Lee Canyon Narrows (Easy) - 5/21/24

Lee Canyon Narrows from Above

Hiking into the Upper Narrows

View back up Lee Canyon Wash

Upper Lee Canyon Narrows

Coming out of my cold virus stupor, I joined Mike and Ralyn to make my return to the Spring Mountains. My foot, although not completely back to normal, felt good enough for a short 2.5 mile walk out of Sawmill Trailhead. The fresh cold morning air was a gift to my lungs as we exited the trailhead parking lot and crossed Lee Canyon Road. The dirt road across the pavement is called Champion Road, a primitive camping area which is sometimes difficult to drive with anything but HCVs. We hiked down the hill to intersect with Lee Canyon Wash and turned to the left, downhill. Immediately, the wash appeared much wider and flatter as the gravel spread over twice as much of the canyon floor. It appeared that a vehicle had driven much of the way down the rocks. It was easy hiking. We reached the upper narrows and admired the high walls. Although not particularly "narrow," this section is glamorous with a few small windows up at the top. Next, we passed the wash car. It seemed a bit deeper than before. And, we noticed the trail car up to the left. It was also a little deeper indicating that the water from Hilary had breached the normal path of the drainage and flowed atop the flat area toward the canyon embankment.

The wash car is buried a little deeper.

Heading into the Lower Narrows

There is a little more space under the obstacle rock.

The trail car is also a little deeper.

Past that, we came to the lower narrows. The gravel here was definitely lower than before as you could tell by the water line on the left side. But, at the crest of the big drop into the real narrows, things appeared much the same except for a dangerous hole in the ground on the right side. Be careful there. Below, there was a new tree obstacle at the bottom but the space underneath Obstacle Rock is larger ... for now. We opted not to go up and around to inspect the lower portion and began our return on the trail. At one point, the trail runs into a small cliff into the wash. Go around to the right, here. We stopped at the trail car and at the chrome bumper car for photos and saw a kangaroo rat wiggle into his hole in the bank. Cute! The bushes need clipping on the trail up to the old road and we climbed up to cross Lee Canyon Road again. Passing some corralled horses back at Sawmill TH, we found the Yellow Trail and circled around to our trailhead. It was very nice to be back with friends. Short hike but very refreshing! My foot, eh!

Stats: 2.5 miles; 450' gain; 1.5 hours

View down Lee Canyon

View up Lee Canyon and Mummy's Nose

Yellow Trail sign at left turn Junction

Acastus Trail / Fletcher Canyon / Eagle's Nest (Mom's Fletcher Canyon) - 5/20/24

The Chute Waterfall at Obstacle Rock

View from above at Obstacle Rock

Entering the Narrows

Fletcher Canyon was rumored to be quite a mess after last year's hurricane fallout. But, these photos from the group appear to show that things are back in order? There are no photos of the trail on the way in and out. Anyway, it is beautiful as always.

Stats: 6.5 miles; 1250' gain

A view from below at Obstacle Rock

Chuck hiking through the Narrows

The group on Eagle's Nest Loop

These maps represent a slightly different version of Mom's Fletcher Canyon Loop.

Foxtail Spring & Pioneer Rock Loop - 5/18/24

Hikers with Foxtail Falls Beyond

Pioneer Rock

Logs in front of main camp Building

Chuck hikes among piles of Debris

The goal today was for five humans and two canines to ascend Foxtail Canyon to the water fall, unless the snow forced a retreat, and return via Pioneer Rock Loop. We started up the trail from the roundabout trail head across from the pay phone. The trail climbs the ridge up to an old forest road. At the top we noticed many trees had been felled and neatly arranged in green piles. We made our way to the “Peace Pole” and main building of the campground and then started up the road next to it.

Unbelievable destruction on the ascent Road

More destruction on the pipeline Road

Crossing the junction Wash

Closest point to the Falls

Oh, the utter devastation of the trees was a site to behold. The road was gutted and we found a work around to get to our goal. The dogs just jumped the gully. There were intermittent snow patches that we easily crossed sans crampons. And then came the last half mile of snow covered trail. Crampons would have been nice but since none of us had them we used our hiking poles and soldiered on almost reaching the top.

Small water falls serenaded us on the way up. We stopped when "iffy" became icy and had a spectacular view of the water flowing over the top, not just seeping through the rocks. After a group photo, we all safely “skied” down the canyon and took a snack break. Next stop would be the turn onto Pioneer Rock Loop trail.

There is no longer a sign but a large white ‘X’. We noticed one of the out buildings had fresh air coming through the openings where a roof had been attached. There are many large trees that now lay across the trail and one must decide whether to go around, over, or under. Usually, we followed the dogs!

Careful Descent

Rest at the old pump House

Well, this is new!

Starting out the Pioneer Rock Loop Trail

We passed many familiar sites. The destruction gave the appearance of a saw mill gone rogue and it was limited to above and below the campground. The picnic area looked as though nothing had occurred. Obviously, workers have been through here making the picnic area presentable.   ~ Ralyn

First tracks in the snow!  ~ Mike

Stats: 5 miles; 1500' gain

Beautiful rocks and Sky

More rocks and Sky

Pinnacle Point

Upper Bristlecone Trail is CLOSED. Below, see photos of what is there at the trailhead.

Raintree v North Loop - 5/16/24

Group of six hikers dodging the snow on a Peak

Carefully climbing up the trail next to Snow

While I am recovering from a cold and being sidelined due to a sprained foot, Mike and Ralyn have been picking up the slack on the trails. Thanks guys! If you haven't been up to Raintree yet this spring, this is what it looks like. A normal spring. Although I have heard that Fletcher Peak is still a no go ... but not for long. These high temperatures will take care of that.

Stats: 5.1 miles; 1830' gain

Sisters Ralyn and Krista at Raintree