Trough Trail Loop v Juniper Trailhead - 6/17/23

Primrose near Juniper Trailhead

Gathering at the Trough

Taking a Break at the storage Cabin

Mummy Mountain from near Juniper Trailhead

Ralyn, Mike, Odie and I stayed in the lower elevations for this holiday weekend with a hike starting at Juniper Trailhead, located on Angel Peak Place on the way out to the SMYC. We got there early and no one was there. Starting down the trail, we were met with hundreds of yellow primroses in the open spaces near the trail. The morning was fresh, beautiful and clean with the recent downpour. Following the Showgirl (Orange) Trail, we wound our way over to the signed junction and decided to follow the orange trail out to the saddle junction before we turned right onto the green trail. This trail brought us to the Trough Trail. Down we went on the steep old trail. Deciding to stay true to the old route, we continued down to pass by the wildlife water trough and on down past the new trail crossing. A path has been forged through the downed limbs and we continued on it steeply down the old Trough Trail to the campsite at Telephone Canyon Road.

Friends

Trail Junction Sign

Primrose - alooza

Steep Descent down Trough Trail

We crossed the road and dipped to the left to join the upper portion of Tin Can Alley. This took us up to Cowboy Washington to pass by the cabin where we took our break. The old cabin was not used as a home but to store tools and supplies for the building of the telephone lines that linked the resort on Deer Creek to Kyle Canyon back in the day that it was built. Continuing our long ascent, we hiked up to the Robber's Roost Trailhead and crossed Deer Creek Road. Turning right on the old Deer Creek Road broken asphalt, we connected with the Gypsy Trail for a short distance and turned left up onto the Pixie Trail. This streamlined the ascent back up to the Juniper Trailhead by climbing the shorter distance up to the area of Angel Peak Place where we crossed Deer Creek Road and made a beeline through the brush on a game trail. There were seventeen cars parked at the small trailhead and lining the road! Bikers enjoying the weekend! This is another one of Kay's down and up hikes. Expect it and leave it all on the trail!

Stats: 5.5 miles; 1100' gain; 3.25 hours

Starting up Upper Tin Can Alley

One bike jump.

Starting up Old Deer Creek Road Section

Top of Pixie Trail - High Point of Hike