Cave Spring - 6/13/13

Cave Spring Pool

North Loop Trail and Mt. Charleston

 There were fifteen hikers on today's climb up to Cave Spring which seeps out of the surrounding rocks off of the North Loop Trail. It would be a 5.5 mile hike up 2069 feet of elevation. We started out from the new Echo parking lot and before we even reached the gravel road to the water tank, someone in the front of the line spotted a deer up to our left. A quick photo of the deer and we were off again. The large group quickly separated into two or three smaller groups as we began the 2.25 mile climb up to the saddle.

Hiking Trail Canyon

 We were sharing the trail with a couple and their dog seen in the photo to the left. (No, we didn't allow another canine in the group ... yet!) By the time the writer was at the halfway point, she could barely see any of the other hikers in front nor behind. Trail Canyon is a tough cookie and everyone has their own pace for this one. After the halfway point, the switchbacks start. They are a welcome relief. Then views of the surrounding mountains are seen from the trail.

Halfway Point to the Saddle on Trail Canyon

Mike, the coordinator du jour, made sure that everyone got to the saddle (seen in the photo to the left) before we continued on up the North Loop Trail to the left. While waiting for the last hikers to arrive, some hikers went up to the overlook to the right on Cockscomb Ridge. When everyone was accounted for, we began the last half mile to Cave Spring.

Hiking North Loop Through Burned Area

 The hike between the saddle and the spring is full of expansive views. Mt. Charleston is prominently displayed. The trail leads among an area of burned forest then on up through a stand of aspens. Just as the trail goes down for a few feet, a dirt trail heads steeply up to the right. At the top of the small trail lies the cave area. A little further along the wall is where the spring slides down the rock and drips into a small pool. From the pool, the spring water is collected in a pipe and carried to a log horse trough below which lies next to the North Loop Trail.

Eating Snacks at the Cave Spring Area

 While we were taking our break, we took photos of a couple of hummingbirds sipping water from the rock wall where the spring water dripped down. After all the photos were taken, we began our descent. Again, we separated, however, this hike is all trail, easy to follow, with only one junction. We made sure that everyone got through the junction going in the right direction then we descended Trail Canyon. On our way down, we passed twenty to thirty men who were there to improve the trail. Thanks, guys!

Horse Trough at Cave Spring

Cockscomb Peak and Griffith Peak Beyond

Griffith Peak via Rainbow - 6/11/13

Griffith Peak from Fletcher Peak Trail

 It looks like twelve hardy hikers attended this fantastic Super Tuesday hike to Griffith Peak via the little community of Rainbow. This hike begins in Rainbow and heads up through the canyon on a very steep trail. When this trail junctions with the ridge, the hike turns right onto the Harris Springs Trail. This trail leads up through a cliff area and around Griffith Peak through old bristlecones with fantastic views of Lovell Canyon and the back of the Red Rock escarpment.

Griffith Peak Summit

 There are a couple of ways the hike can ascend to the summit. Not sure which way today's hike went but any way you climb, it is quite a climb. By the looks of the photos that Mike OC sent, everyone was very happy today (as usual)! It's nice to see Richard and Eva joining the Tuesday gang in the Spring Mountains. This hike is almost 10 miles with 4327 feet of elevation gain.

Jerry gives us the story on our favorite honor member, Marbles, the dog. Marbles followed us all of the way up.  She got premium dog food from Tim, water from me and all sorts of goodies from Larry.  She was nosing around Larry's pack quite a lot.  Marbles actually led us all of the way and we dropped her back at her owner's house.  We said hi to her owner, Irene, and thanked her for letting her hike with us.  We had met Irene on our way up the mountain and asked her if we could take Marbles up the mountain.  Marbles went happily back to her master. ~ Jerry

Marbles Joins the Club!!!

Stanley B Trail - 6/10/13

Echo Cliffs from the Stanley B Trail

Hiking Up the Wash Trail

 Today's hike morphed several times and didn't stop morphing until we got to the trailhead! Thirteen hikers arrived to hike the Stanley B Trail. Five of those thirteen hikers decided to hike the full 5 mile point to point hike of Stanley B / Fletcher Canyon. Two hikers extended the hike up the wash for an extra workout and the remaining six hikers did a three mile out and back hike to the Stanley B mine.

Posing at the Mine Entrance

Hiking Down to the Fork Area from the Mine

 The out and back hike was pleasant and slow. We hiked up the wash trail then connected with the small trail that cuts off a corner of the old road access route. At the mine area, we took our break while we waited for the two extenders, then headed back down the complete old road access route for the return. The hike was new for several people who didn't realize that this area existed. It was a warm morning but the fresh air was felt as we sat for our break. Three miles with 865 feet of elevation gain.

Old Road Access Junction with Kyle Cyn Hwy

Griffith Peak and South Loop Ridge from Stanley B Trail

Mount Charleston - 6/8/13

Six AtBF Hikers on Mount Charleston Peak

 Six early risers hiked to Mount Charleston today. Both Karl and Jim were first timers. Unfortunately, we couldn't enjoy the peak as much because of bugs. Our shirts and  backpacks were covered. I snapped the photo then we began our descent down North Loop to complete the loop.  ~ Lettie

Mummy's Tummy - 6/4/13

Mummy Mountain from Charleston Peak

Tackling the 500' Scree Field

 Another Super Tuesday for the Around the Bend Friends found twelve hikers on top of Mummy's Tummy at 11, 528 feet above sea level. Mummy Mountain is the second highest peak in the Spring Mountains and offers several peak destinations (i.e. Tummy, Toe, Nose, Chin and Head). Each hike is separate with different starting points (with the exception of the Nose, Chin and Head that all start up the same steep wash from Lee Canyon). Today's hike, Mummy's Tummy begins at the Trail Canyon trailhead in the Spring Mountains NRA. The 2.25 mile climb up to the North Loop Saddle is familiar. At the saddle the hike turns to the left and continues up in the direction of Mt. Charleston.

Does it Never End?

 At the end of the long switchbacks on the North Loop Trail, the hikers came to a slight high point where there is a tree with an "M" etched into it. (It is about two feet off of the ground and on the left side of the ascent trail.) This marks the spot where hikers reluctantly turn to the right. THE SCREE FIELD!!! OH, NO! Yep. Five hundred elevation feet of two steps forward and one step back. Fun. Anyway, up you go and, finally the top of this escalator you find the scene in the photo to the left. Well, perhaps Mike and Susan won't be there....

Summit Photos

 The hike continues up the ridge and with a little more scrambling, you reach the peak. And, oh, what a peak it is! Coupled with Mt. Charleston Peak, Mummy Mountain's views are on top of the world! Although the writer received these photos from Laszlo and Mike OC, (and we thank you for that) there were no words describing the hike. Personally, the writer feels that the photos say it all! This hike was 9 miles with 4000 feet of elevation gain.

An alternate route for gaining the approach ridge to the Tummy is longer but avoids the scree field. By hiking the North Loop Trail to the first overlook which is found by side stepping the trail about twenty feet after a couple of small switchbacks, then backtracking on the ridge, the hiker comes to the same approach.

Emptying the Boots

That Nasty Scree Field One Last Time

South Sister Saddle Loop via Lower Bristlecone Trail CCW - 6/1/13

South Sister from Ridge

Horses Seen Near End of Hike

Today's Saturday exploration was a loop hike that started at the Lower Bristlecone trailhead parking. It led up the road then cut over at the top of the Old Mill Picnic Area which is being worked on. From there the hike continued up through the first phase of the South Sister hike then, at the saddle, it turned left to follow the ridge making its way to the Bonanza Trail. Soon after this, the hiker has a choice of whether to descend around via the No Name Trail or use the Lower Bristlecone Trail with a detour descent to the cars. Lettie G. offers these photos and words about today's hike. The route du jour was the Bristlecone descent which, heretofore, will be known as Loop A!

Seven adventurous hikers explored the ridge to the west of the South Sister saddle. We took  the same route that Mike OC used last week. We were glad to get off Lower Bristlecone because it was already crowded. We made quick time up to the saddle although the last 15 minutes were sweaty ones.

Ridge Above South Sister Saddle

We were pleasantly surprised to meet Becky and Steve A. there. They headed off to South Sister and we went west. The ridge we followed was uphill but no one minded because most of us were exploring. Don C. has done this hike before. All along the hike we passed many piles of horse poop and were on the lookout for them.  We had views of all the other peaks as we headed for the Bonanza Trail. There were several steep sections but no scrambling or exposure and we finally made it to the Bonanza Trail. Total distance to the trail was 2.84 miles and from there we turned south and took our break at the saddle of No Name and Bonanza. After a nourishing rest, we headed back to the cars. Don C. showed us another short cut down the steep slope that cut off a little more than a mile. Hike was 6.23 miles instead of 7.44. As we stumbled down the road, Stephen spotted a herd of horses on the slope and we stopped to enjoy the sight. We all oohed and aah-ed when we saw the colt. He was busy scratching himself on the branch of a log. Perfect ending to a perfect day.  ~ Lettie G.

Hiking the Ridge

Beautiful Colt