White Rock Springs Peak O&B - 11/2/23

View of Sandstone Bluffs from North to South

Morning sun on White Rock Springs Peak

Nine club members on the Hike

White Rock Mountain Road

Nine club members gathered at the bottom of White Rock Mountain Road near mile marker 6 of the Red Rock Canyon NCA Scenic Loop. So good to see friends coming together. We hiked up the half mile road to the upper trailhead just in time to see a small herd of mule deer (maybe around eight in number) make their way past the trailhead fence and down to the riparian spring below. We watched in awe as they meandered back up the hill a little after their drink. Again, very happy to see the wildlife are still around. Since the pandemic, they have found new places to hide. So many people enjoying the outdoors. Perhaps the temporary closure of the mountain trails will help repopulate that area with wildlife.

A herd of mule deer passing through the White Rock Springs Trailhead

White Rock Hills Peak

Turtlehead Peak seen to the East

Mike leads the group up the Scramble Ridge

Not too far up the trail (maybe 30 feet) we turned to the left and began our scramble. Mike knows this ridge pretty well but the route is sometimes confusing. A simple rule would be, if you cannot progress one way, then try another! Sometimes the trail is on the right of center and sometimes the trail is on the left. But when Jerry and Cheryl took over the lead later on, up the center was the way they went! In the back of the line, we diverged at times while we found easier ways to deal with the huge scrambles. (A few of us can't do what Jerry and Cheryl can do! ... But, we tried.) Anyway, there are a few different ways to skin this cat! Mike started with a fast pace and Jerry quickened the pace. The sweepers kept up until they couldn't.

Ralyn follow the group up the Slabs

A Jumble of Boulders to Conquer

Rita climbs up Behind Me

Mike leads the group to the first false Peak

There are two or three false peaks on this climb. The fast pace drained me by the approach to the second one. The rest of the group waited patiently as the sweepers pushed themselves up. Finally, we found the top where the ridge generously levels off just before the pile of rocks we courteously call the secondary peak. After photos and a little breathing, we decided who was going on out to the high point and who was going to stay. Five hikers took off down the ridge where there is a significant dip and climb to get to the peak. They promised it wouldn't take long and, in actuality, it took about 30 minutes. The three hikers that stayed back enjoyed the view and the rest along with the slight cool breeze.

Ralyn, Rita and I do the Sweep Detail

From the Scramble Ridge to the Sandstone Bluffs

Mike hangs back with the Sweepers

White Rock Springs Peak from Ridge Scramble

When the five hikers returned to the secondary peak, we made the decision to return down the ridge the same way we had come up avoiding the questionable damage that recent rains might have done to the steep north side descent. You would think that returning on the same route we came up would be easy ... au contraire! At one point, we were all over that ridge right and left looking for a route that suited us individually. After that point, which was a considerable chunk of the ridge, we were missing three hikers. Whoa! There they were! Wayyy down on the south side. How did that happen? Anyway, two of the hikers came back up to the top of the ridge and the other hiker continued down toward the trailhead. (He doesn't suggest to repeat this route!)

Photo Time (We're actually just breathing!)

Ralyn, Jerry and Cheryl seen scrambling to the High Point

Five Hikers approaching the High Point

Summit Photo on White Rock Springs Peak

So, we all got down to the trailhead and started down the dirt road to our cars. When we looked at our GPSs and our watches, we couldn't believe that it had taken almost 5 hours to do 3.5 miles!! We do know how to stretch out a great hike! Y'all be careful out there!

Stats: 3.5 to 4 miles; ~1400' gain; 4.75 hours

Rita stands below Secondary Peak

One more photo of the High Point

Long Day!

Google Map does not show accurately the Elevation Differences

First Creek Canyon - 10/31/23

Heading into First Creek Canyon (Round peak at top is First Creek Peak)

The Grotto

Sign at Trailhead

Wide Main Trail through Desert Terrain

It had been years since any of us had climbed up into First Creek Canyon. Jerry and Cheryl had the most experience with the canyon and wash between Wilson Peak and Indecision Peak so they led the charge. Five of us parked at the signed trailhead located on SR 159, 2 miles south of the Red Rock Scenic Loop exit (or 1.2 miles north of the entrance to the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. From the west side of the highway, we headed through the pedestrian gate (a simple construction) and on up toward the Sandstone Bluffs. Our first note was that the cable that used to connect the fence posts along the trail for the first half mile was missing. Not sure why. There is some rutting happening here so that may have something to do with it.

Jerry and Cheryl drop into the Grotto Area

Group Photo above Grotto

Sunrise on Escarpment (First Creek in Foreground)

Well worn Trail

Until the trail reaches the Rainbow Wilderness boundary outside the high sandstone walls, it is wide and clearly worn. There are two places where a worn trail veers off to the north. The first spur trail heads into the First Creek wash where many hikers choose to scramble up the wash to reach the Grotto. We passed this and turned right on the next trail that veered right. This trail brought us close to the wash and eventually, we found a very worn trail that drops steeply down into the wash. Be careful here. About half way down the hill, continue on the trail that turns to the left. This short trail takes you to the Grotto where there is usually pooled water. During the spring or after a rainstorm, a large waterfall can be seen pouring down into the pool. On this hike, however, there was no water pouring down, not even a trickle. In fact, the black pool of the grotto was pretty smelly! We took our photos down below. Then, we hiked up to the trail overlook above to take a group shot. Afterwards, we continued up the trail that soon reconnected with the wide main trail. There are trail sign posts but some of them are falling down. The desert ground is very difficult to dig into to place these signs so, sometimes, volunteers simply try propping up the signs instead of digging into the rock hard ground.

Last trail sign on Oak Creek Canyon Hike

Zen setting in First Creek

First Creek before it goes Underground

I went as a pumpkin for Halloween!

The trail remained close to the wash and soon, we could hear running water. Cheryl went down a steep hill to get photos of the creek. While she was down there, Jerry and I helped Mike back down to where we were after he went on an exploration of one of the rock climbers' spur trails. While he was up the hill, we took note of the rock climbing walls named Lotta Balls Wall and Alcohol Wall. (Gotta love the rock climbers' imagination.) We continued up the trail climbing to a Kayenta layer crossing. After that, the trail dives into a "jungle" of brush and large rocks and boulders. The trail was still pretty clear even though it was covered with plants on both sides. We had fun following Jerry and Cheryl up the path of scrambles after scrambles. There was one daunting scramble between huge boulders that I solved by going up and around. The others did fine on the offered trail through the boulders. A little more winding through jungle and we were nearing the scramble up the wash. As I understood it, the wash was where the scrambling got "serious." We reached another very large boulder in the path and decided to turnaround. After all, the trail sign at the beginning says the canyon hike is 2 miles one way. We were now over 2 miles in. 

The Kayenta Crossing

High Scramble

Quick photo at our Turnaround Point

View out of canyon at the Photo Rock

Back through the jungle scramble, we returned to the very large boulder scramble where we stopped to take a break and photos. As we rested, we were able to spot several rock climbers up on the walls on either side. They are actors of a completely different sport! Jerry said that he talked to one of them at the trailhead and the guy had a squirrel costume on for Halloween. Wait for it. 

We continued back out of the canyon the same way we had come in. Scrambling through some more jungle and making the Kayenta Crossing.

Group on the Photo Rock

Up Canyon view at Photo Rock

Mike emerges from the Jungle Scramble

Kayenta Crossing

Once we connected with the wide main trail that leads back to the cars, we didn't stop. All we could think about was how far the approach is to the rock climbing walls. At least two miles carrying all that rope and equipment. They are strong youngsters! Anyway, we decided that we should probably do this hike more often. Nice hike. Nice canyon.

Stats: 4.3 miles; 670' gain; 3.75 hours

Scrambling in the Jungle

Rita Sweeps

Out of the Jungle - Into the Light