Fletcher Peak v Teepee Route O&B - 6/24/23

Fletcher Peak from Teepee side of Hummingbird Gulch

Snow on the Fletcher Peak Trail

Teepee from game trails on Ridge Above

Ascending North Loop Trail

There is a route that we have been trying to pin down for about 2 to 3 years. It is essentially a short cut of a sort around from the lower North Loop Trail to the Fletcher Saddle and on to Fletcher Peak. This route has been used to reach the memorial area where several hikers have had their ashes spread so we kept the route a secret for a while. At this point, many people know about the route. We have tried finding the memorial "tree" but have been unsuccessful. I trust that if you find this tree, you will give it a wide berth and the respect that it deserves as the area holds the ashes of several of our friends. There is, however, a small teepee in the area that was made as a point of reference ... or reverence. The teepee stands on the edge of Hummingbird Gulch and it appears that someone has tidied it up a bit by re-stringing the circular side.

Taking a short Break at the Route Junction

The first Overlook from Tree Blaze

Angel Peak from Overlook

At the Memorial Teepee

Three of us began our hike at the North Loop Trailhead. Climbing up the North Loop to the route junction seemed a little tedious since we only just did the same climb 2 weeks ago. But, as soon as we stepped off the main trail and onto the teepee route, we felt much freer. Although I still don't know the route in detail, we were able to find certain landmarks easily. First, we passed by the tree with the white blaze nailed onto it. Then we hiked down, up and down to the overlook that hangs over the Robbers Roost cliff area. There is a straight line of sight toward Angel Peak from here. Next, still following small game trails here and there, we crossed another gulley and climbed up a shallow wash to the teepee. Just beyond the teepee dropped Hummingbird Gulch. After a few photos, we turned to the right and followed a barely visible game trail paralleling the upper gulch to our left. It was difficult to find the trail sometimes and we left a few very small cairns in case we needed them on our way back.

The Teepee Trail

Climbing the Teepee Trail to the Saddle

Approaching Fletcher Saddle on the Teepee Trail

Snow on the Fletcher Peak Trail (Easily Circumnavigated)

Finally, the vague trail turned into a clearer trail and this led us all the way up to the Fletcher Peak saddle. Here, we saw the first significant snow patch. When we turned to the left on the Fletcher Peak Trail, we had to easily circumnavigate the snow. There were several big snow patches on the trail in this section but all were easily hiked around. Upward, we hiked and, finally, we found the peak to be dry. This being a Saturday, there were several hikers and dogs making their pass-thru. We took a nice break, looked at the scenery, and spoke with other hikers. Conversations summed up this way: Las Vegas is such a great place to live!

Mummy's Toe (R) and Charleston Peak (L) from Fletcher Peak Trail

Hiking up through the Bristlecones

No Snow nearing the Peak

Summit View to the Wet Playa in Three Lakes Valley

After photos, water, snacks and rest, we started down. Around the snow patches passing several other hikers, we reached the saddle and turned to the right onto the Teepee Trail. This part of the trail is easy to follow until you reach a place where the trail seems to fork. The right fork takes you to the route that we had followed up. We took the left fork. This took us on a shorter route that passed the teepee on the ridge above. As we were hiking up onto the main ridge, we spied two small mule deer. I took one photo from very far away and had no idea that I got a good one! (See last photo.) We finally saw the teepee down below then made our way slowly down toward the overlook area. Here, we recognized the trail we hiked in on and hiked back to the route junction on the North Loop Trail.

Wilson Peak from Fletcher Peak

Just the Three of Us 🎶

Griffith Peak from Fletcher Peak Trail

Snow Drift AFTER some snow Melt

Someday, I hope to be able to do this route without checking my GPS so much! The one rock cairns we built turned out to be of no use since we came back on the trail set higher up. Anyway, from there, we hiked down the North Loop to the car. It was a wonderful slow hike among the bristlecones. And, it was our first sighting of deer this season. They are still here!

Stats: 5.6 miles; 1950' gain; 4.75 hours

Returning on the Teepee Trail

Mike on the Teepee Trail

"I taut I saw a Puddy Cat ... Oh, good! ... It's just you!"