Many Views Loop - 7/5/25

Ridge with Many Views

Desert foothills from break Area

Descent from Overlook to South Sister Saddle

Starting up Old Mill / South Sister Trail

This loop is new to the club, however, it is probably not new to a lot of hikers. For a few years, we have been doing Ridge with Many Views, Ricks Saddle and Ricks Saddle Loop. This smaller loop is more palatable. Three Lady Hikers began from the Pay Phone Trailhead and headed up the Old Mill Picnic Area road. We veered to the right when the Old Mill Trail started. On up the gentle hill, we veered right again. This is the South Sister Trail. It begins with a gentle uphill through trees. As the trees get thicker, the trail begins climbing a little more. This is the nicest part of the climb. Next, the trail gets more serious. We came to a clearer area where the washes that flow down from the ridges above come together. The trail sticks with the main wash.

Spring along South Sister Trail

Sue and Susan start the steep climb to Saddle

Starting the steep climb to Saddle

The familiar little switchback near Top

Now, the trail becomes steeper and steeper. It appeared that the wilderness folks have maintained the trail somewhat. The rocks were cleared out ... which is nice for the ascent. We reached the South Sister Saddle and, per usual, it was decorated with loads of wild horse poo. Lovely! After a short breather, we continued our hike in a one o'clock direction deviating from the traditional South Sister Peak route. This trail is vague at times but we managed to find the way over to the Ridge with Many Views. This was our originally planned destination. We enjoyed the ridge views but the wind was so bad that we were unable to take our break here. Walking back up the ridge, we made a decision to find our way over to the next ridge where we knew there was a trail up.

Sue and Susan arrive at the South Sister Saddle

Near the beginning of the trail to the Ridge with Many Views

Gulley Crossing

Susan climbs the Rock Pile

Having only done this crossover once, and on a different and messier trail (and, in the other direction), this was a bit of an exploration. After starting across, we found the main nicely trod trail about 10' above our lateral line. Again, we followed the trail just fine and came to a familiar spot on the next ridge trail. Here, we were a) out of the wind b) had a convenient sitting log, and, c) were gifted with a beautiful view of the next canyon with large birds soaring around between the ridges. We finished our pleasant break and started up one of the steepest parts of this ridge's trail (aka Ricks Saddle Trail) to the South Sister Overlook above. 

McFarland Peak from the Ridge with Many Views Trail

Traction Benchmark from the Ridge with Many Views

Lady Hikers  and Macks Peak

Susan hikes back up the ridge toward South Sister

As things go in the mountains, there were several trees that had fallen over the winter and, probably, last fall with the hurricane visit, Hilary, from the south. There was only one place that the deadfall affected the trail route. It wasn't a problem to go around the trees but it may be a problem for other hikers that are not familiar with the route in this location. Cairns were set around but they were also difficult to follow. Your best bet is to just go up! 

North and South Sisters from break Spot

Taking our break on the Ricks Saddle Trail

Steep climb up Ricks Saddle Trail

Ricks Saddle Trail with Macks Peak

Nearing the top, we connected with a familiar trail that leads back down to South Sister Saddle. At the saddle, we turned to the left and started our main descent. Mind you, the well raked trail that was so good for the ascent was slippery for the descent so our progress was slow. I guess you can't have everything! We increased our speed as the hill became more gentle in slope. We didn't see any other people until we reached the picnic area. People were celebrating the July 4th holiday. We were very glad to have finally completed this route. It will become a well-visited route in the future.

Stats: 4.5 miles; 1700' gain; 3.75 hours

South Sister Trail Descent

South Sister Trail Descent

Connecting with the Old Mill Trail to picnic Area

Robbers' Roost Loop - (and trash pick-up) - 7/3/25

Robbers' Roost Cave and world class climbing Wall

Junction sign for Original Showgirl Trail

Mummy's Nose from start of Hike

Morning Sunshine

Every year, our group (whoever it is) does this 6ish mile loop hike out of Juniper Trailhead to Robbers' Roost and back with purpose to finish with a drainage clean-up. In the winter, this drainage is used for snow play by Las Vegas families. Every year, they leave behind a lot of broken objects they used for sleds, beer cans and a lot of other trash. When I was growing up, I was taught to pick up after myself. (But, I digress.) Anyway, there is always enough trash to fill all our bags and then some. This year, our bags got so heavy that we didn't even finish the entire wash and had to leave it early to carry our loot back to the trailhead via shortcut! Maybe we will finish the job later this summer ... or, maybe someone else will finish it for us. What we are able to carry back gets put inside the restroom at the trailhead where there is a trash can and trash pick-up. This year, our trash filled half the restroom! Sorry, bathroom cleaner! But, thanks. 

Emerging through the Shadows

Shaded upper Showgirl Trail

Hike a Bike Trail

Climbing to Robbers' Roost

So, the Juniper Trailhead is located on Angel Peak Place. This small road junction turns off of Deer Creek Road near the North Loop Trailhead. The Hillside Campground is also on this road but forks to the left. Fork to the right to reach the Junper TH about a half mile down. We started down the Original Showgirl Trail then climbed up through the trees over the next couple of ridges. Eventually, there is a sign that indicates the Original Showgirl Trail turns to the left. We took this turn. Further along, we took a right turn with a sign that indicated Hike a Bike Trail and Trough Trail. At the junction with the Trough Trail, we continued straight then at the Hike a Bike Trail, we turned left. This, for some reason 😕, is one of my favorite easy trails in the Spring Mountains. I don't know why ... it just is. It used to have a little bridge which was cool. We followed the Hike a Bike straight as it contoured around beneath Deer Creek Road and came to the junction beneath Robbers' Roost TH. A right turn obliged us to climb steeply up to the TH and cross the road to continue our climb up to the roosting area, a world class rock climbing wall. This area was once used by highway robbers to hide from the law. We used it to take our break in the cool shade. Afterwards, we returned to the bottom of the hill passing the small trail to the road and continued on the old Deer Creek Road remnants through the mountain mahoganies.

Using switchback trail to Robbers' Roost

Wide view of Robbers' Roost Cliffs

Crevice potentially leading to top of Cliffs

Spiny Lizard

The old Deer Creek Road trail circled around above the new Deer Creek Road passing a couple of trails turning to the left. Staying right, the trail led us to the top of the hill after the tight road turn. We noticed that the swing is no longer there. I guess someone brought the swing to the attention of the park rangers. (I didn't feel that it was safe anyway! Sorry Ralyn and Susan.) When we reached the paved road, we crossed and turned right. At a place we could descend into the wash on the other side of the intersection, we dropped into the trash-filled wash. At first glance, the trash is not noticeable. But, we quickly began filling our trash bags that we made sure to bring on this particular hike.

View out from the shadows to climbing Wall

Mountain Mahogany Tunnel

Old Deer Creek Road Trail

Susan takes in view of Angel Peak

There were sleds and plastic disks that were broken in a few pieces. There were cans and bottles and candy wrappers. All of this stuff was sometimes half buried by the dirt and rock that was washed down the hill by snow melt and storm water. We filled our bags until they were too heavy or awkward to carry then mutually agreed that we should head straight for the road above and trailhead rather than finish the wash and take the trail up. Phew! You should have seen the restroom we filled with trash! We appreciate the rangers that come by regularly to clean the toilets! This is a good hike and bring your trash bags!

Stats: 6 miles; 1100' gain; 4 hours (with trash pick-up)

Approach to Deer Creek Road Junction

Collecting trash in final Wash

Feeling good after trash Collection