Blue Diamond Canyons 2&3 - 1/6/18

Peering down 12' drop in Canyon #3

View down Canyon #3

Starting Up Canyon #2

The First Dry Fall Scramble

 As was mentioned on our hike/scramble today, at first blush, the terrain across Highway 159 from Blue Diamond, Nevada appears so uninteresting. Located in Red Rock Canyon NCA, the terrain is part of the Bird Spring Formation on the southern hillside of what is called North Blue Diamond Hill. Nineteen hikers arrived at the trailhead this morning to enjoy two absolutely beautiful canyons here. We started by sidling through the barbed wire fence next to a gate that contains a small utility building. The fence is mainly for wild burro control but also to deter cars from driving inside. If you decide to explore these canyons, just make sure that you do not block the gate with your car. Thanks.

Canyon #2

Next, after waiting for a late comer, we hiked over toward the canyon on the other side of the building and dropped in.

 

The Pile of Rocks/Rope Scramble

 The first part of the Canyon #2 is very rocky and brushy as is the bottom of Canyon #3.

Looking for Owls?

Canyon #2

 After finding our way through the maze of rocks and catclaws, we arrived at the first dry fall and the fun began! Even with nineteen hikers in tow, we stayed together pretty well until we got near the end of the hike. We climbed and balanced up the canyon. The next dry fall of interest requires stepping up to the top of a large pile of rocks then using a fixed rope to help yourself up. With each difficult climb, the group waited patiently for everyone to make it up. Onward up the beautiful narrow canyon, we scrambled up stair steps looking for the resident owl.

Canyon #2

 A few hikers in the front of the line saw the owl about mid canyon flying away. Near the top of the canyon, most of us saw the owl again.

A Tough One (with go around)

 We came to a particularly difficult dry fall seen above. But this one has a go around if you prefer. About five hikers took the go around.

The Real Tough One (no go around)

Conquering the Last Dry Fall

 The last dry fall in Canyon #2 is the most difficult and has no go around. It can be climbed on the right or left side. The right side is perhaps the easiest but the correct choreography has to be performed. Right foot on the wall as high as you can. Left foot on that ledge that sticks out. (You know. The one that doesn't look like it will hold you!) Right hand on one of two hand holds. And, up you go! We all made it with help and encouragement from everyone else. Next, the canyon came to an end just below the gypsum mine road seen high above the trail.

Nearing Top of Canyon #2

 Here, we turned to the left and climbed the hill until we crossed paths with a small trail. We turned left on the trail and hiked around until we saw the terrain start dipping down into Canyon #3.

Climb Up and Over to Canyon #3

 The wind started blowing a bit so we found a spot at the top of Canyon #3 to sit for a snack.

Break at Top of Canyon #3

Starting Down Canyon #3

 After detaching Mike from a large cactus spine in his foot (through his shoe, BTW), we headed down canyon. The wash in this canyon is a bit more brushy. There were a couple of step downs then a larger step down then the really big step down. This 12' foot drop can be done if you are able bodied. However, there is also an up and around to the right. Mind you, the up and around is scree filled and slightly nasty in a spot or two. Continuing down canyon, we down climbed about five or six more dry falls of significance. In the past, we have seen a baby rattlesnake in this area but it's too cold for the cute little buggers right now!

Canyon #3

 Catclaws (or desert acacias) are more prevalent in this canyon and care must be taken to not get caught. Velcro plants are also all around.

Mike flies down 12' Drop

 After dropping over most of the large dry falls, it is important to stay in or close to the wash. It is tempting to escape early.

Watching out for the Velcro Plants

Canyon #3

 We followed the wash until a trail began appearing on the left side. Again, be careful about climbing out of the wash too early. You will have a much longer bushwhack from Canyon #3 to the Trailhead. At last, we climbed out to the left and crossed the desert terrain in the direction of the cars. Sometimes you can find a very small trail that leads over but it isn't necessary. At the end, there is the option of climbing through the fence early or back at the gate. Your choice! This hike/scramble is always a fun morning! Great group today!

4 miles; 950 feet elevation gain; 3.5 hours

Fun Little Scramble

Exiting Canyon #3 near Bottom

The Crossover

Bird Spring Stair Climb - 1/4/18

Bird Spring Range South

Burnt Joshua Silhouette

From Stair Climb to Mt. Potosi

Diving through the Culvert

 After a great Christmas break, Kay would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! May this year be a great one!

Back on the trails, ... six club members started out at the Late Night Trailhead located on the north side of Highway 160 in Red Rock Canyon NCA. The hike du jour was a climb off trail in the Badger Pass Trail area. When pressured to name the hike, David H. offered it as the Bird Spring Stair Climb alluding to the constant climb up the chosen ridge to a high point that someone who came before us has dubbed "Escarpment Peak." We learned this from the log book that is tucked inside the peak cairn. Technically, it is a peak on the Bird Spring Range escarpment so ....

Leaving the Trail to Bushwhack

 We left the Late Night Trailhead and hiked underneath the highway by way of the large hiking/biking culvert. (Thanks NDOT!) This put us on the Badger Pass Trail heading south.

Climbing Steep Slope to Ridge

 The trail climbs up the side of the wash to the left and then we continued south.

Las Vegas and Frenchman Mountain from Bird Spring Range

Breathing at Top of Steep Climb

 After rounding the first ridge, we left the trail to bushwhack into the first canyon on the east side. There is a faint trail that climbs up beside the wash on the right. It is probably a game trail but those animals are pretty good at knowing the best way to go! This trail led us on and off up to an area near the top of the wash where we could see a feasible climb up to the ridge on the right. This climb has a lot of scree. Sometimes the scree is helpful because it takes the hiker out of the brush but the best footing is on the most solid rock you can find. As we climbed, we took note of the wonderful scenery.

A Few of Many Precambrian Fossils

 It was a beautiful day with very comfortable temperatures. We could see Las Vegas to the northeast, the Wilson Cliffs to the northwest and Mt. Potosi to the southwest.

Red Rock Escarpment from Stair Climb

 Upon gaining the ridge, we stopped for a breather then began the official stair climb with a turn to the left. The long ridge kept us climbing on an intermediate slope.

Stair Climbing with Smiles

Peak in View

 As we climbed, we found many Precambrian fossils in the rocks under our feet. This is a characteristic of the Bird Spring Range. It kept our interest as we talked our way up and up and up. We discovered a few "false peaks" and continued on happily. Finally, we reached the high point of the ridge and found a large cairn waiting for us. With a little searching, we found a jar with a log book inside. David M. almost couldn't get the rusted jar open! Inside, the log book named the peak "Escarpment Peak" and there were very few names written. The most recent name was from one year ago. We added ours! We were the first hiking group to summit the 5020' rise.

Someone named this peak "Escarpment Peak!"

 It had been an enjoyable climb and we looked forward to the next part of the hike.

Las Vegas from Escarpment Peak

 The ridge curved around to the right as it dipped onto a saddle and back up to a slightly lower peak in the distance.

View from First Saddle

Climbing up to Secondary High Point

 We descended gently to the saddle that afforded an interesting view of the other side of the ridge. Then, climbed up to the second peak for our break. This peak opened up a wide view to the south showing the continuance of the Bird Spring Range escarpment. After the break, we descended to the next saddle and found a wild horse game trail that started down into the canyon to our right. David knew of this trail from before. It wasn't real obvious to find. The trail is pretty good if you can find it leading down on the south side of the canyon. We followed this trail all the way down the side of the wash. Once or twice, we ended up on the other side of the wash but we soon returned.

Snack Spot View

 The view in the distance toward the mouth of the canyon is of the Wilson Cliffs. Very pretty!

Exit Canyon - Red Rock Escarpment in Distance

Slowly, the canyon descent flattened out. The horse trail dispersed into options.

Dropping down to Second Saddle

Finding Wild Horse Trail to Descend into Canyon

 There was a long distance of hiking among the wash delta but staying true to the same direction took us to a perpendicular junction with the Badger Pass Trail. It would be difficult to mistake this well worn bike trail for any other trail!  Here, we turned to the right and followed the trail back around that very first ridge, through the culvert and back to the cars. This is a fantastic hike full of off trail excitement and interests. Loved the views and fossils!

5 miles; 1100 feet elevation gain; 3 hours

Reaching Canyon Wash on Wild Horse Trail

Following Wild Horse Trail to Canyon Mouth

Badger Pass Trail Junction