Camp 84 & Horse Peak Loop - 8/3/23

Camp 84 with Magnificent Views

Horse Peak view of Mummy Mountain

Mike adds a rock to the cairn on Onyx Peak

A respected old Juniper Tree in the Sawmill area

The weather was finally cool enough to go down in elevation just a little and Mike and I were the only two available to enjoy it! We drove up Lee Canyon Road to the Sawmill Trailhead and hiked out the trail to the Macks Canyon Road connector. Left turn on Macks Canyon Road and 0.8 miles into the hike, we turned to the left onto a HCV dirt road called Horse Canyon Road. I was checking the slopes up to the left and we made the decision to see what was up there. I was looking for a particular game trail that I thought I spotted on the satellite map. Also, I have wondered about the rock outcrops in the area above for years. Mike was game so, up we went. Finding vague game trails all the way up the hill, we crossed from one up to another. It was tough going. Steep and a lot of deadfall debris. It was difficult to follow just one trail and some trails led down. Eventually, Mike suggested to just go up. We climbed the final 30 feet of steep scree-filled terrain and came upon something we never expected! A full-size campsite! It was located right on the end of the narrow ridge above with views on either side. A fantastic location! We wondered who built it and when. Is is old or new? Or, what we decided, is it an old campsite that was taken over in recent years. There were things around the campsite that had seen at least 50 years yet there were also things that had seen only about 30. We didn't take anything away from the site ... not even the rotted tarp still stuck in a bush. It was just extremely interesting and beautiful.

Lower elevations view from steep climb up to Ridge

Can you find the vague game trails?

Camp 84 Photos - New or Old???

View to Sisters Ridge from Camp 84

After enjoying the campsite and its surrounding amenities, we started up on a game trail with hopes that it would lead up along the ridge. It did. However, it was not easy to follow. Mike and I ended up separated at different times simply trying to find the best route. Always within shouting distance, we eventually met up again wading through rocks and some brush. There was a trail but it was not well-used. Finally, the trail joined up to a trail I have used before while hiking up from the upper terminus of Horse Canyon Road. Yea! So, we passed the overlook saddle and proceeded to follow a much more familiar trail around the rim to Horse Peak. Here, we were more than 3 hours into the hike due to the difficult game trails full of debris.

View to Lower Elevations from Camp 84

Climbing the Vague Rim Trail

Reaching the Brushy Rim

A Rim Overlook to Deer Creek Road

Deciding not to high-tail it back down to Horse Canyon Road and out, we took a nice break and continued on around the high horseshoe rim of Horse Canyon in the clockwise direction. Having done this part of the hike about 5 or 6 times, we confidently hiked down to a low saddle then began ascending again. This first climb was a white peak (unnamed) then we were faced with a second climb on a dark gray or black peak I dubbed Onyx Peak a while back. Although this peak is lower in elevation than Horse Peak, it provides fabulous views. Someone else constructed a very nice triangular cairn on top and we each had our photo taken with it. Mike added a rock for good luck. Next, the ridge trail took us down a steep section where we tried to stay close to the top of the ridge's peak. Lower, clearer areas to the left were calling but we ignored the siren's call and stayed strong on the ridge with a vague trail of our own.

View back toward travelled rim and Camp 84 at End of Ridge

McFarland Peak rises in Distance from our Rim Hike

Arriving at the final approach to Horse Peak

Horse Peak view of Macks Peak and Cold Creek, NV

The trail, again, was difficult to see but it was very logical in its construction. (Probably made by animals!) We continued on the straight red line of my GPS track still ignoring the lure of imagined turns to either side. Finally, we were faced with another peak. It was not on the agenda and our route veered around it to the northwest. Down the trailing ridge, we soon veered to the northeast. This section of the descent was wide open and sometimes it was difficult to tell which direction the ridge was headed.

Taking a break on Horse Peak

What is it with Kay and dead trees?

A large cairn rises from Onyx Peak approach.

View from top of Onyx Peak

Regardless, soon, we noticed that the ridge of the peak we hiked around not long before was rising steeply up to our right. In between us and the ridge, was the start of an arroyo. It had a very familiar appearance and soon, we knew it was the resulting wash that I have descended a few times before. There is a trail that runs down it ... which is always a good sign. Before we knew it, we junctioned with Macks Canyon Road and turned right. We passed Horse Canyon Road junction, and connected with the connector trail and Sawmill Trail. It was a great day out exploring. If you are ever wanting something to do, this is a good alternative in cooler temps.

Stats: 5.2 miles; 1625' gain; 5.5 hours of exploration!

Stubby Old Man on Ridge

Scrambling down a Rocky Tor

Dropping down through the final Arroyo Wash