Inscription Rock (& nearby ruins) - 11/16/24

Inscription Rock

Ruins behind Oliver Ranch

Bedrock Spring

Susan leads us out toward Oliver Ranch

Five club members parked at the Wheeler Camp Spring Trailhead and headed out for a partial exploratory. After having done a similar hike last year, we learned more about the area and were ready to bring the hike together to form an interesting 6.5 mile partial loop hike. We began by hiking through the open fence in the back of the parking lot and past the end of the bird sanctuary. The trees were a lovely autumn yellow in the springs wash. Essentially, we turned to the right just past the wash and followed the trail and shallow wash toward the old Oliver Ranch. Meeting the next wash full of trees, we turned to the left. Before we reached the end of the fence to our right, we turned right and entered through a space in the fence.

Foliage growth around Ruins

Visiting the Ruins

Sue exits the Ruins

Gorgeous Skies

The route loops to the right into a large grove of trees. The Mormon Green Spring is located in this area. In the midst of the grove, is a set of house ruins as seen in the photos of this entry. It was exciting to see something so historic like this. After taking a few photos, we exited the grove back in the direction of one of the large washes and continued. We crossed the wash twice and came to a large junkyard on the embankment. So much junk! But, also, so much history. We lingered for a few photos and speculations then continued by crossing the wash to join a worn trail on the south side. The trail paralleled the wash and soon we came to a familiar bedrock area of the wash. There is a spring here, also. We named the spring, Bedrock Spring.

Wide rocky wash next to Worn Trail

Old car in junkyard next to Wash

Fencing wire and alcohol bottles in Junkyard

Hare with a growth on its Shoulder

Returning to the worn trail, we continued in the direction of the Sandstone Bluffs. There was one more stop in the wash as we neared another large grouping of autumn-colored trees. We climbed down into the rocks and found Point Spring, another small spring that nonetheless produces water for the wildlife of Cottonwood Valley. Once again, we returned to the worn trail that, now, led us up the hill to the left. We could see the Inscription Rock Hill to the west. Compared to the surrounding terrain, it was clearly a "hill." We followed the worn trails to the base of the hill and started a small climb. On the top of the hill to the right of the trail, we found the inscribed rock as we walked right by it.

Heading into the Point Spring Area

A lot of color this Morning

Nearing Point Spring

More Color

We sat for our break and looked around. The sky was beautiful. We saw the Calico Hills to the north. South Cottonwood Valley and East Monument Peak to the south. The Sandstone Bluffs rose to the west showing us the canyons between Wilson Peak and Indecision Peak. To the east, we had already lost sight of the fencing behind Oliver Ranch and the Landmine Loop bike trail. We didn't sit long before we were ready to begin our return. By finding the worn trail from where we came, we were able to return at a fast pace. It was easy to follow the trail past Bedrock Spring. Then, we set our sights on the fence and the bicycles on the Landmine Loop. The trails were many! Finally, we were hiking along the fence away from the rush of the bicycles.

Point Spring

Inscription Rock Hill

Visiting Inscription Rock

Escarpment beyond Inscription Rock Hill

At the end of the fence, we turned left. Next, we veered to the right to follow a different trail that cut off the corner of the hill we were hiking around. When we saw the cars, we used the trail and a bushwhack to head straight to the trailhead. Good new hike!

Stats: 6.5 miles; 650' gain; 3.5 hours

View toward La Madre Range

Wash embankment at Crossing

Returning on trail between fence and Landmine Loop bike Trail