Flower Power / Sidewinder Loop CW - 1/31/26

Cairn on end of Rocky Peninsula

View of Flower Power Trail

Sidewinder Trail

Flower Power Car

There were four Wanderers on the trails behind Blue Diamond today. We decided to change it up a little and do the Sidewinder / Flower Power Loop backwards, or clockwise. We liked the different direction and discovered a few new views. This hike is one of my favorites due to the beautiful views of the Red Rock escarpment and the dolomite type rock in the tertiary ridges.

We found our way through the fencing in the back of the trailhead parking lot and followed the worn paths up to the lower mesa above. Joining the Landmine Loop, a popular bike trail in this area, we headed toward the tertiary ridge in front of us. When we reached the junkyard intersection, we turned to our left and followed the trail up to an old rusted car with a license tag on it that read Flower Power. You can either turn left at the car or go on up a little and turn to join the Flower Power Trail. This trail circles the hill in front of you around to the left. The path is clearly marked with cairns. As you hike along the side of the hill back toward Blue Diamond, your views are of the Blue Diamond Gypsum Mine on the left and the beautiful escarpment behind you.

Nearing the top of Flower Power Trail

Watching the small Airplanes

Kay in front of the Rocky Peninsula Cairn

Kissing Rock beyond sandstone Outcrop

We followed the Flower Power Trail as it gradually climbed up to the top of the ridge. The last part held a few wiggling zigzags. Finally, we headed straight back in the direction from which we had come on top of the ridge. At the end of this ridge, the trail turned left. We went straight to walk out on the Rocky Peninsula for a short break. At the end of this peninsula, someone has built a nice pointy cairn! We stopped for just a moment then returned back to the trail. Here, we turned to the right, crossed the saddle, looked for burros and headed up past the sandstone outcrop. This outcrop was part of the result of the Keystone Thrust movement that happened across Cottonwood Valley below. Isn't geology amazing?

Beautiful trail in front of Red Rock Escarpment

Susan nearing Blue Diamond Cactus Garden

First Yucca bloom of the Season

Chunk Arch

Next, we climbed up to the intersection of the Hurl Backdoor Trail that follows along the long and highest ridge leading to the Blue Diamond Cactus Garden. There, we continued along the trail and around a section I named the Blue Diamond Sidewinder Trail many years ago. They probably call it something else now but, for me, it is the Sidewinder because of the fun trail around the contours. After we joined the Landmine Loop once again, we saw a large group of burros inside the Oliver Ranch fencing near the Mormon Green Springs. There were either one or two babies on the ground! Here, we continued down next to the ranch fencing and back to the cars. It was a lovely day.

Stats: 6.7 miles; 1000' gain; 4.25 hours

Starting out Sidewinder Trail

Sidewinder Trail

Herd of 10 burros with babies near Landmine Loop and Mormon Green Springs