4 Mile Loop at Blue Diamond - 10/23/26

View of Blue Diamond, NV and the Red Rock Escarpment

Amora on the Blue Diamond Trails

Susan and Amora at the Wash Wall

Wow! Two hikes in one week! I'm on a roll. And, this time, Susan joined us. We drove out just past Blue Diamond and stopped at the Arroyo Street Trailhead. As Rita says, the Blue Diamond bike trails are so nice to hike and there is a plethora of directions from which to choose. 

   We walked down the road and found the trail that leads through a small canyon wash. The mouth of the wash was in such disarray that we almost didn't recognize it. Regardless, we figured it out and started our hike with Amora leading the way.

   This trail is a class 2 climb up to the top of the small ridge to the right and over. Down past the circle of rocks junction and across the Old Spanish Trail. This route was a small part of one of the paths for the gold miners ("49ers") to reach California.

     The Old Spanish Trail and its later wagon-road iteration, the Old Mormon Road, go through the Blue Diamond, Nevada area (historically known as Cottonwood Springs).
     Cottonwood Springs: The site of modern-day Blue Diamond originally served as Cottonwood Springs, a vital watering stop for travelers.
     Old Spanish Trail (1830–1848): Discovered by Antonio Armijo in January 1830, the route functioned as a trade caravan path linking Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. 

Old Mormon Road: The path later transitioned into a wagon road used by Mormon pioneers and the "49ers" during the California Gold Rush until the railroad was completed in 1905.        AI Overview

Kay and Amora with a view of Blue Diamond

There are a couple of Spanish Trail markers in this immediate area. We chose a trail that climbed up to the right onto a small hill overlook located above one of these markers. The continuance of the trail dropped down the south side of the hill. We turned to the right and headed toward the direction of the houses in Blue Diamond. Reaching a gulley, we turned to the left and crossed another gulley atop a rock wall. Following the trail to the right, we slowly climbed along the center of the wide canyon we were in. The "top" of this canyon junctioned with the trail leading down the other side. I think they call this the Inner Hurl Trail. I really like this trail whether it is hiked toward the west or east. Usually, we see the local wild burro herd along this area but, not today. The beautiful trail led up and down toward the east and ended back at the Old Spanish Trail. We crossed the wagon road and climbed back up the little ridge where the circle of rocks indicated, and dropped back into the small canyon wash to return to our cars. Although short, this little hike provides a lot of climbing to help Susan and I (and probably Amora) get back into some sort of condition. Great hike and great company!

Stats: 4.25 miles; 900' gain; 3 hours.

It's tarantula mating season!!

Small Canyon Wash