Pioneer Spring & Rock Loop (aka Foxtail Canyon Springs) - 10/10/20

Pioneer Spring

Cliff Spring from Below

Pinnacle Point on Pioneer Rock Loop

Girl Scouts' Peace Pole

Today, we found another great treasure of the Spring Mountains NRA! After emerging into the Foxtail Ridge and Canyon area over the past month, we have climbed halfway up Foxtail Ridge and, also, found the Pioneer Rock Loop. A brother AtBF pod took that information and rummaged around to find a very challenging loop that ascends to the North Ridge via the Foxtail Canyon wash and descends via Foxtail Ridge. During that day of fun, Brian's group discovered a beautiful spring above the Girl Scouts Camp. Noting the underground pipes that came to the surface a handful of times during the climb, they surmised that the water from the spring is used for the camp. Encouraging us to follow suit, our group scheduled a hike to the new area. And, oh, what a great hike it was!

We started out, as usual, from the Pay Phone Trailhead located across Lee Canyon Road from the Old Mill Picnic Area. We enjoy the approach to the Girl Scouts Camp from the old service road that runs along the lower portion of Foxtail Ridge. When the four of us reached the camp, we noticed the inscribed pole seen in the photo to the left. A little bit of research told us that this is a Peace Pole. A Peace Pole is a monument that displays the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_pole

Route Junction

The access road comes into the camp and circles around Hudlow Hall on its left side. We followed it through the cabins and tent platforms. The road begins climbing and passes the Pioneer Camp Road that turns to the left. Foxtail Ridge rose to our right.

Pioneer Rock Road

Shortly after leaving the camp, the road becomes Pioneer Rock Road, according to Google Earth. There is an underground concrete utility station on the right here as the road becomes steeper.

Pioneer Spring Trail

Coming to Wash/Road Junction

The road slowly changes into a trail when it becomes obvious that cars could not negotiate the rocks and narrowness any longer without some clean up. The climb doesn't get really steep until the trail crosses a wash junction and begins to parallel the wash to the left. It appears that the road was cut many years ago to access the spring and build the pipeline. It gets really steep! We climbed among the lingering fall color anxious to find the spring of which we only had a photo. It wasn't long before we could see it from the trail peeping over the hill. Rita and Mike went on up the trail while I stepped over into the wash to take photos on the approach. The wash was filled with an autumn- yellowed species of columbine growing in the running spring water and mossy rocks.

Starting Steeper Terrain - Cliff Spring in Background

Using the wash and the upper and lower approach trails, we reached the spring cliff. The shadows of the morning were covering this side of the North Ridge that rose above and the colors were absolutely striking!

Really Steep Stuff

The spring water was running with a constant flow. Since this is a very dry year, we can assume that the spring runs year round. The water runs out from under the limestone cave alcove.

Approach to Spring from Trail

Approach to Spring from Wash

The roof of the alcove shows the beginning of the formation of stalactites. They are very tiny now. Moss grows where the water pools at the bottom. There are wooden ornaments hanging from the entrance to the alcove. We could only assume these were put there by the Las Vegas Southern Paiutes who live at the base of the mountains. A spring that runs year round in the desert should be respected by everyone. Mike and Ralyn climbed around to the top of the cliff to explore while Rita and I sat for our break on the rocks. The feeling of calm was intense. What a treasure this place is! Shhh! The quiet! The all-consuming dripping of the water. Very zen. Yep. I felt it! And, the feeling lasted the rest of the day! 

View down Wash and beyond to McFarland Peak

Perhaps the feeling was felt by all of us, since we seemed to have no interest in rushing the remaining portion of the hike! So far, we had only hiked a couple of miles but, we had also climbed around 1300 feet in elevation. Perfect! We took our group photo and finished our break. 

Details of Spring from Cliff

The morning had started with a temperature of around 39 degrees. In the shade, it was still pretty cool. I kept my jacket and gloves on until we descended into the rising sun.

Fearsome Foursome

Wider Shot of Cliff Spring

The descent on the very steep part of the trail went slowly. But, as I said, we were in no hurry. It still seemed like it was no time before we were back at the concrete utility station. A nice view of Pioneer Rock can be seen from here and, soon, we were turning right into Pioneer Camp. This part of the hike is becoming very familiar. We hiked up through the tent platforms and on up the trail. After climbing the steep stuff to the spring, this climb was a little challenging to our tired legs. At the saddle behind the big rock outcrop, we stopped for a wardrobe adjustment and to take in the views. Opting out of an exploration on the outcrop, we turned up to our right to begin the wonderful loop trail.

Down the Steep Stuff

The traverse along Mummy Mountain is a nice trail but there is still that big tree that crosses the trail requiring hikers to get down low to get by. It will probably not be removed until the Girl Scouts resume their camp.

Pioneer Rock Road

At one point during the traverse, we could clearly see the ski slope and the parking lot for the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead. Wow! Cars were parked all the way down and past the switchback in the road!

(And, we had not seen another soul all morning!)

Autumn

Pioneer Rock

After the traverse, we reached Pinnacle Point. This is where the trail meets the point of a trailing ridge of Mummy Mountain. From this point, hikers can see Mummy's Forehead from the pinnacle at the "point" by looking back to the right. There is a lot of real estate in this area that has yet to be explored. However, private property has to be respected while the said explorations. From here, the trail balances the top of the ridge down until it passes another overlook area among the limestone dolomite outcrops. One of the main peaks seen from the overlooks is North Sister. At one point, you can see the whole of the Sisters Ridge. You can also see Pioneer Rock from this section of trail. Today, however, there was a lot of smoke in the air from the California fires. 

Pioneer Rock Saddle

After the overlook, the trail switchbacks down toward the camp through the woods. We ambled through the camp and climbed up the service road to follow it down to the bottom.

Upper Bristlecone TH on a Saturday

This is the only part of the hike that we were able to find trash to pick up. And, still, there wasn't much. Some people use this ridge for camping overnight. There are a few homemade shelters along the way.

Mummy's Forehead from Pinnacle Point

Pioneer Rock Trail

We also saw a brown and white wild horse nibbling off the trail. He paid us no attention. We have seen this horse in this area before. (Maybe he's a loner.) At the bottom of the ridge, we easily found the trail that descends to the paved picnic area entrance road and passed around the gate. Traffic had picked up considerably since we left almost 4 hours before. This was a beautiful autumn day in the mountains and we reluctantly drove down the hill. Keep this hike tucked in your back pocket for next year but, be sure to check and make sure that the Girl Scout camp is not in session!

Stats: 5 miles; 1525' gain; 3.75 hours

Returning to Camp

Points of Interest on Service Road Return

Finding the Descent Trail

Deer Creek / Catch Pen Loop - 10/1/20

Conglomerate Arch with Mummy's Nose

Morning Sun on the Catch Pen Spring

Catching Shade on Ascent

Well-Maintained Trail

For our six club hikers, the morning began quite chilly. By the end of the almost 5 hour hike, the temperatures were warm enough to cause us to wish we were done! The 8.6 mile loop hike called Deer Creek / Catch Pen Loop begins at a turnout on Deer Creek Road across from the Seven Mile Canyon dirt road. There are, as usual, no trailhead signs but, if you park and dip down to the right side trail, there is an Orange Trail marker post. This is mainly an equestrian trail since it is located in the lower elevations of the Spring Mountains. The best weather for hiking this trail is during the shoulder seasons. (Usually, October would be considered cool enough!) The trail is well maintained and a pleasure to hike.

Trying to Warm Up

The loop can be hiked in either direction but it is my suggestion to use the counter-clockwise route. This sends the hiker down the ridge (a little steeper and rockier) and up the wash (more trees and gentler).

Low Elevation Scenery from Ridge Trail

So, we dropped down from the parking area and turned to the right to pass the Orange Trail sign post. The trail carried us around the canyon on the left, around an intermediate ridge, around the next wash and out to the top of the next ridge.

Mummy Mountain from Conglomerate Ridge Rocks

Break at Conglomerate Arch

This is the ridge that the trail follows all the way down to its bottom end. Along the way, the scenery of the low elevations and desert floor entertained us. There is a high mountain between Lee Canyon Road and Cold Creek Road called Traction Benchmark. It was seen clearly in every view to that direction. Nearer to us, a much lower round hill can be picked out. This was dubbed Jackrabbit Junction on one of the first hikes we did in this area. Every time we neared this area on the Middle Deer Creek Trail below, jackrabbits would come out of the woodworks! (Now, not so much.) In the far distant desert floor, Three Lakes Valley is seen with two of the sandy playas in view. This is part of the military installation at Indian Springs, Nevada.

Descending the rocky ridge Trail

Our first small break was at a set of conglomerate ridge rocks. A nice arch has been formed here with a beautiful view of Mummy Mountain behind us. (See three photos in this blog that were taken here.)

Out of the Trees to the Valley Below

Moving along, our ridge got closer and closer to the burn area of the Mahogany Fire 2020. The fire was contained at the deep Deer Creek Canyon nearby. 

Points of Interest

Nearing the Catch Pen Spring

It is possible that the fire workers used this trail to reach the lower areas of embers. Although things were left mostly clean, we did see a few small pieces of trash that were left. This could also be from recreational hikers since a lot of unfamiliar trails have been discovered by them since the pandemic began. Regardless, tree limbs do not need water bottles on the end of them! 😒  On down the ridge, we finally passed the very old wooden sign leaning on the bush that used to say Deer Creek Loop. Finally, we waltzed into the Catch Pen Spring area. I am assuming that the spring and others nearby, attracted livestock where the wranglers would "catch" them and round 'em up. A lot of the old fencing and rope is still there. (I also have a big imagination.)

Old Catch Pen and Spring

We took our first break here knowing that the remaining part of the hike is an ascent, albeit gentle. Afterwards, we turned left onto the Middle Deer Creek Canyon Trail. This trail closes the loop from the ridge and the wash sides on the Orange Trail.

Middle Deer Creek Canyon Trail (Lower side of Loop)

We followed this trail over to the Orange Trail fork. Be careful to not miss this fork turn to the left. There is an Orange Trail sign post plus a Deer Creek sign low to the ground here. A couple of photos and a sharp turn to the left sent us on our ascent.

The Six at the Fork turn to Ascend

A little Fall Color

First, the trail winds its way up through desert terrain and over a couple of arroyos. After one last look at the deepening wash below to the left, the trail continues up a ridge, dips down and up again then ends up in a parallel wash as you enter more trees. Another half mile in this wash then the trail climbs up and over the ridge to the left. During the course of the next half mile, the trail travels up a sandy wash. Luckily for us, the sand was hardened from recent rain. Since this is a horse trail, the trail is well marked with cairns indicating "jumps" in and out of the wash to bypass obstacles. We took another break among the trees trying to stay cool then finished up the last mile with a switchback up to the cars. This is an interestingly historic trail that is good to do at least once a year ... when it is cool!

Stats: 8.6 miles; 1725' gain; 4.75 hours

Following the Orange Trail Ascent

Shade Break

Scenes from the Orange Trail Wash Ascent

Trough Trail Lower Loop - 9/29/20

Wildlife Water Trough

Telephone Canyon

Upper Showgirl Ridge

Tin Can Alley Trail

Five of our AtBF pod plus one visitor from out-of-town, Lori, decided to take advantage of the slightly cooler temperatures. We began our hike from Deer Creek Road and hiked a few trails in the Telephone Canyon area for a loop that included the water troughs on the Trough Trail. We began at the 5th paved turnout on Deer Creek Road from the intersection of Kyle Canyon Road. In retrospect, the 6th turnout would have been better but, for this group, it mattered not. We dropped down a steep path to the Cowboy Washington Trail, turned left, then dropped again down another path to the Tin Can Alley Trail just below and turned to the right. We were on our way down to the crossing of Telephone Canyon Road 1.3 miles into the hike.

Starting down Tin Can Alley

From here, Tin Can Alley continues down alongside the dirt road but we went straight to cross the road and join the Lower Showgirl Trail. The scenic trail traverses the contour of the ridge above then begins descending around the corner.

Tin Can Alley Trail

Reaching a ridge peak that trails down from above, we found the cross trail we were looking for. A left turn started us on a very steep bike trail I call The Dive ... only, this time, we were climbing instead of diving!

Lower Showgirl Trail

Hiking along Lower Showgirl

As we climbed the difficult trail, we couldn't help but be impressed by any biker that took on this route. We huffed and puffed until we reached the top where a more decent trail turned to the left. The trail circled around to begin a long switchback-type route up to the top of the ridge. The switchbacking took a natural route along the small peaks of the main ridge. This took us over a little peak I call Little Bald Knoll. Next, the trail traversed over to a wash. At the creation of this trail, a route on the other side of the wash was abandoned due to an unruly hillside switchback. Most hikers and bikers use the wash to go from this point up (or down) to the trail crossings. This is a shady spot where we took our break.

View across Telephone Canyon to Fletcher Peak Ridge

As we sat for our break, we noticed that there is a "roundabout" around a small tree at the point of the switchback. Possibly, those bikers who do not wish to do "The Dive" turn around here.

Stepladder Peak

It is also very clear that from this point on up to the top of the ridge has been recently "improved" for bikers. The old worn rock path has been raked clean. Higher tree limbs have been sawed off and a couple of bike jumps were made out of fallen trees across the trail. Since this trail is not in the NRA boundaries, I am thinking that work on trails does not have to go through the channels for permission. But, it was a little sad to see the historic feel of the worn rock trail gone.

Starting the Climb up The Dive

Finishing the Climb up to Upper Showgirl

So, after break, we climbed up the next long switchback that led us around the end of the next ridge and back. Then it turned back and led up to the top of the ridge. The trail gently climbs all this way with nice views on either side of us to Angel Peak, Fletcher Peak and Mummy's Toe. After a short dip and turn through a wash, we made our way over to a bare saddle. The main Upper Showgirl Trail continues in a 2:00 direction but we turned in an 11:00 direction to take an old crossover trail to the Trough Trail. A left turn on the Trough Trail sent us diving down to the old wildlife troughs. A busy beehive stills buzzes in the water pipe three feet from the trough. Be careful here. The bees were a little agitated with us but did not attack. We took our photos and moved on.

Trail through the Little Bald Knoll Area

There is a newer trail that zigzags down the hill while crossing the trough wash a couple of times but we decided to take the old Trough Trail straight down the wash. We ended up at Telephone Canyon Road where the old car hood landmark resides.

View from Upper Showgirl to Kyle Canyon

This is also a campsite that is still used at times. There was a lot of trash around. We chose not to pick up the trash this time since we would have to carry the trash up another 200' and 1 mile to the cars.

Mike prepares for Second Half of Hike

Angel Peak comes into View

We crossed Telephone Canyon Road and took a small short path to the left to connect with Tin Can Alley. A right turn sent us up the hillside for our last climb. After the climbing we had already experienced, the gentle climb was almost a cool down! Until ... we got to the very last short climb to the turnout. This is why it would be better to begin at the sixth turnout instead of the fifth! My bad. Keep in mind that the trails in this area are all bike trails. Eyes open for kamikaze bikers! A few of the bikers are getting smart and adding noise makers on their bikes to warn hikers that they are coming. It was a good workout hike with new views. The summer is winding down. We need more days that are not so hot!!

Stats: 6.6 miles; 1700' gain; 4 hours

Shade Break on Upper Showgirl

Sharing the Water Troughs with a Busy Bee Hive

Climbing back up Tin Can Alley