Potosi Climbers' Alcove - 11/4/21

Potosi Climbers' Alcove from Steep Trail Up

Large Cacti near Alcove

High Clearance Road with Potosi Canyons #2 (R) & #3 (L)

Entering Canyon #3

The east side of Mt. Potosi is cut with four major canyons. These canyons can be approached by a vehicle on high clearance dirt and rocky roads. Today, five hikers drove out to the South Cottonwood Road past the trailhead on the left side of the road (Badger Pass TH) and turned right on the second road after that. The roads are very rocky with bedrock. We slowly climbed the hill toward Mt. Potosi until we decided to park in a spot about a mile up on the left side of the road. As it turned out, we could have gone up a little further to the top of a steep hill that turned down to the left. This hill requires higher clearance than what our cars had. On our way back, we saw a few cars taking that route. However, we hiked down the hill and on to the mouth of Canyon #3.

David leads up through Canyon #3

Rita, Mike and Tony climbing up Canyon #3 Wash

Looking up to Alcove Ridge

Cairns marking Junction

From the top of the hill to the mouth of Canyon #3 was around half a mile. As you are arriving in the canyon wash, there is a wildlife guzzler on the left side of the road. The road leads right into the wash trail, a much improved trail since I was here six years ago. We stayed in the wash for a little over half a mile until we reached a grouping of cairns. This is the junction of the wash trail and the steep trail climb up to an alcove in the cliffs above. Six years ago, this "trail" was a mere suggestion. Now, the trail is clearly marked. The trail begins along the right side of the wash, gentle at first. Soon the trail starts a steep scramble up the side of the hill toward the cliff band above. There were a few places where hands might be required for balance but the scrambles were not more than class 2.

Starting up Ascent Trail

The Trail gets Steeper

Trail Respite through Cacti

View up canyon from near Alcove

The steep climb goes on for around a third of a mile. On the way, the views of the canyon are outstanding. Also seen on the trail were stands of old growth prickly pear and barrel cacti as this hill is exposed to the southern sun. The opposite side of Canyon #3 is much steeper and is also topped off with a cliff band. The smooth running ridge above those cliffs is interesting and inviting for another day. Finally, we reached the top of the steep trail and walked into a large area partially covered by the overhanging cliff band to the right and left. This is the "alcove." A wind block has been built under the alcove with stacked rocks and there are bolts and chains seen in the rock walls around. An added feature are two plastic Adirondack chairs placed inside the wind block!

David and Kay tackle the "new" Switchbacks

David inspects the small Cave at Alcove

Cliff Band to left of Alcove

Cliff Band Continues Around

In the middle of the alcove, there is a shallow cave good for getting out of the rain. The cliff band, itself, continues quite a way to the left (west) and could be hiked if so desired. However, there is not an easy way to "hike" up above the cliff band to the top of the ridge. It is easy to imagine rock climbers whiling away the day here practicing their skills. We took our break and photos then prepared for the slippery slow descent. With care, the descent isn't too bad. Two sticks, a pair of gloves and the slow pace helped me. I didn't attempt photos during this portion of the hike! Too much concentrating!

Taking in the View

Sublime Five in the Lofty Alcove

Descending the Canyon Wash

Passing the Guzzler

There was a sigh of relief when we reached the collection of cairns in the wash below. Just as we reached the road junction, three rock climber types with two dogs passed us on their way up. As we continued toward our cars and back to the main road, three more rock climber cars passed us taking on the steep road hill like it was fun! Today, the timing worked out well! Thanks David Hardy for taking us up to the alcove! It is a very interesting destination.

Stats: 4.25 miles; 1600' gain; 3 hours

Canyon #3 Road

Car Tackling the Steep Hill

Hikers Tackling the Steep Hill

Gypsum Jump Loop - 11/1/21

Southern Half of Goatroper Trail

View of Gypsum Mine from Gypsum Jump Overlook

Northern end of Goatroper Trail

Hiking out to the Goatroper Junction

A couple of years ago (pre-pandemic), we were in the process of exploring the Goatroper Trail. At the time, I didn't know that it was named the Goatroper and our group named it the Gypsum Jump Overlook hike. Today, we decided to revisit this nice bike trail on its northern end starting at the Cowboy Trailhead and make a bushwhacking loop out of it. Four of us, the Tenacious Trio plus one, headed out from the parking lot taking a hard right turn into the wash. We followed the wash until a trail turned out of it to the left. After this trail made the first hard right turn, we continued straight off the trail finding a vague game trail that continued toward the junction of the low saddle in the distance. This trail goes into the wash for the last quarter mile then a trail turns to the right.

Short break at the Goatroper Junction

Starting up Goatroper Trail as Sun Rises

Hiking up Goatroper Trail

Rock Designs on Trail and Survey Marker at Overlook

The right turn climbs up a small wash and Ts into the Goatroper Trail. We turned right and began a curvy climb up to the Gypsum Jump Overlook. Along the way, we could see the ridge to our south that we would explore on the way back. Between us and the ridge, there was a wide canyon that Mike was interested in naming so, we named it O'Connor Canyon! The trail eventually stopped curving so much and ran along the cliff. There was a beautiful wide view of the Calico and North Blue Diamond Hills. Looking ahead, we could already see some of the Blue Diamond Gypsum Mine. Along the trail, we saw several rock designs placed in the dirt. (See photo to the left.)

Wide view from Cliffside Trail

Mining Claim

Climbing the last portion before Overlook

Four at the Overlook

We stopped for a few minutes at the overlook to take our photos. We had made good time on the 3 mile gentle climb. The second half of today's hike would be an exploratory of that ridge. So, we left the overlook and descended the trail to a land bridge that connected us to the ridge that paralleled the trail ridge. We turned left and began an up and down bushwhack. We moved easily among the desert blackbrush, sage brush, and white bursage. But, most interesting, was the rock (probably rimrock) that appeared as if it was a bumpy road on the tops of a couple of the small peaks. While climbing over the last peak nearest the SR 159, we spied an old trail. Game trail? Don't know but it made the going easier as we descended.

Starting down to Land Bridge Junction

Mike stands at the top of O'Connor Canyon

Interesting Terrain on Return Ridge

On top of Last Peak

We were near the fence at the bottom and began following a small drainage toward the trailhead. This wash led us to a trail that crossed the dirt road with the gate. The trail followed along the fence then, eventually, led us to a well worn bike trail that dipped into the initial wash and back to the cars. During this last part of the hike, we picked up a lot of trash. Just trying to do our part! The route was fun and interesting. It's always fun to do something that you haven't done before.

Stats: 6 miles; 900' gain; 3 hours

View of North end of Goatroper Trail

Descent from Ridge to Road

Inside the gate at Mine Road