Enjoying my coffee and watching this morning. What a beautiful hike. Just watched Mummy Nose from Lee Canyon, you pointed out the sisters and MacFarland peak in that one, and now we see the other side of the sisters and see roughly where you were on Lee Canyon. Maybe I can piece together the area video by video LOL.
Great comment! Piecing together the area by adventures and video is one of my major goals: Seeing the entire wilderness as a unified whole. So happy to see that's important to you too! Thanks for watching and commenting!
We hiked up to this point @26:00 minutes where we turned around last year 2023. We hiked up the upper bristlecone trail. It is closed here in 2024. We headed up the Bonanza trail towards McFarland. At this 26 minute spot we decided to turn around. Perhaps we will take the "Old Mill" trail up to that ridgeline soon and try for that summit this year. We did summit Sisters South a few weeks ago. That ridge is incredible. It is so beautiful up there and the weather is amazing in the summer months. This may be my top 5 hikes in the Spring Mountains. The views, trail, and peace. Very easy to get up there. It is very fast to get up to elevation. Wife loves ready made trails and mostly hates when I surprise her with weaving through brush so she loves this trail as well. She and I both love Lovell Canyon (Spring, Fall, and Winter) and she loves North Trail and Trail Canyon (when open for business). I want to explore more of the West side next year personally. Been wanting to do more of Stirling and Wallace Canyon up to overlooks of Cold Creek and overlooks of Pahrump from above. We purchased a 4 wheel drive that we just bought recently that I do not want to pinstripe for free in the wilderness. While researching, I heard that the Wallace Canyon road is really rutted out. Obviously, we all know about Wheeler Pass Road. You really need a serious off road type vehicle or high rise Jeep on that excursion. The back side of Charleston and the Spring Mountains do not seem to have much information online as far as hiking trails. Still remote here in 2024. Hard to get to because of the long treks up Trout and Carpenter Canyons. The roads are bumpy and long. This requires possible camping out. We have been on so many trails and explorations because of this/your channel. Peakery dot com is great. We feel and felt very safe because of your attention to detail. Thank you. You do it right. Go up to your likening and then return if not feeling safe. Map it out at home and then return to accomplish.
I love the limestone pillars at the 26 minute point in the video! Glad you made it to that point. Your strategy of only going as far as you feel comfortable, then heading back to return another day will give you many more years of wilderness exploration and enjoyment. It's the long story that makes the difference, not any one particular adventure. I've attempted McFarland a couple times before summiting in this video. The distance and the rolling elevation gains and losses from the Bonanza Trailhead (upper and lower) are exhausting. By the time I got to the summit gully entrance I was spent and did not have the energy to continue upward. One of the reasons I made it to the summit in this video is the shorter route from the South Sister trail and connecting ridge to the Bonanza Trail. Another reason I made it to the summit is that I was with people who had ascended the summit gully before...it took them more than one attempt too. That Western area you speak about is fascinating. You've described it well, along with some of the challenges of distance and challenging roads. However, because of those barriers, that entire area promises to be pristine and fairly untouched. Continue enjoying the wilderness, exploring and making new discoveries. You and your wife have been amassing quite a vault of personal knowledge and experience. Putting things together piece by piece over time creates a surprisingly amazing larger understanding of the wilderness as one unified whole, everything connected. Few people ever get to this point. I'm sure you and your wife will be two of the few!
It took me some time to see the Mummy too. It all came together when I was on Mt. Charleston at sunrise. Check out the Mummy Mt. picture in the slide show on this page, pretty dramatic: lasvegasareatrails.com/4-peak-peak-mt-charleston-wilderness-circuit-adventure/ If you ever wondered why they call it "Mummy Mt." the picture will end all doubts.
I remember eyeing out that ridgeline last year that heads east, when wife and I topped the Bonanza trail on the way to McFarland. After summitting Baby McFarland to the Southwest last year we turned around and headed back down the upper bristlecone trail. Some of my favorite trails out here in the Spring Mountains. I love the ridgeline heading on up to Sisters South. Amazing views and where are all the hikers of years past? Great trail. Not complaining but where are the adventurers of years past? I am eying either Bonanza or this hike next week. Depends on the weather. Last week 8k feet was still 89 degrees in Lee Canyon. Due to last years storms is unfortunate that we have so many trails closed off. This channel and your website should have more views. Very informative and amazing. Thank you. Last thing that I want to do on my days off are to hang out in this hot weather down in the valley. We pack a lunch, pack the packs with a few protein bars, water and essentials, take the dog sometimes, (he is older now), head up above 8k,9k,10k. These trails are mostly bigtime incline. We tough it and have an amazing day. The hikes back are mostly easy and then sundown. Again, thank you for your videos. Easier to accomplish with your help.
Thanks again for the good words John! Curiously, we met a guy who looked like he'd been out there a few years. It was at the point we left the Sisters trail and headed up the ridge toward the Bonanza trail. His name was Harlan Stockman. We exchanged website info. His is hwstock.org/ Definitely old style website, evidence its been around a long time. Keep up the great adventures! Regardless of what people in the valley are doing these hot days, you're creating life memories as you connect with the vast wilderness and see things few people ever see!
I think we are going to make it up to that saddle and head up to McFarland but try to return on the other saddle just south of where we headed up. Not sure. If it is cliffy and not a sure way then we will head back down the way we came down. It seems like a nice loop actually when researching google maps and others. Guess we will find out tomorrow . Head up Old Mill picnic area to the trail that leads to the ridgeline of Sisters South and Bonanza trail. We will traverse the west and left side instead of heading up to Sisters South to the East this time. Once we summit to Bonanza trail, we will head back south to a next ridgeline and return on a different path possibly. Not sure but looks like a nice loop of ridges and not heading into a wash or canyon return. Will try. Perhaps that trail is closed off like the upper bristlecone and other trails are. If it is then we return back the way we came.
Great plan. Note that the rock-lined trail beginning at the picnic area connects with the Bonanza Trail likely above the closed area. If you can find that point of connection on the lower Bonanza Trail you could return on the rock-lined trail to the Old Mill Picnic area. One strategy might be to take the rock-lined trail to the Bonanza Trail just to see where it connects, then go back to the Sisters trail for the loop. But you're probably out there now...so these thoughts are coming too late!
I am going to try a loop tomorrow. Heading up the way you boys went. Make it to Bonanza trail and then head south to the next ridge just south/Left. Then down and make a loop back to Old Mill. Not sure but will try. Hopefully there are no cliffs.
What you're planning is possible, and likely bypassing all the cliffs. In fact, you could be on trails the entire time. Everything out there is unmarked, but I think there are trails that cover the entire loop you intend.
Wife and I did complete the loop. Old Mill to Sisters ridgeline. Then we headed up west to Bonanza Trail. We then traversed south about a quarter mile south. We headed down that next southern Ridgeline which was nice but did not find a trail. Very easy for about half of the way down. We reached a point where we could see the road to Lower Bristlecone. We decided to head more South which is where we made it. Was more steep than we thought towards the halfway point. I think the loop would be better if at that point we crossed over more East at another ridge that was more above the starting trail up to the Sisters trail. It seemed more gradual. We exited and looped at that Lower Bristlecone section of Forest Road 204B on "Google Earth". That was fine descending but pretty steep. Not crazy but would never start my ascend up to where we were ever again. Not the best starting point for sure. Next time would do a loop of Sisters at this point and descend more East and land at the same "Stump" and not at the Lower Bristlecone Ridge. Great Day. You are correct. The fastest and quickest way up to Bonanza Trail is from Old Mill to the Sisters Trail up the Northwest corner of the picnic area. Both East and West Saddles up on the ridge are amazing trek in themselves. The views are amazing. I am curious where that Forest Road 204B winds up? Till next time. I am thinking more Upper/Lower Bristlecone and sections that have been wrecked an cannot get to because of what happened in summer of 2023. There is a great video of why. ruclips.net/video/RdL0zta0HBw/видео.html
You did it! Thanks for the report John! Sounds like you took a few turns that put you in some steep territory. I'll have to go out there and check out the loop. Great video link to a summary of a few of our favorite trails in the area and review of the recent flood damage. Thanks for your insightful comment and story!
Enjoying my coffee and watching this morning. What a beautiful hike. Just watched Mummy Nose from Lee Canyon, you pointed out the sisters and MacFarland peak in that one, and now we see the other side of the sisters and see roughly where you were on Lee Canyon. Maybe I can piece together the area video by video LOL.
Great comment! Piecing together the area by adventures and video is one of my major goals: Seeing the entire wilderness as a unified whole. So happy to see that's important to you too! Thanks for watching and commenting!
We hiked up to this point @26:00 minutes where we turned around last year 2023. We hiked up the upper bristlecone trail. It is closed here in 2024. We headed up the Bonanza trail towards McFarland. At this 26 minute spot we decided to turn around. Perhaps we will take the "Old Mill" trail up to that ridgeline soon and try for that summit this year. We did summit Sisters South a few weeks ago. That ridge is incredible. It is so beautiful up there and the weather is amazing in the summer months. This may be my top 5 hikes in the Spring Mountains. The views, trail, and peace. Very easy to get up there. It is very fast to get up to elevation. Wife loves ready made trails and mostly hates when I surprise her with weaving through brush so she loves this trail as well. She and I both love Lovell Canyon (Spring, Fall, and Winter) and she loves North Trail and Trail Canyon (when open for business). I want to explore more of the West side next year personally. Been wanting to do more of Stirling and Wallace Canyon up to overlooks of Cold Creek and overlooks of Pahrump from above. We purchased a 4 wheel drive that we just bought recently that I do not want to pinstripe for free in the wilderness. While researching, I heard that the Wallace Canyon road is really rutted out. Obviously, we all know about Wheeler Pass Road. You really need a serious off road type vehicle or high rise Jeep on that excursion. The back side of Charleston and the Spring Mountains do not seem to have much information online as far as hiking trails. Still remote here in 2024. Hard to get to because of the long treks up Trout and Carpenter Canyons. The roads are bumpy and long. This requires possible camping out. We have been on so many trails and explorations because of this/your channel. Peakery dot com is great. We feel and felt very safe because of your attention to detail. Thank you. You do it right. Go up to your likening and then return if not feeling safe. Map it out at home and then return to accomplish.
I love the limestone pillars at the 26 minute point in the video! Glad you made it to that point. Your strategy of only going as far as you feel comfortable, then heading back to return another day will give you many more years of wilderness exploration and enjoyment. It's the long story that makes the difference, not any one particular adventure. I've attempted McFarland a couple times before summiting in this video. The distance and the rolling elevation gains and losses from the Bonanza Trailhead (upper and lower) are exhausting. By the time I got to the summit gully entrance I was spent and did not have the energy to continue upward. One of the reasons I made it to the summit in this video is the shorter route from the South Sister trail and connecting ridge to the Bonanza Trail. Another reason I made it to the summit is that I was with people who had ascended the summit gully before...it took them more than one attempt too.
That Western area you speak about is fascinating. You've described it well, along with some of the challenges of distance and challenging roads. However, because of those barriers, that entire area promises to be pristine and fairly untouched. Continue enjoying the wilderness, exploring and making new discoveries. You and your wife have been amassing quite a vault of personal knowledge and experience. Putting things together piece by piece over time creates a surprisingly amazing larger understanding of the wilderness as one unified whole, everything connected. Few people ever get to this point. I'm sure you and your wife will be two of the few!
50:15 From the other side I never saw "the mummy" but this angle is fantastic, finally see it now.
It took me some time to see the Mummy too. It all came together when I was on Mt. Charleston at sunrise. Check out the Mummy Mt. picture in the slide show on this page, pretty dramatic: lasvegasareatrails.com/4-peak-peak-mt-charleston-wilderness-circuit-adventure/ If you ever wondered why they call it "Mummy Mt." the picture will end all doubts.
I remember eyeing out that ridgeline last year that heads east, when wife and I topped the Bonanza trail on the way to McFarland. After summitting Baby McFarland to the Southwest last year we turned around and headed back down the upper bristlecone trail. Some of my favorite trails out here in the Spring Mountains. I love the ridgeline heading on up to Sisters South. Amazing views and where are all the hikers of years past? Great trail. Not complaining but where are the adventurers of years past? I am eying either Bonanza or this hike next week. Depends on the weather. Last week 8k feet was still 89 degrees in Lee Canyon. Due to last years storms is unfortunate that we have so many trails closed off. This channel and your website should have more views. Very informative and amazing. Thank you. Last thing that I want to do on my days off are to hang out in this hot weather down in the valley. We pack a lunch, pack the packs with a few protein bars, water and essentials, take the dog sometimes, (he is older now), head up above 8k,9k,10k. These trails are mostly bigtime incline. We tough it and have an amazing day. The hikes back are mostly easy and then sundown. Again, thank you for your videos. Easier to accomplish with your help.
Thanks again for the good words John! Curiously, we met a guy who looked like he'd been out there a few years. It was at the point we left the Sisters trail and headed up the ridge toward the Bonanza trail. His name was Harlan Stockman. We exchanged website info. His is hwstock.org/ Definitely old style website, evidence its been around a long time. Keep up the great adventures! Regardless of what people in the valley are doing these hot days, you're creating life memories as you connect with the vast wilderness and see things few people ever see!
I think we are going to make it up to that saddle and head up to McFarland but try to return on the other saddle just south of where we headed up. Not sure. If it is cliffy and not a sure way then we will head back down the way we came down. It seems like a nice loop actually when researching google maps and others. Guess we will find out tomorrow . Head up Old Mill picnic area to the trail that leads to the ridgeline of Sisters South and Bonanza trail. We will traverse the west and left side instead of heading up to Sisters South to the East this time. Once we summit to Bonanza trail, we will head back south to a next ridgeline and return on a different path possibly. Not sure but looks like a nice loop of ridges and not heading into a wash or canyon return. Will try. Perhaps that trail is closed off like the upper bristlecone and other trails are. If it is then we return back the way we came.
Great plan. Note that the rock-lined trail beginning at the picnic area connects with the Bonanza Trail likely above the closed area. If you can find that point of connection on the lower Bonanza Trail you could return on the rock-lined trail to the Old Mill Picnic area. One strategy might be to take the rock-lined trail to the Bonanza Trail just to see where it connects, then go back to the Sisters trail for the loop. But you're probably out there now...so these thoughts are coming too late!
I am going to try a loop tomorrow. Heading up the way you boys went. Make it to Bonanza trail and then head south to the next ridge just south/Left. Then down and make a loop back to Old Mill. Not sure but will try. Hopefully there are no cliffs.
What you're planning is possible, and likely bypassing all the cliffs. In fact, you could be on trails the entire time. Everything out there is unmarked, but I think there are trails that cover the entire loop you intend.
Wife and I did complete the loop. Old Mill to Sisters ridgeline. Then we headed up west to Bonanza Trail. We then traversed south about a quarter mile south. We headed down that next southern Ridgeline which was nice but did not find a trail. Very easy for about half of the way down. We reached a point where we could see the road to Lower Bristlecone. We decided to head more South which is where we made it. Was more steep than we thought towards the halfway point. I think the loop would be better if at that point we crossed over more East at another ridge that was more above the starting trail up to the Sisters trail. It seemed more gradual. We exited and looped at that Lower Bristlecone section of Forest Road 204B on "Google Earth". That was fine descending but pretty steep. Not crazy but would never start my ascend up to where we were ever again. Not the best starting point for sure. Next time would do a loop of Sisters at this point and descend more East and land at the same "Stump" and not at the Lower Bristlecone Ridge. Great Day. You are correct. The fastest and quickest way up to Bonanza Trail is from Old Mill to the Sisters Trail up the Northwest corner of the picnic area. Both East and West Saddles up on the ridge are amazing trek in themselves. The views are amazing. I am curious where that Forest Road 204B winds up? Till next time. I am thinking more Upper/Lower Bristlecone and sections that have been wrecked an cannot get to because of what happened in summer of 2023. There is a great video of why. ruclips.net/video/RdL0zta0HBw/видео.html
You did it! Thanks for the report John! Sounds like you took a few turns that put you in some steep territory. I'll have to go out there and check out the loop. Great video link to a summary of a few of our favorite trails in the area and review of the recent flood damage. Thanks for your insightful comment and story!