Pine Cone Canyon / South Sister Saddle Loop - 7/8/24

Bristlecone tree on ridge trail with Mummy Mountain in Background

McFarland Peak from Bonanza Trail

Sue climbing Pine Cone Canyon

Hiking up the Old Mill Trail

Pine Cone Canyon is a dauntingly steep wash that is sometimes filled with pine cones. The small canyon wash runs from the Bonanza Trail down to the Lower Bristlecone Trail. To make a nice 5.7 mile loop hike using Pine Cone Canyon and the South Sister Saddle, we began at the Pay Phone Trailhead near the traffic circle of Lee Canyon Road. Eight hikers crossed the road and headed up the paved road next to the Old Mill Picnic Area. Just past a set of restrooms, (that are closed to the public), the route veers up a hill to the right as it joins the Old Mill Trail. We passed the turnoff for the South Sister Trail and continued around to the left. After Hilary's rains, there is a deep gulch crossing the trail where we circumvented around it to the right. On up the hill, we came to the Old Mill site where we took a group photo and noticed the engraved aspen trees. The mill was operational back in the 40's or 50's and the aspen trees' engraving show the age.

Old names carved into Aspens

The group at the Old Mill

Turning from Lower Bristlecone Trail into Pine Cone Canyon 

Weather station in Pine Cone Canyon

On up the trail, we junctioned with the Lower Bristlecone Trail (aka Scout Canyon Road). A right turn took us quickly up to the apex of the next curve where the Pine Cone Canyon Trail begins to the right. We passed a large weather station setup and veered right into the canyon wash. The steepness was upon us soon as we followed the trail around a handful more trees that had fallen since the last time we were there. Make no mistake! The canyon becomes steeper and steeper as you climb up the 0.8 mile distance between the weather station and the Bonanza Trail. The group of hikers separated with their different paces. There were a few newbies but they hung close to the oldies and everyone finally reached the top with little energy to spare.

Large downed tree next to Pine Cone Canyon Trail

Another downed tree across Pine Cone Canyon Trail

John makes his way through another downed Tree

Everybody at the top of Pine Cone Canyon

We took a short break to breathe and turned to the right. Following the beautiful and familiar Bonanza Trail for approximately 0.9 mile we next came to the ridge descent trail junction. There is a 3 foot tall tree stump on the left with a rock or two in its crotch. The ridge trail, itself, turns to the right to jump over the Bonanza ridge hump and start downward on small switchbacks. The trail is in good condition most of the way and our regular break spot was wide open seating. After our enjoyable break, we continued along the ridge trail and came to the South Sister Saddle. Again with a right turn, we began our ~1.5 mile descent to the cars. 

Shadowplay on the Bonanza Trail

Heading into the small switchbacks to the first High Point

Nearing the junction on the Bonanza Trail

Break time on the Ridge Trail

The South Sister Trail descent is steep to begin but after you get that part out of the way, it becomes a pleasant hike through the forest ending with the pavement down beside the picnic area. This is a great hike that challenges us every time. Fun group of hikers.

Stats: 5.7 miles; 1620' gain; 4 hours

Hiking out the Ridge Trail

Hiking past the spring on the South Sister Trail

Descending the South Sister Trail