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| Fletcher Peak from below North Loop Trailhead |
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| Mummy's Toe from Equestrian Switchbacks |
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| Sample of Bridges Trail |
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| Another sample of Bridges Trail |
This particular route is quite good for a simple workout. It begins with a steep uphill and continues with a long rolling challenge. In the end, save a little energy for a long gradual uphill and top it off with a short steep climb back to the trailhead. In 2.5 to 3.5 hours you get back in the car feeling like you did something! However, I suggest that this route is done on a weekend when the bikers are not about. They like the same trails!
The hike begins from Robbers Roost Trailhead on Deer Creek Road in the Spring Mountains. After crossing the road, climb up to a junction trail and turn right onto an old part of the Old Deer Creek Road. Just when the old road veers to the right, the Bridges Trail takes off to the left. The bikers have built several bridges to cross the washes and there is even a huge dangerous bike jump in the middle of the climb that they have built. The climb is very steep and sometimes slippery. This climb will guarantee to get your heart rate up! You arrive at the top at the North Loop Trailhead parking. Next, the long downhill begins by turning right onto Deer Creek Road. When it's safe, cross the road and hike down to the next road to the left. This is Angel Peak Place. Cross the road junction there and find a good place to drop down to the small gulley below. I've named this wash "Trash Gulley" because every winter, it is trashed by families doing snow play! We usually come by every summer and clean up a little to the tune of 3-5 large trash bags full!
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| Bridges Trail (I advise ascent only!) |
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| Trash Gulley |
I was pleased to see that on this hike, the gulley was still clean from a hike the Lady Hikers did on March 21st this year. I might have to change the name if this keeps up! Following the small wash takes a hiker down to the bottom first corner of the Upper Showgirl Trail. Turning to the right, the Original Showgirl Trail is well travelled and very clear. Follow the trail around the hills to the right winding in and out below Deer Creek Road and on to a signed junction. The sign will show a left turn onto the Original Showgirl. (This trail, if followed to the end, will take you all the way down to the Lower Showgirl Trailhead on Kyle Canyon Road just above the Harris Springs Road turnoff. The entire one way trail is 8.6 miles with an elevation loss of 2627'. The Lady Hikers did this hike in 5 hours or so. The interesting thing about this hike is that it takes you through 3-4 different Life Zones. (From Ponderosa pine and manzanita, to Pinon-juniper and sagebrush, to blackbrush and creosote, and finally, to Joshua trees and Yucca.)
For this hike, go only to the next trail sign. About 50' past the sign, there is a clearing to the right, descend through this clearing to a trail and turn right. This is a connector trail to the Trough Trail. Follow this trail, and turn left on a steep section of the Trough Trail. A sharp turn onto the Equestrian Switchback (no sign) is next. If you don't turn here, you will pass by the trough that is used by several species of wildlife especially during the night hours. (Ask me how I know!) Follow the long Equestrian Switchback back to the Trough Trail and cross to the switchback continuation.
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| Upper Original Showgirl Trail |
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| Junction of Original Showgirl and Hike a Bike |
This trail finishes at Telephone Canyon Road. There is another trail sign here. Your choice is to turn right and climb all the way up the dirt road back to the trailhead, or, follow Atomic Duck down to where it junctions with Tin Can Alley then climb up to Robbers Roost. There is a third choice! Start up Telephone Canyon Road and watch to your left. The Tin Can Alley trail parallels and comes near the dirt road. It is a much more pleasant way to climb back up the hill. Study the maps below. I hope it helps.
Stats: ~5 miles; ~1350' gain; 3.25 hours
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| Connector to Trough Trail and Equestrian Switchbacks |
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| Telephone Canyon Road |
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| Junction with Robbers Roost Trailhead Connector |
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