Stanley B Saddle Loop - 6/26/23

Griffith Peak from the Stanley B Saddle Area

Climbing the Stanley B Wash

Stanely B Mine

Climbing Stanley B Wash

There were thirteen club hikers on Lettie's loop hike to Stanley B Saddle and ridge. The enthusiasm was palpable! We parked at the large Stanley B Wash turnout found on the right (north) side of Kyle Canyon Road just after the Rainbow community on the left side. The long line of hikers climbed up the hill  and into the wash filled with conglomerate rock and twists and turns. It is a class 2 climb as we stair-stepped up for approximately a quarter mile. On this hike, we turned to the right at the mine road crossing and went up to the shortcut trail on the left. This brought us back to the mine road that had curved around above. Less than a mile from the trailhead, we came to the wash fork where there is an old sign posted on a tree high up.

The Right Fork to the Mine

Climbing up to the Saddle

Stanley B Wash

Lettie, our fearless Leader

After a short rest, we veered up to the right fork and started a climb up a small wash. There was still some water running out of the mine spring above so we had wet feet on the short climb to the mine entrance. The mine is barred and it is assumed that bats still reside within its dark confines. As we waded through the brush and old rusted mining relics, we followed the trail under our feet until the wash opened out a little. From here, it was a constant climb, sometimes steep, up a trail that runs alongside or in the wash. There are a few dry waterfalls that must be dealt with in the way of "2.5" class climbs. Flowers dotted the trail sides and, in a large crack of one of the big fallen trees along the trail, we saw a cluster of big black ants. I wonder if these were Mt. Charleston ants. The group climbed together in a long line with spaces in between. 

Gaylin tackles the Steep Stuff

Mummy's Toe from Stanley B Saddle

Rainbow Canyon from Stanley B Saddle

The small peak above the Saddle

There are only two places you have to be careful to not take a wrong turn. The first one is a fork in sort of a clearing. Take the left fork where there is a trail on up. The second is another fork. A rock outcrop rises above the fork on the right. (This was once our route of choice! But, now, it is very difficult to climb the scree next to the outcrop!) Now, the group took the right fork but kept to the trail that either climbs under or goes around a very large tree that crosses the trail. The trail continues up the wash until brush starts to become a problem. Then the trail goes above the wash on the right side as it becomes more and more vague. Finally, the trail zigzags in and out of the wash up to the official saddle. Today, the hikers followed Lettie up to the right to take their rest at the little ridge peak. Photos were taken, snacks were eaten and conversations ensued! Afterwards, Lettie gave the reigns to Kay (moi) so I could lead the group down to a newly discovered trail in the wash on the opposite side of the mine ridge. I warned them that the trail is messy and probably more so after the winter we have had. They couldn't have been more enthusiastic! So, down we went to accomplish the messy traverse whose trail had all but disappeared. Finally, we reached the last trailing ridge and, lo and behold, the new trail was still there!

Taking a break on the Small Peak

Messy Traverse over to the Next Ridge

Interesting Stuff

Following the Trail down the Ridge

This is the newly discovered trail that someone put in about 2 years ago. A lot of effort went into it and I am hoping that other hikers keep it in use. The group was excited to see the trail appear and we started following it down the ridge. Soon, it turned right to start a long wiggling trail down through small scree. I strongly encourage hikers to stick to the trail as it is laid out. Otherwise, the scree will take over and the trail will quickly disappear, erosion happens. Unfortunately, there is a newly fallen tree that crosses the trail and some branches blocked another section. We are going up there again next week to try to fix these problems. Finally, we wiggled down to the top of the wash below.

Following the Trail down the Scree Hill

Following the Trail from the Upper Wash

Many Waterfalls 

Descending the Wash in the Left Fork

The trail over the debris laying across the wash in this top section was a bit of a mess ... understandably. (What a winter we had!) But, after getting through this small section, the trail was clear ... albeit a bit untidy. Water flowed down this side of the ridge making things a little wet underfoot. The small campsite is destroyed but we didn't have any other difficulties until we reached the little piped waterfall near the bottom. The go-around trail on the left is seriously muddy due to it being a spring. So, we got into the small wash and hiked down the water until a different small trail turned to go around on the right. That worked! At the bottom, just before you reach the last pipe spring at the mine air hole, take a small trail on the left that runs just to the left of the pipe. (Don't take the trail that goes uphill!) This small trail takes you right into the forked area with the mine sign up on the big tree. Happily, we followed Lettie down the mine road around and down to the wash crossing where we came up. We turned left and descended to the cars. Everyone was invigorated with their new exploration. What a fun day with a great group!

Stats: 4.25 miles; 1580' gain; 3.75 hours

Trail being Overgrown

Stanley B Mine Road

Down Stanley B Wash

David's Flower Photos from today's Hike