Jean's Peak Short Loop - 2/12/24

Spring Mountains and Northshore Road from Jean's Peak

Redstone from Jean's Peak

Jean's Canyon near its Saddle

Mother and Baby Bighorns (look close!)

Four club hikers drove out to Northshore Road MM 25 (Call Box TH) for a short but challenging hike up to Jean's Peak and its high point. As we were climbing up the bottom of the approach canyon, we saw a mother bighorn and her kid coming down from the ridge on the right, cross over the canyon we were climbing and climb up the ridge on the left. They posed a couple of times on the cliffs above. We had to look very close to see the kid because, most of the time, it was behind her and she shielded it from the abyss. It one photo, I outlined the kid to make it more visible. Regardless, it was a beautiful way to start the hike!

Leg of Triple Arch

Steep climb after Triple Arch

View down to Bitter Springs Valley

Spiny Back Lizard

With strong hikers following me, I climbed the canyon with a little too much acceleration! We climbed through the triple arch then started up the steep side of the ridge and I slowed as the others continued strongly straight up to the top. This caused a little delay as they couldn't find me! I had taken a large switchback up. About 10 minutes later we were all gathered at the saddle below the large cairn having "found" everyone as we recuperated before the climb to the cairn. We climbed steeply up to the cairn and took a few photos. From there, we headed on up to the high point of the ridge. Views, as always, were tremendous!

Gold Butte and Virgin Peak across the Lake

On the Saddle

At Jean's Peak Cairn

Hiking up to the High Point

After we enjoyed the high point for a few minutes, we began the task of descending steeply down all the way to the original canyon's saddle and wash on the other side. This wash brought us all the way down to Jean's Canyon in a location not far from its saddle which was to the right. We took our break and decided to take the shorter route back to the cars. A left turn in Jean's Canyon sent us in a colorful maze of the twisty canyon with its unique challenges that were never too difficult. One particular challenge is a 15' drop down some white stone. It appears scary at first but ends up being easy if you allow yourself to sit and step down the crack. A little further down the canyon, we saw telltale cairns on an ascending small ridge to the left.

Spring Mountains from Jean's Peak

From Jean's Peak down to Pinto Valley

Dropping to Jean's Canyon

Break in Jean's Canyon

We took a left at the cairns, climbed the hill and focused on the blue pole sticking up a short distance up (left) Northshore Road. This is the call box pole. Not too far up the hill and road, we were hiking into our parking lot. Short but challenging, this is a beautiful hike. On the way back at around MM 21, we were very surprised to see 3 wild horses not far off the road! No turnouts around so I didn't stop for a photo. An unusual occurrence.

Stats: 3.6 miles; 1000' gain; 3.25 hours

A descent in Jean's Canyon

A sharp drop in Jean's Canyon

Finishing Jean's Canyon