Spring Mountains Telephone Canyon Area Bike Trails

The bike trails in the Spring Mountains NRA are vaguely mapped on a sign posted at the bottom of Telephone Canyon. Bikers add trails by using the same shortcut routes over and over. Old trails are well established but laid out in a confusing maze. This is an attempt to map the trails in the area between Kyle Canyon Road and Deer Creek Road. Most likely, it is incomplete but it is a start. Hopefully, this will help our coordinators as they lead hikes in this area.

Stepladder / Showgirl Loop - 9/10/16

Trailhead View

Kyle Canyon

Charleston Peak

Starting Up Stepladder Loop

Today's "moderate" hike was a quick 7 mile tour around a trail loop in the lower elevations of the Spring Mountains NRA. Seven hikers began at the Traffic Circle Trailhead and began climbing the Stepladder Trail, the side of this loop that climbs along the contour of Stepladder Peak. There was much conversation so the "wake-up climb" seemed fast. Soon, we were at the saddle junction where there are five choices of direction to go.

Stepladder Loop

1) Stepladder Loop East, 2) Stepladder Loop West, 3) Stepladder Peak, 4) Steep Bike Trail down, and 5) Cowboy Washington

Descent to Tin Can Alley

We took a more or less straight direction onto the Cowboy Washington Trail but, very quickly, we forked to the right to descend on the Shady Hollow Trail.

Starting Up Showgirl Trail

Saddle Junction (Foreground)

Instead of taking the entire Shady Hollow descent, we opted to use the bike trail down for a more direct route. At the bottom, we fumbled a little as we tried to decide which way we needed to go for the Showgirl Trail connection. When we got all the way down to Telephone Canyon Road, we turned to the left and found the Showgirl Trail up the road a little. It would be really nice if the park service would continue working on signage.

Stepladder Peak from Showgirl Trail

The mid-section of the Showgirl Trail is a favorite as it travels around the contour of the ridge above and to the left. Views of La Madre Peak and Stepladder Peak are picturesque.

Showgirl Trail

When we found a place in a little shade, we stopped for a break. There was a slight breeze and the sun was behind the clouds off and on. Otherwise, it's still hot out there!

AtBF Canyon Mouth

Small Bridge & Wash Cairn

The Showgirl Trail took us down to cross the mouth of AtBF Canyon. A little bridge has been placed across a dip in the wash where two huge cairns mark the route. The trail continues along the wash for a while then the wash starts to dip at a faster rate. This puts the hikers on a contour of the hillside but still gently descending. The contour trail weaves in and out of the arroyos and ridges.

Showgirl Trail meets AtBF Canyon Wash

Finally, the forest road named Wooden Pole Powerline Road comes into view. This road connects this part of the Showgirl Trail to the BLM Fire & Rescue Station on Kyle Canyon Road.

Continuing Down Showgirl Trail

We turned onto the forest road and descended, ascended, and descended steeply to the fire station. A paved road led us to the dirt road that turned to the right.

Following the Hillside Contour

Short Descent on the Forest Road

The first trail that turns to the right from this dirt road is Tin Can Alley. We took this trail up until we reached a junction to another cross trail going back to the left. This trail drops down to cross Telephone Canyon Road where we could connect with the Shady Hollow Trail. Following this trail, we returned to the cars. A good Saturday morning workout. Only saw one biker today!

7 miles; 1250 feet elevation gain; 3.25 hours

Juniper Berries on Tin Can Alley

Crossover Trail

Finishing on the Shady Hollow Trail

Little Bald Knoll - 9/9/16

Little Bald Knoll to Right of Center Foreground Peak

Deer Creek Road Overlook

Mummy's Toe from Trail

Crossing the Small Bridge on Hike-a-Bike Trail

 Little Bald Knoll is a route that was premiered last summer with four hikers. Today, twenty-five hikers arrived for the adventure. The Pixie Trailhead is located in the first large turnout on the right side of Deer Creek Road after Robbers' Roost coming from Kyle Canyon Road in the Spring Mountains NRA. The Pixie Trail is a bike trail that crosses Deer Creek Road at this point. Set to go, we dropped down from the large sloped turnout on the Pixie Trail. (A better way to drop down would be the trail on the high end of the turnout.)

Arriving at the 4-Way Junction

 At the junction of the old road trail below, we had to turn left and climb a little to find the Hike-a-Bike Trail that dips off to the right.

Left Turn Up at 4-Way Junction

 The Hike-a-Bike Trail is rather short but it is also fun. There is a little bridge to cross and it curves around along the contour of the hillside to the left climbing gently through manzanitas to a 4-way junction.

Pixie TH from Deer Creek Road Overlook

Showgirl Trail

 We turned to the left at the 4-way junction and climbed up until we came to a trail circle around a little peak. From here, we dropped down the hill for a short out and back to the Deer Creek Road Overlook. After returning, we followed the Camp Trail down to junction with the Showgirl Trail and turned to the right. The bike trails in this area are a maze but they are usually well-worn and fun to find your way around.

Heading to the Saddle across from Us

 The Showgirl Trail took us over to an unnamed trail to the left that took us over to a bare saddle area where we reconnected with the Showgirl Trail.

In and Out of Shade - Over a Bike Jump

 We only assume that this is meant to be the elusive Showgirl Trail. After all, the connection of this trail to the Showgirl Trail below is vague. So far, we refer to it as the "missing link." We're working on it.

View to Left of Trail - Angel Peak and SMYC

Harris Peak view from Trail

 This trail took us around, up, down and around until we got a good view of Angel Peak and the Spring Mountain Youth Camp (SMYC). AtBF Canyon was also in view over to the left heading up toward Angel Peak. Next, the trail dipped to negotiate a ravine. This is an interesting area that is omitted on the return by use of a shortcut trail. Almost to the knoll, we curved around, climbed up one little hill, then dropped onto Little Bald Knoll. Here, we took a long well-deserved break.

Long Line Today

 The trail we were following continues over the knoll and starts to drop again. However, soon, the trail becomes washed out and very vague as researched a year ago. Perhaps, the trail will be better when we find the time to re-explore.

The Switchback Area

 After our break, we returned to the trail and soon found the shortcut turn off to the right. This steep but short trail climbs the hill to junction again with the original trail.

Approaching the Knoll

Twenty-Five on the Bald Spot

 We began the business of regaining our elevation. It was a little warm today but we did okay. Finally, we reached the bare saddle and took the left turn onto another shortcut trail that eventually took us back to the 4-way junction. A final left turn put us back onto the Hike-a-Bike Trail where we enjoyed a pleasant downhill and back up to the cars. Great morning workout.

7 miles; 1200 feet elevation gain; 4 hours

Return Uphill

Arriving at the 4-Way Junction

Hike-a-Bike Trail View

Mormon Girls' Camp - 9/7/16

House for Sale (Dogs not Included)

Camp Stimson Mascot

Flowers to Brighten the Landscape

Find the Deer

 Today's group of thirteen moderate hikers began at the second of two possible trailheads for today's route through the Mormon Girls' Camp (Camp Stimson) in the Spring Mountains NRA. The girls are finished with the use of the area on Labor Day so we jumped at the chance to do the hike. Our trailhead was the Deer Creek Picnic Area where the pit toilets (albeit dirty from the recent long weekend) are located. We crossed the road and started up through the picnic tables alongside the still flowing Deer Creek.

Cougar Ridge Trail

 Right away, we spotted a small group of mule deer and passed them as they ran up the hill.

Water Break

 We crossed over to Cougar Ridge Trail dirt road and continued our climb. Soon, we were making the right turn past the "No Trespassing" signs. It's a public road but the signs may keep out the riff raff.

Cabin on Cougar Ridge Trail

Old Sawmill Ruins being Reused

 The road twists and turns through small cabins that were once resort cabins. Now, the property is privately owned. A small break was taken to wait for the stragglers then we proceeded up to the old sawmill ruins. This was only one of many sawmills producing in the Spring Mountains back in the day. After the sawmill stop, we tackled the steep part of Cougar Ridge Trail. As we watched the ground, we found a fresh cougar track. Appropriate, huh?

Climbing the Steep Road

 We passed Enus coming down in his truck. He's the one selling his beautiful house up on the hill overlooking Mummy's Nose. He suggested that we all go in together and buy it for the club! ... Yeah, right.

Almost There

 A little more climbing and we reached the Mummy's Nose Overlook at the saddle. After a look-see, we continued around the hill on the road.

Circling Around the Hill

Angel Peak in Distance

 We pointed out Wild Horse Ridge below and the North Loop Meadow above that. We also saw that the aspens around Mummy Springs were already yellow. The view from the road went from the mountains to the desert below. Then, as we turned around the corner, we saw Enus' house way above. His dogs were barking like crazy. Next, there was another house. This house was fortressized. Fence, logs, etc.

Desert Below

 After passing the fortress, the road forks. We took the right fork and passed another sign that said "No Trespassing." This one, we didn't want to mess with.

Fortified Property

 We dropped down off of the road to the right and circled around the hill to the left looking for that elusive game trail to take us down to the camp.

Steep Descent from Road to Camp

Sunshine in the Aspens

 We never really found it but we did successfully make it down the steep hill to the wash below right at the point where firewood is stacked along the trail. This is the very tiptop of Camp Stimson. The sun was shining through the aspen leaves and we started down the worn trail toward them. Soon, we reached the large set of picnic tables and sat to take our break.

Snack Break at the Tables

 It appears that the camp has added a large number of picnic tables since the last time we were here. Every year, the camp changes and improves.

Camp Stimson Structures

 An employee was there in the camp, today, moving around firewood, and cleaning up.

Exiting the Fire Escape Trail

Easy Does It down the Rope

We hiked through the camp then headed for the North Fire Exit Trail. This is a nice trail that leads down through a wash. The interesting part of it is the rope descent. Every year, the rope becomes less needed. Anyway, from here, we followed the trail up to the parking lot (trailhead #1) and on out a part of the old Deer Creek road. This brought us right back to the cars at the trailhead. Pleasant hike.

5 miles; 1100 feet elevation gain; 3.25 hours

Rabbitbrush on the Way Out

Connecting with the Old Deer Creek Road

Returning to Today's Trailhead