Camp 84 & Horse Canyon Spring Loop - 7/1/26

Camp 84

Horse Canyon Spring

Sawmill Trail with the ridge in the Background

Macks Canyon / Horse Canyon Junction

I don't know, but, maybe, this trail has been here a while. At any rate, I was so excited to find it! For several years, I have been trying to connect the dots, so to speak, between Horse Canyon Road, Camp 84, and Horse Canyon Spring. It just made sense that the trails had to be there. I just couldn't find them on my once or twice a year forays into the canyon woods. On this hike, I set out to make yet another try. So, I parked at Sawmill TH and hiked over to Macks Canyon Road and on to a left turn onto Horse Canyon Road. Approximately one mile into the hike, there is an open place to the left. (Looks like it might be used now as a campsite.) I had never turned this soon but, it looked like a popular place to turn by the worn soil.

Reaching the ridge on the Trail

View to left when reaching the Ridge

Two cairns mark the continuation of the Trail

The trail makes it way up to a rocky peak.

I followed the worn trail and veered to the right. Lo and behold, an actual trail appeared before my eyes. I followed the steep trail up and soon found myself on the ridge. I knew it was still not Camp 84 territory. But, I was so thrilled that I had arrived here on a trail! After a couple of photos of the beautiful views, I turned to find a double cairned trail leading up along the ridge to the right. This trail stayed well-cairned and I arrived on the first peak of the ridge. It was marked by a tall pointy cairn rock. Finding the continuation of the trail from the peak was slightly challenging but I found it dropping down the other side. Here, I really lost the trail and decided to try to return to the ridge. Still, the route was convoluted. Long story short. My GPS told me where Camp 84 was so I headed in that direction ... which turned out to be a climb. Maybe if I had stayed more on the ridge, I would have had an easier time.

Climbing up to the first Peak

Pointy rock cairn on first Peak

First Peak with Lee Canyon Road in Background

Mummy's Nose from first Peak

Anyway, I reached Camp 84 for a short break with photos. The camp appeared cared for. My next goal was to find the trail from there to Horse Canyon Spring. It always made sense to me that that trail existed. Fortunately, I found it quickly and it appeared that someone had only recently travelled it. Therefore, the trail was clear ... not worn, ... but clear. I followed it only having difficulties at the gulley crossings. Usually, the trail was found slightly above on the other side. When I got down to the spring area, I had to guess how the trail reached the road and spring. But, with a little experience, it wasn't much of a problem.

Traversing over and up to Camp 84

Fire pit at Camp 84 (gas stoves only, please)

Starting down the long traverse trail to Horse Canyon Spring

Traverse trail Down

Feeling great about my little 4 mile loop adventure, I started back down Horse Canyon Road. To extend the hike to four miles, I chose to crossover to the Sawmill Trail straight from the bottom of Horse Canyon Road and take the Sawmill Trail back to the trailhead. A great morning. Finally! And, thanks to whoever made that trail!

Stats: 4 miles; 960' gain; 3 hours of discovery

Another view of Horse Canyon Spring

Starting down Horse Canyon Road

Trail sign near the turnoff to crossover to Macks Canyon Road from Sawmill