Stepladder & Odie Peaks Loop - 10/11/24

Odie Peak from top of Stepladder Peak

Griffith Peak from top of Odie Peak

Upper part of Shady Hollow Trail

Starting out the trail from the Trailhead

I know. Not many blogs lately. Onyx is still missing. It is possible that a "Ring" notice was put up by a person living outside our "Ring" jurisdiction that had a dog that appears very similar to Onyx. We cannot get in touch with this person and they are not returning any calls by others trying to help us. Blah. Blah. Blah. Anyway, I guess there is a 50/50 chance that they have her. There is also a 50/50 chance that Onyx is still out there playing with the foxes somewhere in the Spring Mountains. Honestly folks, we have done everything that we can think of and hiked everywhere within a 5-8 mile radius of the runaway point looking for her. 😩 I pray a lot.

Sun rising on Stepladder Peak

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Stepladder Peak Trail

Harris Peak from Stepladder Peak Trail

Entrance to Kyle Canyon from Stepladder Peak Trail

So, on another mission, Rita, Ralyn and I created a new hike using Stepladder Peak in a loop route. We started at the top of Stepladder Loop on Deer Creek Road (Top TH). Quickly connecting with the saddle junction, we turned right to climb Stepladder Peak on the trail that ascends up the first false peak and on up to Stepladder Peak. After signing in the log book, we started down on a different route than what is traditional. We turned to descend through widely scattered trees and brush on a 90 degree angle to the left. Paralleling a wash to our right and a cliff to our left, we easily reached the saddle between Stepladder Peak and the next little rise we affectionately called Odie Peak. After all, Odie was the first to peak out here a couple of weeks ago when he and Ralyn bushwhacked up from the other side following one of those frustrating barks that sounded so much like Onyx.

Rita and Ralyn climbing Stepladder Peak

Starting down from Stepladder Peak to Odie Peak

Odie Peak (foreground) from bushwhack Descent

Telephone Canyon and Angel Peak 

We made it to the top of Odie Peak taking in all the new views then started down on the south side connecting with a vague game trail. This trail spiraled down counter-clockwise until we junctioned with the Shady Hollow Trail on the east side of the little peak. The trees and brush were very easy to navigate through. Once we were on the Shady Hollow, we continued following it up in its north and northwesterly direction. At around 2.5 miles into the hike, we came to Onyx Point. This is my husband's name for where Onyx got spooked and ran from the bicycles who had come up behind us and didn't slow down. We stopped here for a break where the sunny trail began being covered by shade. I had removed the food and water bowl from this location the day before. (Too soon? I just don't know.) We sat and talked for a few minutes then continued up the Tin Can Alley / Shady Hollow Trail. It was a Friday so there were not any bikers around. Besides, the weather has finally turned a little cooler and the bikers might have moved down a little in elevation.

Telephone Canyon and Mummy's Nose from Odie Peak Saddle

Starting descent from Odie Peak

Fletcher Ridge from Odie Peak Descent

Shady Hollow Junction

At a junction sign, we made a sharp turn to the left to continue our hike on the Atomic Duck. (This is actually where the original Shady Hollow Trail continues as well.) Taking the long switchbacks up to the Cowboy Trail, we eventually connected with that trail that parallels old and new Deer Creek Road. Soon, after taking a left, we were at the saddle junction and took a sharp turn to the right on the trail that led us back to the cars at the Top Trailhead. I like this new route. It can be tweaked in different ways to adjust the total length of the hike. We welcome Odie Peak to the Spring Mountains!!!

Stats: 4.25 miles; 1300' gain. 

Atomic Duck (L), Original Shady Hollow (R)

Shady Hollow Trail joining Cowboy Trail

Return to Top Trailhead (Stepladder Peak in Background)