Pine Cone Canyon / South Sister Saddle Loop - 7/8/24

Bristlecone tree on ridge trail with Mummy Mountain in Background

McFarland Peak from Bonanza Trail

Sue climbing Pine Cone Canyon

Hiking up the Old Mill Trail

Pine Cone Canyon is a dauntingly steep wash that is sometimes filled with pine cones. The small canyon wash runs from the Bonanza Trail down to the Lower Bristlecone Trail. To make a nice 5.7 mile loop hike using Pine Cone Canyon and the South Sister Saddle, we began at the Pay Phone Trailhead near the traffic circle of Lee Canyon Road. Eight hikers crossed the road and headed up the paved road next to the Old Mill Picnic Area. Just past a set of restrooms, (that are closed to the public), the route veers up a hill to the right as it joins the Old Mill Trail. We passed the turnoff for the South Sister Trail and continued around to the left. After Hilary's rains, there is a deep gulch crossing the trail where we circumvented around it to the right. On up the hill, we came to the Old Mill site where we took a group photo and noticed the engraved aspen trees. The mill was operational back in the 40's or 50's and the aspen trees' engraving show the age.

Old names carved into Aspens

The group at the Old Mill

Turning from Lower Bristlecone Trail into Pine Cone Canyon 

Weather station in Pine Cone Canyon

On up the trail, we junctioned with the Lower Bristlecone Trail (aka Scout Canyon Road). A right turn took us quickly up to the apex of the next curve where the Pine Cone Canyon Trail begins to the right. We passed a large weather station setup and veered right into the canyon wash. The steepness was upon us soon as we followed the trail around a handful more trees that had fallen since the last time we were there. Make no mistake! The canyon becomes steeper and steeper as you climb up the 0.8 mile distance between the weather station and the Bonanza Trail. The group of hikers separated with their different paces. There were a few newbies but they hung close to the oldies and everyone finally reached the top with little energy to spare.

Large downed tree next to Pine Cone Canyon Trail

Another downed tree across Pine Cone Canyon Trail

John makes his way through another downed Tree

Everybody at the top of Pine Cone Canyon

We took a short break to breathe and turned to the right. Following the beautiful and familiar Bonanza Trail for approximately 0.9 mile we next came to the ridge descent trail junction. There is a 3 foot tall tree stump on the left with a rock or two in its crotch. The ridge trail, itself, turns to the right to jump over the Bonanza ridge hump and start downward on small switchbacks. The trail is in good condition most of the way and our regular break spot was wide open seating. After our enjoyable break, we continued along the ridge trail and came to the South Sister Saddle. Again with a right turn, we began our ~1.5 mile descent to the cars. 

Shadowplay on the Bonanza Trail

Heading into the small switchbacks to the first High Point

Nearing the junction on the Bonanza Trail

Break time on the Ridge Trail

The South Sister Trail descent is steep to begin but after you get that part out of the way, it becomes a pleasant hike through the forest ending with the pavement down beside the picnic area. This is a great hike that challenges us every time. Fun group of hikers.

Stats: 5.7 miles; 1620' gain; 4 hours

Hiking out the Ridge Trail

Hiking past the spring on the South Sister Trail

Descending the South Sister Trail

Wild Horse Loop - 7/6/24

Taking our break at the top of Wild Horse Ridge

A nice short hike with elevation is the Wild Horse Loop. Most hikers begin from Cougar Ridge Trailhead, cross the road and start up Wild Horse Canyon. This is a shady pleasant canyon that passes deadfall and columbines. There is also a beautiful spring. Just past the spring, there is a trail junction. For the Wild Horse Loop, we turned right at this junction onto the Cactus Jack Trail. This trail takes you over to the top of Wild Horse Ridge where we took our break. The return is hiked down the stone ridge where there is a little bit of exposure and beautiful views. At the bottom of the ridge, there is a small bit of easy scrambling. After the scramble, the best way to go is to circle down and around to the left then right. This trail brings you to the Wild Horse Canyon again. A right turn will take you back to the cars. We took our time today with our guest dog, Onyx. The hike was announced as a "dog friendly" hike. Therefore, all hikers were aware that there would be at least one dog hiking with us. Fun, slow morning.

Stats: 2.1 miles; 600' gain; 2.75 hours

 

South Sister - 7/4/24

Mike on South Sister Peak - Charleston Peak in Background

South Sister from 2.25 miles Away

Group of 10.5 hikers on their way Up

Top of Phase 2 - Beginning Phase 3

On the holiday, Mike took a group of ten hikers out to climb South Sister Peak. Seven of the ten were first timers. (That's always exciting!) Included in the ten was my dog and I. I only intended to go half way and Mike agreed to it. We all parked at the Pay Phone Trailhead and started up the paved road that the Old Mill Picnic Area uses. We turned up to the right at the Old Mill Trail turnoff. And, turned up to the right again at the South Sister Trail. The group was strong and took on the three steep sections before the saddle with ease. I didn't get a report that anything veered from the usual climb so I am assuming that from the saddle, a right turn was made to climb up the ridge to reach the next saddle.

Having fun on Phase 4

Leslie makes it to the Chute

The Chute Queue

South Sister Peak

Another right turn is made to follow the ridge as it circles around to the base of the scree climb. This last climb is steep and arrives at the top between the two peaks. The highest peak is found to the left. First, you have to climb a scramble chute and sidle around to a little exposed climb to the top. Next, you walk atop the limestone ridge to the end where the log book resides. It is a small test of nerves but the view all around is grandly significant. After a short break, the hikers descended the chute and made the short hike over to the other end of the peak area. This side is the East Peak. A look-see here shows more of Mummy Mountain and Lee Canyon. Finally, the descent begins.

Proud Peakers

This is one way down!

Climbing over to the East Peak

Ralyn and Mike take the hard Way

The descent of the Phase 4 section is slow and sometimes tedious ... other times, it is fast and painful! A lot depends on your knees and courage. From there, it is a simple return down the same way you came up. Fabulous day!

Stats: (from Mike) 5.7 miles; 2250' gain; 4.75 hours

Hanging out on the East Peak

Heading Down

Returning on Phase 3

Ridge with Many Views - 6/3/24

McFarland Peak from Ridge with Many Views

The Ridge with Many Views

Pay Phone near Trailhead

What dufus built a campfire on pine straw?

A few short weeks ago, we parked at the pay phone trailhead and hiked up the pavement next to the Old Mill Picnic Area. There was a sign warning us to not hike up the Old Mill Trail ... therefore, meaning the South Sister Trail was not open either. We had good information that the South Sister Trail was in good condition with no obstacles so we assumed that the trail was closed because it led to the Lower Bristlecone Trail which they may have still been clearing. Idk. Anyway, I wrote to the park service and asked why there was a sign there. I never got a reply. 

Just a few small downed Trees

Small Waterfalls

North Loop Ridge from South Sister Trail

Starting the tough Part

So, today, my husband (both of us have now tested negative for COVID) and I took Onyx up the Old Mill Trail again. NO SIGN. So, this is the blog I started that day that we hiked up to the South Sister Saddle and on over to the Ridge with Many Views. This is a ridge with very little foliage that leads to Ricks Saddle which is found at the base of Ricks Peak and Macks Peak. These trails are now open! 

    At the time, we were just getting used to the higher elevations so a climb up the South Sister Trail was a little challenging. We slowly plodded along but it really wasn't bad. The trail is in good shape and the water was running moderately down through the wash and out of the cistern at the spring. 

Tackling the Mountain

Trail to the Ridge with Many Views

Macks Peak from top of Ridge with Many Views

View down Macks Canyon

We did take a side trip to the old foundation. This is the old house that the sawmill boss used for his family. Unbelievably, there is a fire ring on the concrete foundation with pine straw covering the floor. Hopefully, whoever built the fire, cleaned out the pine straw before lighting the fire. (You just never know if fire starters have a head on their shoulders.) We reached the South Sister Saddle one by one. It was really nice to be there again. Friends of ours had recently climbed all the way up to the South Sister Peak. So, we know that that route is clear. We chose to check out an easier hike on the trail that starts down over the saddle and to the right. 

Taking a break at the end of the Ridge

Macks Peak - Ricks Peak in Front

Our group on the Ridge

Wood Sculptures

The trail is easy to follow but, at the time, no one else had hiked it and the wear and tear of a long winter had erased the edges. Regardless, we followed it fairly easy and arrived at the top of a long ridge that has very little foliage growing on it. We started down the ridge looking right and left taking in the views of several mountains that it sits among. McFarland Peak, Mt. Everest, Macks Peak, Ricks Peak, North and South Sisters, and the Spring Mountain Divide where the Bonanza Trail runs. 

Returning on the RMV Trail

Back at South Sister Saddle

Ralyn descending the Steep Trail

Hiking through the Sunlit Trees

We sat at the end of the ridge and enjoyed the many views for our break. There are many deadwood sculptures lying around and still standing. After the break, we returned the way we came except that we checked out a deep gully that has formed on Old Mill Trail just past the South Sister Trail junction. Don't get too close. The water has undercut the surrounding trail. Find a safe way around it.  We had a beautiful day!

Stats: 4.7 miles; 1200' gain; 3.25 hours

The Spring Cistern

Dangerous big ditch up the Old Mill Trail

Returning down the Old Mill Trail

The Old Mill Picnic Area