Cave Canyon, Three Amigos Trail, and The Muffins - 12/23/14

Las Vegas Cairn Overlook

View Back Through Cave Canyon

The Muffins and Bridgepoint Peak Beyond

 Seven hikers started out at the Cowboy Horse Trails parking lot off of Highway 159 across from the Red Rock Canyon NCA scenic drive area. We hiked up the short way to the upper horse stables where there were no horses being prepared for the day's ride. Today's horses were being readied at the lower corral so we hiked through the area and dropped down to the trail that leads to Echo and Cave Canyons.

Climbing the Trail into Cave Canyon

 After passing the Echo Canyon Trail that leads off to the right, we started up the formidable hill into Cave Canyon. This is the steepest climb of today's hike and we were happy when we reached the first cave on the right.

The Trail into Cave Canyon

 This is not a deep cave and, right now, it has been painted with graffiti almost completely. We caught our breath then crossed through the wash and found ourselves at the first of two large dry falls for the day.

The Toughest Dry Fall Climb

The rocks beneath the short 3rd class climb are not as built up as last time we were here but the first step up is still doable. One by one, we climbed up the sturdy rock then continued up to the next level. It wasn't long before we reached the main cave of two that hikers enjoy exploring. This cave was newly decorated with blue graffiti that was removed in the photograph below.

Exiting the Main Cave

 A few of our hikers went up to the entrance without needed flashlights and peeked in. This cave is also "decorated" inside.

Hiking Up the Canyon

 We continued our gentle climb through the canyon while staying in the wash as much as we could. Now and then, a trail would take us up on the left side to easily bypass a few wash obstacles.

Having a Little Fun with Two Foot Exposure

 The scrambling in Cave Canyon is fun. It isn't terribly difficult and it gives the arms a little workout with the legs. The trail is in decent condition but it still gives the impression that it doesn't see much foot traffic. We saw several piles of bighorn scat throughout the upper elevations of the canyon but did not see any of the large wildlife.

Hiking Up the Left Fork of Cave Canyon

 When we reached the fork in the wash, we took the left fork. This trail continues the hike and scramble out to a "dead end" dry fall.

Climbing Out of Cave Canyon's Left Fork

 There are three ways to climb out at this point. Most of us took the challenge and tried the one straight ahead of us that is deemed to be the most difficult. ... No problem!

Trail Between Cave Canyon and Boneshaker Hill Trail

 Not long after the dry fall, we junctioned with a trail that crosses the upper elevations of the North Blue Diamond Hills. We took a left and junctioned with the Boneshaker Trail where there are the remnants of a sign as seen in the photo to the left. We continued hiking straight (not right or left) and found the Three Amigos Trail that travels on the rim above Mystery Woman Canyon. This trail was previously called the Middle Rim Trail on this website. Wishing to stay consistent with the bikers, it will now be referred to as the Three Amigos Trail.

Hiking the Three Amigos Trail

 We hiked up the canyon rim until the trail began a few long skinny switchbacks on a fairly gentle slope. Here, we bushwhacked up the slope to the tall cairn marking the high point of the North Blue Diamond Hills, as seen in the first photo.

Walking the Conglomerate Limestone Spine During Break

 We took our break here as we overlooked Las Vegas on a wonderfully clear day. Sylvie and Janet decided to explore a nearby conglomerate limestone spine during the respite.

Heading Back on the Continuance of Three Amigos Trail

 After the break, we dropped back down off of the hill and returned to the Three Amigos Trail at the wooden trail marker. Continuing out this faint trail brought us over to and above the Old Las Vegas Overlook area. In the photo to the left, you can see the overlook from our trail with Gass Peak in the background. We dropped down and crossed this trail on the saddle to begin hiking the Muffins Trail.

Starting Out the Muffins Trail

 This trail circles around a small hill up to your right. It also becomes faint at times but does eventually reach the rim of the hill and leads down to the Muffins.

Taking in the View at the Muffins

 We stopped at the Muffins for a couple of minutes and two hikers climbed up on top of one of the conglomerate outcroppings.

Enjoying a Beautiful Day at the Muffins

 Nearby, there was a small joshua tree that someone had hung candy canes on. There were no papers on the candy canes so we guessed it was okay. Hmmm. Anyway, from there, we took the Muffins trail down to the Skull Canyon junction and on out through the desert back to the cars to complete a large partial loop. Great day for hiking!

7.5 miles; 1500 feet elevation gain; 4 hours

Someone's in the Christmas spirit!

Descending on the Muffins Trail to Skull Canyon

Crossing the Desert back to the Cars

Waterfall Canyon Loop CCW - 12/21/14

Forty Foot Waterfall from Approach

Entrance to Waterfall Canyon

 The entrance to Waterfall Canyon is located almost two miles up Rocky Gap Road from Willow Springs where there is year round water running across the dirt road and into Red Rock Wash. Six hikers began today's hike by hiking up Rocky Gap Road with conversations going. It was a chilly morning with a bit of a wind but we warmed up quickly due to the energy output.

Limestone Slab in Waterfall Canyon

 We turned right into the canyon that opened up near the flowing water. There is slightly more water in the canyon than usual right now, however, the canyon itself has seen better days.

Two Waterfalls

 The trail is in overgrown condition and the places where the trail climbs over limestone slab are very slippery. Many of the sharp edges that aid in scrambling have been smoothed over due to regular use. Algae has taken over many of the more colorful sections of the canyon's orange under layer. And, plants have grown up hiding the original trail. Today, we could not avoid getting the bottoms of our shoes wet. Therefore, the limestone was even more slippery to navigate. Note: Perhaps it is the Carpenter One Fire of 2013 that heated the springs that feed Waterfall Canyon and created the algae growth. The algae seems to be dying off and maybe someday it will wash away and the orange under layer will be seen again. Just a theory.

View Down Forty Foot Waterfall

 Nevertheless, we reached the top of the forty foot waterfall and sat for our break. Inside the canyon, the wind had subsided.

Canyon Upstream from Forty Foot Waterfall

 After our break, we reluctantly began the "down" portion of today's adventure. Hiking back down through Waterfall Canyon was tedious. The slippery limestone was a ... well ... a difficulty. At any rate, we got a good workout with it and, leaving the canyon, we returned down the road a little way to the jeep turnaround. Here, we junctioned with a small trail that led us down to the Red Rock Wash below to our right.

Descending Through Red Rock Wash

 The first thing we noticed in the wash was that the damp sandstone showed patterns in the rock that are not as noticeable when the rock is dry. It was beautiful, almost like wood grain.

Sandstone Designs

 We scrambled down the colorful wash talking mostly about food ... Mexican food, to be precise. After all, it is the Christmas season when everyone brings out their best recipes. Nearing the trailhead, we looked for and, finally, found the petroglyph site on the right side of the wash. After admiring the ancient writings, we crossed back over to the cars. Good workout!

4 miles; 900 feet elevation gain; 2.5 hours

Dropping Through the Colorful Wash

Petroglyph Site Visit

La Madre Spring & Cabin - 12/20/14

La Madre Spring Area near Cabin

Peering into the Miner's Cabin

 The La Madre Spring and Cabin hike begins at the Willow Springs Picnic Area trailhead off of the scenic loop in the Red Rock Canyon NCA. Ten hikers showed up for the moderate hike up the hill. The hike starts out on Rocky Gap Road for just a little over a mile then turns right at the large sign indicating the La Madre Wilderness Area as seen in the photo to the left.

Sandstone Mosaic Floor on Old Home Foundation

 On our way up this section of the hike, we stopped at the old home foundation on the right side of the road about 1.5 miles into the hike.

View Back toward Rocky Gap Road

 Next, we continued up to the site of the old wildlife dam that was only recently dismantled. There are two small waterfalls there now. The lower one is seen in the photo to the right. It appears that the wilderness people have tried to root some native plants in the area but the protective cones have been washed out. The purpose of removing the dam was to encourage non-native plants to die out.

Waterfall in Spring Drainage

 From here, the trail gets tricky. In recent years, hikers have made alternate trails to the one that was used all the time. At times, it is difficult to find the original trail but it is still there. Start by staying on the same side of the water that you came in on.

Overgrown Trail

 Today, the trail was wet and muddy. We were careful using the limestone rock as it was smooth and slippery underfoot. The trail stays in the canyon with the water flow for most of the climb while crossing the stream about four times. Nearing the cabin, we started uphill away from the water on a steep climb to the left of the drainage. Be careful here to not take a trail leading off to the left. Just go straight up the rock in front of you.

Miner's Cabin

 The miner's cabin seems to be in pretty good condition. Inside, someone has left bottles of water and a log book. We sat here for a small break and pointed out the trail that leads up to the mine itself.

Peering Out from the Miner's Cabin

 Before getting too chilly on this dreary day, we started back down ... slowly. We took our time getting down all the tricky spots and there were no accidents. When we reached the old dam site, our speed increased and down the rocky roads we went. This is a nice moderate hike if you take your time.

5 miles; 1200 feet elevation gain; 2.5 hours

Trail Crosses above a Waterfall

The Sun Broke Through on our Return