Hummingbird Gulch Loop - 6/23/22

Desert Paintbrush in Hummingbird Gulch

Dark Clouds over Mummy's Toe through the Bristlecones

Hummingbird Gulch from the Gypsy Trail

Crossing the Pixie Trail

When Mark told me that there was "a sea" of Desert Paintbrush blooming in Hummingbird Gulch, I had to go! Our next Thursday hike was under threat of rain and thunderstorms. But, the temperatures needed to be cool and we were running out of those days. I was counting on the fact that even when rain is present in the mountains, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will rain where you are hiking. So, we did our due diligence on radar and wind directions and decided to take our chances in the area of the North Loop Trailhead. We were very glad we did! What a great day for hiking as we watched the clouds blow by us mostly out of our reach. 👍 The three of us hiker ladies started from the Robbers' Roost Trailhead.

View down Telephone Canyon from Gypsy Trail

Ralyn found a swing! - Swing at your own risk!

Gypsy Trail meets Deer Creek Road

Climbing an empty North Loop Trail

We crossed the road and turned to the right to follow the old Deer Creek Road route around to the North Loop Trailhead area. By staying to the right as you go up and around the tight curve, you are hiking the Gypsy Trail, a bike trail now. There are several bike jumps that appear to be well maintained at this time. As we curved around the top, we noticed a new addition to the fun! Someone has strung a swing from a large tree. Ralyn couldn't resist a ride. Although it appears to be strong, I must say that you are swinging at your own risk. Ropes and trees do have a tendency to rot. We dropped down to the side of the Deer Creek Road (paved) to hike up to the North Loop Trailhead, another stretch in which to be careful.

North Loop Trail

North Loop Meadow Tree and Mummy's Nose

Last of 12 Switchbacks

Taking our break at the High Point Corner

The next stretch is a continued climb up the North Loop to the meadow, past the 12 switchbacks and on to the High Point Corner where a nice break was taken at the 10,000' mark. Mummy's Toe was backdropped by dark clouds making a mysterious canvas. Most of the dark clouds were traveling above Lee Canyon, above and on the other side of Mummy Mountain. We kept an eye on them but we were feeling pretty good about our chances of not getting wet. We finished our break and started down the trail toward Raintree. Just before we reached the large old bristlecone tree, we turned to the left and started out the Fletcher Peak Trail. By this time, we had only seen four other people on the trail! Quiet day.

Kay relaxes on Mike's sitting Place

Fletcher Peak Trail

Hummingbird Gulch upper Wash

Descending upper Wash

The Fletcher Peak Saddle is an obvious low point on the trail. When we reached the root sculpture on the left side of the trail, we started down without ceremony. The trail starts down behind this root into the upper Hummingbird Gulch wash. The wash is filled with pinecones and was a bit damp from the rain that had fallen the day before. The deep pine cones and top soil had soaked up all residual water so the footing was very good. We followed the trail down as it curved left, right and center of the wash crossing fallen trees. Reaching the upper narrows, we saw the rock outcrops above us to the left; a place we had visited a few times before on other hikes. After these narrows, the trail becomes a little wonky but rest assured that the wash is the direction you wish to go.

Passing through the upper Narrows of Hummingbird Gulch

Three Ladies at the base of the Obstacle Pourover (Snow Clump at their Feet)

Watching the Police begin to make a Recovery off the Cliff

White Admiral Butterfly

Dropping down through the lower narrows, we saw the spring. It almost appeared that someone had cleared the spring area of brush and moss. There was a small amount of water flowing down at this point. It disappeared after about 30 feet. We also saw that there has not been many hikers on this trail recently since the brush was overgrown on the path that leads up to the pourover up and around. If I didn't know the trail, I would not have seen where to go! We had no clippers so we left it as is. Then, just as we were tackling the slippery up and around, we heard and saw a helicopter coming into the gulch! It was a police chopper with a man sitting on the edge of the door. They were looking for someone.

View down Hummingbird Gulch

Desert Paintbrush on Hummingbird Gulch Trail

Ralyn watches the Helicopter

Hummingbird Gulch Trail

Our hike took a break as we watched. They zeroed in on us (with my orange shirt!) but we waved to assure them we were fine. Next, they focused their attention on the east wall of the gulch and found what they were looking for. We watched as two men and a litter were lowered down onto the top of the cliff. We had continued our hike and watched as the chopper left the vicinity. We couldn't see the men on the cliff. I'll leave the rest to your imagination. So, we descended through a beautiful "sea" of desert paintbrush flowers and dealt with the slip and slides. At the bottom, we turned to the left to follow the old road back up to the cars. There were three ranger cars plus a gaggle of trail workers that had come through the trailhead that morning. (Tesla said so.) Busy area. Exciting hike. And, no rain!

Stats: 6.2 miles; 2175' gain; 5 hours

Angel Peak seen from Hummingbird Gulch

Two very capable Hikers

Closing the Loop on the Old Deer Creek Road Connector