Foxtail Spring & Pioneer Rock Loop - 5/30/26

Foxtail Spring and snow Drift

Pioneer Rock (foreground) and north ridge of Charleston Peak

Lee Peak resides over the Lee Canyon ski Slopes

Climbing up to the forest road on Foxtail Ridge

Spring has sprung and many hikers couldn't wait to get up to Foxtail Spring nor the Pioneer Rock Loop. I don't blame them but I guess I was waiting until I had the elevation gain at that altitude in me to go. Jerry and Cheryl invited me for their hike up there and, feeling good, we went. It was a beautiful day. We parked at the Lee Canyon Road traffic circle trailhead and started up past the Foxtail Picnic Area gate. An immediate right put us on a trail that climbed up to the top of the end of Foxtail Ridge. At first, this ridge is flat at a low elevation but after a saddle, the ridge climbs steeply up. The ridge provides gorgeous rocky views of the canyon below. But, eventually, the steepness takes over and the climb ends up on the north ridge of Charleston Peak.

Forest road on Foxtail Ridge

Jerry, Cheryl and Kay start up from Camp Foxtail

Our road exits the camp Area

Careful! Wires down within the Camp

So, we hiked happily along the flat low part all the way to the saddle where a large water tank resides. This tank provides water for most of Lee Canyon residences and businesses. On this hike, we veered to the left rather than continuing straight to hike the rocky ridge. The old Girl Scout camp that lies to the left of the ridge built steps that lead down to the main building of the camp. The camp was abandoned a few years ago and now belongs to the Forest Service. So we are able to hike through and around the old camp without problems. The dirt road that travels up on the left of the main building was our trail. It leads hikers up to Pioneer Camp, where the Pioneer Rock Loop begins, and further up to Foxtail Spring.

Looking back at Pioneer Rock from the water Station - Mummy Mountain to Right

Foxtail Ridge Spire from climb up Water Pipe Road

Side road used for last Water Pipe Road hill before Spring

Cheryl & Jerry enjoying the Climb

The road was built so that workers could lay a pipeline from the spring down to the camp. It is very steep, especially at the top, but the spring is unique and worth the climb. The three of us hiked through the aspen alley, past the pump house and on up until the road crossed a messy wash area. This is where the road gets really steep. The first section of hill is required so, up we went. At the top of this hill, we turned to the right. If you are able to follow an old road switchback, it will take you up to a road that runs parallel to the pipeline road but is a little easier to climb. This easier road never gets too far from the pipeline road and, finally, the two roads intersect. Here, we crossed the steeper pipeline road and followed an overgrown trail that led to the spring.

Cutting across to the Spring

Peekaboo!

Ice stalagmites and snowdrift at Spring

Ice Stalagmites

The spring comes out of a cliff band as seen in the photos above. There was still a large snow drift below the band and several ice stalagmites dripping down. The view behind you at the spring is of the mountains surrounding Lee Canyon Ski Slopes and on down Lee Canyon Road. After photos, we returned to the pump house almost the way we had climbed up and took our break. The difference in the route meant that we found our way down a messy trail through a wash instead of descending that awful first steep hill. Next, we decided to hike the Pioneer Rock Loop.

Bushwhacking on the Descent (Water Pipe Road above)

Washout at the Picnic Table

The Pioneer Rock Trail

Lee Canyon Ski Slopes from Pioneer Rock Trail

The Pioneer Rock Loop hasn't changed since last year. The few trees that have fallen across the trail were the same trees that have been there a couple of years. Sure would be nice if someone would maintain this trail by removing fallen trees. However, the trees simply mean that the hike becomes a small scramble! Highlights of the loop are a great view of Lee Canyon Ski Slopes and Lee Peak, Pinnacle Point where you can get a great view of the Sisters Ridge and a point where you can see the largest view of Pioneer Rock.

Pinnacle Point with South Sister

The gang on Pioneer Rock Trail with North and South Sisters

Pioneer Rock (L) from Pioneer Rock Loop

Desert Paintbrush on loop Trail

We were in no hurry so we took in the whole thing! It was nice. No one else was around. ... Until, ... when we got all the way around the loop and started back on the forest road on top of the low part of Foxtail Ridge, we were very surprised to see a wild stallion. Brown and white. Big guy! He was just standing there about 15-20' from the forest road. When we stopped to take our photos, he became what we interpreted as stressed. He started yawning and turning his head toward us showing his full mouth of teeth. We made the wise decision to not stress him any further and moved on down the road. This was an excellent and relaxing hike for this Saturday. Thanks to Jerry and Cheryl for extra photos and good company!

Stats: 5.3 miles; 1500' gain; 4.25 hours

South Sister from loop Trail

Back on the forest Road

Agitated male wild Horse