Red Springs Loop (Angel Pass) - 10/26/11

There were fifteen hikers on the Red Springs Loop today. We began the hike from the Red Springs Picnic Area under brisk windy skies. The exercise brought warm relief quickly and we scurried over to the pass which is sometimes referred to as Angel Pass due to the angel carving (seen above) found between the walls on the opposite side. Beginning the climb over the pass, the group spread out over the canyon as it was "every man for himself (herself)." It would have been very difficult for anyone to get lost here and we indulged ourselves in our personal adventures.

One by one, we arrived at the top of the pass where we waited until everyone had appeared at the top. The views (seen below) were great! Finally, we began our descent to the Red Rock Canyon NCA scenic loop side of the pass. Again, there were always at least two different routes for everyone to choose but, magically, we all arrived at the angel carving near the bottom of the hill. When we reached the bottom, we climbed up on the rocks beneath the Calico II Overlook and took a break.

After the break, we finished dropping down to the wash and followed it until we reached a slot to the left where we would climb up to the ridge. Three of our hikers decided to take the trail on the scenic loop side of the wash.

Coming back down off of the ridge, we, again, dropped down into the wash where there were many opportun- ities to scramble. At one point, we had to climb back out to the adjacent trail in order to avoid a large dry waterfall. But, we dropped back into the wash at the first opportunity. A smaller dry waterfall offered a bit of fun as seen three photos down.

We each descended the small waterfall with various styles and methods, then proceeded down the wash. A small side trail took most of us up and around a difficult section over the boulders. A few more interesting challenges were surpassed and we turned left onto a trail that led us around the base of the sandstone above.

We stopped at an area of very large fallen boulders where there are a few petroglyphs then proceeded up to the saddle above the Red Springs Picnic Area. One more drop down the hill and we were back at the cars. The day had turned out gorgeous and the temperature was perfect. After 3.75 miles of fun, we left the park.

SMYC / Dale's Trails - 10/24/11

View of Red Rock Canyon NCA escarpment from Dale's Trail.

View of Turtlehead from Dale's Trail.

Nine nifty hikers arrived at the Lost Creek parking area Monday morning to begin their hike at the base of the escarpment over the routes of the SMYC (Spring Mountain Youth Camp) Trail and most of Dale's Trail which would take them almost all the way down to Pine Creek Canyon. The trek took them six miles on the out and back hike with a net loss and gain of around 500 feet.

Autumn colors in the Ice Box Canyon wash.

Hiking at the base of the escarpment's Bridgepoint Peak.

The SMYC Trail connects the Lost Creek parking area on Willow Springs Road with the Ice Box Canyon Trail. We then crossed that trail and continued hiking on Dale's Trail which connects Ice Box Canyon Trail to Pine Creek Trail. The trail ascends and descends constantly with a deep drop in elevation just as we reached the area of Skull Rock, a large boulder that when viewed at the correct angle, appears to have two deep eye sockets. Here, we took a prolonged pleasant break in the rock garden.

Ground squirrels and desert blue jays indulge in a pile of sunflower seeds dumped by a previous hiker.

Scenes around Skull Rock.

After the break, we headed back the way we came. This is a beautiful trail where the scenery is breath- taking everywhere you look. There was a nice breeze. Autumn is slowing arriving. The easy-paced hike kept us among the red rocks for around 4.5 hours.

View of the Calico Hills from Dale's Trail.

View of the White Rock Hills from the SMYC Trail.

Mt. Wilson ... The "Easy" Way - 10/24/11

John S., Jerry Th. and Steve A. did an exploratory hike today to the Wilson Peak summit on the escarpment beginning at First Creek. John sent this email to the blogger about their adventure.

Mt. Wilson is scheduled to be conquered on Sunday Nov. 6.
However the Leader and his Deputy had never done this peak.
Talking with two other hiking amigos, it was decided to scout the easy way through First Creek this Monday Oct. 24.

Thus we three (minus the one who was rejuvenating his blood) started at 8:00 AM to do just the course finding.
Our guide amigo had setup his GPS with all the WayPoints as downloaded from a Net trail description.

The easy access via First Creek involved a few! boulder hops, steep! side traverses, and a couple! of course corrections.
However our guide easily navigated us to the end of First Creek.

BUT--- it was only 11AM!!!

Then the ineluctable Siren-of-the-Peak came calling for us to continue and visit her high abode.
How can mortal earth-bound bondmen ever resist the temptation to be free;
free to sit on the high mountain thrones away from the maddening scurrying ants and their un-livened dreams?

Nor could we!

Thus an easy up-stroll to the high ridge and then an easy traverse to the real summit found our pertinacity easily fait accompli.

As we all must, so too we (easily) came on down and back to the start:
wiser in experience and sanitized of emotional tribulations.

It took us less than 8 (easy but hot!) hours to cover these easy 10 miles.

ps-
One (or two) did exit with parched lips waiting for a desirous wet kiss :-)

pps-
The Leader is now considering a different easy discovery approach to this highest RedRock abode on Nov. 6 (RSVP required).
(No thrill in just repeating the past :-(

Mt/ Wilson-
Latitude:36.09372
Longitude:-115.48401
GPS location Date/Time:10/24/2011 11:57:09 PDT

Turtlehead via Backside - 10/23/11

John S. offers these words on today's super duper Sunday hike:

A beautiful sunny (too) warm day greeted the Sunday worshipers on their way to Gaea's high Temple to pay their sweaty respects.
It was an easy stroll to Gateway Saddle and then down and onward in the Canyon as it wound its way to its end.

Then came the up-challenge: route finding, scrambling w/o exposure, and the ever sunnier morning.
But the thrill of endurance overcoming the struggle to ascend to higher skies came-to-be on TurtleHead summit arrival.

After a brief rest, down we came into BrownStone Canyon to do a prolonged loop.
Here we stopped to view the 200 yr. old Indian wall pictos; but none did speak their meaning.

Finally, a bit more easy canyon/rock traversing to rejoin Gateway and then to back-track to the start.

A pilgrimage of 7.5 mile in 5:30 hours in observing the Day-of-Rest :-)

TurtleHead-
Latitude:36.18025
Longitude:-115.44592
GPS location Date/Time:10/23/2011 10:32:10 PDT

Mike O'C. added, "John neglected to tell you that we had a contest to see who could shed the most blood. Guess who took the gold?"

We can only assume Mike won the gold! Congrats, guys!

Bryce Canyon Excursion Photos by Jerry - October 2011

La Madre Spring & Cabin - 10/22/11

Twenty- six members of the Around the Bend Friends took a drive around the Red Rock Canyon NCA scenic loop and began hiking at the Willow Springs Picnic Area which lies between the White Rock Hills and the Escarpment. Hiking up Rocky Gap Road between the La Madre and Rainbow Wildernesses, we soon took a right turn onto another rocky road. This road is blocked off to cars by boulders but, at one time, it was the road that brought someone to their summer home. There is an old home foundation on this road that still has partial tiles stuck to the concrete.

The next point of interest is the small pond made by damming a spring in the 1960's. This pool waters some of the wildlife in the area such as big horns, deer, and smaller animals. There has also been sightings of a mountain lion in this area. During the spring, frogs happily enjoy the water as well. From here, the trail turns into a single narrow track that leads up the side of the mountain alongside the running spring water.

The trail is steep in some places, wet in other places and beautiful in all places. Desert bamboo rises from the water and small waterfalls decorate the surrounding grass. Autumn colors abound mostly from the grapevine leaves along the stream. We climbed up to the small miner's cabin made of rocks and timbers and took a break.

Inside the cabin were rusted antiquities. A young couple were already there with their dog. Five hikers from our group plus the young couple decided to climb on up to the mine which is located steeply above the cabin. The hike down was slow on the steep slippery slope but all hikers were accounted for at the end.