Lovell Canyon Loop - 10/21/23

Torino Ranch from Lovell Canyon Trail

Taking a break at Trail Junction

A few weeks back, the park service suggested that hikers explore some of the surrounding areas since the Spring Mountains hiking trails are closed at this time. We headed out to Lovell Canyon Trailhead for a cool hike on a warm day. We saw several other hikers out there along with their dogs. It's a good dog hike. The trailhead is found ~11 miles from SR 160 on Lovell Canyon Road. As you can see by the maps below, all the trail system is accessed by the Lovell Canyon Trail that leads off from the parking lot. Five of us hiked the Lovell Canyon Loop. It is the shortest of the offered loops at 5.3 miles. The trail is recently maintained and well-signed. We had a good day.

Stats: 5.3 miles; 950' gain; 2.75 hours

Returning on Lovell Canyon Trail

Complete Lovell Canyon Trail Overview

Lovell Canyon Trail System

Waterfall Canyon Loop CCW - 10/19/23

Waterfall Canyon

Waterfall Canyon Trail

Great Basin Gopher Snake

Fearsome Foursome on Rocky Gap Road

The Fearsome Foursome set out to review the state of Waterfall Canyon from the Willow Springs Trailhead. It had been a number of years since any of us had set foot in the once gorgeous canyon with waterfalls backed by orange rock and a nice trail that crosses the water flow several times. What stopped us from visiting this once reigning canyon of Red Rock? The stubborn, persistent and dangerous algae bloom that has taken away the beauty. ... And, the ever increasing difficulty in finding the trail in the overgrown grasses and foliage. We hiked up Rocky Gap Road about 1.7 miles passing the second jeep turnaround saddle in the red dirt. (Take note of a trail leading down into Red Rock Wash on the left just before you leave the red dirt.) On this day, the redbud trees surrounding the entrance to Waterfall Canyon were yellowed with fall color. We tried the old trail that crossed the water right away but the new trail that starts up the left side of the water is better. 

Sunrise on Rocky Gap Road

Sauntering up Rocky Gap Road

First Obstacle in Waterfall Canyon

Year round water in Waterfall Canyon

Starting into the canyon, warm air hit us in the cool morning. Hm. I never knew that this was a warm water spring that feeds the year round water flow. All morning, we slowly found our way up through the canyon that we once knew very well. Now, the trail is obliterated in several places. If we didn't know the trail from before, we would have been hiking blind. Grass and thistles covered the canyon from side to side. Almost immediately, we saw that the algae in the water was worse than ever. We enjoyed the effort as we used our brains as well as our brawn. But, the canyon's ugliness was a disappointment. Realizing that the BLM may have this canyon under observation due to the unwanted algae bloom, I cannot encourage others to hike this canyon.

Finding the Trail

The "Up and Around" Section

Climbing next to a Waterfall

Fearsome Foursome at the 30'-40' Waterfall

I researched a little about the algae. What I found was that "Little wind, warm water, sunlight, and plentiful nutrients - especially phosphorus - all increase the chance that a bloom will occur. Warm weather patterns and large rain events that wash agricultural and residential fertilizers (which contain phosphorus) into the water can also jump-start a bloom.Aug 7, 2023" - "Common methods to prevent algal blooms include aeration, chemical/biological additives, or ultrasonic technology. Although there are plenty of treatment solutions on the market, they all have their cons. For example, algaecides offer quick results but damage the entire water ecosystem." - "Floating plants, such as lilies and lotus, provide shade and reduce direct sunlight in the pond to control the growth of algae." (Perhaps this is why the BLM wants the canyon to become overgrown again.) A couple of websites that do a good job of discussing the toxic algae are as follows:

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/algae/defined.htm#:~:text=Little%20wind%2C%20warm%20water%2C%20sunlight,also%20jump%2Dstart%20a%20bloom

and

https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae/faq.htm

One last quote from the internet are answers to a common question.

"Some species of algae are adapted to survive in cold temperatures, such as the 39º F water under the ice. The growth of these winter algae mainly depends on how much light and nutrients are available to them. The light available depends on how much snow we have on top of the ice."

and

"Blue-green algae is a toxin-producing cyanobacteria that can be found in lakes, ponds and rivers. Exposure to toxins produced by these bacteria can be life-threatening to dogs, humans and other animals. There is no antidote for blue-green algae poisoning, and it can rapidly become fatal."

Snack break at the top of the High Waterfall

Finding the Trail Back

A surprise for Ralyn!

Starting down Red Rock Wash

We made it to the top of the 30'-40' waterfall where we had our break. Getting back to Rocky Gap Road was easier than going up. We found the trail in the red dirt that leads to the wash below down next to the large rock outcrop downstream. Then, slowly, we made our way back down beautiful Red Rock Wash to the car. When we returned, I was determined to get the word out that Waterfall Canyon needed trail maintenance ... bad! After thinking overnight, I realize that the BLM probably has our best interest in mind. The algae is probably here to stay and, so is the danger. Be careful out there everyone.

Stats: 4 miles; 850' gain; 3.75 hours (due to a lot of route finding & enjoying a slow day)

P.S. Oh yeah, the snake. Isn't it pretty? Harmless and beautiful.

Fall color - and Rita - in Red Rock Wash

Mike and Ralyn stepping down Red Rock Wash

Colorful time of Year

Ice Box Canyon v Willow Springs Loop - 10/16/23

Ice Box Canyon Waterfall (a trickle fall)

Ice Box Canyon Wash

Signs along the Hike

Climbing a steep hill on Willow Springs Loop

Usually a very well-trafficked area, we avoid Ice Box Canyon. However, early on a Monday morning, we are here to say, we had the canyon to ourselves until we were already half way out. We were curious to see what all the rain and flooding the Spring Mountains received in August did to this dependable rocky canyon on the Red Rock Scenic Loop. The Fearsome Foursome parked at the Willow Springs Loop Trailhead and started down the signed trail that begins by crossing the Red Rock Wash. This little loop trail is a hidden gem as it offers a variety of moderate challenges along with its easy advertisement. Right away, we climbed steeply up the side of the sandstone hill where rock climbers treasure the interesting walls and hiked between large boulders. The trail winds around giving beautiful views then drops by the ancient seasonal dwelling area. Finally, I found the pictographs! 😄 Next, we turned to the right and hiked up to the Lost Creek Waterfall. Barely a trickle flowed down on the rock high above but it was enough to get sprayed if you stood in the right place. After photos, we hiked back to the trail split and continued on to the junction with the SMYC Trail.

Fun descent between Boulders

Ancient people's Seasonal Shelter

Posing at Lost Creek Falls (also a trickle fall)

Hiking the SMYC Trail

The SMYC Trail is a beautiful trail that leads along the base of the sandstone hill to the west. There are a few dips and climbs and it is decorated with red dirt, white rocks, prickly pear cacti and views. Sometimes we see mule deer foraging in the Red Rock Wash below the trail but not this time. The trail runs for about a mile between the Lost Creek Trailhead and the Ice Box Canyon Trail. This trail and Dale's Trail are both beautiful desert trails and should not be overlooked. We moved along quickly and, soon, arrived at the junction of Ice Box Canyon Trail. The canyon's wide mouth opened up to our right. We turned and started a steady trail climb up into the canyon alongside the wash below. Unlike back in the day, the trail is well trod and easy to follow - especially with the park's effort at trail signs.

Climb on SMYC Trail

View of White Rock Hills

Starting up the Trail into Ice Box Canyon

Trail up into Ice Box Canyon

We were soon out of the sun and dipping into the canyon wash. There are two places where you can easily step down into the wash. We took the first one going in and the higher one on the way out later. Turning up the rocky wash, we immediately noticed that we weren't in Kansas anymore. The flooding had moved the furniture around and we didn't really recognize our landmarks as they used to be. Great! A new hike! As we scrambled up through the sandstone rocks, we followed a trail that had already been established by hikers in the past month and a half. Only once (maybe twice) was it necessary to make use of the trails in the trees on the south side of the wash. Otherwise, the scrambles were fun and doable. We followed Mike as he gracefully led the team up. (This is when I noticed that we had all gotten the same memo this morning. "Wear light blue!")

Mike descends into the Ice Box Wash

Ice Box Wash Scramble

Interesting new rock fall out of bigger Boulder

Kay & Rita climb up the tree to Waterfall Area

Along the way, we noticed large slivers of the pine tree that had fallen in the wash a decade ago. It was huge and when it fell, it lay in the wash lengthwise. For several years, we would balance on the tree as we made our way up. After a handful of years of flooding and rotting, the tree has been taken over by foliage and is too rotten to stand on ... therefore, the pieces of it seen in the wash downstream. We recognized the live climbing tree when we got to it. It stands in the fork of the rock wall. The option is to wind your way up the middle of the wash through humongous boulders. (Ralyn tried this.) Mike, Rita and I were drawn to the tree and scrambled up the same way we always had. It seems to be the easier of the two choices. We walked along the wall and settled in just below the dry waterfall area. There was a tiny trickle wayyyy above but, essentially, it was dry. We took our photos and our break. (Mike explored around on the slippery limestone.) And, the best part was that we had the place all to ourselves! After the rest, we started down the wash the same way we had come up. ... Or, at least, we tried. Everything looks different from the other direction. About half way down, we heard a large group of animated hikers coming up the wash. We passed them taking note of so many smiles.

Ralyn tries the optional Route

Fearsome Foursome at Ice Box Waterfall

Using a side trail on the Descent

Finishing the Wash Descent

Hitting the sun on the trail out of the canyon, we knew we needed to not dally. Our pace was consistently swift, only stopping when we hit the occasional shade. As we turned left onto SMYC Trail, we noted that some volunteers were working on cleaning up Dale's Trail. We took on the undulating SMYC with force. It was a good workout after what we had already done. Arriving at the Lost Creek Trailhead, we crossed the paved road and continued on the Willow Springs Loop Trail. This side of the loop followed along Rocky Gap Road at a distance and took us all the way back to the car. A wonderful challenging day.

Stats: 5.2 miles; 950' gain; 4.25 hours

Hiking out the Trail from Ice Box Canyon

Heading toward Willow Springs on SMYC Trail

Completing the Willow Springs Loop to Trailhead

SMYC Trail & Ice Box Canyon

Willow Springs Loop