Ricks Saddle - 9/14/20

Rick's Peak (L) - Macks Peak (R) nearing Ricks Saddle

Formidable Ricks Peak overshadowed by Macks Peak

Ricks Saddle view up to Ricks Peak

Starting up South Sister Trail

Okay. I know what you are thinking! Who's Rick? I have no idea, but he named a peak adjacent to Macks Peak. And, ... the saddle below Ricks Peak could be called Macks Canyon Saddle ... but, it could also be called McFarland Canyon Saddle. And, ... Macks Canyon kind of has two saddles albeit one is higher than the other. So, .... I'm calling the destination of this hike, Ricks Saddle which is the saddle between Macks Canyon and McFarland Canyon yet is at the base of the diminutive Ricks Peak. There you have it!

Five of us parked at the increasingly popular Pay Phone Trailhead and hiked up past the Old Mill Picnic Area. Soon, we were on the familiar South Sister Trail.

South Sister Trail

The South Sister Trail leads up through a beautiful shaded canyon before it takes a decidedly steeper feel up to the South Sister Saddle. The climb was around 2/3 of today's total elevation gain. Always a heart starter!

The Steep Part

At the saddle, there is a trail that neither leads up nor down and to the other side of the ridge. Until today, it was simply a curiosity. Today was the day we would find out what was on the other side of that door!

Starting down the Cairned Lubinski Trail to the Ridge of Views

First gulley Crossing

From the saddle, our small group was embarking on an exploration with information gathered by Jon Lubinski, Brian Dodd and Lettie Guttierez ... and, of course, Google Earth! Lettie's group had gone to the trouble of cairning the route that was first put on the map by Jon. By now, the trail is very easily followed until you reach the first overlook point. This is where Lettie's cairns help out a lot. The trail jogs uphill about 30 feet before it takes off again over the ridge and dips in and out of a second big gulley. This puts you onto a bare ridge. The views around the Lubinski Trail and the bare ridge are numerous and gives the hiker a new perspective of the mountains east of the Spring Mountains Divide or the Bonanza Trail. The ridge begins at a small rocky tor.

The Trail jogs up from the First Overlook Point

At this point, there are three different directions that can be taken. The first is to turn to the right and climb up to the neighboring ridge for more of a straight shot to Ricks Saddle.

After jogging up, the Lubinski Trail crosses the Second Gulley

The second is to use Brian's track and head straight down toward Ricks Saddle. Always a possibility.

From the Lubinski Trail & Ridge of Views

North (L) & South (R) Sisters from Ridge of Views

The third option was our natural selection. We followed the fun Ridge of Views down as it curved around to the left then dropped down on the left side finding a vague game trail that took us around to the right heading straight for the target saddle. This was also Lubinski's track of choice. We only saw one cairn on the game trail as it led us in and out a third gulley then over to a large flattish area and down to Ricks Saddle where a very large deposit of wild horse poo awaited us! This large flattish area lies between the lower and higher Macks Canyon Saddle. It is also the bottom of the ridge we would later take on our ascent back up to South Sister Saddle. The trail on this ridge can be otherwise referred to as Pauls Trail. (Story later.)

One more Gulley on Game Trail after Dipping down from Ridge

At the saddle, we had another choice to make. To the left, we could continue our descent to a creek area. Since it is the middle of September and we haven't had a lot of rain, we decided to put this off until next time.

Approaching Ricks Saddle & Peak

To the right, we could follow the canyon down about a quarter mile to a spring area. We took this option thinking that the spring might be flowing. When we got down where the map said the spring was, we did not find it. May have been dry.

Exploration down to the Spring

Back at Ricks Saddle, we took our break ... away from the horse poo ... and stared up at Ricks Peak with Macks Peak beyond. Our dreams of climbing Macks Peak from this perspective had long disappeared! Macks Peak never appeared so daunting as this!

Snack Break on Ricks Saddle

After our break, we turned to climb the ridge behind us. This cairned trail is known as Pauls Trail. (On one hike several years ago, Paul was leading some of the more advanced hikers and they abandoned him before he reached Ricks Saddle. The others climbed up through a difficult canyon to get to the South Sister Trail while Paul happily climbed Pauls Trail, a much easier option!) We followed the cairns until we found a game trail that led back over to the Lubinski Trail then returned to South Sister Saddle. The last part was not real graceful but we had fun! (To be improved.) Then, it was back down the South Sister Trail to the cars. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Stats: 6.6 miles; 1800' gain; 4.5 hours

Starting up Pauls Trail marked with Cairns

Back on the Lubinski Trail

Down the South Sister Trail

Hollow Rock Peak via Bike Trail - 9/10/20

From Big Bubba to Hollow Rock Peak

View from Bench Ridge

Overlook View to Cottonwood Valley

Newly Graded Trailhead

Again, the weather in Las Vegas was cool and fresh. We continued our move down to the lower elevations by driving up to the trailhead for the escarpment rim. The Mountain Springs Pass Trailhead got somewhat of a facelift over the summer. For a period of time this summer, the construction on SR-160 had taken over the trailhead forcing anyone who ventured up to the escarpment in the hot weather to park off road a little further up. We were glad to see that the parking area is freed up again with a smoothed out dirt/gravel surface sans large rocks. This provides maximum parking spaces under the trees. Five club hikers met there for a hike out to Hollow Rock Peak using the bike trail that appeared on the hillside last year.

Enjoying the Bike Trail

We started out the forest service road that runs along the highway. About 0.1 mile past the driveway of the beautiful house on the hill, the bike trail begins in a wash to the left. It is lined with rocks and parallels the service road for a short distance if you miss the beginning of it.

Approaching the Abandoned Road Junction

The bike trail beats walking the ups and downs of the rocky service road by a longshot, regardless of its curvy ins and outs of the traverse.

Abandoned Road Junction

Abandoned Road

The bike trail is well made and seems to also be well traveled ... already. There are a couple of those dippity doos that the bikers love so much so be careful on those! After about 1.25 miles on the bike trail, look for the old abandoned road just above the trail after a curve around to the right. The trail up to the road is not immediately apparent. Look for the stump (dead tree?) to the left as a landmark. The road leads up to an overlook on a curve. The views of the wash below, Cottonwood Valley through the canyon and the bench ridge up to Hollow Rock Peak are beautiful. Note the cement dams formed on the overlook rock that were made to catch water for the wildlife (i.e. bighorn sheep, deer, elk and the occasional burro family).

Bench Ridge from Overlook

Follow the road all the way to the end and find a trail continuing around the corner and dipping down through a wash.

Wildlife Troughs on Overlook

The trail which is sometimes cairned leads around the hillside which is turning into sandstone. There are actually a couple of trails. One is higher than the other.

Trail Continuation from Road

Starting Sight Route

The higher trail takes you to the saddle above where you may turn to the right and continue out the bench until you reach the solid sandstone scramble. The lower trail was our choice today. This trail is more sight oriented but there are a few cairns to help. The terrain becomes rocky sandstone with a few sandstone slabs. The photo below shows the targeted ridge and the sun is rising just about where you want to end up. By this time, two of our hikers had turned around for mild health issues so we were now three. Onward and upward, the climb is a fun search for routes and "easier" footing. Wherever you reach the ridge in front of you, turn to your left and climb on up to the saddle where there is an old campsite and large fire ring.

Sight Route to Campsite - The Sun marks the Spot

The bench and hike continues out to the right. But, you will see a small peak to your left and a trail leading down to the left. Both of these routes are popularly used to arrive at this same spot.

View Back to Abandoned Road from Sight Route

The campsite sits on red dirt. When we turned to the right, sandstone colors of yellow, white, pink and purple hit our eyes.

Campsite

Bench Ridge

We followed the trail along the ridge for around 0.1 mile before the cairns and our previous knowledge led us diagonally down to the right. Perched at the top of a large dip, we started down the slab. There are two large dips during the route. This is the first. At the bottom, we climbed back up to another perch. Here, there are a couple of ways to get to the dip. We used the scramble to the left then climbed up for a traverse around to the third perch. To the right of the third perch rises Hollow Rock Peak's brother, Big Bubba. We couldn't resist climbing to the top of the large buddha rock for a cairned view of Hollow Rock Peak ahead. Next, we climbed down and hiked on over to the star of the day!

Mike takes a Risky Descent

We had planned to affix a new rope to the stone anomaly but someone had beaten us to it. The rope is reported to be strong and well-anchored at this time.

Bypassing Dip 1

After taking our group photo, Mike climbed Hollow Rock to check the rope at the top while Ralyn checked out the rope at the bottom!

Big Bubba after Dip2

Group at Hollow Rock

We took a nice long pleasant break at the end of the bench. There are gorgeous views in every direction. Windy Peak, Grapevine Canyon, South Peak, Big Bubba, Mt. Potosi, the limestone/sandstone line, Calico Hills, North Blue Diamond Hill. You name it! Finally, it was time to face the return scramble back to the campsite saddle. Dip 2 then Dip 1 then the ridge. Turning left at the campsite, we had an easier time sighting our route back to the abandoned road. After passing the overlook, we junctioned with the bike trail at the bottom of the first hill, a switchback in the road. We started back on the bike trail curving in and out along the hillside.

Big Bubba from Hollow Rock

Construction noise filled our ears as we neared the forest service road.

Three at Hollow Rock

It will be really nice when this widened highway is finished. Fewer awful wrecks and no more following huge vehicles slowly up the hill!

Spliced Panorama of View up Bench Ridge from Hollow Rock

Some Scrambling out of Dip 2

The nice trail dumped us out onto the forest service road and we had a couple of those dreaded undulations to go before we arrived at the triple-posted wires overhead. Sure would be nice if the bike trail was extended a little so that it continued right into the trailhead. Ah, maybe later. (Although, you really can't beat a straight shot!) Wonderful relaxing hike today! A fresh new way to tackle Hollow Rock Peak!

Stats: 5 miles; 1100' gain; 3.75 hours

Climbing back out of Dip 1

Beautiful View through Grapevine Canyon

Almost back to the Campsite