Raintree v Chateau Ridge - 7/16/22

"Okay. Nobody back up!"

Chateau and Mummy's Nose from Cougar Ridge Trail

Raintree

Starting up old Road

There is a ridge that connects the Deer Creek Picnic Area parking lot to Cougar Ridge Trail high above. For lack of a better idea ... must have been a slow day ... I named it Horse Ridge because of all the old evidence of wild horses using that ridge. Today, we renamed it Chateau Ridge in honor of the beautiful chateau that you can see on top of the peak above the ridge as you climb. Five hikers used that ridge to climb to Raintree, today. Leaving the cars at the picnic area lot on Deer Creek Road, we climbed up the embankment across the road and turned right onto remnants of Old Deer Creek Road. At the top of the first hill, we turned to our left and started our ascent onto Chateau Ridge. It's steep; a wake-up call to hearts and lungs in the early morning.

Climbing Chateau Ridge

Seen on Chateau Ridge

Mid-Point on Chateau Ridge

Chateau as seen from Chateau Ridge

The ridge reaches a small rock outcrop where we took our photo, and continues along a gentle saddle section. Next, the steepness returns until you reach the dirt road at the top. We turned left and walked up to the Mummy's Nose Overlook. Our walk continued down the road as we hiked by a few old cabins. When the road forked to the right, we headed up to the old sawmill remains for a short pause. Following that, we headed up the Deer Creek Trail and onward to the Deer Creek Ridge. The combination of Chateau Ridge and Deer Creek Ridge made a challenging ascent. We labored heavily up the ridge taking note of the empty poorwill nest on the ground next to the trail. In three weeks' time, the baby birds had hatched and fledged leaving no trace.

Starting down Cougar Ridge Trail

Connecting to the Sawmill area from Cougar Ridge Trail

Small break at the old Sawmill

Raintree Saddle seen from Deer Creek Ridge

As I climbed the familiar ridge, I looked longingly up at the saddle across the canyon where Raintree resided and our ascent would end. The others went on ahead as I slowed my pace. But, we all made it and took a well needed and well deserved rest at the junction of the Mummy's Toe Trail. Ready to go again, we turned to the left and hiked over to the base of Mummy Springs. The trail continued gently up for around a third of a mile to Raintree where we took our big break. On this Saturday, there were already four or five other hikers making an early appearance at the tree. A small chance of rain was in the forecast so the early start was wise. After the break, we started back down the Mummy Springs Trail we had just come up.

Deer Creek Ridge Trail

Mummy Springs from Trail

Approaching Raintree

Taking our Break at Raintree

Nearing the spring area, we saw the Campsite Ridge that dropped down to the right. We turned and hiked through the square of logs. Thankfully, the fire ring that we had disassembled last year had not reappeared. Our strategy for this year's descent was different. Instead of finding our way down to the wash on the right side of the ridge, we headed straight (as straight as we could) down the end of the steepish ridge. Craggy outcrops lit our way. The soil was moist from recent rain and the footing was pretty good. Down, down, down. Finally, at the bottom of the ridge, we imagined a vague trail along the left side of the canyon wash. This trail became clearer as we made our way down through the logs and debris. 

Raintree Roots

Starting down Campsite Ridge

Passing Rock Outcrops on Descent

Steep descent off Campsite Ridge

At last, we came out at the big boulder that marks the climb up to Deer Creek Ridge. We joined the trail that we had been on only two hours before and hiked down to the junction with Cougar Ridge Trail. The dirt road had just been graded and it was easy to descend the normally rocky road to the picnic area paved road. As we walked down through the picnic tables, there were families already enjoying the day. A few sprinkles anointed our hats but we escaped the downpour that was to come only minutes later. A great workout with friends!

Stats: 5 miles; 1850' gain; 3.75 hours

Following a somewhat worn Trail through the Wash Debris

Deer Creek Trail junction with Cougar Ridge Trail

Descending a newly graded Cougar Ridge Trail