Raintree via Trail Canyon - 6/18/19

Mummy's Toe from near Raintree

Raintree

(L-R) Harris Peak, Griffith Peak, Cockscomb Ridge, South Loop Ridge, Charleston Peak

Griffith Peak from Trail Canyon

Opting for a hike that stayed out of the slowly melting snow, sixteen hikers arrived at the Trail Canyon Trailhead for another climb up Trail Canyon. As usual, we tackled the climb at our own speed and arrived at the Trail Canyon / North Loop Saddle between 44 minutes and 1 hour and 10 minutes. After the front hikers had had quite a long cooling rest and the back hikers had a chance to catch their breath, we started onto the North Loop Trail by going straight across the saddle. The next 1 mile section of trail coming up is, perhaps, some of the most beautiful trail in the Spring Mountains as seen in the photo above. A wide view of the ridges above Kyle Canyon are seen across the top regions of Fletcher Canyon. The cliffs of Mummy Mountain rise welcoming above the trail in front of you as you hike.

Charleston Peak from Trail Canyon

We hiked as a group along the beautiful trail until the continuing ascent increased. There, most of the hikers went ahead on the last slope before reaching the Raintree saddle.

The Group at the Trail Canyon / North Loop Saddle

Upon arrival at the saddle, everyone found a seat on one of the outlying logs. It is considered irresponsible to sit on the large beautiful roots of the old bristlecone. This damages the tree's ability to live a longer life.

Mummy's Toe from North Loop

Staying Together for a Little While

While the group sat for their break, I explored the trail on the opposite side of the low ridge from the North Loop. There is no snow there all the way to the Fletcher Peak Trail junction. Knowing I needed to get back, I did not continue the exploration up the North Loop toward the Winter Peak go around. But, a friend informed me that the conditions are excellent in that area. If you wish to hike to Raintree from the North Loop Trailhead, take the ridge to the right at the last switchback (Winter Peak), make your way up and over or around the little ridge to meet the North Loop Trail after the high point switchback. Next, this is where the trail is supposed to be in good condition.

View between Trail Canyon and Raintree on North Loop

Follow the trail until you reach the Fletcher Peak Trail junction on the left where there are a couple of logs. Deepish snow starts covering the North Loop here. Jog to the left then turn right to follow a use trail on the other side of the low ridge from the North Loop. Voila! Raintree!

Fletcher Peak and North Loop Trail

Returning to Raintree, we were ready to start the descent. The front group scooted out pretty fast and I didn't see most of them for the remaining of the hike.

The last Ascent to Raintree

Snow on Trail around Corner

A few hikers stayed back to make sure the last hikers were doing well as we all made it down safely. A hike to Fletcher Peak is planned for four days from now. A friend reported that Fletcher Peak can be done without too much interference from the snow. It's slow going but eventually all the snow in the Spring Mountains will melt ... I think! Day to day. Fun group today. Great people!

7.3 miles; 2200 feet elevation gain; 3.5 hours

Taking a Break at Raintree

Descending North Loop

Descending Trail Canyon

South Loop 1st Overlook & Echo Falls - 6/15/19

1st Overlook from South Loop Switchbacks

High Flow at Echo Falls

Upper Griffith Drainage from South Loop Switchbacks

The Group heads out Strong

We had some warmer weather this week and the South Loop's 1st Overlook is now accessible without donning a pair of microspikes. (Albeit, there are still a few small snow mounds on the switchbacks and, of course, there is the always-last-to-melt second drainage crossing. That's always fun. Also, the forest service or wilderness volunteers ... someone ... has done a lot of tree cutting allowing hikers to hike the lower South Loop Trail without having to climb over, under or around the many fallen trees resulting from the harsh winter weather of 2019. There was a whopping twenty-four hikers that showed up today; a fantastic showing for this hike level!

Pleasant Surprise - Many of the Trees are Cut

We parked at the South Loop / Cathedral Rock Trailhead where there were already many cars even at 7:30 in the morning. It was Saturday and it was going to be a beautiful day. The early bird gets the parking space!

Staying on the Trail

Since it was unusual for so many of the strenuous hikers to hike on the same hike, we introduced ourselves then started up. The faster hikers got the go ahead to "see you at the overlook!"

The First Drainage Crossing (High Flow)

The Group Scatters on the Switchbacks

We all started out strong but after about 3/4 of a mile, we had separated loosely into three groups. When the strong but not as fast back group got up the monster steps after the one mile mark, we could see the front hikers enjoying the switchbacks. The middle group seemed to be staying together very well. (See photo to right.) The back group carefully made their way across the snow-covered second drainage crossing and started up. About 5 snow mounds still exist throughout the 14 switchbacks but there is only one that gives you any trouble. Also, there is a fallen tree on switchback number 11 (or 9, hmm). Hikers have been cutting this switchback as the only way to get by. Hopefully, this tree will get taken care of soon so that the trail is not damaged any more than necessary.

View down the Drainage from the Second Crossing

One hiker noticed that there was a new small crop of recently uncovered fossil rocks. The seabed fossils that can be found in the Spring Mountains are mind boggling. These high peaks used to be at the bottom of a shallow sea.

The Second Drainage Crossing

The precipitous slopes that reached upward to Griffith Peak were still covered with a lot of snow and the view from the switchbacks was fabulouso! Eventually, after talking to others on the trail, we all arrived at the 1st Overlook and took a group photo. Peeking around the corner, we saw that there is still snow on the slope above the Echo Cliffs.

Switchbacks with only a few Obstacles

Nearing the last Switchback

Will the 3rd Overlook be accessible by next Thursday? Good question. We will probably try! After the cursory break, we started down. Again, we separated fairly quick but we planned to gather again at the Cathedral Rock Trail junction found near the Trailhead. On the way, we spoke to a group of fun-loving young men who were sliding down the snow at the second drainage crossing! Go Raiders!! Anyway, when the last of the group arrived at the meeting spot, all the others were happily waiting. Next, we started up the Cathedral Rock Trail. Our second climb of the day was shorter but it was noticeably steeper.

Finding "new" Fossil Rocks

The strong and determined hikers climbed without rest! Well, a few hikers stopped here and there. It was good for us. With the late start in the higher elevations, we need to push ourselves.

Twenty-Four at 1st Overlook

The Saturday recreationalists had begun to fill the trails with their kids and dogs. Most of them were headed to Cathedral Rock's summit. This would require a large snow crossing in Mazie Canyon.

Continuation of South Loop from 1st Overlook

Readying for Descent

Our goal was just short of the snow. We stopped at the small spur trail junction to Echo Falls. All the water drainages are running full flow in these mountains with the heavy snow melt and we anticipated a spectacular display at the usually trickling waterfall. Half of us hiked up the trail to the falls that was covered with about 3 inches of running water. We were not disappointed! It is beautiful. Mike decided he was hot enough to try putting his head under the lower falls. Hmm. I don't think he would recommend it to anyone else. He said it was so cold that it hurt! Good research. We got our photos and returned to the trail junction where everyone was taking their second "stand-up" break. When the last hiker returned from the waterfall, we started back down.

Long Line begins Descent

The trail switchbacks down among the 10 foot tall aspens that were sporting bright green leaves. I couldn't see many other hikers in our group unless they were either right in front of me or right behind me.

Front of Line reaches Drainage

At the spur trail, we had noticed a dark cloud encroaching on our vicinity. By the time we were descending the last three switchbacks, we started feeling sprinkles.

Cathedral Rock Trail heading toward The Vatican

Gathering at Echo Falls Turnoff

Monsoon season has arrived. This is a good reason to start your hikes early. The monsoons usually begin their thunderstorms at the 11am hour ... give or take. Today's dark cloud didn't include the thunder and lightening but very often, they do. Be safe and don't expose yourself to such storms. The sprinkles were still falling when we arrived back at the cars. Perfect timing. Fantastic group today. Hope to see you all again soon.

6 miles; 1850 feet elevation gain; 3.5 hours; my average speed 1.6 mph

Mike taking a Very Cold Shower!!

Shallow Water on Trail

Descending just before Sprinkles Begin

Mummy Junction - 6/6/19

Beautiful Charleston Peak

The South Ridge ... And a Tree

Hiking past Cave Springs

Starting up Trail Canyon

The Spring Mountains look so beautiful this year. With all our speculations on how long it will take the snow to melt so that we can climb Ol' Charlie, we also remain in awe at the beauty the snow adds to the upper elevations. Today, eleven hikers got an early start up Trail Canyon. By 1 hour and 10 minutes, all eleven hikers were up at the saddle sitting on the log. With each climb, Trail Canyon becomes more tame but it is a hard fought battle. Nonetheless, the trail is snow-free with the exception of a few patches here and there. Cockscomb Ridge still has some snow below its first fin but that will be gone soon. At the saddle, we turned left and started up the North Loop.

Never forget to look back!

In this section before Cave Spring, there are some amazing views of Charleston Peak and the South Ridge. That's where the first photo of this entry was taken.

Good lookin' Group at the Saddle Junction

One by one ... or two by two ... we passed Cave Spring without stopping. The horse trough had water in it but there was no water coming from the pipe. The North Loop is losing snow sooner than the South Loop.

Charleston Peak

Cave Spring Trough

The first time we saw snow on the trail was about half a mile after the trough. Some snow patches covered the trail and required us to balance our way over the icy hills. These patches are shown in the photo below. Other than this, the trail is snow-free. The front hikers pulled out and made it to the Mummy Junction break spot. Almost everyone was soon there and Rita took a photo. After the break, the group started their descent in small groups. There were smiles on everyone's face. So nice to see. Today's workout was sufficient. A short stop at the saddle sent all of us down Trail Canyon.

Snow Patches on Trail above Cave Spring

The temperatures were excellent and a cold breeze was whipping up to push out the haze in the valley below.

The Aspen Corridor

The lead hikers took their time going down and the slower hikers were happy to be able to take care of a couple of long held gimpinesses. (New word.)

Mummy Junction Break

Harris Peak, Rainbow Saddle, Griffith Peak,
and Cockscomb Ridge from North Loop

If you haven't gone up to the Spring Mountains yet this spring, you really must. It is a beautiful sight. Just watch your speed. The police are out! No more running over the wildlife! The snow is melting and soon, it will be gone. This is one for the record books.

Great day in the mountains!

7 miles; 2500 feet elevation gain; 3.75 hours

Happy Hikers on the way Down

Careful at the Snow Crossings

Did someone lose an onion?