Raintree via Trail Canyon - 5/21/13

Bristlecones in the Area of Raintree and Mummy's Toe

Raintree

 There were a whopping nineteen hikers on today's "A Little More Super-Sized" Tuesday hike to Raintree using the Trail Canyon / North Loop route. For many of us, this was our first venture up Trail Canyon this year. The bugger is 2.25 miles with 1500 feet of elevation gain. Every year, this trail is a repeating challenge, however, many of today's hikers made quick work of the climb. The pace for the whole ascent was relentless with the only group break at the saddle where Trail Canyon and North Loop junction.

 After taking our breather at the saddle, we started the North Loop over the saddle straight ahead. This section of trail is the most beautiful of today's hike as it travels around the base of Mummy Mountain up to the left. The limestone mountain above dwarfed our size as we hiked among the views of Charleston Peak, Cockscomb Peak, Fletcher Peak and Mummy's Toe. We encountered a pleasant relatively flat half mile before we began another mile of strong ascent.

Hiking the North Loop at the Base of Mummy Mountain

 After hitting an "altitude wall" at 9700 elevation feet, the writer straggled up to the old tree after the snack break was well underway. As one hiker said, we missed our old friend, "Raintree." Looking strong and healthy, the tree stood next to us as we all found places on the surrounding logs to sit. We laughed about the tough pace that was set today. We were all working on regaining our fitness levels for the Spring Mountains season. Nevertheless, we did a darn good job at tearing up the trail!

 It got a little cool up at the 9900 foot level so we ended our break and began the descent. Most of us were working two hiking sticks and the descent went quickly and painlessly. When we returned to the saddle, we picked up one hiker who just came for the Trail Canyon portion of the hike and continued down to the cars. There may have been one minute of break at the saddle on the descent. Otherwise, we returned to the cars without stopping. The total hike was 7.5 miles with 2288 feet of elevation gain.

Laszlo Leads Part of the Group on the Descent

Hiking Into the Home Stretch

No Name Loop CW - 5/19/13

"Krummholz" (Crooked Wood)

Starting from the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead

 Seven hikers made the journey to the top of Lee Canyon Road in the Spring Mountains for a hike on the six mile No Name Loop. The air was very fresh and we began with jackets if we had one. The first mile on the Bristlecone Trail warmed us up and we were sweating by the time we junctioned with the No Name turn off to the left. The jackets came off!

Remember the Tree That Crossed No Name Trail?

 The remaining 1600 feet of elevation gain was accomplished during the next mile as we climbed up to the No Name Saddle seen in the photo to the left. This is the tough section of the hike which was made slightly easier by someone or some organization that cut away the large tree that crossed the trail about two thirds of the way up the hill. Last year, we had to climb through its limbs or make an awkward trip around the lower end of the branches. This year, we simply walked the trail as seen in the photo above.

Mt. Charleston from No Name Trail

Photo Tree

 After making a stop at the "photo tree," we decided to hike the ridge line for a short ways. The morning sunlight was shining brightly on the old bristlecones that were growing all around. We dropped down to the trail as we neared it from the ridge and continued out to the Bonanza Trail junction where we took our snack break. It was a strong group of hikers today and we were still feeling great!

Breaktime Over

 So, the second half of the hike, which is mostly downhill, went by very quickly. We zigzagged down the switchbacks of the Bonanza Trail and junctioned with the Bristlecone Trail to turn right. On our way down the final trail, we passed several trail runners, a few hikers and quite a few orange shirted rescue workers who were there for a training hike. The first small group of orange shirts were carrying a gurney and threatening to cut their training short (for a laugh) as they made their way up the first mile of the Bristlecone Trail. After them, there were three other small groups of orange hikers and a group at the trailhead who were working pen and paper. Love, love, love the fresh air!

Hiking Down the Bristlecone Trail

Finishing Out Through the Aspens

Stanley B / Fletcher Canyon Loop - 5/18/13

Small Canyon in Upper Fletcher Canyon

View of Mummy's Toe from Saddle

 Stanley B / Fletcher Canyon Loop is a 6 mile loop hike that begins at the Fletcher Canyon Trail parking lot on Kyle Canyon Road, follows the road up to the Stanley B trailhead, climbs to the mines in Stanley B Canyon and continues up its wash to the saddle on the ridge above. From there, the hiker follows a series of washes and trails before the route dips into Fletcher Canyon about a half mile up the wash from the Obstacle Rock rabbit hole.

Stanley B Mine Area Photos

Starting Up the Wash Above the Mine Area

 Ten hikers arrived for this picturesque hike on the early outing into the Spring Mountains NRA. We warmed up our lungs on the gentle slope of Kyle Canyon Road and crossed over to the trail that leads up to the old lead mine area. We stopped for our first break at the mine and noted the new signage and barred gate at the mine entrance that has spring water coming out of it. By preventing hikers from entering this mine, bats that have made the hole their home are protected. That's okay. We need bats.

One of Several Interesting Obstacles in the Wash

Why is Mike so far behind Maria?

 Next, we had to tackle the climb to the ridge via the wash that ran up beside the mines. It is quite a climb and has several obstacles in the way of fallen trees and small rock cliffs. The humid air was strongly felt as we sweated our way up. Above us, dark clouds floated by. Finally at the top, most of our hardest work was done and there was a slight chill in the air. We sat for a snack break enjoying the views of Mummy's Toe and Cockscomb Peak.

Saddle Between Stanley B and Fletcher Canyon

Starting Down a Wash Toward Fletcher Canyon

 When we began again, the initial trail led down a very steep wash. At the bottom of this, we connected with a small easy trail leading left over to another nearby wash filled with gravel. This wash took us down until we ran into a non-negotiable high waterfall. This is where another small trail led off to the left. But, this trail (seen to the right) became very steep very quick as we dropped down around the cliff area and into Fletcher Canyon proper. Here is where we found water! There was a small but decent amount of water flow in the wash until we reached the slot above Obstacle Rock.

Interesting Up and Around to Avoid a Waterfall in Fletcher Canyon

Fletcher Canyon Scenery

 Once we arrived in Fletcher Canyon, the scenery exploded with water, cliffs, limestone, waterfalls, greenery and more fallen trees. The hike through this area is one of the Spring Mountains' most beautiful and is embellished with the sound of flowing water. The trail here is fairly clear as it crosses the stream several times. At last and too soon, we arrived in the Fletcher Canyon narrows above Obstacle Rock. As the choreography requires, we let down our packs and hiking sticks to hikers below then let ourselves down through the slippery polished rabbit hole between a great big rock (Obstacle Rock)  and a hard place (the canyon wall).

Sunlight Between Dark Walls

Obstacle Rock Before, During and After

 There are rocks and a log built up beneath the hole which allows even the shortest of hikers to slip through the hole without a problem then we gathered our belongings and continued out the narrows. From there, we hiked the rest of the way out the Fletcher Canyon Trail to Kyle Canyon Road where our cars were parked. The coolness in the air, the early start time of 7am and the camaraderie of the hikers made the hike seem short. It is a very pleasant hike with the most challenges being the 1800 feet of elevation gain in Stanley B Canyon, and the two very steep sections of trail on the descent. The route could also use a little clean up.

Hiking Out on Fletcher Canyon Trail

A Dead Tree Flower