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| Red Rock Wash and La Madre Mountains |
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| Surprising amount of Water in Wash |
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| Petroglyphs at Willow Springs Trailhead |
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| Starting into the Wash |
We were seventeen strong club members, but, no worries, our hike was not going to enter into either of the wilderness zones that neighbored either Rocky Gap Road nor Red Rock Wash. We were climbing up through the normally moderate scramble of Red Rock Wash and down the old dirt road. However, there was quite a bit of water flowing down the wash ... a sight that none of us had ever witnessed before! This turned our moderate scramble into a moderately strenuous scramble and we were in for a treat! The water was crystal clear and sounded like a beautiful bubbling brook. Several of the scrambles were blocked by deep water so we had to get creative.
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| Dodging Rocks |
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| Dodging Water! |
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| John Ward boulder Hops |
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| Enjoying the Day |
So, after a short visit over at the petroglyphs we started up from Willow Springs Trailhead. Our long line of hikers slowly hiked up through the rocks and then through more rocks lined with a mountain stream. Ocassionally, we would need to stop and make sure that the line was together. But, mostly, everyone was up to the task. The only place we had to exit the wash for any length of time was the spring section. Here, there is a lot of brush that grows up from the normally wet area. We climbed up to the right and found a brushy trail to follow. After this area, we came to the large dry fall. Thankfully, the dry fall was ... dry! We climbed up and continued to where the North Peak (Sandstone) Trail crosses the wash.
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| Scrambling around the Water |
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| Small Waterfall |
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| Debbie in Reflection |
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| One of many Patterned Rocks |
Here, we turned to the right and connected with Rocky Gap Road. Everyone had smiles from ear to ear! We had conquered the wet wash and no one got more wet than planned! And, oh, was it pretty! Our hike began its return on Rocky Gap Road at a moderate pace. We passed by the large dry fall overlook, the road shortcuts, the entrance to Waterfall Canyon, the Pink Jeep turnaround (complete with a Pink Jeep and car load of people). On down, we passed the trail junction to The Promised Land Wall and the La Madre Spring & Cabin Hike. Finally, we hiked into the Willow Springs Trailhead where there were cars and people everywhere.
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| Starting around the Spring Section in the Brush |
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| Some Algae in the Water |
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| Nearing large Dry Fall |
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| Climbing large Dry Fall |
Today's hike was fluttering with conversation and happiness! The club is thriving now that the pandemic is nearing its end.
Stats: 4.6 miles; 800' gain; 3.75 hours
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| Starting down Rocky Gap Road from Junction |
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| Rocky Gap Road |
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| Nearing the Trailhead |
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Our Trail = Red;
Light Lavender = Rainbow Wilderness Boundary
Purple = La Madre Wilderness Boundary |
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