Blackrock Loop v Elk Ridge - 6/14/26

Three Lady Hikers at Blackrock

Sisters Arch

Deadwood and Mummy Mountain

First leg of Hike - Up Lee Canyon Wash

This loop hike was created last year so we haven't had a chance to perfect it. Regardless of its imperfections, three Lady Hikers had a full day trying to make improvements. One improvement was, (indeed, an improvement) was to begin the hike at the Cattle Grate Trailhead and drop into Lee Canyon Wash. We hiked up the wash and noticed that someone (maybe the forest service personnel) has cleaned off the many fallen trees by cutting limbs. It was easy to navigate. After a little under a mile, we climbed out of the wash on the right side, crossed the road and hiked to the upper end of the Chain-Up Trailhead. Continuing at the upper end of the large turnout, we followed an old road-turned trail past the gate. The trail continues up a ravine holding a trickle of water from Galium Spring. Not far up the drainage, the spring drained down from the right. Wild horses drink from this spring and you can see the horse trails leading to it. We climbed to the top of the embankment past the piped spring and continued up the hill to the saddle above.

Galium Spring

Hiking up from Galium Spring

North Sister from bottom of ascent Ridge

Kay and Sue climbing up on ascent Ridge

Next, we turned to our left and began our climb up the small ridge until it got steeper and steeper. The other side of the ridge fell precipitously down to a large open-sided bowl. We balanced the ridge all the way up past a rock outcrop. It was clear that there have been other hikers here since last year. We kept climbing as the ridge curved around to the right. There were very few trees. The trees that were there were mostly dead. Plus, there were a lot of scraggly bushes. But, a path led us through the foliage to the top of the ridge where we found the cairn we had propped up last year. At this point, the hiking became more flat as we walked along the midpoint of the ridge. It wasn't long before we came to a saddle area where the views of North and South Sisters appeared "in your face." This saddle is also where the junction lies from the lower route. (The lower route simply continues up the drainage from the spring area then veers to the right when the drainage somewhat disappears.) Hikers will arrive at this same saddle on a trail that is pretty easy to follow. We joined this trail and climbed until it became steeper and steeper. Finally, as we emerged from a stand of small trees and brush, we looked to our right in the distance and found Blackrock.

Starting the ridge Climb

North Sister (L), Continuation of ascent Ridge (R)

Trail on ascent ridge after Saddle

Kay at first view of Arch

Above us, the Sisters Ridge laid a line from South Sister (behind us to the left) to North Sister (above and to the left) to White Sister (found shortly before Blackrock) and, finally, to Blackrock (aka Black Sister). But, what is really exciting about this area we found ourselves in, is that the Sisters Arch is coming into view on the right side of our ascent ridge. We took several photos of the arch and Blackrock since this may have been the best photos of the day. Susan talked me and Sue into walking out to the arch. But, I gotta tell you that that was no biggie. You can't get up into it without a lot of trouble through bushes and scrambling. (But, hey, if that's your thing.) Anyway, returning to the ascent ridge, we continued up the worn trail until we found a cairn on the right. This is the traverse trail cairn that someone has been so kind to place there. Another one of my favorite parts of this hike is this trail that takes you on a traverse around to the Sisters Ridge. Turning right on this ridge, we climbed onto White Sister and found Blackrock staring at us. We took our break on White Sister then readied ourselves for the "big descent!" With North Sister behind us and Macks Peak to our left, we decided to take the old trail in front of the black rock to reach its ridge to the right.

Sisters Arch and Blackrock on Sisters Ridge

Sue and I visit the Arch

The traverse Trail

Macks Peak and Blackrock on Sisters Ridge

So far, the hike had gone as planned. Beautiful and amazing! We found the trail at the end of this ridge to use for our very steep descent to the saddle below. The hike continued straight onto a white rocky ridge on the other side of the saddle. I must say that the route we used last year along this ridge was more comfortable than the route we used on this hike. I tried to descend to an area where we could take a side trip over to Ada and Edith's cabin out of Elk's Club Wash. I don't know who was more confused with the brush and steepness, me or the GPS, but, we felt like we were descending forever! Believe it or not, we ended up in Deadwood Wash on the opposite side of Elk Ridge! Luckily, I recognized the wash and exited in the same spot we had before a few times. Since this route didn't come out the way I intended, I will leave last year's tracks and maps for you to ponder. Maybe next year things will work out better.

Stats: 3.8 miles; 1800' gain; 8.5 hours; and a tremendous amount of fun!

Scenes from Sisters Ridge

Steep descent from Blackrock and messy Elk Ridge

Familiar crossing back to the Cattle Grate Trailhead

This loop hike began at the Cattle Grate TH. Unlike what the maps below represent.