East Kraft / Ash Spring Loop - 3/4/24

Southern view from east side of Kraft Mountain

Ash Spring in Ash Meadow

Climbing Gene's Trail to base of Kraft Mountain

Gene's Trail

It had been a while since our little group of hikers had gotten together. Out of town trips, injuries and weather had prevented us from continuing our fun hikes much of this winter season. In the interim, we supplemented with club hikes where we also enjoy socializing with many of our other friends. Today, we thought we would do the Kraft Mountain Traverse E to W. However, what with the various conditions each of us were in, it didn't really turn out to be a full traverse! Regardless, we always have fun and this hike was no different. Six of us parked at the Red Spring Picnic Area parking lot and headed out to the right on Calico Basin Road for only 0.4 mile. An obscure use trail heads off to the left up the hill and we followed it until we hit a portion of Gene's Trail. Taking a left on Gene's, we continued climbing then dropping down to Gateway Wash below. We crossed the wash and found the best place to start our climb up the east end of Kraft Mountain. Although we always seem to find ourselves at the same route, our beginnings are usually a little different. Finding the usual route, we hit the same little problem obstacle ... except, this time, all of us could not conquer the climb.

Pausing to enjoy on Gene's Trail

Arriving at base of Kraft Mountain

The scrambling Begins

Gaining Elevation

Four hikers continued up while two hikers dropped down a little to try to go around the hill to the left. No can do! We got around and found a great rabbithole but getting up through the boulder outcrops was an obstacle we were not equipped to do. We returned to the trail below the first obstacle and the others were already returning down. A traverse of this wonderful mountain was not in the cards for this hike! So, we continued dropping down to the Kraft Mountain Loop Trail and turned to the right. Monkey Bar Rock was covered with a large group of young rock climbers. This is when we realized that the spring break season had begun. There were rock climbers everywhere on the warm-up boulders all around this side of Kraft Mountain.

Southeastern view from east end of Kraft Mountain

A small step for Mankind - a Big step for Kay

Retreat

Helping Hands

Since we had to cut short our traverse, we continued straight on the loop trail to head in the direction of 5 Stop Hill. Before we reached it, we turned left and connected with the Ash Spring Trail. This trail is a picturesque route through the springs and meadow areas. It also connects hikers with the trails that run the base of the Calico Hills. Just after passing the old abandoned home foundation, we turned left on the Girl Scout Trail and followed it to the also old and abandoned picnic tables. Well, the tables are in very good condition but the awnings that used to cover them are long gone. A great place to picnic during the shoulder seasons but not so great in the hot summer time.

Gathering on the Descent

Rita enjoys the Scramble

Fifteen rock climbers, Two dogs and Mike at Monkey Bar Rock

Trail up through the climbing boulders Routes

From here, we dropped down the old picnic road to the small Calico Spring Wash and climbed up onto the light colored sandstone. On our right, we could see four rock climbers up on the Big Bad Wolf climbing wall ... a very popular wall as seen by much of the country. Our trail led to Cannibal's Crag, another climbing boulder, and we turned left onto the Calico Basin Trail. This main thoroughfare trail winds its way all the way back to the Red Spring Picnic Area parking lot. What fun we had on a, finally, beautiful day!

Stats: 4.8 miles; 1000' gain; 3.75 hours

Climbing Girl Scout Trail from Ash Spring Trail

Big Bad Wolf rock climbing Route

The Calico Basin Trail