No Name Saddle v Bonanza TH Shortcut - 7/29/24

Lee Peak behind small peak at No Name Saddle

No Name Trail

Grandfather Tree on No Name Trail

Sun rises on South Sister

Seven club members started their hike on a nicely cool morning at the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead. There was a lot of talking about recent vacation trips. As we circled around the gate that blocks the gravel road heading up into Scout Canyon, we noted that there was an interesting fallen tree. It seemed to have twisted on its way down. We hiked the road for around a mile and came to the apex of a road switchback. We turned right up a smaller dirt road that we know as Pine Cone Canyon Trail. There is evidence of campers up this way and an antennae structure. Just across from the antennae apparatus, we turned left into the woods. Soon, we came across the trail that we call the Shortcut. 

Starting up Pine Cone Canyon Trail

Interesting stuff in lower part of Pine Cone Canyon Trail

Doug climbs the Shortcut Trail

Junction of Bonanza Trailhead and Bristlecone Trail

It seems that many hikers have been using this trail since the Lower Bristlecone Trail is closed 2 miles up from the trailhead. The Shortcut will take you all the way up to the Bonanza Trail junction without hikers having to set a single toe on the Bristlecone Trails. We turned right onto the Bonanza Trail and began climbing the switchbacks. There are four long switchbacks that take hikers up to the junction with the No Name Trail. There is a sign proclaiming this junction to be a boundary of the Mt. Charleston Wilderness in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The Bonanza Trail continues up a long slope of steps but we turned to the left onto the No Name Trail.

Charleston Peak above Stump

Climbing the Bonanza Switchbacks

Junction of Bonanza Trail and No Name Trail

Bonanza Trail continues up the Hill

The No Name Trail began as the Bonanza Trail. The Bonanza was rerouted down to the Bristlecone and the trail that remained was not to be used for the main hordes of recreational hikers due to its route through beautiful old bristlecone trees. It came to be known as the No Name Trail and many hikers use it as a more challenging climb. We enjoyed the trees and the scenery as we hiked along a fairly level trail that some of us had not been on since last August's hurricane. What a mess that made in the Spring Mountains!

No Name Trail with view of Charleston Peak

Heading down to the No Name Saddle

Lee Peak beyond the small peak at the Saddle

Seven hikers at the No Name Saddle

At the No Name Saddle, we sat for our break. It was cool and fresh. Just a great place to be. Our return trip followed the same route in reverse. When we got back down to Pine Cone Canyon, we noticed a huge fallen tree that had huge mushrooms growing on it. Very interesting. It was nice to see some friends that we don't see often.

Stats: 6.2 miles; 1350' gain; 3.5 hours

South Sister as seen from the Bonanza Switchbacks

Halfway down the Shortcut Trail

Fallen tree with Mushrooms in Pine Cone Canyon