South Canyon Bike Trail Pt 2 Pt - 12/7/23

Bike Trail approaching the High Point

Bike Trail in Wash of South Canyon

Calico Hills from Bike Trail in Cottonwood Valley

The Descent Hikers

Fourteen club members came out for the debut of the South Canyon Bike Trail Point to Point key exchange hike! (That's a mouthful.) The Fearsome Foursome have been dallying with this trail for a couple of years making it a loop from one of the dirt roads west of Late Night Trailhead. But, on this hike, we wanted to take in the whole 6 miles between Mountain Springs Pass Trailhead and Late Night Trailhead; a total elevation gain/loss of around 1500'. With the undulations of the well-constructed bike trail, the gain/loss was around 1650'. We gathered at the Late Night Trailhead and found that only 5 of the 14 hikers were choosing to do the descent and the remaining 9 would tackle the ascent. So, the 5 descenders drove 2 cars up the hill to the pass and pocketed the keys. There were mumblings about how the hike started with a lot of uphill. (We were supposed to be going downhill! LOL) But, once we veered left onto the bike trail, our minds were occupied with the trail at foot. This part of the trail was familiar with some of us but not all. Therefore, the journey was exciting.

 During the beginning of the hike, we learned through a phone message that the ascenders had come across some people who were looking for a dog and that we should all be on the lookout. He has been out in Cottonwood Valley for a week.

Pinnacle Rock

Insulator Cairn at Pinnacle Rock

View of South Canyon from Bike Trail

Our first look at the Ascent Hikers

Soon, we arrived at the spur trail that leads up to the abandoned road. This is where we turn off for Hollow Rock Peak. This time, we continued around the corner and came to the dirt road at a point below its switchback. At the Pinnacle Rock, we followed the bike trail down to the left and curved back to pass the Insulator Cairn. There are a few forks in this area but they all lead to the same place. Continuing, we crossed the powerline road that climbed up the hill from the canyon below. Next, the trail ran along the steep southern hillside of South Canyon. Views are great and we kept a lookout for the ascenders, not knowing how far along they would be. We hiked the trail all the way out to the end of the ridgeline. Looking below, we saw the 9 ascenders coming up the trail having just crossed through the wash below. A bunch of zigzags lay between us. Next thing we knew, we met them on a curve and exchanged keys and photos. Fun!

Exchange Point all Together

Descent Hikers' Break

Descent Hikers' Break

Ascent Hikers' Break

Soon, we hiked our separate ways and the descenders took a break on the big rocks in the wash crossings. The trail took us along the wash and back out into the desert to the west of Late Night TH. We passed the skeleton in the old buried car and started out on trails and roads that led almost straight to our endpoint. Along the way, we saw the trap set out for the lost dog and talked to some people who were looking for him. (The dog probably decided to transition into a coyote.) Amazingly, we hiked into the trailhead at the very same time that the ascenders drove in. Perfect timing! Really fun day!

Descent Stats: 6.1 miles; - 1650' loss & +200' gain in elevation; 3.25 hours

Leveling out next to the South Canyon Wash

BOLO for White Border Collie/Retriever Mix in Cottonwood Valley

Late Night Trailhead

Descent Elevation Graph

Descent Elevation Graph

View of Trail from Mountain Springs Pass Trailhead Down

View from Late Night Trailhead Up