New Mud Mack Loop - 6/9/25

Green/Red Trail to Mud Springs

Wash section of Green/Red Trail

Macks Canyon Road Return

Heading out the Sawmill Yellow Trail

About ten years ago, I started leading a hike called Mud Mack Loop. The loop started at Sawmill and lead down what was then the Red Trail or Mud Springs Trail. The lower end looped around and back up to Macks Canyon Road by bushwhacking up to its nearest point below the Sisters Spur Road. Arriving back at Sawmill v Macks Canyon Road was just under a seven mile trek. This time, trying to shorten the journey, we turned left into a smaller wash and climbed over two steep hills to arrive at Macks Canyon Road lower than the Sisters Spur Road. This made the hike around 3/4 mile less than the aforementioned <7 miles. The Lady Hikers found the downhill portion (3.5 miles) of the Mud Springs Trail to be beautiful but hard on the body.

1) 0.70 miles up Yellow Trail from TH
2) Junction of "Red" Trail and "Green" Trail
3) Midway between last junction and wash junction
4) Wash Junction
So which is it? Red or Green?

Rest site on Red Trail

Mummy's head parts from Red Trail

Heading down the Mud Springs Loop Trail (Green)

We hiked down using the recently maintained trail remembering all the landmarks we hadn't seen in a few years. It must be mentioned that the route we used began as the "Yellow" Trail, turned into the "Red" Trail at a well-used junction, turned into the "Green" Trail at the ridge junction, turned into the "Red" Trail about halfway down the 3.5 miles to the wash part of the trail, then, finally, returned to the "Green" Trail when we junctioned with the wash and sat down for a break. I know the trail so this did not throw me in any way. However, anyone who was new to the trail might have some questions. Anyway, we took our break at the wash junction ready for the new shortcut and the uphill part of the hike.

Mud Springs Loop Trail

Macks Peak from Mud Springs Loop Trail

Starting to get Tired

View of Traction Benchmark

We trudged up the wash 0.60 mile to find a very nice transition to a smaller wash on the left. I'll dub this wash the "shortcut wash." It is easily navigable and we climbed it for approximately half a mile. At this point, the wash veers to the right and we continued in a straight direction up a steep embankment. Keeping our trajectory 😉, we found a trail on top of the ridge and followed it. Learning from our next mistake, it would be best to keep working your way to the right because the next arroyo crossing presents steep terrain. At any rate, by this time, you can just make out Macks Canyon Road higher up and a campsite sitting on the apex of a sharp curve. That's your target! We made it up, down and up the arroyos' sides and took a rest at the campsite.

Beetle destruction on mountain Laurel (no present evidence)

Taking a break at wash Junction

Rita attending to the rock in the Shoe

Don't you just love interesting Trees?

All that remained was a mile of Macks Canyon Road and half a mile crossing back to the Sawmill Yellow Trail and back to the cars. The new shortcut wash was welcomed as an interesting change ... not to mention ... we were quite tired by the end of the hike anyway! Another cool day on the trail even though the clouds were building up over the Kyle side of the Spring Mountains. Mind you, we start around the 7am hour at the trailhead. (... and, many hikers start even earlier!)

Stats: 6.3 miles; 1050' gain; 4 hours

Hiking up the wash section of Mud Springs Trail

Hiking up the new shortcut Wash

Ending the shortcut at a campsite on Macks Canyon Road

Pine Nut Loop - 6/7/25

Three Lady Hikers in the Shade ... and one behind the Camera!

Pine Nut Loop is a recently developed hike (2024) using established trails and one bushwhack up a desert ridge. We found that the bushwhack has an vague old game trail going in exactly the correct direction balancing a small ridge connecting two of the trails used for the Pinyon Pine Loop. (Last year, we didn't find this game trail and ended up hiking up and down through arroyos.) The new route was great! Four Lady Hikers did the 5.5 miles with a trail running event underway. Participants passed us at least three times during our hike. They did more miles but were using much the same trails as we were. Fun atmosphere! ... "RUNNERS!"

Stats: 5.5 miles; 1000' gain; 3.25 hours

P.S. The color names of the Sawmill Trails have changed ... again. It is difficult to keep up. So, don't swear by the color names on the maps below!

 

Mud Springs (from closure on Macks Canyon Road - MM 2.7) - 6/5/25

West Mud Springs (south to north)

Mud Springs Trail view of Three Lakes Valley

View of Macks Canyon Road from road closure down to Approach Trail Junction

Approach Trail / Mud Springs Trail Junction

First, it should be said that the main Mud Springs Trail from the Macks Canyon Road approach trail to the West Mud Springs canyon is in very good condition. It seems that only recently, the trail has been cleared and marked. But, most importantly, each of the three springs that we visited today (East, Middle and West) have been surrounded by a metal pipe, triangular fence. There is absolutely no way that the casual hiker can see any of the actual spring water without illegally breaching the fence. Although understandable, it was quite disappointing. Of course, in past years, hikers have been able to cross through the very old wood and barbed wire fencing to observe the muddy area where the water springs forth. However, these springs are very important for the wildlife of the Spring Mountains and these animals deserve clean water as a life source. There is only one section of the loop route that does not have a clearly marked trail. We were following yellow ribbons that were widely spaced and I believe I lost the trail at one point. No worries. I had the route marked on my GPS and we found where we were going just fine. So, we were able to take the trail down to the first two springs, climb back up to the main trail, visit the third spring and return on the main trail in 5.8 miles.

Mud Springs Trail view of north end of Spring Mountains Divide

Mud Springs Trail

East Mud Springs

East Mud Springs Views

We drove out Macks Canyon Road about 2.7 miles where the road is closed off with a barrier. There, we found several places for cars to park with no problem. There were already four cars. Perhaps they were camping at Macks Canyon Campground or climbing Macks Peak. There were other possibilities. To get to Mud Springs Trail, we walked down past the barrier to the bottom of the hill where there was a small circle for campers. The approach trail leads into the woods on the right side of the campsite. In a little less than 1/2 mile, we junctioned with Mud Springs Trail and turned left.

McFarland Peak from Lower Mud Springs Trail and Yellow Primrose

Middle Mud Springs

Views of Middle Mud Springs Area

Dropping into West Mud Springs Canyon

Approximately 1.2 miles into the hike through the woods on a cool morning, we came to a cairned fork. This is where the main trail veers to the left and the trail leading to the first two springs veers right. We took the right fork and came to the first spring very soon. Just past the fencing, was a large area of very green grass. It was obvious that a spring controlled the foliage in the area. We walked around and found an old wooden sign then followed the trail to the next (Middle) spring. This area presented very little in the way of spring fed type landscape. But, again, the fence was impenetrable. Getting back on the trail, we followed it for a short distance before yellow ribbons tied to trees took over the guidance.

South end of West Mud Springs Panorama

Views dropping down to West Mud Springs

Surrounded by wilderness boundary Signs

Beginning big climb out of West Mud Springs Canyon

We found a few ribbons that sent us up in the direction of the main trail up the hill. But, the ribbons disappeared. Perhaps we just lost the route. At any rate, we just kept going the direction suggested by the GPS with a little bushwhacking. Eventually, we came across the trail again. A little later, we came across the main trail. All was good in the woods! Almost as soon as we started onto the main trail, we began a long descent over the next ridge. This is where we dove into the West Mud Springs canyon on a very old road / trail. Continuing down the hill, we found a small cairn on a tree stump. Next, the trail sidled by the corner of the fencing around the West Mud Spring. We scooted down next to the fence for a view of the area. It was definitely spring fed foliage. And, very green. Down the hill within the fence, we saw the rocky area where hikers were once allowed to roam. Visiting this site was more a practice in reminiscing than enjoying beautiful springs. Regardless, it was nice to be here once again.

Missouri Evening Primrose in bloom along the higher portions of the Trail

Mud Springs Trail on Return

Mud Springs Trail on Return

Possibly Mummy's Nose?

We sat for a break then started back up the long climb out of the canyon. Once we were on the traverse level of the elevation, there were still a lot of ups and downs undulating endlessly. After passing the place we had joined the main trail on the way over, we had several views of the desert foothills below. Mainly, we could see Three Lakes Valley across the Las Vegas Wash far below. Several undulations later, we came to the first fork where we started our dip down to the first two springs. We also passed a cairn on the right side of the trail that indicated a route over to Macks Canyon Road (further in than where we had begun). Finally, we came to the signed junction of the approach trail.

Mud Springs Trail on Return

Completing the Mud Springs Loop

Desert foothills from Mud Springs Trail

Northern terminus of Spring Mountains Divide

We turned to the right and hiked up and out on the approach trail to meet Macks Canyon Road at the circled campsite. All that remained was the gentle climb up Macks Canyon Road to the barrier. (We surmised that the road is closed because they would like shore up the downhill side of the road here. It appears to be a little loose.) Back at the car, the other cars were still parked there. Hmm. 😐  The ride back in Rita's Outback was very nice. The road is in good condition but still needs some kind of high clearance to avoid hitting bottom on bedrock unless you are skilled at swerving! Quite a workout!

Stats: 5.8 miles; 1160' gain; 4 hours

Macks Canyon wall ahead, nearing the Approach Trail Junction

Kay between cairns marking the approach trail at Macks Canyon Road

Sue rounding Macks Canyon Road closure Barriers