South Loop 3rd Overlook - 6/14/18

Charleston Peak from South Loop's 3rd Overlook

Mummy's Toe from South Loop

Red Brome flourishes on the South Loop

Nine Happy Hikers on South Loop

The South Loop of Charleston Peak is slowly but surely returning to life after the wildfire of 2013. The blue lupines and bushy phlox are blooming along with cliff bush and a variety of penstemons. Unfortunately, the burnt slope where deer are often seen above the avalanche chute is absolutely covered with a grass called red brome. This grass will die and dry out quickly leaving a seedy foot-high brush that is dangerous fodder for more fires. We hope that the forest service has a plan for this invasive grass. Anyway, right now, the grass is kind of pretty!

View up from First Wash Crossing

There were two Around the Bend Friends hiking groups parking at the trailhead near the top of Kyle Canyon Road. One group consisted of around nine hikers training for a trip to the United Kingdom. They will hike the highest peak in each of England, Wales and Scotland in three days. (Yes, it's a thing.)

Blue Lupine growing on Hillside

This group, led by Brian D., went to Griffith Peak today. The second group of nine hikers were going only to the South Loop's 3rd Overlook.

View down from Second Wash Crossing

From First Switchbacks

Before the trailhead was changed from the old Cathedral Rock trailhead to the fancy new trailhead, the 3rd Overlook measured just under 7 miles. Now, lo and behold, it is only 6 miles! So, we started up the trail with intentions of taking Brian's advice to the other group and try to go slow enough so that we didn't have to stop. Hmmm. Right. Anyway, we did go slower than usual stopping only for photos in the first mile. It was a comfortable pace that we maintained for the duration of the climb, however, there were various reasons that we had to stop here and there.

Climbing First Switchbacks

The one mile stop is Rainbow Junction. Next, we struggled up the steps. After a short breather at the big wash crossing, we started up the first set of switchbacks. Here is where we had to step aside about four times for others to pass.

Switchback #13

We took our second water break at the 1st Overlook. Then, continuing up the trail, we were able to pass the wilderness sign before we took another breather.

South Loop's First Overlook

View up next Wash Crossing

The South Loop is a beautiful trail especially when you get up into the trees. There are views everywhere and the surrounding ponderosas are calming. As we headed up one of the switchbacks, we passed Lettie who was on her way back from the 3rd Overlook. She had started up early. A cool breeze kept us comfortable and we only encountered a few of the strong gusts that were predicted on this red flag warning day. The nine of us continued plodding along keeping the same slow pace. Finally, we arrived at the 2nd Overlook where a dad and 3 kids were setting up hammocks. Fun!

Blue Penstemon, Cliff Bush, and Twin Pod

We quickly took in the view there then proceeded up one more switchback to the 3rd Overlook.

Approaching Switchback #22

This overlook is much more photogenic than the 2nd. And, there is a long sitting log there where we took our break.

Still Hanging

Harris Peak from 3rd Overlook

The breeze was pretty quiet while we were there so we enjoyed our time. Photos were taken. Three mountain peaks that could be clearly seen from this standpoint were, of course, Charleston Peak, then Harris Peak in the other direction and Mummy's Toe across Kyle Canyon. Lee Peak is seen as the highest "bump" on the North Loop ridge just above David M.'s head in the photo below. (You can see Charlie above Charlie's head!) Ed was reading his newspaper on the far end of the overlook and Ralph sat quietly near the trail. That blue penstemon in a photo above was found in the scree of the overlook.

Taking our Break at 3rd Overlook

We had caught up with two of the hikers of the first group who had to attend to a shoe issue at the 3rd Overlook. They continued up when we got there. Later, Tony caught up with us on the way down.

Reading the Newspaper with Mummy's Toe Looming

Tony had started early and gone all the way up to Griffith Peak. He reported that as he descended, he passed the first two hikers of the other group making a strong ascent finish. They were Brian D. and Stephen N. (No surprises there!)

Descent through the Shadows

Crossing Wash on Descent

So, if you count everyone on the mountain this morning, we had around twenty hikers from AtBF. It's a great group of people! Anyway, we did the no frills descent with few stops at a steady albeit faster pace. (We passed Roger M. and friend on their way up!) Unusually so, we didn't see any of the deer that live in this area. However, we did see a trail maintenance boss guy who was looking over the trail. We questioned him about that big wash crossing and got two different answers. The gist is that they are thinking about how and what, if anything, they can do. (You know the water will eventually undo almost any simple patch job.) ... But, at least they are thinking.

6 miles; 2100 feet elevation gain; 3.5 hours

Nearing 1st Overlook

Starting down from 1st Overlook

Regrowth from 2013 Carpenter One Fire

Upper Kyle Canyon Wash - 6/9/18

A Trail in the Woods

The Iron Skier of Old Town

Wild Horses near Ranger Station

What did you do, Rick?

 Five years ago, the Carpenter One Wildfire wiped out most of the backside of the south ridge (and a lot of the frontside)  of Charleston Peak. Immediately following the fire, a rainstorm flooded Kyle Canyon. Much of what was saved by the brave fire personnel was then wiped out by the flood. It was a determined and ferocious fight to save the small community of Mt. Charleston, Nevada nestled in the crook of upper Kyle Canyon. And, the people won! ... But, not without bringing on the necessity to reconfigure drainage ideas and rebuild houses with better fire resistance. This was all apparent as eighteen hikers returned to the trail that we have avoided for five years; the entire 4.5 miles of Kyle Canyon wash from the Echo Trailhead down to the Spring Mountains Gateway Visitor Center.

Following the Path

 Because this is a point to point hike, we took 6 cars up into the mountains and left one car at the Visitor Center. Yep, with 6 drivers, it was a very tight squeeze at the end of the hike!

Balance is the Key

 Finally ready, we hiked into the wash at the Echo Trailhead and started hiking down. We ducked under the highway bridge and crossed through.

Blue Lupine in the Forest

Walking through Old Town

 A trail comes out of the wash on the right side and we followed it through a beautiful pine wooded glade. The smells were delicious! About a quarter mile in, we saw the little building down by the road on the left. We don't know it's purpose, but it has rebar for windows and we call it the jail! Next, we returned up the embankment and continued hiking down the trail. Someone has even built a bridge over a wash on this trail and we balanced our way across. Another quarter mile and the trail entered Old Town on Aspen Avenue. This is a main gravel road that runs down between large houses on small lots. We noticed some new construction and some new improvements. There is one place where the flood had come down a wide wash and likely entered the community doing some destruction.

Wildfire Information Trail behind School

 Rest easy! The Iron Skier survived! He still hangs there in the upper part of town. At the end of the houses, we entered the school parking lot.

Rocky Caves and Alcoves

 A short quick walk through the wildfire information nature walk behind the school and we were on our way again. Next, we passed the Rainbow Loop junction and the rocky cliff area. There is no longer a swing anywhere!

Mountains across from the Campground

Hiking through Campground

 The Fletcher View Campground came next. A few hikers wanted to stop at one of its restrooms but the camp host politely shooed us away. We passed the ranger station and saw three wild horses enjoying the shade. Then, we continued further down and made our snack break at the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead in the shade of a large tree. It was a beautiful day in spite of the red flag warning! The wind never really kicked up as promised ... at least, not while we were there. And temperatures were very nice, especially in the shade.

Taking a Break at Fletcher Canyon Trailhead

 After the break, we hiked down through the picnic area on the Acastus Trail and connected with the Kyle Wash Trail.

Bridge over Kyle Canyon Wash

 This trail took us on a journey through the old cart paths of the old golf course that used to be here many years ago.

View back toward Griffith Peak

Prickly Poppies

 When the trail turns red underfoot, we turned to the left and made our way around to climb the hill up to the Visitor Center. We had finished the 4.5 miles and enjoyed every minute. The car shuttle ensued. Pleasant walk. Pleasant day. Pleasant hikers.

4.5 miles; 121 feet elevation gain; 1009 feet elevation loss; 2.75 hours

Old Golf Course with Mt. Charleston Hotel Above

Nearing the Visitor Center

Hiking through the Amphitheater

Mt. Charleston Peak Update #2 - 6/7/18

North Loop Switchbacks Today

Looks like the coast is clear! Have fun out there and be careful!

Raintree via Trail Canyon - 6/7/18

Raintree with Mummy's Toe Behind

Mummy's Knee from Trail

Mummy's Tummy from Trail Canyon

Climbing up through the Aspens in Morning Light

 Some people estimate that Raintree, a large bristlecone pine found on a saddle at the base of the Mummy's Toe cliff, is around two to three thousand years old. (Close enough for me.) Hopefully, the tree in the Spring Mountains NRA will stand in its healthy state for another few thousand years. However, it is important to remind hikers every year that the tree will suffer if hundreds of hikers continue to sit on its roots and add to the erosion of the dirt around them. It is difficult, isn't it, to not touch the grand old tree and to be a part of such ancient history. Just asking everyone to have respect for it.

Doe with Fawn behind Her

 There were fifteen club members hiking the trails this morning. One was a late arrival and another was up there early. Good to see you Danuta and welcome back Rita!

Charleston Peak from Trail Canyon

 The group that had gathered was very strong. Therefore, the reins were released for the first two miles while we all climbed Trail Canyon at our own speed.

Trail Canyon Trail

North Loop Switchbacks to Charleston Peak (Zoom)

 The first two hikers to reach the saddle made it in 40 minutes. Yep. Crazy, huh? Anyway, the last hiker to reach the saddle (moi) made it in just over an hour. During our climb, some of us saw two of Kyle Canyon's deer population. The weather was fantastic; starting out very cool with a breeze. No clouds marred the blue sky and we clearly saw the switchbacks on Charleston Peak's final prominence. Looks like the snow has relinquished entry on the last one making the North Loop a viable route for those hikers who have an aversion to hiking in snow on cliffs. (Again, moi.)

Happy at the Saddle

 We huffed and puffed up the canyon trail. I knew that this would not be the morning that I broke my record! But, the effort is always a good thing.

Leaving the Saddle for Raintree

 We saw Rita at the saddle. She had come early and had already been to Raintree and back. Later, Danuta showed up at the end of the line having caught up ... another strong one.

Cockscomb Ridge above Top of Fletcher Wash (Griffith Peak to Left)

Climbing through the Views

 After a rest, we went straight over the saddle onto the North Loop Trail in the direction of its trailhead about 4.5 miles away. Raintree is only 1.5 miles from the Trail Canyon junction. Now staying together as a group, we enjoyed the relatively easy respite of the first half mile. During this time, the views were tremendous! Below us fell Fletcher Canyon. Across the way ahead was Fletcher Peak. Looking back toward the saddle we had just left was Cockscomb Ridge. Beyond that was a bald Griffith Peak. And, finally, when we got far enough along around the ridge, we saw Charleston Peak as we looked back. We stopped a few times to take it all in.

Charleston Peak appears around the Ridge

 This part of the North Loop Trail begins a formidable climb up towards the saddle on which Raintree rests. At first, the slope is average but, by the end of the climb, it becomes steeper.

The Last Push to Raintree

 As we headed into the bristlecones, the steepness and beauty combined. These are old beautiful trees up here!

Bristlecones & Mummy's Toe

Fletcher Peak from Climb

 We stopped for our break at Raintree then headed back down. It has been a long time since we have been able to enjoy the Raintree area without several other hikers from other groups there. However, we did pass a few other hikers as we descended. The pace was only interrupted by a few photo stops. We glided down the mountain with a good steady pace erasing all that elevation that we worked so hard to gain only a couple of hours before. We want to commend the trail maintenance crew for the improvements they have made on Trail Canyon. Thanks to all and what a great morning to be alive!

7 miles; 2200 feet elevation gain; 3.5 hours

Taking a Break at Raintree

Return to through the Views

Almost Down