Blue Diamond Ridges 3 & 4 - 2/2/23

Mt. Potosi, Southern portion of Red Rock Escarpment, and top of Canyon #3

A Plethora of Red Barrel Cacti on the Slope of Ridge #4

East Blue Diamond Hill from Ridge #4

Starting up from fence on Ridge #3

Although this hike is an ascent on the ridge between Blue Diamond Canyons 2 & 3 and a descent on the ridge between Canyons 3 & 4A, it could also be named "A Loop Around Canyon 3." In the past decade, the bikers have indented trails on the ridges that run between the beautiful deep canyons across SR 159 from Blue Diamond, Nevada. Today, David Hardy showed us around Ridge 3 and Ridge 4. Since there are a few deep arroyos that branch off from the main canyons, I found myself wondering where, exactly, we were at times. Familiar sights showed up now and then to help us get oriented. Eleven club hikers started from the county park in Blue Diamond, walked up the road, crossed SR 159, and made our way through the barbed wire fence on the other side. We were assuredly on RRCNCA property, however, the wild burros in the Blue Diamond area need to be contained so that cars and burros don't mix.

Climbing Ridge #3 near Canyon #3

This is us!

View down into Canyon #3

Rim Trail above Canyon 3

There wasn't much trail to start the hike but about 1/3 of the way up the hill, we began seeing the occasional cairn and found a trail appear under our feet. The trail headed over to the rim of Canyon 3 then ran along the rim until we dipped down into the shallow upper reaches of the canyon. The trail crosses the canyon here but we took a hike up canyon to find a nice place for a break among rocks to sit on and out of the non-existent wind. Finally, we had a beautiful day! The past four days had been very cold and very windy! A dusting of snow had fallen on the Red Rock escarpment and Mt. Potosi. We even saw very small pockets of snow in the hills around us; soon to be gone. We enjoyed our break and got up to go back down the upper part of Canyon 3 to the trail crossing. A right turn on the trail quickly took us up to the top of Ridge 4. We hiked along the rim of Canyon 3 then took a right turn up. The bike trail zigzagged up to the top of the ridge where we left the trail and took in the view of Blue Diamond Gypsum Mine.

Top of Canyon 3 Break Spot

Eleven Hikers on Break

Descending back to Trail Crossing

Hiking Ridge 4 above Canyon 3

Back on the trail, we began zigzagging down to the rim of Canyon 4A. All of these main canyons are absolutely beautiful and deep; navigable and fun. The ridges above the canyons have wonderful views of Mt. Potosi, Blue Diamond and the Red Rock escarpment. They are great places to "perch!" Our hike descended the ridge on the bike trail that was clear and sometimes rocky. The rim section was very impressive. After the rim, the trail began following the somewhat narrow ridge on a slight diagonal until we were dropping into an unnamed wash.

Following Bike Trail up to Top of Ridge 4

Off Trail Overlook of Blue Diamond Mine

Mt. Potosi as we descend to Canyon 4 Rim

Blue Diamond, Nevada

We popped right back out of the wash to a vague trail on the other side. This trail led us across the other side of Ridge 4 and back to the lower region of Canyon 3. Before dropping into that wash, we made our way back through the fence and back to the cars. It was a lovely day! Good company and wonderful views! Although on the short side, the new hike is a "keeper."

Stats: 4 miles; 950' gain; 2.75 hours

Descending Ridge 4 on Canyon 4 Rim

Bike Trail along Rim

Last Descent from Ridge 4