse Canyon

Using Old Deer Creek Road Detour

The Tenacious Trio ventured up to the North Loop. The day before, I was swimming in my backyard. But, on this day, I was hiking in 30-40 degree temperatures! Isn't Las Vegas great! When we got out of the car at the Cougar Ridge Trailhead, it was 37 degrees. Of course, as we hiked, we warmed up a bit but when we got up to Raintree for our break, the temperature was 33! But hey, we were out of most of the wind which, again, was coming from the south southwest. To begin, to add interest to the hike and avoid the pavement, we dropped down to the neighboring gulley where the old Deer Creek Road used to run through. Down the wash, the road veers up to the right. Soon, there is an old spur road that turns up to the right. 

Detour Junction with North Loop Trail

North Loop Trail

Old Bristlecones on North Loop Trail

Mummy's Nose from North Loop Meadow

At the top of the hill, we crossed the pavement and headed straight up to junction with the North Loop Trail right where the Mt. Charleston Wilderness sign is placed. We hiked as a group, slow and steady up the trail, waiting for each other when necessary. Mt. Charleston was very quiet and we had the trail to ourselves for most of the hike. The chill in the air may have had something to do with that. At the meadow, we paused for a small rest then continued. The switchbacks were next. Slow and steady here as well. We didn't hit any snowdrifts until we began the last stretch up to the high point corner. Even here, we were able to circumvent the snow easily. This was a little unusual for this time of year.

Resting at the Meadow

Rita finishes the Switchbacks

Passing a Snowdrift 

Fletcher Pk, Griffith Pk, & Mummy's Toe

We turned on the high point corner and started down the back side of the small Winter Peak. It was a lot chillier here but the views made up for the temps. Gorgeous! As we neared Raintree, we had to hike around a large recently fallen tree then, lo and behold, there was Tony F., a hiking rock star, coming up the trail! So nice to see him. We continued on to Raintree and were met by Charlie and Ralph. We expected to see them.

Arriving at Raintree

Meeting up with Charlie and Ralph at Raintree

Returning to the Meadow - Angel Peak in Background

Diving down the Wild Horse Trail

They had climbed to this point from the Trail Canyon side and had left the bottom of Kyle Canyon Road at the same time as us. A coincidence that we arrived at the same time. They are stronger hikers but had a little further to climb. After a chilly break and group photo, we headed back down the switchbacks and turned onto Wild Horse Trail at the edge of the meadow. Down, down, down. Hitting the spring area, the columbines were just starting to sprout. We could see the spring that is usually covered up by the plants. There were a few recently fallen trees over the trail. The light inside the canyon was also unusual in that, this time of year, it reaches all the way inside the walls at the bottom. We enjoyed the descent and came out right where our car was parked. Today, we hit the 10,000' mark at the high point corner and our altitude conditioning is coming right along! Although cold, it was a nicely fresh morning with friends.

Stats: 5.5 miles; 1925' gain; 3.5 hours

Spring in Wild Horse Canyon

Wild Horse Canyon Trail

Wild Horse Canyon