Mountain Springs Ridges - 9/16/23

View from a Block on Block Ridge

Juniper berries to Wilson Peak

Making our way from Gully Crossing to Upper Cairn Trail

Old Road to Gully Crossing

It was another delightful morning up in the peaks and ridges behind Mountain Springs, Nevada. Our hike would take us up a ridge to the escarpment rim, on up to Mountain Springs Peak and back down via a ridge north of the ascent that we will name Block Ridge, for lack of a better name. This particular ridge is marked with four rock outcrops that block the way of anyone hiking down. The top "block" has a square side that runs along the Mountain Springs Trail and is used as a weather shelter at times. We started out from the Mountain Springs Pass Trailhead, climbed up the first hill of Heartbreak Hill and found our shortcut trail to the next dirt road. About half a mile into the hike, we crossed the large gully to the left.

Mt. Potosi from Roundabout

Starting up the Upper Cairn Trail

Following the Upper Cairn Trail

A Cairn on the Upper Cairn Trail

We continued by following the trail on the other side up to a small roundabout. The Lower / Upper Cairn Trail leads out on the opposite side. A little further up this trail, the Upper Cairn Trail turns off to the left. The trail is fairly well marked even though many of the cairns have been knocked over. The best rule of thumb is to adhere to the top of the ridge all the way up. At one point, you may discover a trail veering down to the north side. Supposedly, this trail leads down to the wash and road that we would eventually descend. However, our route continued up our ridge until we junctioned with the Mountain Springs Trail. Turning to the left, we followed this main trail past the top of Block Ridge and on to the familiar Mountain Springs Peak.

Mountain Springs, Nevada from Ascent Ridge (Pasrump Peak in distance)

Connecting with the Mountain Springs Peak Trail

Top of Block Ridge

Windy and Black Velvet Peaks from Trail

As we hiked the escarpment trail, we admired the Sandstone Bluffs below us to our right. At the peak, we sat for our break to enjoy this always magnificent view. After a snack and a few photos, we started down the same way we came until we reached the upper side of Block Ridge. There is a vague trail where several hikers have come before us that leads around to the ridge and starts down. There is a nice clear saddle then the second block rock outcropping forces you to find your way around. Next comes a descent and another outcrop.

Taking our break on Mountain Springs Peak

Starting down Block Ridge (Second Block ahead)

Surveying our route from the Third Block on Ridge

Descent to a Low Saddle

Making our way around this blockage, the trail seems to be undecided. We hemmed and hawed a little but decided to continue down the ridge toward a deeper saddle. Just before reaching the low point, a sort of clearing appeared to our left where there is a cluttered wash. The west side of the small wash seemed most appropriate to descend so down we went to the main wash below. Even though the work we did on the way down was foreboding, the main wash was surprisingly welcoming. There was a faint trail running through the pleasant, albeit narrow, wash leading us directly to a road junction below. We turned left onto the road, climbed a hill to the top of the next ridge, curved to the right and climbed up the road lined with a grove of prickly pears. At the top of the next hill, there is a large cairn with rocks spelling out "354." 

Easy does it into the wash Below

Following the wash to a road Junction

Mt. Potosi from the Road Junction

Road and cacti lead to the 354 Cairn

The rain washed road continued down toward the town and after a while, we noticed a small trail on the left side. The suggestion of a shortcut down to the mess of roads below where we wanted to go was enough to get us going on a small adventure. The trail was very vague and seemed to have been made by an equestrian. Finally, after several arroyo crossings, we connected with our target road and continued on our way back to the car. It was a fun morning full of adventure and good friends while welcoming Charlie back from his "epic" adventure on Mt. Kilimanjaro!

Stats: 5.1 miles; 1400' gain; 3.75 hours

354 Cairn

354 (?)

Following the Road down to the mess of Old Roads

Mess of Old Roads!

The Promised Land (Climbing Wall) - 9/14/23

The Climbing Wall known as The Promised Land

The wall is found in the alcove on the left.

Approaching the wash on Trail

The hike's cast of Characters (plus me!)

So, four of us arrived at the Willow Springs Picnic Area off the scenic loop of Red Rock Canyon NCA at MM7 around 7am. This area happens to be the coolest place off the scenic loop as we felt the southwest breeze come streaming through the Rocky Gap Road canyon. Hence, this is a good place to start a hike when everywhere else is either closed, crowded or plain too hot. 

    A couple of years ago, Rita and I decided to explore a seldom used old abandoned road that runs up between Rocky Gap Road and the La Madre Springs Road. Using Google Earth, it was clear that there might be an interesting alcove up into the cliffs there. What we found has become a fun new scramble hike to a little known climbing wall called The Promised Land. The route up to the base of the cliff starts about 3/4 of a mile up Rocky Gap Road from the parking area. We made a right turn between two white sandstone boulders onto a trail that connected with that old road. A left turn sent us up the gentle hill until we came to a fork. We took the right fork onto a trail that follows along the ridge to the left, up and over to skim a hill, then down along a trail until it shows you a good place to dip into the wash. The trail is well marked if you allow it to lead you. It has been recently well-maintained. Nice.

Snoopy's Nose at Sunrise

Climbing the wash Trail

Sean, Mike and Rita on the Rocks

Rita makes the final Climb

Once we were in the wash, the trail turns to the left and a constant class 2 scramble ensues. Take note of the fallen tree that you pass as soon as you begin the wash trail so that you will recognize where to exit the wash on the way back. The trail up the wash is clear with only a couple of easily answered question marks along the way. Suffice it to say that the trail stays in the wash on one side or another all the way up. A few landmarks include a big flat rock we call Janet's Rock since this is where Janet sat and waited for us to return one time; Twin Boulders, where the trail sidles between them; and, the Goat Sections, where the easiest way to climb up to the next level is to step along on top of narrow smaller boulders or rock ridges.

The Promised Land climbing Wall

View down from the Climbing Wall

The Descent Rope

At the base of the Wall

As the wash enters into the canyon with the climbing wall, you might see the cave up on the right. We have visited the alcove a few times in the past but decided to skip it on this hike. It is a somewhat brushy approach. Passing the cave, the wash comes to a dead end where a tributary comes in from the left and a trail climbs out to the right. Ignore the trail! Turn left into the secondary wash and very soon, there is a cairned turn to the right. This is the way to the climbing wall! Follow the trail and the remainder of the main wash climbing up the hill. We arrived at the base of the cliff for a break. To our east side, we saw that a climbers' descent rope is hanging and appears at this time to be useful. The view from the cliff base out to the White Rock Hills is beautiful. We rested for a few minutes then, oops, noticed a dark cloud peeking up over the La Madre ridgeline. Hmm. We thought that maybe we should get going even though no rain had been forecasted for this area.

Descending the wash Trail

Rita watches the sky at Janet's Rock

Downhill Scramble

The Trail through Twin Boulders

The descent scramble was easily followed as we returned the same way we came but, about halfway down the wash, we jumped out of our boots when a loud thunder pierced the air. When we looked back, the dark cloud had grown much larger and did not seem satisfied to stay behind the La Madre ridge. It was coming our way! Counted sprinkles alit loudly on our hats. No more thunder - (it was a "One Thunder-clap Wonder") - but, by the time we returned to Rocky Gap Road, it was raining lightly - then harder - then a bonnified "steady rain." We stopped trying to out run the wetness and simply hiked down the last 3/4 of a mile in the rain. Once you give in to the rain, the hike becomes easier! What a great morning! (As we drove out, we saw that the rain was happening all along the escarpment. You never know what the weather will be around here!)

Stats: 4.6 miles; 1500' gain; 4.25 hours

Almost to the exit Junction (Landmark Tree over wash.)

One Thunder clap and lots of rain coming our Way

Finishing the last Mile in the Rain