Bat Trail Loop - 7/7/22

View from No Name Saddle

Pine Cone Canyon

Gulley Descent to Campground

Lower Bristlecone Trail (aka Scout Canyon Road)

After a relaxing recovery period (remember Charleston Peak?), seven hikers gathered at the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead for a fun get-together on the trails. We hiked up the trail (aka Scout Canyon Road) for approximately one mile to where the road makes a switchback to the left. At the apex of the switchback, we turned to the right onto an old road that leads up to a weather station. Passing the weather station turnoff, we continued up the canyon toward the Bonanza Trail ridge (aka the Spring Mountains Divide). This canyon takes no prisoners! It is referred to as Pine Cone Canyon because the floor of the drainage is usually covered with pine cones. The drainage is narrow and steep requiring hikers to climb 900' in only 0.6 miles.

Climbing Pine Cone Canyon

Lucky Seven at Top of Pine Cone Canyon

Bonanza Trail

Back of Lee and Charleston Peaks from Bonanza Trail

Glad that the hard work was over, we took a break at the top for group photos. A left turn onto Bonanza Trail took us up another 75 elevation feet to the hike's high point then dropped us down steps through yellow wildflowers glowing in the morning sun to the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest / Mt. Charleston Wilderness sign at the junction of the No Name Trail. Veering to the right, we enjoyed the No Name Trail as it led through the old bristlecone forest just below a ridge. The back side of Charleston, Lee and Rocketship Peaks rose in view as the top of Clark Canyon fell down to our right. Reaching the No Name Saddle, we met up with another small group of hikers that were old friends.

Through the Bristlecones on No Name Trail

Charleston Peak from No Name Trail

Taking our break on No Name Saddle

Descending steep No Name Trail

We took our snack break here while we talked then headed down the hill. We came out on the Upper Bristlecone Trail about one mile up from the trailhead. After a quick photo, we veered to the left and started up the Bristlecone Trail. It was a steady climb of about 0.8 miles until we stopped for a shade break at the switchback corner overlook. A little more uphill and the trail started descending as we rounded the bowl in which the McWilliams Campground sits 800 elevation feet below. I had an itch to explore an old route down to the campground and everyone in the group concurred. So, down we went into a gulley on the right not far from where the Upper Bristlecone Trail turned into Scouts Canyon Road.

No Name Trail

Group at No Name / Bristlecone Junction

Upper Bristlecone Trail

Shade Break at the Corner

We started down a somewhat gentle ridge then dropped over to the left into a wide gulley that was pretty much brush free. The gulley led us down as we began noticing evidence of wild horses. Soon enough, we found ourselves on a trail. Not long after that, we ran into an old narrow road. Looking to the right, we saw that there is a very worn trail continuing up the bowl. Perhaps we could have dropped to the right from that initial gentle ridge to catch the trail. (?) Anyway, we turned to the left to continue our descent on the old road and crossed an old dilapidated log bridge over a small wash. The road eventually led into a concrete pathway. This is a nature trail for the campers that expounds on the many bats that live in these mountains.

Limestone on Bristlecone Trail

Starting down the Gulley

A trail appears in the Gulley.

Then, an old road appears after the trail.

Someone said we should call the new route the Bat Trail! So .... From the Bat Trail, we descended through the beautiful McWilliams Campground on its paved road to the bottom where we skipped over to the left to get to the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead and the cars. Fun day with great friends and a new route!

Stats: 6.3 miles; 1700' gain; 3.75 hours

Next, a nature trail focusing on bats appears.

Bat Sculpture

McWilliams Campground Road