Pinto Mountains, California

 

• PINTO MOUNTAIN el 3983 has an easy route up the NW washes. The topo shows roads going to the Star Mine from the Gold Crown Rd. Just before the mine a secret road keeps going west to point 744 then to a saddle el 2550 on the rim of the NW wash. I dropped to the wash then up it to high ground at N33 58631, W115 49546 that leads to the wash east of peak 2939. I went up it and turned left at 57876, 49200 and walked the edge of a wash to the west ridges of the peak. The easiest one is at 57588, 48915. That took 5 hours, 13 minutes with 1400 noticeable gain. Several peaks can be done from the same parking area such as peak 1121. I put a track on peakbagger. All roads easy 4wd with plenty of washboard. Posted 2024.
• PEAK 967 meters starts near the same spot as Pinto Mtn. I started up at N34 00206, W115 47599 and followed the ridge up staying right around the larger bumps. At 01072, 47362 I went up an easy gully and on to the summit. 3 hours, 700 gain, all easy. Posted 2024.
• PEAK 1121 meters is SW of Humbug Mtn. The best way in is Artemecia Road and it goes in from mp 43.8 on highway 62. It's easy 4wd and ebikeable. Follow the topo to the Goods Mine and there is a camp spot at the end of the road. From there, a trail goes to diggings then I just went right until I had a smooth route up the ridge. I went right around some bumps at the 850 line to N34 02187, W115 50686 where I could level off some to get around peak 914 then up the ridge to the summit. It had survey junk and a reg placed by Vitz in 2019 with only 2 parties since. I walked on to a ridge at 01239, 50529 to get down to peak 1028 which I had to go over for an easy ridge down to the start. 3 hours, 1700 gain. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
• PEAK 1036 meters has a trail most of the way from near the OK Mine. Trouble is, there is no decent road to the mine. I rode my 125 in there but with a 4wd it's bound to be way better to come in from the south out of the national park. I wouldn't drive beyond the Gold Rose Mine. Then just walk the road toward the OK Mine and aim for the trail on a slope at N34 02810, W115 41678. It goes up and fades on the SW ridge then it's easy on to the summit. I kept going on the crest to the east saddle then stayed right of center on paths to get past bumps then on to the descent ridge at 02660, 40508. I stayed right around crags then back to center then along the right side of peak 857. I hit a trail south of that peak at 02223, 40454 and went left to check out a tunnel but didn't have a light. I walked the trail south to a fork at 01977, 40437 and went right down to a cabin near the Brooklyn Mine. It had a guest book. I went on to the LA Mine then down a trail and on to the Rose Of Peru Mine. It has huge room in rock. I'd be back at the start here if I drove if from the south but I had to walk the road back to the OK Mine. The loop takes nearly 5 hours with 1600 gain and not steep. I would camp in there for days to check out countless mine trails. Jeeps are still going one way past the OK Mine then down canyon to the Gold Rose Mine. They take the right fork at 02990, 42634 north of peak 811 to get to the OK. The next fork is better for cycles. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
• IVANHOE BENCHMARK el 3330 is infested with mines and trails. I made a loop up the north canyon all on trails and roads. At mp 53.4 on highway 62 is where a sandy road goes in. Stay left on main roads for 2 and a half miles to the canyon mouth as the topo shows. I parked there and walked up the left fork and soon and ancient road comes into view. I went up it a short way to a fork at N34 04368, W115 41744. I went right on a trail there as it's less steep. I lost it where it moves to the right side of the canyon but I only had 50 feet or so to get back on the road so I did that and followed it up as the topo shows. At a switchback I shortcutted past a bottomless shaft at 03854, 41693 then got back on the road and there is another shaft. I could see a tunnel nearby but didn't check it out. I went on up  the road to the end as the topo shows then two trails are in view. One goes to the summit and the other down canyon. I went up to the summit then came back and down canyon. The trail goes along a talus slope then switches down to the creekbed. At a bouldery drop it crosses to the left bank. A trail forking left there likely goes over into the next canyon and would make for another loop. I went on down canyon and lost the trail but found it on the left bank at 04352, 41848 and soon I was back at the start. That took 3 and a half hours with 1600 gain. I could have drove a jeep or my cycle a half mile closer. Hiking in from the highway should only take 5 hours. Bikes are no good here. I put a track on peakbagger. I wouldn't reverse the loop. Posted 2024.
• BOISE BENCHMARK el 3325 has easy terrain for a loop. The road in by way of Gold Park is easy 4wd and goes like the topo shows into Music Valley. It goes into the park and ends at a row of posts at N33 59356, W115 56042 el 2760, west of peak 3521. I walked a half mile down canyon to 59102, 55553 where I turned left up a side canyon and stayed on the left bank to get past rough stuff. Then I had it easy to the saddle then up to the summit. I went down an easy ridge at 58764, 54502 to get into the east basin then walked down that into the wash that drains it and kept going downstream to a little ridge at 57619, 52452. I could see a saddle up to my right and I went thru then to a ridge at 57570, 52835 and down that to the main wash and back up that to the start. 4 hours, 43 minutes, and 11 miles with 1600 gain. Half of that is the easy wash at the end. This is the best wash hike I did around Joshua Tree. Next time I'll skip the peak and do just the washes and basin. Posted 2024.
• TWENTYNINE PALMS MOUNTAIN el 4560 has two roads up that can be connected for a loop. The 4wd Gold Park Road goes in from town as shown on the topo. The road that branches off toward the summit has a locked gate at the base of the mountain. So I just went on past that road for half a mile and parked. Then I walked to the closed road and on up to the summit where I could see the other road to the south near peak 1308. I walked down that back to the start. 3 hours, 1500 gain. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
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Coyote Mountains Indian Trails, California

Yote Canyon

Migrant supplies left by the Border Angels near the summit of peak 1474. Nobody is going way up there.

Looking down at the barely visible trail on the west ridge of Mine Peak

Red Hill trail

• PEAK 1975 ONE WAY - Indians went all the way up this from the south then down the east ridge but the high part of their route has faded. I walked a trail up from the Fossil Canyon road to the west canyon of the peak then over the summit and down the east ridge . It starts on the left rim of a wash at N32 46806, W116 00697 to get past a fall then drops back down then in a few feet and goes parabolic up a ridge. It tops out at a T on a rim el 1400. Right goes soon to a plateau but I found nothing. Left goes to the west canyon el 1400 then cuts over to the right bank and fades but the canyon gets easy. At 47943, 00807 el 1550 I stepped up on the right bank and could see an easy route up the left bank of a drainage. I went to saddle at 47927, 00594 el 1900 and found a cleared circle and a trail coming up that ridge. I went on to the summit then followed the trail down the east ridge. I came to a heart shaped clearing then at 47962, 00366 I dropped down steep and it smoothed out. I walked the spotty trail to a saddle below the 1200 line where there is a double ring. That might be from paleface. The trail goes left around a bump there then at peak 1087 it fades out. I dropped down a rocky drainage there to a road on the left bank. I walked that a few feet to an easy ridge down to the main wash then on to my cycle on the Painted Gorge road. I parked it there before the hike and rode my Zizzo down to the frontage road and followed the newer road to Fossil. 4 hours for the hike and the app has 1500 gain, 6 miles. The bike shuttle is an easy 12 miles.  Cars might have trouble getting very far on the Painted Gorge road. That day there was a sandy crossing a half mile in then some grooves across the road after the residential area.  I posted a track on peakbagger under peak 1975. Posted 2024.
•  FOSSIL CANYON INDIAN TRAIL - this is a popular canyon on the south side of Carrizo Mountain. Indians went up the east rim. The topo shows the road going to the mouth where there is a barrier. The last half mile is easy 4wd. The trail goes up a ridge along the road in at N32 46806, W116 00697.  It can be used for various loops or a hike all the way to the summit of Carrizo which is what I did that day. But I didn't know about the trail when I started. I walked up canyon from the barrier for a mile to an obvious road going up to the right on a ridge, just before the fake road on the topo. The road goes up to the rim and meets a branch of the trail, but  a peak is in the way. The Indian trail goes level around the right side to a gully then up that a little and levels off around to the saddle behind the peak where I saw the rock ring that tipped me off that the trail is indeed Indian. It goes to another ring at 48086, 00954 where a road is in view. I walked low along a wash then up past a third ring at 48340, 00869 to get to the road. It's obvious how to follow that to the main jeep road that goes almost to the summit. There is a shortcut up a slope at 49143, 00413. A trail at the end goes to a saddle then left of center to the summit. I retraced back to the third ring and took a right fork on the road to the end of it then got on the left bank of a wash at 48406, 01135. I went on up thru the main saddle at the end then took a trail to the right for 200 feet then dropped to the creekbed and the left bank worked then at 48210, 01395 I crossed to the right bank and walked it to the floor of Fossil then out. That took nearly 6 hours and nearly 10 miles. The app has the gain at 2400 and rarely steep. I put a track on peakbagger under the peak. Next time I'll just skip the peak and take the trail up to the rim  then drop into the canyon for a good loop. Don't let any rock rings get disturbed. Posted 2024.
• FOSSIL CANYON WEST INDIAN TRAIL - a trail runs out of the canyon then west on the crest to peak 1619. A one way with an easy bike shuttle is easy. I took highway S2 to road #93 at point 894 on the topo. I went 2 miles up that high clearance road and parked. I then coasted to Ocotillo on my Zizzo bike then up to the mouth of Fossil. The last half mile is soft and not good for skinny tire bikes. I strolled up the canyon to a mine trail at N32 48128, W116 01707. That goes to the SW saddle of peak 1808. The Indian trail goes left there around a knob and fades at the next saddle. I found it again at 48297, 01926 and it goes into a drainage then up the right bank and over to 48284, 02132. It runs low and fades then it might be better to drop to gullies to get to the SW saddle of peak 1830. I saw no clue what they did from there so I took and easy angle to the NE saddle of the peak reading 48366, 02443 el 1750. Then I leveled off and circled to the NW ridge where the trail shows up at 48372, 02633 just below el 1800. I walked it to 48446, 03481 and it goes into a drainage. I went 200 feet or so down that then took the easiest ground to it at 48548, 03663 where it climbs back to center and on past peak 1619 then down to the old road that leads down to road #93. 3 and a half hours for the hiking part from the mouth of Fossil. The app has the gain at 1500 and it's all easy. The ride is a bit over an hour. Posted 2024.
• MINE PEAK INDIAN TRAIL -  I walked this one east to west. It runs the crest for 5 or 6 miles then just under the peak and down to the Sin Nombre road. I parked on that road where it meets S2 at mp 51.3 then coasted on my bike for 6 miles to road #93 at a kiosk el 894. I pedaled 2 miles up that road to a cable at the closure. I walked up the road to where it tops out and went left on the trail. But it's easier to stay on the road then cut left to a dirt ridge at N32 48747, W116 04949. The faint trail goes up the ridge to 48848, 05148 where it's easy to see. It goes into a saddle then left around a bump an then right of center at 48935, 05487 el 1450. It soon fades in a gully. I went up and didn't see it again until 49124, 05706 where it's going left out of a saddle. It fades and I went higher to the top the hill and could see it below. It might be better to just go straight over that hill. It's easy to follow again to 49509, 07121 where it's going right of center. As I got close to the summit the trail dropped down left too far and seemed to split. One trail goes to the mine, the other goes down a gully at 49711, 08012 then across a bigger gully then fades. But likely it goes on up under the south side of the peak at the 1800 level where it's visible again. But I left the trail and took direct ridges to the summit and could see the trail below. It's spotty as it goes down the main ridge to the Sin Nombre road. I walked that road a mile to my XT350. That took 4 and a half hours for the hiking part at nearly 9 miles. The app didn't have an accurate gain but it's pretty easy. It's in pristine condition but for several metal posts. Those eyesores need to be ripped out but they're stuck good. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
• RED HILL INDIAN TRAIL - this is on the north rim of a canyon north of Red Hill. I walked up canyon then back on the trail. A quarry is along S2 at mp 54.4. I walked a wash from there to high ground at N32 48006, W116 07689. That took me a fifth mile to the mouth then I strolled up canyon for an air mile then went up to the trail on the rim at 47719, 08734. I followed it along the right side of the rim at first then at 47978, 08094 I leveled off along the left side for a few feet then down a ridge where the trail shows up again at 48095, 08021. It goes to a hill where I lost it but then just dropped back to the quarry. 2 hours, 100 noticeable gain. Best on weekdays to avoid noisy dirt bikes that run the canyon. Posted 2024.
• YOTE  CANYON is what I call the one east of Fossil Canyon. It's north of Yote BM on the south side of peak 1034. The sat image shows easy 4wd roads (ebikeable) departing the Fossil road and skirting the north side of a landfill and on to the mouth. An Indian trail goes into the mouth at N32 47387, W115 59520. It fades and I scooted down to the creekbed and upstream stepping around dozens of waterholes. I came to the deepest and went up left around it then took a trail up onto the right bank to pass the next little fall and deep holes then it opened up. Soon I came to a white fall and dense boulders. I went up a gully on the left at N32 47544, W115 59966 and straight up unimpeded to the rim at the 1100 line. I walked level to a rim at N32 47304, W116 00072 then down it but soon it's rough. So I dropped right to easy ground and merged back to the rim and down to the flats and back. 2 hours, 300 noticeable gain. Interesting geology and waterholes. I could see that above the white fall the walking gets easy again. BEST LOOP -  it's an easy walk up the valley on the north side of the canyon then drop in and come back. A road can be walked from the mouth of Yote running east into the main wash. Or use the jeep road on the topo that branches off the Painted Gorge road. It's easy 4wd and ebikeable. From the end of the road in the main wash there is a gully at N32 47718, W115 59370 with cairns. The cairns lead to the flat north of peak 1034. Then there is a route down the rim at N32 47698, W115 59870. That's a pretty valley.  Posted 2024.
• PEAK 1474 is south of Ocotillo near the border and infested with trails. A good loop goes up the gorge on the north side then down a trail along the west side then over the summint and down the south ridge. Coyoter Number One Road goes in from highway 98 but is closed but that doesn't stop anybody. A legal way is a newer road that goes to the south side. Cars make that. Then walk the east base to a trail that enters the gorge at N32 40601, W115 56762. It leads to a drop but I went on a few feet to a rocky gully that leads down to the main wash. I went on up canyon passing 3 crates of provisions left by volunteers for migrants sneaking in but not many use that route. Once thru the gorge I turned south on a trail at 40236, 57996 with a 4th crate. I stayed on the trail to 39903, 57859 el 1100 then made a hard left up a ridge. Near the top I stayed right around a pointy peak then on to a trail at 39889, 57476. I had to rub my eyes because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Another stash but this one also had new clothes. Migrants aren't going up there. I went on to the summit then down the south ridge on a trail left of center. I dropped too low on a splinter trail and had to come back up. The trail wraps around to the right and meets another trail at 39693, 57016 and goes down the ridge. It fades near bottom and I landed at a deep waterhole. I went past more water then climbed left 50 feet or so to a trail at 39459, 56694 that soon levels off and goes thru a saddle el 1000 then down to 39822, 56689 where it goes onto the right rim and fades. I walked the rim down to the flats. This takes 4 or 5 hours with 500 noticeable gain. Hikers just wanting the peak could take the newer road to a major canyon at peak 1008 then walk a trail on the south rim of that canyon then come down the way I did. Posted 2024.
• MIGRANT CANYON is what I call one 2 miles SW of Ocotillo. I went up an Indian trail on the east rim then back in the canyon. Go south from the Ocotillo exit to highway 98 then go right for .9 mile to BLM road #162. Go half a mile on that as it bends left to a wash. Go up the wash a quarter mile to the mouth. Go up the main wash and the trail is on the left bank at N32 42725, W116 00949. It goes up to 42569, 00948 then tops out and fades on peak 1239. Then drop down a ridge into the canyon and stroll back. A narrow side canyon is on the left but I forgot to check it out. A crate of provisions was in the wash for migrants sneaking into the country but I only saw hiker tracks.  90 minutes, 400 easy gain. Posted 2024.

 

Mecca Hills Indian Trails, Joshua Tree NP

Ladder Canyon

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• An Indian trail runs up the west rim of Painted Canyon to towers and meets trails running east and west. Loops can be done. I put GPS tracks on peakbagger under Blink Benchmark.
• PAINTED CANYON TRAIL WEST LOOP - this one goes up the canyon then on the left rim up to the towers. Then I took one running west and looped back. This is the best hike on this page. From the Painted Canyon TH, I walked up canyon for 1.2 air miles to a main fork. I stayed left for half an air mile then took the obvious tourist trail up the rim. It goes down the rim to Ladder Canyon, but the Indian trail goes up the rim to the towers. At el 1500 it goes over a steep little hill but there is a wuss route around the left side. I got to the towers and the trail fades but I circled left to one at N33 39790, W115 59042. It follows a road along the wilderness boundary. At 39713, 59698 it shortcuts a bend in the road and angles up to the right to hit the road again. All remaining coordinates are W116.  The trail leaves the road and down a ridge at W33 39634, W116 00553 and on to 39584, 00759 then 39420, 01227. At the end of the ridge an obvious low saddle is to the left. I went thru and up a wash and up to the rim at 38976, 01789 with gorgeous pavement. I walked south a little toward Mecca Hill and into a wash that took me to a main wash then I went up that to a fork at 38530, 01569. I stayed left then left at the next one and it winds around seemingly the wrong way but nope it leads to the divide at 38436, 01375. I dropped down there in mud hills and walked downstream back to the start. 5 and a half hours, 11.4 miles, and maybe 500 noticeable gain. Next time I'll reverse it to be going downhill on the steeper parts and the sandy Painted Canyon. Posted 2024.
• PAINTED CANYON TRAIL EAST LOOP - this time I took the trail to the towers and came back in an east fork of Painted Canyon. From the Painted Canyon TH, I walked up 10 minutes to the sign for Ladder Canyon and went up that to get on the rim. I walked it all the way to the towers and stopped by Blink Benchmark. I then walked the road and headed for an Indian trail at N33 39873, W115 57898. It must have taken them to Box Canyon but so much vehicle impact makes it no fun now. It's better to just plot the best route along the flats to a fork at 38936, 57362 on the north side of peak 1707. It's soft sand down that back to the start and that's why I wouldn't reverse this. 5 and a half hours, 12 miles, 500 noticeable gain. Posted 2024.
• NORTH TRAILS - peak 1513 has trails on the west ridges. The Cactus City exit on I-10 has a high clearance road running south to towers. Westbound drivers have to use the next exit to the east and drive 3 miles on an easy 4wd gas road. Before the towers are two roads forking right. The one on the left at N33 40348, W115 58263 is best. It goes to the mouth of a canyon then a spotty trail goes up canyon at 39889, 59212. It goes over the rim to 39935, 59570 then to 40044, 59809. It soon crosses a road then goes level on the left of a drainage then up a little to the road again. It crosses and soon crosses back then on down a ridge and hits a main wash. There I went right across the wash and up the rim and walked a spotty trail back to peak 1513 and followed the high ground back to the first trail. When I got to where I first crossed the road I left that trail and walked the road. It has a trail but mostly bulldozed. I saw later on the sat image that I could have veered right off the road to a trail at 40034, 59556 then to 40025, 59138 where it runs down a drainage and back to the start. 3 hours, the app has the gain at 800, all easy. All roads are high clearance except the gas road that westbound drivers use. Posted 2024.
• LOST PALMS OASIS is in the southern part of Joshua Tree NP. An easy one way hike is possible. I put a track on peakbagger under Mastodon Peak. At the southern entrance to the park there is an aqueduct. Go east along it on a graded road for 4 miles then left along power lines for a fifth mile to a gate. Leave a car there then ride an ebike 12 miles to the upper TH in the park. The topo shows the trail to the palms. There is a signed side trail to Mastodon Peak. At the palms the trail forks. Left goes down to the palms then it's just down canyon with a couple of minor boulder obstacles then there is a pipeline trail on the right bank at N33 42360, W115 45349. Not used in years, it needs pruning. I could see it on the sat image. It follows the pipeline and hits the creekbed below Victory Palms. Soon there is a canyon on the left that goes to good palms at Summit Spring. A cairned route on the right bank goes up then merges back to the creekbed at 42475, 44859. It's less than 10 minutes to the palms and spring but dry that day. Back in the main wash there is an option to go up a gully at 42206, 44717 to get on a huge bench and avoid ATV tracks in the main wash. Near the end of the bench is a low saddle that offers an alternate route but rocky and takes longer. It is more scenic though and has no tire tracks. For that, go thru the saddle reading 41877, 442222  then a faint trail goes along the right side of the canyon then down. Get on the left bank at 41249, 43829 and then the last steep bouldery drop has a route on the far left. It took me 4 hours and 9 miles and that includes the side trip to the peak and walking the easy way in the main wash at the end. The gain is all super easy but for about 400 and half of that is the peak. A side trip to Summit Spring would add an hour. The only water was a tiny stream about 10 feet long at Lost Palms. The alternate rocky canyon at the end of the hike had a huge pothole full of water. Posted March, 2024.
• COTTONWOOD BASIN is in south Joshua Tree NP and SW of the visitor center. A one way hike can be done by entering by way of Pinkham Wash then out the easy east wash. I parked on the highway at BM 2826 which is mp 31.5 then rode my Zizzo bike nearly 2 miles to the visitor center then went left on the high clearance Pinkham road for a bit over 6 miles to point 3316. I walked to N33 46591, W115 54500 to get around a point and into the wash. I strolled up to the basin then took a side trip up peak 4262. It's too easy to pass up. I stayed in the main wash to avoid gullies then left it for 700 feet to high ground at 44511, 55538 that leads to a ridge at 44622, 55984 then followed the topo up. I came back down then crossed the basin to a century old marker at 44654, 53889. I went on over the divide to a wash at 44586, 53509 then down it to the highway. 5 hours, 12.5 miles and no noticeable gain except for the side trip up the peak and that isn't steep. A mtn bike and high clearance vehicle is all that's needed. It wouldn't be a bad plan to haul 2 or 3 gallons of water into the basin and set up a base camp. Solitude is a big plus. The Pinkham road goes on over a low divide then down the wash to a graded road along the interstate. 4wds have packed the sand somewhat and my cycle didn't have many traction issues. It's 99% easy 4wd with a few harder obstacles in the central part. Jeeps get thru easy. At the 1960 line there is tricky fork. The real road  follows posts to get on the right bank then on to the boundary of the park and then a left fork goes to the graded road. Then it's 3 miles to a freeway interchange. It's 20 miles from the visitor center to the graded road making a total of about 23 to get to the interchange. It's hard to judge if fat tire ebikes can make it down the wash. Posted 2024.
• PEAK 4262 is on the west side of Cottonwood Basin. An easy one way hike can be done out of the basin then down the south ridge. I took I-10 to exit 162 then drove nearly 3 miles west on the graded frontage road to Pinkham Wash. I left my truck there then rode my cycle back to the freeway and on to the visitor center then went left on the high clearance Pinkham road for a bit over 6 miles to point 3316. I walked to N33 46591, W115 54500 to get around a point and into the wash. I strolled up to the basin and stayed in the main wash to avoid gullies then left it for 700 feet to high ground at 44511, 55538 that leads to a ridge at 44622, 55984 then followed the topo up. The west summit had a reg placed in 1986 by M&L with only 2 entries since. I then dropped to the south saddle and walked the easy ridge on around the west side of peak 3905 then to peak 3023 where I turned west. I hit a saddle at 43179, 57768 el 2600 and could have dropped down either side. I went down the drainage on the left as it's shorter and more scenic. Soon I could move to the left rim then down and out in a nice wash. At the main Pinkham Wash I stayed near the left bank and walked pristine washes to my truck. 5 hours, 10.3 miles and the only noticeable gain is the easy 500 up to the peak out of the basin. The next day I did the hike over peak 4493 to retrieve my cycle. A party with 2 cars and mtn bikes can do the same over 2 days. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
• PEAK 4493 is an easy walk from the visitor center. I went over the peak to retrieve my cycle from the peak 4262 hike the day before. I parked a fifth mile in on the Pinkham road at a wash. I walked up that then to high ground at N33 45199, W115 49937. I walked with the flow for a bit over half a mile to a main wash then up that then got on the right bank at 45284, 51225. Then I had some good pavement to the wussiest ridge on the map at 45080, 51741 el 3500. I followed the topo up to the summit then down a ridge at 45618, 52968 and used the topo to stay on the easiest ridges down to my cycle at point 3316. 3 hours, 10 minutes, and 1000 noticeable gain. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
• COTTONWOOD BENCHMARK el 4372 is south of Cottonwood Basin. I did a one way from the visitor center over  the peak then down the south ridge. I dropped my cycle off at exit 162 on I-10 then drove 15 miles to the visitor center. I went left there on the Pinkham road for a fifth mile to a wash. I walked up that then to high ground at N33 45199, W115 49937. I walked with the flow for a bit over half a mile to a main wash then up that then got on the right bank at 45284, 51225. I then followed the low ground around the right side of a hill then on to a main wash at 44720, 51914. I crossed it to the far bank and strolled past a century old marker at 44650, 52161. I kept going a third mile or so and dropped left to a main wash then up to a fork at 44619, 52970. I went left and stayed in the main wash then thru the north saddle of peak 4356 then on to peak 4425. A reg placed by M&L in 1980 was still there. I went on to the BM then to 42997, 54870 where a path took me around a bump to the descent ridge. I went down past peak 3994 then peak 3110 then Cottonwood G which has a rectangular marker. I went south from there then it got rockier so I dropped right at 41068, 55096 then soon went to the right down a drainage and hit bottom. I walked the far bank till it ended then on to a road at 40622, 54973 that goes to exit 162. 6 and a half hours, 11.6 miles, 1500 gain but more than 1000 of that is easy washes. The descent ridge is rocky soil but no boulders or cliffs to figure out. Sheep trails skirt some of the bumps. Thick soles needed. An alternate route for ascent or descent is the main wash at mp 31.5 on the road to the visitor center. Not nearly as dramatic as the ridge. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
• MONUMENT MOUNTAIN el 4834 is a huge one along the Pinkham road. I made a good loop up smooth washes from the east then down the south ridge. I rode about 3 miles in on the Pinkham road from the visitor center then headed for the main east wash at N33 47962, W115 50852. I went up that to the first main fork and went right then stayed on smooth gravel along the west side of peak 3846 then SW of peak 4157 and on to the final NW ridge of the peak at 49249, 53834 el 4150. I went up and over the summit then down the south ridge on a spotty hiker trail. The ridge levels off around the 4600 line and I stayed right past all the bumps along there. At a saddle reading 47752, 53238 el 3950, I dropped left to a level ridge el 3800 and walked it to a canyon at 47850, 52830 el 3700. I went down that and it got rough so I stepped up to the left thru a saddle at 47570, 52712 el 3500 then down to the flats. A bike there would have saved me a mile and a half back to the start but I was asleep at the wheel. That took 5 hours, 13 minutes, 11 miles and no noticeable gain until the last 700. I couldn't believe how easy the washes are all the way up to el 4100. I put a track on peakbagger. A mtn bike is all that's needed for this without the shuttle but to avoid the mile and a half at the end would need a high clearance vehicle and bike. Posted 2024.
• LEE BENCHMARK el 3383 is on the west rim of Cottonwood Canyon near the south entrance of Joshua Tree. A one way hike is easy using the ancient road to Coyote Mine. I parked on the highway at mp 34.3 then rode my Zizzo 3 miles up to a mega wash at BM 2826. I walked up the wash to the faint road at N33 44079, W115 50787. It soon fades so I went over the rim to it again at 43908, 50778. It goes down a wash then up left at 43878, 50612 and on to the mine. Then it's an easy ridge to the BM and then I went on to a saddle at 43053, 49813. I followed the topo on thru the west saddle of peak 3155 and immediately veered onto the south ridge of that peak and down to a saddle at 42255, 49589. The ridge turns nasty there so I dropped left out of the saddle down the drainage for 350 feet then I could move left to an easy ridge down then walked the base to my vehicle. 3 hours, 40 minutes for the hiking part and the app had the gain at 860 and all easy. ALTERNATE ENDING - it would easier to walk straight south at the end of the hike to a car spotted at  1778 on the canal road. But it makes for a harder shuttle if all you have for a second vehicle is pedal bike and so I think not worth it. Posted 2024.
• GOLDEN BEE MINE TRAIL - this trail goes from the mine to the crest then it's easy to run the crest to the tipples trail. I parked on the Pinto Basin Rd at the tipples TH at mp 8. I then coasted down a mile and a half on my bike and locked to a yellow sign. I walked the flats to the mine road at N33 54908, W115 56199. It is soon gone so I went straight to ruins at 54675, 56249 then was on the road again and walked it to the end at a spool. A trail starts there and goes to the mine then resumes on the right at 54282, 56124. At a saddle it splits and I went right up the ridge and the trail goes around the north side of peak 3298 and fades. But it's easy to go on to peak 3641 then along the east side of the plateau to the easiest ridge down at 54486, 58216 el 3550. I hit the wash then thru a low saddle to 55089, 57813 and on down canyon to the fork with the Golden Bell Mine. I walked a road up the fork to the mine then a trail at 55486, 57506. It goes to mines then up to the right and on up the right slope of the canyon and to the tipples where a tourist trail goes to the highway. 4 hours, 2000 gain, 7.5 miles. Easy terrain. SHORT VERSION - take the trail to the tipples then go east on the ridge and soon the trail to the Golden Bell shows up.Then just follow the topo on to the Eldorado and on to the highway. Posted 2024.
• WASHINGTON WASH - the upper part is the best. I did a loop down into it from Hexie Mtns high point. I parked on the west side at point 4067. I could have drove a car all but the last 5 miles then ebiked it. I walked to the south side of peak 3903 at N33 51720, W116 01852 then to high ground at 51684, 01048. I just kept going up to peak 4725 then peak 4491 and on down the ridge to peak 4161. I dropped south down a ridge there at 51925, 56693. I went down that to the final ridge at 51180, 56673 el 3650 then at 50520, 56614 el 3100 I dropped down to the right to hit the wash. Then I just went up canyon on smooth sand to a fork at 51267, 01089 and went left back to the start. 8 hours, 15 minutes, 18 miles with 3000 gain. The last 1200 gain is up the easy wash. Rocks were not an issue except for the last 300 down to the wash. The reg on Hexie high point was the only sign of humanity but for balloon trash. Sheep tracks were in the wash. Where's the water? Show me the water! I put a track on peakbagger under Hexie high point. Posted 2024.
• TWENTYNINE PALMS MOUNTAIN el 4560 has two roads up that can be connected for a loop. The 4wd Gold Park Road goes in from town as shown on the topo. The road that branches off toward the summit has a locked gate at the base of the mountain. So I just went on past that road for half a mile and parked. Then I walked to the closed road and on up to the summit where I could see the other road to the south near peak 1308. I walked down that back to the start. 3 hours, 1500 gain. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
• PAYMASTER MINE LOOP - the 4wd road in by way of Gold Park is closed at point 1118 south of a guzzler. So it's better to come in from the Pinto Basin Rd at the sand pit. There is a faint road cutting north of peak 3607 and it connects to the road to the mine. Some relics are there and a risky tunnel.There is an option to go on up canyon to get on the easy ridge to peak 3734 or just go down the easy wash running west of it then pick a route back to the start. It measures out on the map at 8 miles or so. I came in the Gold Park route and went to the mine then along the ridge to peak 3734 then down to the wash and back. It took 3 hours, 40 minutes. Easy hike either way. Posted 2024.
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  That's all there was in the book on peak 4262 west summit.

  
  

Soda Mountains Wilderness, California

2. ⦁ CRONISE BENCHMARK el 3617 has easy routes from the north. But instead of taking the tedious road around to the north, I made a loop from the south. At exit 230 on the interstate a sandy road goes staight north to East Cronise Lake. Everybody drives across it to BLM road #8806 on the north side. I followed that road to point 1086 like the topo shows then walked north to the main wash at N35 11710, W116 20673 that leads to the west canyon which is south of peak 1927. I strolled up that then up an easy ridge at 12519, 19517 to get around to the flats north of the peak. I cut thru hills at 12911, 19146 then on to where I could see up the north ridge then the rest to the summit was obvious. I also could have stayed in the washes to the east saddle. I found my name in the reg from 2 decades earlier but couldn't remember a thing. I must have come in from the north power road when it was in better shape. CHP helicopter pilots signed in but they don't get credit. I walked from the summit to 11523, 17959 where I could see ridges all the way down. Near bottom I moved left to a gully at 11186, 17790 el 2450 and had easy gravel down to the flats.6 hours, 17 minutes, nearly 12 miles with 2700 gain and that's all easy washes except for the last 800. Next time I'll do the loop minus the peak and there will be hardly any noticeable gain. There is good pavement on the north flats. All roads easy 4wd. Road #8806  goes on past a corral near point 1086 and apparently on to the power road. It is not ruined by OHVs, yet. CRONISE MOUNTAINS HIGH POINT el 2360 can be done from road #8806. I just walked to the north canyon at 07433, 19157 then up the obvious ridge. 1000 noticeable gain. I put a track on peakbagger.  Posted 2024. 
3. ⦁ CRONISE CAT is a sand dune shown on the topo SW of East Cronise Lake. At exit 230 on the interstate a sandy road goes staight north to power lines. Go left along those for a third mile then right and the road will bend toward the dune. I went up a ridge south of BM 1076 reading N35 07333, W116 17643. At 07259, 18137 el 1900 I could see the ears but had to go a little higher to get there then down the back of the cat to the flats. It purred all the way. 90 minutes, 900 gain. All roads easy 4wd. I could have rode an ebike most of the way. Posted 2024. 
4. ⦁ SANDTASTIC PEAK el 2395 is what hikers call the high point of the Mollhausen Mountains. Take the Rasor exit and get on an airstrip behind a gas station. Go west to the end then a sandy road goes on across a deep wash then splits. Stay left to where the road tops out then walk to N35 06354, W116 12704 and follow easy ground up and to 06141, 12456 then stay on the high ground to the summit. 90 minutes, 700 gain. Easy terrain. If parked at the gas station I would loop back in the east part of the mountain. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
5. ⦁ PAVEMENT IN THE SKY is what I call the mile long plateau that peak 823 meters sits on just south of peak 2719 . I took the Rasor exit and followed the road as the topo shows to get at the mega wash that runs east of the peak. A nose cone is along the way at N35 09960, W116 14101 and that's the only sign of humanity I saw. I soon came to boulders but there is a passage in the middle then I took a left fork around the north side of the plateau then at 10415, 15448 el 2450 I climbed left to the top. Then I went to the south rim and walked it past some good pavement and a tortoise shell at 09806, 14648 and then on to the south point. I went down a stairway there at 09674, 14647  and angled down to the right to a smooth rim and walked it down then out. I could see that the north ridges of peak 808 would be easy. That takes 4 or 5 hours, 8 miles and 150 noticeable gain. This is so easy it makes pie look hard. It's pie in the sky. The road in is very bumpy 4wd. Posted 2024.
6. ⦁ SODA MOUNTAINS HIGH POINT -  I made a loop up the south canyon to the west ridge. The best road in is from the Zzyzx exit. It's easy 4wd. I went north to the power lines then west 3 miles to a BLM road that goes to the east canyon. I went .6 mile up that and parked then coasted down a mile and a half on my Zizzo bike to high ground at N35 10101, W116 12040. I walked that to the south canyon then walked the forks that lead to the east side of peak 3461. At 11292, 15242 el 2560 I came to a fall. I climbed up to the right up a smooth ridge and on to 11457, 14814 where I could skirt a bump. I went over the summit then down the north ridge to a saddle near peak 894 then took a hard right to the final ridge at 12088, 13980. I went north down that then moved left near bottom then down canyon to a road on the far left a half mile before the mouth. It cuts right at 11222, 12110 and on to where I parked. The hike took 5 hours, 40 minutes and 11 miles. Gain is 2000 but the first half is up easy washes. I measured on the topo the distance to walk in from the Rasor exit and up the south canyon route and it came out a bit over 6 miles. The south canyon route is the most enjoyable. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
7. ⦁ SODA OESTE is the name in the reg on peak 1044 meters. Placed by M&L in 1978, only 4 parties signed in since. I took the Zyzzyx exit and then north on the road to the Blue Bell Mine. I went .8 mile past the power lines and parked. I went up the ridge to peak 935 but that's a rocky mess. It's way better to go up the north ridge. Head for a drainage at N35 13566, W116 12796 then move left onto the ridge and up to the summit. 4 hours, 1700 gain. All roads easy 4wd. I could have ebiked it. Posted 2024.
8. ⦁ PEAK 874 is a minor one SE of Cooper Mtn. A good loop goes up the east canyon then down the south ridge. I took the easy 4wd power road on the north side of Baker for over 3 miles and parked at N35 14756, W116 07098 then walked to 14973, 07651 and then to the bank of a wash at 15337, 08812. I dropped in and stayed right at a main fork then up to a gully on the left at 15433, 09508. I went up and bent left to a ridge at 15355, 09532 then up that to the main south ridge then down on a spotty sheep trail. I went over peak 835 then left down a ridge at 14337, 08741 and stayed on the right side of it all the way down to the wash then down canyon to the power road with less than a mile back. 3 hours, 45 minutes and all easy gain but for the 300 to get up on the south ridge. Smooth canyons and ridges. Posted 2023.
9. ⦁ COOPER MTN el 3438 has a road from the south but I made a loop from the Otto Mine at Baker up the east canyon then down the north canyon. The road to the mine is easy 4wd and goes on a little more then I walked to N35 16313, W116 06879 then 16234, 07446 then 16189, 07972 and at 16184, 08206 a word is spelled with rocks. I kept going with the flow into the main east canyon and stayed right at main forks and then stepped up on the right bank at 16336, 10737. I could see a little saddle a few feet north that is the descent canyon but first I went up the bank to the peak then back to the little saddle and down canyon. I hit 2 drops that I got around OK but it would be better to just walk from the little saddle down the east rim. It's gravel on down to 17325, 10900 where I went over the right bank then down the next wash. At 17725, 10496 I got on the right bank and walked pavement for half an air mile where I could cut right across the flats but hit the Mariana Trench. I dropped in it at 18179, 10197 and went downstream a few feet then over into the next fork and up that a little to exit. The next trench I crossed at 18139,09984 and the last one I entered at 18071, 09860 and went upstream nearly a fifth mile to exit then had it easy to a main wash at 17932, 09592. That soon forks then it's easy to walk between the forks and on to a low pass at peak 553 reading 17534, 09203 then it's downhill back to the start. 6 and a half hours, 13 miles and the only strain is the 400 gain on the side trip up to the peak. Good pavement and smooth washes. Various loops are possible as viewed from the summit. The BM says " Copper". I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2023.
10. ⦁ OTTO MOUNTAIN el 1715 is next to Baker. It has a mine trail up the south canyon. A sandy power road runs along the south side then a road branches off to the Otto Mine. Just past that the trail starts at N35 16334, W116 05975 and goes up canyon to a mine. It's easiest to go up along the left of the mine to the trail above it at 16608, 06015 and it cuts back left to a mine on the ridge then it's easy up the ridge. 90 minutes, 600 gain. I saw no reg. This trail needs to be adopted. With no 4wd I would just make a loop over it. Posted 2023.
11. ⦁ PEAK 572 is at the south end of Silver Lake. An easy 4wd road comes up from Baker to the south side of the lake as the topo shows. I walked washes along the north base to the main north canyon at peak 423 then up canyon almost to peak 553. I turned south up a smooth drainage at N35 17563, W116 08801 and over the rim into the main wash that goes south of the peak. I went over the peak and saw a 1929 mine claim then went down the ridge almost to point 411 then left down and along the base back. I could see that I could have gone to peak 547. 4 hours, 500 noticeable gain. Posted 2023.
12. ⦁ PEAK 1961 (598) is on the west shore of Silver Lake. A traverse is easy. A graded road cuts across the lake then drivers go south along the shore. Not legal but nobody's going to observe that. Just stay on the playa and drive lightly. I went up the canyon on the north side of peak 488. It soon enters a narrows and I got on the left bank. That ends then there is a fork. I stayed right and soon had it easy on the right bank up the NW saddle of peak 488. The next peak has a smooth saddle high on the right then there is a spotty sheep trail to the summit. I then went down the main south ridge to a wash. It goes back to the shore but it's easier to get on the right bank at about the 350 line and follow the flow. 3 hours, 1000 gain. This is one of the more enjoyable peaks. Posted 2023.
13. ⦁ PEAK 1696 (517) is NW of Silver Lake. I made a clockwise loop around it but a one way is better. I was camped on the east side along the graded power road. I walked to the mouth of the canyon that runs north along the west side of the peak. At the mouth there is a mine road on the far right bank. I goes into the wash then resumes to the divide, but I stayed in the wash almost to the divide then went up to the road. It ends just before the NW ridge then it's steep but not loose up the ridge to the summit. I retraced back to the road and then north in the main canyon. Soon the right bank is easy. I took the canyon on the north side of peak 413 to get around to the flats and then I should have gone straight to the highway with a bike stashed there because walking the east side has too many gullies. That took 3 and a half hours and all easy but for the 300 gain up to the summit and I'll skip that next time. The pristine north canyons are the main attractions. Posted 2023.
14. ⦁ RED PASS BENCHMARK el 3268 is on the north side just inside the Fort Irwin base. The south ridge is easy. The road in is the only issue. A graded powerline road goes in from highway 127 at mp 9.5 but turns 4wd. Another road goes in at mp 8.1 and merges. The power  road would be easy if not for severe washboard caused by OHVs. After nearly 9 miles of 4wd there is a wash at N35 16942, W116 16530. I walked that to the end then up a ridge at 17110, 17583 and had it easy to the summit. 3 hours, 1000 noticeable gain. The last mile and a half of that nasty road could be avoided by hiking the north ridge. A loop over the summit would be good. Another possibility for driving is the corridors on the north side of the power lines. I was on one for a couple miles and it wasn't bad. PEAK 3494, 3 and a half miles to the east, can be done on the drive back. Mine trails on the south side make for a good loop. The road in departs the power road at 20832, 12072 like the topo shows. It's easy 4wd and lightly used. At the last mile it goes into a rocky wash. I started walking there but I goofed because it appears again in a tenth mile. I could have drove a jeep to the TH at 17706, 13309. The trail is in good shape and goes past a tunnel. I went in it but chickened out when I saw timbers supporting the ceiling. The trail ends at a steel tram tower. I went up past it a few feet into a gully at 17842, 13515. That leads to a notch where I leveled off left of center to a saddle then up the ridge. A trail resumes to the right at 17972, 13468 and goes up along the north side of the ridge to a mine on the ridge. It's easy to walk level on past a peak there on the left side then next is the reg at 17849, 13895. Placed by M&L and party in 1978 and only had half a dozen entries. I kept going on the main ridge then left of crags and back to center at 17741, 14001. Then I had it easy down to a major saddle and a spotty trail goes down the canyon. At bottom it runs on the right bank back to the road. 3 and a half hours, 1000 gain. ALTERNATE - it looks good to walk from near the Red Pass BM parking spot to the canyon with peak 853 then run the ridge north to peak 3494. Posted 2023.
15. ⦁ HOLLOW HILLS WILDERNESS is tiny but loops in easy washes can be done in the central part. I took the smooth road in from Silver Lake ruins on highway 127. It goes along the wilderness boundary and meets a power road. I parked there and walked to a wash at N35 23549, W116 04719. I went nearly a half air mile up that then 400 feet to a trail on the left bank of a small wash at 23395, 04197 then left around a small hill and on to the main valley. Then to the bank of a wash at 23101, 03414 and on to high ground at 23127, 02019. I stashed a water bottle in the wash there. I stayed on the high ground for half a mile to a wash that leads toward peak 924. I walked the bank to a fork then dropped in and had it mostly smooth to 23045, 00374. There I went left up to the NE saddle of peak 942. Then I went left to the next ridge down and hit the canyon floor and had it smooth to 22069, 00297 at the mouth. I then walked the base to a wash at 22141, 00574. I crossed and on to high ground at 22166, 00707. I walked it down to a wash then down it and up on the right bank at 21983, 01001. I crossed the next wash and up thru a gap at 21927, 01148 and down to the main wash then up. It turns rocky but at 22322, 01560 the left bank works to the east saddle of peak 768. Then I could see the last saddle straight ahead but gullies were in the way. I dropped down into the deep one then skirted above the rest and thru the saddle and down to my water then retraced back. 7 hours, 13 miles and all easy gain except for 2 or 300. Backpackers could set up camp where I stashed my water and take a hike up the NW ridge of Silver Lake BM. I posted a track on peakbagger under the BM. Posted 2023.
16. ⦁ SILVER LAKE BENCHMARK el 3773 - I made a loop from the north in easy washes and ridges. I took the smooth road in from Silver Lake ruins on highway 127. It goes along the wilderness boundary and meets a power road and goes across then parallel. I took the next connecting road to get back to the power road then a mile on that to a road that goes to peak 1927. I only had a mile of washboard. I walked up a wash on the east of the peak and thru a saddle at N35 23894, W115 59266 then got on the right bank at N35 23609, W115 58858. I followed the easiest ground around peak 994 then up the canyon north of peak 956. I went up a ridge at N35 23173, W115 59067 then easily stayed left of bumps to the summit. I then walked to the south saddle of peak 1154 then dropped west and moved right to an easy ridge down to the wash. I went down to a fork at N35 23069, W116 00139 and went right then stayed left over a saddle then down the easy wash. At N35 22952, W116 01489 I got on the right bank and it took me to the mega wash leading back. I took a left fork at N35 23796, W116 00922 for the last part. 6 hours, 11 miles and less than 1000 strenuous gain. I put a track on peakbagger April 2024.

    

    Pavement in the sky

    
    

    

    Easy canyon to Cronise BM

    
    

De Beque, Colorado

1940s Pepsi bottle at Coon Hollow

 

The main attraction is the area west of town on the south side of South Shale Ridge. A lot of colorful badlands canyons drain the ridge and those will be mud bogs early in the season. The area has lots of campsites with Verizon and TV signals. County V.2, aka Winter Flats Road, goes into the area and is bumpy gravel to mp 10.5. Then it smooths out to Akali Canyon where it turns to high clearance. The main road can be followed thru a pass west of Corcoran Peak and on north to county X.5 then back to town for a loop of 50 miles. 4wd might be needed at some rutted spots on the steeper grades. The only good water I saw near a road is at the start of the Main Canyon hike. There is a country store in town with gas. Posted October, 2023.

2. PYRAMID ROCK el 5540 is fenced off with closed signs but I assume that's for vehicles. I made a loop from the south. I rode the west road then around to the south road to a left fork that is fenced near point 5009. I walked to a wash at N39 18063, W108 16010 and stayed straight to an obvious drainage ahead. It goes up left then bends right to the east ridge. I went up to the summit then came back and down to 18521, 15947 where a grassy slope leads down to the main east saddle. I only had one way to go to get on the east peak and had an easy ridge to 18602, 15250 where a spotty trail goes down the left side of a drainage. I then walked the main wash down to a fence and followed trails along that back. 2 hours, 18 minutes with 800 noticeable gain. Good badlands and I didn't disturb any of it on this loop. Posted 2023.
3. COON HOLLOW is an interesting area west of De Beque. A good loop goes up the jeep road then back on the south rim. County V.2 goes in paved then gravel then easy 4wd to the parking spot south of peak 5464. A cow trail runs along the south base of that peak and meets a road that leads to the jeep road running up canyon. I walked it to el 6300 where it turns west. A faint road branches left to a defunct stock tank then it's easy on to the rim at a saddle el 6400 . I went over peak 6640+ then down the SE ridge but hit steep drops at a rim. So I should have gone down a gully at N39 18536, W108 20597    to the rim then right to a gully with a tunnel at 18442, 20694. The tunnel doesn't go thru so I went over it then down the drainage to a bridge and crossed on it then had easy shelves and then a dirt bike trail. I just stayed on the rim to peak 5945 then dropped off a rim at 18339, 17974 then down the final ridge at 18393, 18129. It's a 5 or 6 hour hike, 1500 noticeable gain, 11 miles. Easy terrain, good pj forests. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 5945. The jeep road up canyon is good for all two wheelers until where it climbs up and that gets tough even for jeeps. Posted 2023.
4. UPPER COON HOLLOW has a lot of forks with good looking badlands. Short loops can be done. The road up canyon is easy 4wd to a washout at the 5560 line. A bypass goes left into the main wash but has sharp dips. Two wheelers make it thru. I strolled up the canyon west of peak 5830 and came to a big fall el 5950. I went up the left slope there at N39 19698, W108 21263 then walked the ridge to 19864, 21677 and could see a gully down to my left leading into the next canyon west. I walked it down to the floor then downstream to a slide of dark dirt that nearly blocks the way. I should have got on the right bank there because I came to a big drop below the slide and had to climb out anyway. I went down a drainage at 19552, 21495 to get back in. Near bottom I could have stayed on an easy rim and hit bottom at 19557, 21366. I walked down to the road and back. 2 hours, 20 minutes with 400 noticeable gain. WASHOUT CANYON - the canyon at the washout el 5560 runs north into some good badlands. It's an easy stroll for nearly a mile to a fall blocking the main left fork . The right fork gets bouldery but might go thru. A longer hike is to walk the west rim then down a skinny rim to the west. The rim goes up easy to a good pj forest el 6700.  I walked west thru that then should have tried the long ridge going south to 29 on the topo. It looked OK from below, but I went down the gully on the west side of it and had a tricky little drop. Once down it's easy to move right to the skinny ridge and walk it down nearly to the saddle west of peak 5830.   It gets too skinny along the way and I had to drop left then come back to center at el 5880. 2 and a half hours, 1200 easy gain. The skinny ridge is the best in the Coon Hollow drainage. Posted 2023.
5. PEAK 6855 - I did a loop over that in upper Coon Hollow to the jeep road then down the south ridge. I rode up canyon to where the road climbs up and parked el 5700. 4wds would have to park a mile sooner. Then I walked the main canyon west past peak 6030 and the canyon narrowed down with mudslides trying to block the way but it's not hard to get thru yet. At a fork reading N39  19069, W108 22699 el 6250 I went right for 200 feet then up the right bank. I had clean slopes up to 19354, 22818 el 6900 where I leveled off toward the jeep road. I dropped too low along there and should have gone up to 19551, 22785 near the road. The road is nearly gone. It crosses a tiny stream where a bear lives. I walked it then veered south over peak 6855 and to the south ridge at 19491, 22098 el 6750. I dropped to a class 3 break at 19470, 22133 then at 19401, 22104 I dropped off the left side of the ridge then came back to center then down to el 6400. I then dropped left to a drainage at 19269, 21950 and crossed to the far side and walked the rim down. 4 hours, 15 minutes, 1000 noticeable gain, some easy class 3. I found a 1940s Pepsi bottle near the start half buried. An ebike is the best vehicle for the road up Coon. Posted Sept, 2023.
6. MOUNT LOW el 5801 is a lonely one but good loops are possible. I started up a scenic wash along the Coon Hollow road at N39 18875, W108 17302 and strolled up nearly a mile to a main fork el 5150.  Taking the right fork would make a good short hike, but I went left to get on the ridge between the forks. I followed the ridge up over point 6058 and on up to the main ridge east of peak 6520. I then rim walked down and left of peak 6268 then down a ridge at 20547, 17263 and on to a wash at 20543, 16818. I walked that to a drop and went down the left side to a rim and walked it to a huge shelf el 5650 and followed that to the peak. Routes go up the south side of the summit block. Just survey junk was there. I retraced back to a faint ATV track and walked it down a clearing and it might go where I needed to go but I took a direct line to 19917, 15551 where I could go down a slope to a wash which I followed south to the main road. 5 hours, 20 minutes, 1400 noticeable gain. An ebike works for the 2 mile shuttle. An easier version would be to start on the new road to Twin Peaks and walk one way down. Posted 2023.
7. SULPHUR GULCH has one way options using the north rim road. I was camped at point 5370 and rode my Zizzo down the rim for 3 and a half miles to a road at point 4971 cutting over to the rim. A game trail there at N39 16445, W108 15714 leads down. I soon hit a tiny stream which I saw on the sat image but thought it was an early season stream. I barely stayed dry strolling up to a main fork el 5040 and took the right fork. It had a stream but soon ended and I walked under camp then to a fork and stayed left then came to boulders. I might have passed those on the west rim but I weaved thru then stayed right in a fork and easy ground to the WF road then back. 2 hours, 18 minutes, easy hike. Next time I'll wear wading shoes. No sign of cattle ever. I went to retrieve my bike and returned on the much better road running up to the south side of Pyramid Rock. Posted Sept, 2023.
8. HORSESHOE CANYON is an easy one but not as good as Sulphur Gulch. I parked on the north rim NE of point 5725 then rode my Zizzo down to point 5413 and dropped in at N39 16012, W108 17502. I went down to the last cliff above a flat then left to a slide to get down. Then I walked the flat to the mouth of White Sage and down. I strolled up  to the exit at 16508, 20761. 2 and a half hours for the hike, 100 noticeable gain. I wouldn't do this again but I might come down from the WF road and exit at point 5725. That looks to be unburned. Posted 2023.
9. 6 CANYON is what I call the one draining into Sulphur Gulch near peak 5865. It would be easy walk to the mouth and admire the formations but the canyon is blocked high up. I made a good loop up a ridge to the east then down the west rim. I parked at mp 9 where there is a sharp curve near peak 5540. I walked the wash there and stayed right at the first fork and on into a fork at N39 17585, W108 20904. I went on up it another 400 feet then up a ridge on the right and all the way to a plateau at el 6350. I turned west to a gully at 17932, 21642 el 6200. I went up that then leveled of along the south side of peak 6440+ and had it easy to a canyon. I went up the far side at 17910, 22047 el 6150 then on to the rim of 6 Canyon at 17930, 22292 el 9300. I dropped down there and followed a streambed into the canyon but it goes into a sinkhole. So I went left down a gully at 17937, 22417 and up to the west rim then down. Near the bottom is a wide gully on the right that leads down to washes and those lead to Sulphur Gulch which leads to the road. Nearly 4 hours and about 1000 gain, rarely steep. Really good color and bizarre erosion. Over a mile could be saved by spotting a bike at point 5799 but Sulphur is a nice wash walk. Posted 2023.
10. PEAK 6642 - I made a loop up the south ridge then down an east ridge. Leave a bike on the WF road at mp 12.1 where a faint road goes to a stock tank. Then drive on west 1.3 miles to point 6025 then hike up the south ridge and over the peak to a bright gully on the north side that leads into the canyon running east of the peak. At N39 18364, W108 23896 el 6500 start climbing out at an easy angle to the east rim at 18378, 23795 el 6600. Drop down the other side then stay along the 5960 line on open ground to the ridge with the number 1 on the topo. Go SE down that main ridge to 17687, 23105 el 6200 then drop down the right rim of a gully. When it turns to badlands soil, move to center on easy rocks and when those end move back to the right at a tree then down. At bottom a good side trip is the next canyon downstream with good color. Then head for the stock tank road on the topo and out. 4 hours, 1200 gain, all easy. 3 hours if skipping the canyon. Good pj forest, mostly j. Posted 2023.
11. 6025 CANYON is a good short one at mp 13.4 on the WF road. At point 6025 a road goes north and then bends left in a quarter mile. I got off there and went right into the canyon and up to N39 18444, W108 24472. I went up the left slope there to 18422, 24499 and leveled off and soon merged onto the rim and strolled down thru a good juniper forest. I aimed for a ridge at 18015, 24626 that goes down easiest to the mouth. Under 2 hours, 200 noticeable gain. Posted 2023.
12. ALKALI CANYON is the longest badlands canyon along the Winter Flats road. I made a loop in the major forks. I parked near mp 17 and walked up canyon to the fork just south of the 6 on the topo. The 6 fork is best but blocked just south of the 6. So I took the east fork to N39 18222, W108 28655 where I could cut back over a saddle into the 6 fork. But first I checked out the east fork to the end and it's good but might skip it next time. I then went up the 6 fork and came back to a point at 18121, 28718  and climbed out and on  SW to 18078, 28947 where I could drop into the next fork. I hit a shelf at el 6400 and walked it upstream and merged into the main creekbed then left that at 18084, 29225 and west over the rim toward a basin in the west fork with two tiny 6600 circles. I dropped into the west fork at 17868, 29509 and any further downstream would not work but upstream would. I strolled up the fork to the basin where a fence was the only eyesore I had all day. I got behind it for some good badlands pics. I then walked the south bank to 17692, 29494 and dropped south into a drainage with ponderosa pines. In a few feet I moved right past a boulder to get to the main creekbed then down it to the mouth where brush was in the way but I used a trail on the left bank to hit the creekbed of Pine Gulch. Shortly down that is an unmapped road at 17401, 29659 el 6400 on the right bank. With a bike there I would have had a smooth ride back but I didn't study the sat image. The road pulls away from the creekbed and then I left it and shortcutted down the creekbed and hit the road again and back to the start. By skipping the east fork and using a bike for the last 3 miles this would be a 5 hour hike with 500 noticeable gain. I made it OK in shorts but could have easily guessed wrong and needed long pants. Cattle don't go into the upper forks but bears do. If just doing the 6 fork or east fork I would try coming in from stock tanks to the east and aim for the east fork at 18125, 28573. That would be easy. Posted 2023.
13. KNIGHT BENCHMARK el 6701 is on the east rim of Main Canyon. It's a short hike but I made a day of it by riding rim roads. At 11.1 on the WF road is an easy 4wd road going south to 3 forks at N39 14023, W108 21274. Left goes out to rims and far right goes to the rim of Pine Ridge where a cliff is in the way. There is stairway on the right at 14138, 22257 that goes to the top then to the left is a road. It looked like a road was constructed to the top but no one noticed the cliff. I just walked the road to the rim then on to the summit. It's a nearly 3 hour easy hike. I rode back to the 3 forks and headed for the rims. The north rim of Asbury Creek is easy 4wd to point 5855 above I-70. The rim of Main Canyon is for OHVs and I went as far as an overlook above Cameo near point 6288. Everything but the Main Canyon rim is firm and ebikeable. Some fat tire ebikes might work on the Main Canyon rim. No rocks. I put a track for all this on peakbagger. Posted 2023.
14. ASBURY CREEK is by far the best canyon along the river. A trail goes in from the south rim along the canyon on the east side of peak 6044 but it takes an OHV to get at it. The sat image shows the OHV trail dropping in and it ends on a slickrock shelf. Then the foot trail goes along the right side of the canyon at that level and soon gets fuzzy. I went too low but found out on the return that the trail resumes at N39 11196, W108 19192 and bends right to a white cabin in view on the sat image. I went down along the east side of peak 6044 and hit bottom then had an easy stroll up canyon past point 5485 to an arch at 11909, 20347. I made a U-turn down canyon to a trail on the right bank at 11292, 18503 el 5200 that goes up then down to a trail on the right side of a gully at 11136, 18271 that leads down to a spring. It pours over a fall there el 5000 that ends travel. I then retraced back and was able to find the trail out. Next time I would stay on the trail to the cabin and try to go direct to the spring then go up canyon to the arch. I saw no way up to the north rim. I spent 5 hours but got lost. A Verizon signal on the rim makes it easy to navigate the OHV trail. It's easy 4wd to a fork east of peak 6004 then a fat tire ebike might work for the last 5 miles on the OHV trail. The GPS track I put on peakbagger for Knight BM shows the roads. Posted Oct, 2023.
15. UPPER MAIN CANYON - a one way hike can be done from the road crossing el 5950 downstream to the Round Mountain Trail that shows on newer maps. I rode the WF road to mp 19 and turned left down to the crossing. I left my pack there then rode on 8 miles and parked where the road drops to a gas well. I then rode my Zizzo bike back to my pack and dropped in on the north bank where the road pulls away to avoid brush. A tiny intermittent stream was there and I had an easy stroll down to the RMT. The last mile is best because horses can't get in. I got on the right bank at N39 12924, W108 23262 then walked a trail downstream for a tenth mile and hit the RMT. That goes up and bends left at 13146, 23454 and then at el 6200 it goes right somewhere but I just kept going up to the road at 13627, 23794 el 6350 and walked it back to the start. This is a bit over 4 hours and 1000 gain for someone with a 4wd and ebike. I took 5 hours as I walked the road some. This is the best part of the canyon but I would take wading shoes in May. All roads easy 4wd. There is free campground on Round Mtn just west of peak 6820. Posted Sept, 2023.
16. HUNTER CANYON SOUTH FORK is best done as a one way with minor rappells up to 50 feet. The trail up out of Adobe Creek would be one way to get in. I made a hiking loop from the top down. I parked along the road (a good camp is near there) west of Corcoran Peak and dropped down a ridge at N39 18593, W108 31842. I followed paths thru light brush then near bottom moved right and hit bottom at the 6360 line but I should have stayed left on a path that hits bottom at 18756, 31922. Either way works then it's a dry,open creekbed and at el 6200 there was a seep and plenty of water. At el 6000 I came to a 50 foot drop and I walked the north rim then down a little ridge at 18767, 33362 to get back down below the drop. But soon I had a 6 foot drop at el 5880 and decided to bail. I went straight up the south slope on a faint trail at 18743, 33422 and about halfway to cliffs I leveled on a safe trail for a tenth mile to 18722, 33524 then directly up on game trails. At 18660, 33491 el 6200 there is a trail bending left up to another trail at 18591, 33471 and leads up to a burn area. I stayed on the right edge of the burn until I saw a trail going up thru it then stayed on center in thin grass to a road at 17867, 33792. That road is on the topo and tops out at el 7450. If I had my folding bike stashed there I could have coasted the last 2 miles back. 4 hours, 17 minutes with 1500 gain. Next time I would reverse this now that I know it goes. An ebike for a shuttle would make it easier. Rappelling thru would start at the 50 footer with trees for anchors.  The remaining drops would be less and I know there is a 20 footer near the mouth and it had a pool. Fresh bear tracks were in there, even below that 6 footer that turned me back. Take bear spray. He'll be pissed now that I've exposed his hideout. The best road in is graded county X.5 running north of Corcoran Peak then turn south on the road thru the west pass. That road is high clearance with ruts but no rocks.  Posted Sept, 2023. 
17. TWIN PEAKS el 7442 has a new road on the north side to el 6800. The Roan Creek Road goes NW out out of De Beque to county X.5. Go 2.7 miles on that to a sign for Rustic Ranch then go left on a good road then stay on the main road. Some cars can make it to el 6250 then it's easy 4wd to N39 20666, W108 19854 el 6700. I could see a steep route up to the main ridge but didn't know I would be doing a traverse, so it's better to come down that route. So stay on the road then start up a ridge at 21020, 20641 el 6850 and up to a game trail at 20914, 20808 el 7200 that leads to the main ridge then up. Going down the main SE ridge has a couple of class 3 drops of 4 feet or so. That's narrow and to be avoided in howling wind. Short hike. The 6 miles of dirt road is ebikeable. Posted 2023.
18. ALKALI CREEK is a top notch wild area 6 miles east of De Beque with super easy walking, north of Castle Peak. A good road goes up Horsethief Creek then bends north to Smith Gulch. I parked on BLM land at N39 19479, W108 07357 and could have drove a car all but the last quarter mile. It's all public road. I then followed the topo up a fork of Smith to get into Alkaline and went up to the first major fork just below el 6200. I took the east fork along the south side of Housetop Mtn and it had a stream and little falls then at el 6600 there is a 20 foot fall with a flow. I saw the resident bear has a trail up around the right side so I went on to a fork at el 6900 and then turned back to the main fork below 6200. I took the other one and it had a stream for a third mile. I stayed left at main forks to water running over bedrock at 17914, 04264 el 6650. Not far past there is a tricky fall then one past that and so I turned back to the fork at el 6400 and went south in that but it gets bouldery and not worth it. I put a track on peakbagger under Horse Mountain. That took 8 and a half hours and only maybe 200 feet gain that wasn't super easy. Just going to the falls in the east fork would be less than 12 miles round trip and that's the best fork. All forks have plush forests of large conifers. I stayed dry but might not in May. Hikers who like to thrash around in brush will need to pack their own because there isn't any. And bear spray might be good in case that's a dopey bear who doesn't know he's supposed to be afraid of humans. Or invite a friend that you can outrun. I saw a million bear tracks in dry mud but nothing recent. No sign of cattle ever. I put a track on peakgagger under Horse Mountain. Posted Sept, 2023.
19. SMITH GULCH is a well preserved little jewel on the north side of I-70 east of De Beque. I rode in on the road shown on the sat image but on the ride out I saw the No Trespassing sign. So next time I would go on Memorial Day and park 2 miles west on BLM land at an underpass. Then I would ride my folding bike on old highway 6 to it and walk under the freeway and on up canyon. I saw no signs along there but it is private. If that fails, then the north side of the freeway could be walked to where BLM land nearly touches it then circle over to the canyon. It would be worth all that only if the stream is flowing and that can be checked at the highway. A little over 2 miles up canyon are little falls. The left bank passes those then merges back to the creek. I had to get on the left bank again but the right bank might be better to get at the source of the water. I spent 2 hours but it would be twice that if I had to walk from the underpass. No sign of cattle ever. Posted Sept, 2023.