Stanley B Loop - 8/16/21

View to Kyle Canyon from Stanley B Saddle

Cockscomb Peak from Intermediary Ridge

The Stanley B Wash Trail

Climbing up the Wash Trail

The Fabulous Five parked at the Stanley B Trailhead this morning and started up the beautiful wash that drains out above the parking turnout. It was early so the temperature was a cool 60ish and the climb was our morning coffee. There is still smoke in the air from California fires but the morning is the best time to avoid  the worst of it. A well worn trail led us up to where the wash crossed the old mining road. Instead of turning right here, as we usually do, we kept going straight up the wash. There are a couple of good scrambles a little ways up. Then, the trail began weaving in and out of the wash and the surrounding forest. When the forest ahead began appearing very brushy, we made our way over to the right to connect with the old mining road that was running parallel to us.

Scrambling in the upper Wash

Connecting with the Mine Road

Fork Area facing Right Fork

Stanley B Mine

Continuing up the small road track, we came to Stanley B canyon fork marked by a sign high on a large tree. ("Leroy Mining Claim") Our route would ascend on the right canyon fork and descend on the left with a climb to the saddle high above in between. Turning right, we passed through a garden of Mt. Charleston rough angelica preparing to bloom. There was a light stream of water flowing down the path. Up past the double tree "gate" we saw the barred mine with the spring water flowing out of the large opening. Not far up the brushy wash, we saw the second mine up on the hill to the left. From there, it was a continuous climb up the wash on a trail that sometimes weaved up to the right to miss obstructions. We climbed slowly and steadily.

Climbing the Right Fork

Checking out the Rock Climbing Possibilities

Climbing up and Around

Hiking through Small Glade

As we came to the last steep quarter mile, we passed through a small glade at the bottom of another wash fork. We chose the left wash and followed the canyon up until another fork appeared with a large fallen tree over the right option. Choose one of three ways to get to the other side of the tree and climb up this wash to get to the lowest part of the ridge above. It is a beautiful saddle with views of Mummy's Toe & Knee and Cockscomb Peak. We sat here on the log for our photo and break ... and rest! That was the work and, now, the fun! Btw, there is still a little work to be done on the next part of the route! So be it! Today, we went back down the wash we came up only about twenty feet and turned to the right. 

Arriving at the Stanley B Saddle

Fabulous Five on Stanley B Saddle (Mummy's Toe in Background)

Interesting Stuff

Side Hiking where there is No Trail

As best we could on the very steep terrain, we side-hilled it over to the second ridge. (The first ridge is a very small anomaly.) The second ridge is the intermediary ridge between the original right and left canyons at the Stanley B Fork. This section of uncomfortable hiking needs to be improved. Hopefully, we will find or make a trail in the future. Could be higher or it could be lower. (I would rather it not be lower!) Once we were on the intermediary ridge, views opened out beautifully. There is a vague trail that follows the top of the ridge down. As we were beginning our descent on the ridge, we noticed a new trail just below us to the left and realized that it switchbacked up to our position! Cool! So, we followed the trail down until it seemed to be leaving the top of the ridge.

Following a Trail down intermediary Ridge

Nice Smokey Views from Intermediary Ridge (down Kyle Canyon)

Trail weaving down Rocky Slope Section (Rainbow Saddle in Distance)

Trail connecting with Wash Below

Wanting to stay on the ridge, we returned to the vague ridge trail then ran into what might have been the new trail again! Cute little switchbacks! Then, off it went down the side of the ridge on an unexpected white rocky slope. The trail was so well marked, we decided to follow it all the way down to the top of the canyon wash below. We were now in the left canyon wash of the Stanley B Fork. Someone has done an incredible job of marking this trail all the way down to the signed fork! Thanks. I love trails! On the way down, we passed three piped springs with flowing water (not counting the piped spring at the fork below) and a large flat area that may have held a cabin or mine camp at one time. The large campsite that I thought I saw near the top of the left canyon wash last year did not exist after all!

Following the Trail down Wash

Upper Stanley B Spring (Mid R)

Nicely Maintained Trail

Stay High Here!

Just above the fork spring, there is a large airhole for the mine. We passed this and took the alternate trail down to the fork. The brush has grown up too much to hike right past the spring pipe here. At the Stanley B Fork, we started down the old mine road and took this route all the way back to where it crosses the main wash. We turned left and descended back to the cars on the wash trail. Like I said, that one section of side-hill hiking needs improvement but this is still a great loop, especially with the addition of the well-built trail between the top of the left canyon wash and the top of the intermediary ridge. Fun day!

Stats: 3.8 miles; 1500' gain; 3.5 hours

Down the last Spring Pipe

Starting down Mine Road after Fork

Descending Stanley B Wash Trail to Cars

Sawmill Loop (Easy) - 8/14/21

Sawmill Trailhead

McFarland Peak and the Spring Mountain Divide from Sawmill Ridge

Three Lakes Valley from Sawmill Ridge

Climbing to Ridge

We had a "Mean Eighteen" club members on today's Easy Saturday hike! This is a record number of hikers on one hike since the club reconvened after the pandemic shutdown. I expect that the number of hike participants will rise as the weather cools down. Today, was not really hot but it was rather warm in the lower elevation of Sawmill Trails. We started out from the trailhead located on Lee Canyon Road and circled around on the Red/Yellow Trail. This trail comes close to Macks Canyon Road then leads up to the Sawmill Ridge, a diminutive ridge to the northwest of the trailhead. On the way, we passed two trail junctions, both of which we chose the left option. Reaching the ridge, we came to another trail junction where we took the right option.

Mummy's Nose from Sawmill Trail

This option led us along the ridge (Green Trail) where we stopped for a break to enjoy the views of the Spring Mountains Divide. McFarland Peak rose prominently in the distance to the west.

Resting at the Red Trail Junction

Following the ridge trail, we could see a distant view of Three Lakes Valley down in the lowland desert. Next, we passed the Green Trail junction and the No Mads Trail junction. A steep downhill followed.

The Mean Eighteen! (a colorful bunch!)

Taking a Break

The next trail junction that offered a turn to the right is the Yellow Trail. We turned right and followed this trail down before the trail climbed back up a ways. Eventually, we arrived at the first trail we had come up and turned to the left. This brought us back to the cars. Everyone was happy with the slow speed of the hike even though it was quite warm. It was so nice to welcome our club president, John Ward, back home from his summer home in Michigan. Welcome back everyone to the Around the Bend Friends!

Stats: 3.7 miles; 550' gain; 2.5 hours

Hiking down the Yellow Trail

Mummy's Nose from Yellow Trail

Returning on the Red & Yellow Trail

Rick's Saddle - 8/12/21

Rick's Peak (foreground) and Mack's Peak (background) - Rick's Saddle (lower right)

Outcropping on Rick's Peak

South Sister from near Overlook

Starting up Old Mill Trail

Three Pastel Belles arrived at the Pay Phone Trailhead located just below the Lee Canyon traffic circle early in the morning around 7am. (The horses were busy bothering other visitors!) We started up the paved road next to the Old Mill Picnic Area and forked to the right onto the Old Mill Trail. This trail is lined with rocks and very easy to follow. On up the trail, there is an open glade on the right. This is the beginning of the South Sister Trail. We veered to the right and hiked up past the spring that pipes in water, assumably, to the picnic area. The first phase of the South Sister Trail starts up a wash on a gentle wooded slope but turns steep after a large wash junction. The steep climb ends on South Sister Saddle. We took a short rest here.

Early Morning on Old Mill Trail

Spring and Pipe on lower South Sister Trail

South Sister Trail Phase 1

Climbing to South Sister Saddle

To proceed, we took a trail that starts out a downward traverse straight and to the right. This trail is still cairned fairly well but you still have to watch out for a right turn upslope at one point. Mountain views start appearing of McFarland, Everest, Ricks and Macks Peaks. The high ridge to the left holds the Bonanza Trail or Spring Mountain Divide. The traverse trail drops through a couple of deep washes before depositing hikers onto the "Ridge of Views." This is a scree covered ridge with open views all around. We followed the ridge down taking a left turn at the end. Nearing the bottom of the slope, find an as yet unmarked trail to the right. This trail will take you on another downward traverse all the way over to the Macks and Ricks Saddles area.

View back from near South Sister Saddle

Starting down Traverse Trail

Traverse Trail (Cairned)

Last Gulley Crossing

Macks Peak comes into view first along the trail. Ricks Peak, a smaller peak, is seen soon after. There is a bare saddle at the base of Ricks Peak, marked only by a large pile of horse manure next to a tree. The saddle was our destination for this hike so we looked around for some sitting logs. Up the hill a short way, we saw a nice arrangement and went up for our break. The views on this side of the Sisters Ridge are magnificent. Difficult hikes display themselves all around. To the right of Ricks Saddle, the canyon will lead you to the end of Macks Canyon Road. The other side of the saddle brings you to Macks Creek. Also to the left, well, how about a climb up Mt. Everest? Jerry and Cheryl did this one not long ago. They said it was difficult! (It looks difficult!)

Ridge of Views

Approach to Rick's Saddle

On Rick's Saddle (Rick's Peak behind)

Pastel Belles at Break

After our break and photo, we started up the slope behind us. This ascent trail is also cairned pretty well. We could call this trail the South Sister Trail from the Macks Canyon side. It leads up from the saddle area straight to the South Sister Overlook, or, at the end of Phase 2 of the traditional South Sister Trail. We climbed slowly passing the turnoff to the right that would take us back to the first traverse trail. (It is a very vague game trail.) Anyway, our South Sister trail continued all the way up to the overlook where we rested at the high point. Next, we found the trail the leads down the right edge of the ridge to the South Sister Saddle. This trail is sometimes difficult to follow but we always found it again!

Climbing up from Saddle (Mack's Peak in distance)

Cairned Ascent Trail

Cairned Ascent Trail

South Sister Overlook

Having completed the loop, we started down the first phase of the South Sister Trail. Up to this point, we talked quite a lot but it got quiet when we began concentrating really hard on the steep slippery slope! Down the trail, through the woods, past the spring and old home foundation, left on Old Mill Trail and down the paved picnic road. We arrived at the car tired but very happy! Hiking is great!

Stats: 6 miles; 1825' gain; 4.25 hours

Descent on South Sister Trail Phase 2

Center Trail is the Traverse Trail. - Trail to Right is South Sister Trail Phase 2.

Descent on South Sister Trail Phase 1