Anniversary Narrows Peak O&B - 12/26/23

North & South Bowls of Fire from Anniversary Narrows Peak (Knife Edge to L)

Crack Climb

Pinnacle on South Bowl Upper Plateau

Overland approach to Wash

There were eleven club hikers on this hike that we began at Northshore Road MM 16. We hiked down to Callville Road and turned onto the Anniversary Mine Road. Very soon, we turned right into a wash that is sided by a red wall on only one side. There is a vague trail that runs along this wash and leads hikers out to a much larger wash that runs up between Murphy Peak and a black (& red) ridge. Our trajectory took us all the way to a side wash that drops into the larger wash and we found our way down. Everyone was excited about the hike and the overall pace was moderate. As everyone soon found out, the pace might have been moderate but the hike, itself, was rated as strenuous. After dropping into the large wash, we hiked up and made a decided turn to the right as the wash forks. Following on top of the uneven wash rocks, we were approaching the Crack Climb that can be seen up on the left side. It is black with red rock peeking out from underneath the black.

Drop into Wash

Wash with Crack Climb in Background

View up Crack Climb from Bottom

The group begins the Crack Climb

The crack can be climbed any way you choose. Most of the hikers took my lead and climbed the slabby sticky rock most of the way then sidled over to some looser stuff. We all went very slow and patience was gifted all around. Finally, we were all at the top of the crack and we hiked over to a nearby overlook drop to see how far up we were. We hiked into the redstone that is the upper plateau of the South Bowl of Fire. We passed up many more of those overlooks wanting to get on with the business at hand, climbing Anniversary Narrows Peak. Turning a corner around large outcrops, we found the Pinnacle. This formation is a good landmark to find the trail needed to continue our climb. A few photos later, we began climbing up away from the pinnacle.

Murphy Peak from the Crack

Trail to Pinnacle

Group at the Pinnacle

Trail to Landmark Cairn

The worn trail was vague but became more clear as we went. It circled around to the right on the redstone then crossed a small land bridge up to the left where it connects with an obvious trail leading up into a plated limestone gully. There is a large landmark cairn telling you that you are in the right place. We started up the gully and noticed a cave in the berm on the right side. Follow this berm for the best route. Unfortunately, I forgot to do that and took the left fork when it came. Oh, it's doable! Just more difficult! Anyway, slowly we were all up above the gullies and put the round peak in our focus. A few minutes later, we were on top enjoying the incredible view of South Bowl and the other side of Lovell Ridge. We sat for a break but not too many of the hikers dared to hike out to the sign in box! It is straight down a long way on both sides there!

Almost to Landmark Cairn

Wash climb to final Ascent

First view of other side of Lovell Ridge

South Bowl of Fire from Peak

After the break, we started down but stayed further to the left than our ascent track. This took us to the preferred gully to descend. There is a nice 2' cairn that marks the top of this gully. We found it and began a slow downclimb on slippery stuff. It was still easier this way than if we had gone down the way we came up! We passed the landmark cairn and dropped down to our left in a funnel shaped steep down slope. Our hike was announced as an out and back through the South Bowl. So, when we reached the bottom of the "funnel" at the edge of the South Bowl of Fire, we decided to make the return as straight a route as we could heading back to the top of that large wash we came in on. There is a trail but, we kept losing it!

The group on the Peak

Starting descent of Right Fork

Reaching the landmark cairn on the Descent

Descent into South Bowl

It mattered not since we could see where we wanted to go ... to the right of Murphy Peak and to the left of the South Bowl escarpment. There was a bit of moderate scrambling in the wash as we hiked at a good pace down to find our cairn we had set up at the spur-drop-in wash. Climbing up to the "desert pavement" level, we made a beeline back to where we could see a car parked at our trailhead. It was a long day but it was filled with a bunch of happy hikers! For what more could you ask? Great and beautiful day!

Stats: 6.25 miles; 1550' gain; 5 hours

Finished with the Hard Stuff!

Crossing over to the wash Return

Climbing out of the wash to overland hike Return