Big Falls / Mary Jane Falls - 6/13/22

Two Thistles among Shooting Stars at Mary Jane Falls

The Fearsome Foursome at Big Falls

The Fearsome Foursome at Mary Jane Falls

On the Approach Trail

In the uppermost part of Kyle Canyon and at the base of the steepest slopes of Charleston Peak and its encircling ridges, there are two waterfalls. Granted, if you are from anywhere that there are year round running streams, creeks and rivers, these waterfalls are exceedingly unremarkable. Most of the year, they are but a trickle ... if even that. This isn't due to global warming. They are referred to as "seasonal" waterfalls since this is the desert and they run during snow melt season. The Fearsome Foursome visited these waterfalls recently. Since it is the very end of the snow melt from the high mountains above, the "trickle" was heard at a constant medium decibel at both locations. ... And, the walls were wet with water sliding down.

As the Approach Trail gets Rocky

Trail Split

Starting up Big Falls Canyon

Trails and Scrambles in Big Falls Canyon

We parked at the Mary Jane Falls Trailhead in an almost empty parking lot. It was a Monday morning around 7:30. On any given weekend, this trailhead would already be jam packed as it was, indeed, when we returned from our hike only three hours later. When ready, we started up the approach trail. This wide trail leads up from the parking lot to a trail split one mile up. I recently learned that an entry in AllTrails says you continue straight for Mary Jane Falls. Au contraire. At the "split," you have to veer to the right at the sign to continue up the twelve switchbacks and to the falls. We, however, were going to visit Big Falls first. Therefore, we did continue straight past the log lying across the trail then turned left. If you go straight at the trail split, you will be on the old trail running steeply up to Mary Jane Falls. It is not the preferred route.

Obstacle Rock at the Choke Point

Trail up and around Obstacle Rock

Nearing Big Falls

Big Falls Overlook on North Loop Ridge

Our left turn after the log, led us over to Big Falls Canyon / Avalanche Canyon wash. A right turn into the rocky wash and a left turn as soon as you make your way around the left embankment puts you into the Big Falls drainage. Over recent years, the trail to Big Falls has improved. There is still some scrambling over rocks and logs but, as long as you keep your eyes open, you will make it up the wash, up and around Obstacle Rock on its left embankment and on up to the large waterfall alcove. We took the first of two breaks here while enjoying the sound of the trickle and the coolness of the air. Although a harsh southwest wind was predicted, we were sheltered from the onslaught by none other than Charleston Peak, itself.

Rita at the base of Big Falls

Scramble through Logs on Descent

Mike in Big Falls Canyon

Climbing the Old MJ Falls Road

We returned down the drainage the same way we came up until we came to the junction of Big Falls Canyon and Avalanche Canyon. Here, we made our way out of the wash quickly and joined an old road on the left side. This road led us back down to the area of the trail split where we turned left up onto the steep old road leading up to Mary Jane Falls. This is always a challenging climb especially at the very end where an almost vertical scree climb is required to reach the falls "landing." Here, we took the second break while being entertained by the resident beggar chipmunk. As I walked around looking for photos, the chipmunk left cute little paw prints on my pack!

Steep gain just below Falls

One of Two Waterfalls at Mary Jane

View out to Kyle Canyon from Mary Jane Falls

Resident Chipmunk

While we were up there, we saw a family and a man with his dog also enjoying the scenery. We took a long break then, ignoring the cave this time, we started down the trail and switchbacks. Very soon, we began passing hikers and dogs by the twos and threes. A note: the trail up to MJ Falls is in very sad shape. The forest service has done their best to maintain the switchbacks but it is a losing battle. Please keep your children on the trail. And, young folks, please refrain from your showboating. Have the patience to enjoy the wilderness by staying on the trail. For us, the morning was short and sweet.

Stats: 4.5 miles; 1650' gain; ~3 hours

 

Family enjoying the Mary Jane Cave

Descending the Switchbacks

Near the cars on the Approach Trail