Raintree via Trail Canyon - 6/7/21

Raintree and Mummy's Toe

Raintree

Raintree Roots

Starting up Trail Canyon

It was an excellent day for a hike! Cloud cover, cool temps, and a slight breeze! The Fit Five started up Trail Canyon at 7:38am and the pace was set at around 2 to 2.5 mph. We stayed together for the first mile then began to spread out a little when the going got tougher. The forest was dim and green. As I lagged back, I kept eyes open for wildlife. Just a few times, I stopped for photos but the light wasn't good for it. The others reached the saddle before me but I still got there in a personal record time for this season. At the saddle, there were three other hikers resting. Chu and John were heading to Charleston Peak (and Whitney in 3 days time). Don was getting his hiking legs back into condition. We heard that Tony F. was in the area but we never ran into him.

Ascent Views from Trail Canyon Trail

Into the Steepest Section

Friends along the Hike

Leaving Trail Canyon Saddle

From the saddle, we joined the North Loop Trail straight ahead. Our goal was Raintree, a seven mile out and back journey. Imho, this route to Raintree is the most beautiful, with views of the many peaks of Kyle Canyon. The North Loop Trail travels around the base of Mummy Mountain with Raintree being at the base of Mummy's Toe. The first part of the North Loop, here, is a pleasant one third of a mile with little elevation gain. It passes over two large washes that drain into Fletcher Canyon below. At times, the trail is very narrow as it traverses the side of the mountain. After the first third of the mile, the remaining 1.2 miles is intermittently challenging as the steep slopes return. However, the reward is that you are brought into the elevations of the bristlecones. There are some very beautiful old bristlecone trees before you reach Raintree. There is also a large grove of relatively young bristlecones that appear as a Christmas Tree slope! Fletcher Peak is seen clearly across the void. I climbed onto the Raintree saddle where the group was already taking their break. Except for Mike! He had taken a young wayward hiker up to the Fletcher Peak trail junction and set him on his way. Due to the influx of new pandemic hikers, there are many opportunities to spread the knowledge!

Cockscomb Peak, Griffith Peak, and Harris Peak (R to L)

North Loop Trail

Harris Peak from North Loop

North Loop Trail

Since there were no other hikers at Raintree while we were there, it was a good opportunity to practice my camera skills with the big tree. Well, I keep practicing. 😐 Mike returned. We took our group photo, finished our break and started down. It wasn't long before we ran into a couple of other friends. Max and Marcia were on their way up. It was good to see them after over a year. We started down again and I lagged behind taking more photos. The dim light was a challenge I couldn't resist. The pace picked up but we all gathered at the saddle where Don was resting again. He had gone up to Cave Springs while we were gone. Say "hi" to him if you ever run across him. Nice guy! Next, it was the Trail Canyon descent ... again. This time, the pace was faster as Ralyn and Cheryl were in the lead. But, we hadn't gotten very far when we ran across yet another couple of friends. Linda O'L and Liz K. were on their way up to the saddle! We stopped to talk again as we had also not seen the ladies for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was, indeed, an excellent day for a hike! We continued down the remaining two miles passing four more ladies we didn't know. 

North Loop Trail

Old Bristlecones

Fit Five at Raintree

North View from Raintree

I think this may have been the fastest I have ever completed this hike! It is good preparation for what is coming in the next few weeks. Good friends! Good times!

Stats: 7 miles; 2200' gain; 3.75 hours

P.S. Please don't sit on the roots of Raintree. Also, please do not climb on Raintree. This damages the tree's ability to survive. Thanks.

Starting down North Loop Trail

Cockscomb Peak from North Loop Trail

Descent in Trail Canyon

 

Upper Showgirl Loop - (Easy Moderate) - 6/5/21

Beginning of Showgirl Trail from Juniper Trailhead

Overlook of Deer Creek Road and Mummy Mountain

Angel Peak from top of Showgirl Trail

Eleven Hikers starting Trail

Off to a delayed start, eleven hikers eventually arrived at the Juniper Trailhead to delve into the network of bike trails. It was a warm and crowded day as we started down the trail among two or three biking groups and various other hikers and dogs. One of the biking groups was a Boy Scout outing with kids and their fathers following someone in the lead. They started with what looked like a sweep but he quickly left four bikers behind. We continued our hike frequently needing to step off the trail to let bikers through. Our perfect timing became clear when we passed two of the "left behind" bikers and came upon the other two. These last two were young boys who didn't know where the heck to go. The "leader" had gone off and left some of his group to wonder which way to ride.

Through the Shade

I asked the boys if they knew trail names and they said that all they knew was that they were going to Tin Can Alley down to the BLM fire station. Hmmm. Well, there were three different ways they could go from where we all were. I told them the easiest route but the trails can be very confusing.

The Route leads across to a Saddle

They left with instructions to keep going down! (That'll keep them busy.) I hope they found the leaders. So, we continued down to the break spot in the shade. Soon, we started hearing a whistle and calling. We finally responded wondering if they really wanted the Boy Scout leader guy.

Well-Timed Ten

View across Telephone Canyon

This time, the other two "left behind" bikers, a father and son, rode up to us and, as you can imagine, the father was livid! He asked if we were going back to the trailhead, we said yes, and he said they would follow us back there. We continued our hike bringing along the father and son duo while they walked their bikes. They were not about to leave us and try any other route I suggested! Hopefully, there is a lesson learned today by whoever was leading the group. We all got back safely with a lot to talk about! Fun day ... we made it fun!

Stats: 4.5 miles; 550' gain; 3 hours

Nearing the Overlook Trail

Talkative Bunch

Reaching the Trailhead

 

Telephone Canyon Trail Maps

Pioneer Spring & Rock Loop - 5/31/21

Foxtail Spring (aka Pioneer Spring)

Pioneer Rock

Aspen Lined Road to Spring

Burritos in Lee Canyon

Finally, the Six with Sticks were all able to hike at the same time! Since it was Memorial Day, we chose an out-of-the-way hike into Foxtail Canyon. There is a little known springs (Foxtail Spring) that we "discovered" last fall. We added that hike to the Pioneer Rock Loop and called it simply Pioneer Spring & Rock Loop. The spring was beautiful in the fall with yellowed columbine leaves. So we were wondering what it looked like in the spring! Well, to our surprise, the spring was iced over but it is melting fast! Starting from the beginning, we parked at the Pay Phone TH and watched a Momma Burro and two burritos plus five small deer crossing the road and running toward the Foxtail Picnic Area while we were getting ready! Great start!

Climbing up to Foxtail Ridge Forest Road

Foxtail Ridge Forest Road

Scenes at Girl Scout Camp

Pioneer Rock Road

After saying hello to another group parked there, we walked down to the road gate and the end of Foxtail Ridge. Easily finding the trail up the ridge, we woke our hearts and lungs climbing up to the Forest Road on top of the ridge where we spied two more deer. The forest road travels for under a mile ending at the Foxtail Girl Scout Camp's water tank. Here, we passed their amphitheatre and fire pit to drop into the camp. This camp is closed for now due to it being within the habitat for the Mt. Charleston Blue Butterfly. All the structures are still in good repair and the Pioneer Rock Road travels up through the buildings. As the road passes the Pioneer Rock Loop turnoff, it travels through a beautiful aspen grove. Next, the road starts getting steeper and steeper. 

Climbing past the Aspens

Getting Steeper

Really Steep to Spring (L)

Iced Spring with Gorgeous View

The road is no longer passable by vehicle but we assume it was made to construct a water pipe that runs down from Foxtail Spring to the camp. Maybe they used horses. It's really steep and rocky! Our group spread out taking on the hill to the spring at their own pace. I dropped into the wash about half way up to take photos of the spring from below. This viewpoint was less photogenic than it was in the fall. I climbed up to the spring getting thistles stuck in my bare legs. When I first saw the spring, I couldn't figure out why it was white. Ice was the last thing on my mind since the temps were reaching 100 degrees in the valley! As I climbed up to the level of the spring wall, it became abundantly clear that the spring was still frozen from the winter cold. 

View from Foxtail Spring

Trinkets hanging from roof of Spring Cave

Six with Sticks (A Team) at Foxtail Spring

Preparing to Leave Spring

Deserving a break from the steep climb, we wandered around taking in the views. Looking out from the spring alcove, you can see McFarland Peak, Mt. Everest (Nevada style), and the Sisters Ridge. We took our group photo and started down ... slowly! We managed to get down the really steep part without a fall then we hiked more easily down through the aspens. At Pioneer Rock Road turnoff, we turned to the right and climbed through some more camp structures. The Pioneer Rock Trail continues climbing around to the left to reach a saddle behind the huge rock outcrop. Today, we decided to not explore the rock. The very nice trail heads uphill from the rock saddle then curves around to the left starting a pleasant traverse.  

Down the Really Steep Stuff (Sisters Ridge Above)

Back into the Woods

Climbing to the Pioneer Rock Saddle

The tree across trail is still there!

There are three trees that have fallen across the trail. The first tree needs to be crawled under. The other two trees can be stepped over. During the traverse, you see views of Pioneer Rock and Foxtail Ridge. Further out, you can see the Lee Canyon Ski Slopes and the Upper Bristlecone TH. Up to the right is the side of Mummy's Tummy. The trail comes out to a point on a trailing ridge where there are a few pinnacles around. Let's call it Pinnacle Point! It is a great place to stop and take in the views. We took a second group photo here with the Sisters Ridge as a backdrop. One of the prettiest parts of the hike comes next as the trail descends down a somewhat craggy ridge. It wiggles down through a few rock outcrops and gives you views of Pioneer Rock rising up out of the trees. 

So is this one!

View of Ski Slopes from Pioneer Rock Trail

Pinnacle Point Break

Great View of Mountains to Climb

Eventually, you begin making a final drop down into the Girl Scout Camp. We passed the main dining hall and climbed back up to the forest road. On our way down the forest road, we picked up trash. This area is often used for small campsites and these campers don't always pick up after themselves. This hike was an excellent way to spend Memorial Day without being inundated with other hikers. Good stuff!

Stats: 5 miles; 1525' gain; 3.75 hours

Ridge Descent Trail

Approaching the Girl Scout Camp Again

Shelter built on Forest Road