Muffins / Mystery Woman Loop - 10/20/22

Sun rises on the Calico Hills

Mystery Woman Canyon

Noisy Burros!

An affable Bunch

As we drove up to the Cowboy Trails Trailhead, burros were braying! At first, we believed it was Jackson, the captive burro stud in a stall not far from the parking lot. The wranglers had just arrived for their day at work and burro food was on its way! We said hello to club members who were preparing for a hike up Echo Canyon then four of us started up toward the Muffins. About half way out to the base of Skull Canyon, we spotted a small group of wild burros. It was a motley collection of at least four males. We took a couple of photos and continued around Boneshaker Hill. All of a sudden, we heard loud braying again and it seemed to be coming closer. We stopped and looked up toward the Hill and saw three other burros running in our direction. One was braying up a storm! It was a bluff. They stopped about fifty yards away and stared at us. That's when I took the photo above.

Find Gray Cap!

The Muffins at Sunrise

Muffins Overlook

Climbing up the Muffins Trail

We started the climb on the Muffins Trail and could still hear the braying from below now and then. It was a good climb of around 1.5 miles. We stood on the Muffins Overlook and talked with another hiker there. After the break, we continued up the hill along the rim until we junctioned with a cross trail. Taking a left, we dipped and climbed up to the Old Las Vegas Overlook. After a couple of photos, we continued the climb up along the Rim Trail all the way to the New Las Vegas Overlook where we took a very pleasant break with a view of the Strip in the distance. Reluctantly, we started down. "They" are building a shack up on what used to be the Cairn Overlook. Not sure what it will house but there are solar panels.

Old Las Vegas Overlook

The Rim Trail

New Las Vegas Overlook

Cloud Shadows

We returned a short distance on the Rim Trail until we junctioned with a small trail that turned to the left. Hitting the Three Amigos Trail, we turned right until we were at the top of Mystery Woman Canyon. The route du jour was decided to be this canyon down to junction with Skull Canyon. Mystery Woman Canyon is very brushy especially in the upper realms, and it is necessary to hike on the embankment on its east side. We found our way down and crossed the SARS Trail about mid-way. This is where the canyon is good to stay in the wash where there are several scrambles. We dodged brush here and there and had a good time with Odie who turned out to be the best scrambler!

Scenes from the Overlook

Dropping into Mystery Woman Canyon

Dealing with the Brush

A few good Scrambles

Finally, we junctioned with Skull Canyon and turned to the left. Taking the trail and switching a couple of times to the wash, we descended down until the trail junctioned with the Muffins Trail. A little more descent and we were ready to be done. Passing Boneshaker Hill, we noted that the burros were no longer where we left them. Back at the parking lot, the other club group had already returned from the hike and left the park. Great hike and a surprisingly good workout.

Stats: 6.5 miles; 1425' gain; 4.25 hours

Odie watches and Learns

Skull Canyon Trail

Back across to the Trailhead

Calico Hills v Moenkopi Trails - 10/15/22

Hiking the Calico Hills Trail with Odie

On Saturday morning, three of us tried to park in the fee booth parking lot located behind the Red Rock Canyon NCA scenic loop fee booth. We have used that lot for years as a trailhead. There are two "Do Not Enter" signs at the lot's entrance so we turned around and went to the Visitor Center parking lot. I questioned a trooper and a ranger at the visitor center and the ranger was most adamant that that lot is not to be used by hikers! John Ward called later that day and got a better explanation. 

John said, "I called the Red Rock office and was told the sign is there to help control the people trying to enter without a reservation from using that lot to cause problems for the limited staff at the fee booth especially at times when they are full and turning people away. She suggested that we use the lower visitor center lot for our weekday early hikes."

From the visitor center, we dropped down to the Grand Loop and turned right onto the Moenkopi Trail to make our way over to Calico I. Taking the Grand Loop Trail, we hiked all the way up to Sandstone Quarry where the place was really "hopping!" Our break was in the shade then we returned back to Calico I. There, we used the Moenkopi Trail from the top of the parking lot and worked our way back over to the visitor center. It was a beautiful morning!

Stats: 7 miles; 1300' gain; 3 hours

Arriving at Sandstone Quarry - 8:45am on a Saturday!

North Peak (Sandstone) - 10/13/22

Seven Hikers and North Peak (Sandstone)

Dragon Rock

Dry Fall in Red Rock Wash

Starting up Red Rock Wash

Meanwhile, back at Red Rock, seven hikers gathered at the Willow Springs Trailhead parking lot for an annual hike up to North Peak (Sandstone). The official name of this hike is North Peak, however, there is another North Peak on the same ridge located at a higher elevation that we call North Peak (Limestone). We like to differentiate. There was a very nice cool breeze blowing through the gap. Some hikers wore a light coat over their hiking clothes but these coats all came off as we got out of the shade going up Red Rock Wash. From the parking lot, we dropped into the wash via the Petroglyph Trail at the end of the pavement. There had been some discussion about using cars to drive up the road to the North Peak Trailhead but that idea was nixed.

Red Rock Wash Scramble

Jerry taking a Rest

Colorful Wash and Leaves

Typical Lace Rock

Red Rock Wash is one of the most beautiful washes in the park. It is very colorful, contains several nice easy scrambles and includes many patterned sandstone rocks that Ralyn named "Lace Rocks." The wash parallels Rocky Gap Road for the most part but is much deeper than the road that travels high above. We hiked / scrambled at a steady speed. By now, we know how to get over or around the obstacles quickly. Finally, we came to the spring area, an overgrown section of the wash that requires finding the trail on the right embankment, dipping back in then climbing out again. At this point, a couple of us experienced a whammy of allergens. The next beautiful obstacle was the large white dry fall. Not far past that is where we junctioned with the North Peak Trail. There is a large cairn that alerts hikers to the trail crossing.

Finding our way through the Springs Area

Dry Fall near the Trail Junction

Arriving at the Trail Junction

Quickly gaining Elevation - Rocky Gap Rd Below

We sat for a moment then started up the trail to the left. This trail rides a one mile trailing ridge up to the main ridge above. It is infamous! Really steep stuff. If you think this climb is a doozy ... just wait until you have to go down it! (But, I'm ahead of myself.) Anyway, we climbed very slowly up the ridge with only a few small breaks. Anyway, remember the allergens? Well, during this climb, two hikers dropped out due to a breathing issue. Otherwise, the remaining five hikers continued steadfastly breaking into individual routes going up the sandstone section nearer the top. Honestly, .... whew! We tried to distract ourselves with the gorgeous views behind us!

Climbing the Steep Ridge Trail

Sandstone Section - North Peaks ridge in Background

Trail to Dragon Rock

Dragon Rock

The five of us reached the top of the sandstone part of the ridge and two of us trekked over to Dragon Rock for photos. We joined the others on the sandstone spine of the main ridge to hike up to North Peak. Advice: it is best to start from Dragon Rock and follow the ridge, or just to the left of the ridge, to get to the peak. Otherwise, you get caught in the swales and cliffs of sandstone. We followed Mike to the peak and sat to enjoy the views. (Calico Hills, Bridge Mountain, La Madre Mountains, the Escarpment Rim, Ice Box Canyon's abyss, etc. etc.) The other two hikers who left early joined us in spirit and we made our group photo. We stayed on the peak a little bit longer than our usual break time. None of us really wanted to face the music ... the trailing ridge descent! It's brutal. We started down along the main ridge that is incredibly beautiful all around then veered off to the right back in the area of Dragon Rock. Mike has a good way to find the correct route down: go until you want to turn right then go a little further. Sure enough, it worked. How many times have I tried to find the route down only to end up not going far enough and having to make corrections. Again, we all sort of had our own little route but reconvened down below the slabby portion of the sandstone.

North Peak Ridge

Something's Funny

Charlie and Mike on the Top of the Peak

Mike's photo from top of Peak

Next, we started down the limestone portion of the trailing ridge on the steep, sandy, rocky trail. Count yourself above average if you are able to always descend the trail without a single fall! We dealt with the terrain small step by small step. However, we did, indeed, reach the bottom in one piece almost an hour later. That's a long mile! At Rocky Gap Road, we turned to the right and began a much faster pace down the dirt road for 2.5 miles. By then, the temps were a bit warmer but the breeze through the gap still existed much to our delight. After going so slow all morning long, it felt great to hike up to speed. The dirt road kept our interest with great views and color.

Steep Descent on Backside

Calico Hills from North Peak

Bridge Mountain (R) from Peak

Passing by the Window

Along the road, we saw a handful of hikers and one vehicle. But, at the trailhead, there were a lot more recreationists around. Be safe out there and mind that you don't leave anything in your cars that are visible to the outside. There is a bad element out there trying to ruin our fun.

Stats: 7.3 miles; 2450' gain; 5.75 hours

Down the Sandstone Section

Down the Limestone Section

Down Rocky Gap Road