Cathedral Rock and Little Falls - 6/1/23

Little Falls

Echo Falls

(L-R) Harris Peak, Rainbow Saddle, South Loop 1st Overlook, The Vatican

Cathedral Rock from Echo Trailhead

Five club members met at the Echo Trailhead in the Echo section of Kyle Canyon for a 6 mile hike touring Echo Falls, Cathedral Rock, the manhole cover and Little Falls. The snow is clear from the trail except for one smallish section in the upper part of Cathedral Rock Trail before you reach the final climb. There is a go around here if you so desire. Water is running strong from the waterfalls and washes. We are still working on getting our high elevation lungs so this was a workout for us. We started up the Echo Trail and hiked over to the connecting trail to Cathedral Rock Trail. Just before we reached the first signed trail junction, we had to cross the wash that was flowing with water down from Little Falls. See the photo below.

Creek Crossing at Little Falls Trail Junction

Resting!

Climbing the Switchbacks

Hiking up to Echo Falls (Background)

Lower part of Echo Falls behind Snowbank 

A left turn at the junction sign sent us over to the Cathedral Rock Trail junction. No snow. No water. Just hills. We turned right at the sign and began climbing the long switchbacks up through Mazie Canyon, an avalanche valley that is filled with aspens. It was still early so we didn't see too many other hikers. In a playful mood, we took the first of several group photos on the first bench next to the trail. Then, one by one, we climbed up to the Echo Falls junction. Let's go see the falls! Wow! Very nice. This waterfall is separated into two sections. We couldn't see the lower section very well because of the snowbank that covered the view. Above that, a bridge of snow laid over the normally sunken area. Then, a nice waterfall fell above that.

Enjoying the View

Mummy's Toe from Cathedral Rock Trail

Bruce takes it all In

Water running off at base of Cathedral Rock final Climb

View from top of Rock down Kyle Canyon

We continued the climb passing a newly fallen tree and the culvert wash that runs down the hill to the right. Then an enjoyable climb up the final rock to the overlook. Chipmunks were already sneaking around asking for handouts. Cute little critters. Poking their heads up and scurrying here and there. This was our wildlife for the day! We took a good break but there was a rain cloud growing over our heads. We had places to hike and beauty to see so we started down and turned to the right. A quick hike over to the manhole cover showed that the Little Falls water was running loudly below and the manhole cover was under the snow. Next, it was back down the Cathedral Rock Trail.

Preparing to leave the Rock

Charleston Peak from Cathedral Rock Descent

Mazie Canyon and Washes up to the South Loop

Trail narrows leading up to the Manhole Cover

New Tree Fall

The cloud above us was getting larger and heavier but the worst of it appeared to be over the North Loop ridge. We wasted no time descending to the old trail that shortcutted down to the Echo Trail. A very few sprinkles were felt. Mike said there were 7 drops! We passed the Echo Trail junction and began our climb up the Little Falls Trail. Someone, bless their hearts, has swept the Little Falls Trail clean! At the top, we rounded the corner into the small Little Falls Canyon and were met with the expected water rushing down through debris. We all got wet shoes as we climbed up through the obstacle course. No one fell through the snow and ice (amazingly). Turning the corner, we saw what we came to see. Little Falls in all her glory!

Cathedral Rock Trail

Starting up the Little Falls Trail

Rounding the Corner to the Water below Little Falls

Hard not to get Wet!

Hiking up to Little Falls

I've seen the falls running strong before but this time it was running even more. There was a bridge of icy snow above the lower section of falling water. And, above that, the falls squiggled down a rock chute of the cliff. We stayed there for several minutes taking photos. Finally, we started down getting even more wet than we did going up! Down the nice clean trail. Turned left at the sign. Crossed the wash. Hiked back to the trailhead. A fun and fantastic day!

Stats: 5.8 miles; 1650' gain; 3.45 hours

P.S. The GPS track below shows a different order of the hike with Little Falls being climbed first.

Group shot in front of lower part of Little Falls

Returning down the Water

Beautiful Rushing Water