Bridges / Teepee / Hummingbird Gulch Loop - 8/19/22

Inside the Upper Narrows of Hummingbird Gulch

Mummy's Toe from Rim Walk above Hummingbird Gulch

Impressive Bike Jump on the Bridges Trail

Starting up the Old Deer Creek Road

On Friday, Mike and I drove up to Robbers' Roost Trailhead to hike a loop that included a new bike trail (new for us), the Teepee crossover and Hummingbird Gulch. It had rained a lot over this area the night before. But, we didn't think it would rain this day before we finished the hike. We parked, crossed the road and started up the Robbers' Roost Trail. At the top of the road embankment, we turned to the right. This trail shows evidence of being the Old Deer Creek Road bed. There is still old asphalt lying along this stretch. As we began turning a corner to the right, we came to a trail coming down from the hill on the left. After checking with Mike, we agreed to try out this trail that has been beckoning us for a few years. We hoped there would not be any bikers this early on a very wet morning. Still, we were ready to jump out of their way since they tend to go fast downhill ... and, this hill was steep. We started up the trail climbing with little traction beneath our shoes then the trail leveled off a bit. Next, we found ourselves going downhill ... unexpected! As we followed the beautiful trail, we understood that the trail was crisscrossing a wash and the bikers enjoyed a swoop uphill on each side as they came down. We crossed one, then two, then five bridges!

A Particularly Long Engineered Bridge

The fourth or fifth Bridge

Mike compares the Bike Jump with a Ski Jump

Storm Washed guttered Trail

The bikers know how to take care of themselves! After the last wash crossing, there was a very scary looking bike jump built about 5 feet off the ground above a steep hill. Yikes! We decided to name the trail the Bridges Trail. Or, at least until we find a biker to tell us what they call it! The trail came out right at the North Loop Trailhead. We turned to the left and began our next phase on the North Loop Trail. The popular trail seemed easy after our steep climb up along the wash! We climbed steadily until we reached the junction of the Teepee Trail. The Teepee Trail is essentially a route that takes hikers around the mountain that holds the North Loop High Point Corner except at a lower elevation. 

On the North Loop Trail

Angel Peak from cliffs above Robbers Roost

Wide View at cliffs above Robbers Roost

The Teepee

If you are able to find the trail that sometimes comes and goes, it will take hikers all the way up to the Fletcher Peak Trail saddle. We found the trail that we had taken before and worked our way up and around to the overlook cliffs above Robbers' Roost. From there, we found the trail again to take us up to the Teepee, a small teepee that someone built on the cliffs. (It has seen better days!) Knowing that a few of our friends' ashes had been scattered in the vicinity, we paid our respects and found a log to sit on for a break. Afterwards, we continued up along the rim of the cliffs above Hummingbird Gulch. It is beautiful up there with all the fascinating views.

View from cliffs above Hummingbird Gulch

Rim Walk

Trail connecting Teepee to Fletcher Saddle

Drop Spot in Hummingbird Gulch Wash

We found the trail again ... this time up the hill a little. You can't really see the trail until you are standing on top of it! The trail took us up the hill and across the gulley to a ridge that trails down from the High Point Corner. Staying on the trail, we began paralleling the drainage ravine that flows into Hummingbird Gulch. We found a good place to drop down from the trail into the drainage and began our descent. There is a trail that leads all the way down from the Fletcher Peak Trail saddle to the bottom of Hummingbird Gulch. It is a slow and tricky descent once you reach the lower narrows but the entire descent is captivating as you enjoy a winding path around small obstacles, tread through the upper narrows, scramble through and around the lower narrows then take on the rocky trail descent of the gulch, itself. Keep in mind that sometimes the trail is slightly hidden by overhanging brush. But, the long used trail is there if you look.

The spring is green!

Approaching the Up & Around at the Dry Fall

Angel Peak from top of Gulch

Dropping down to base of Dry Fall

Our goal was to get to the bottom of the gulch without any mishaps! And, although there are many places where mishaps could easily happen, we made it down. There wasn't much talking or taking of photos during that hour. Concentration! Concentration! Concentration! Finally, we walked into the pine glade at the bottom with only one blood spot from an evil piece of brush! We turned to the left onto the old road and hiked back up to the Robbers' Roost Trail and Trailhead. Excellent morning! Quite a good workout!

Stats: 5 miles; 1700' gain; 4 hours

Lots of "Down"

Arriving in the Pine Glade at the Bottom

Hop, Skip & Jump up to the Trailhead