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Cottonwood-Jardine Loop, 20 August, 2023
There was a little rain overnight but eight people showed up for the hike: Brent J., Ralph, Laurel, Teresa, Mira, Young, Joan, and Dave P. (leader). We parked by the highway where Cottonwood Creek crosses and started hiking about 8:30. A little ways up we turned left and switch-backed up to the south ridge. The weather was cloudy and humid, but there were still great views from the ridge including scattered low clouds at our level in the canyons. Ralph had a cast on one wrist but was able to climb the steep ridge with the help of a pole in the other hand. After a snack break at the Jardine Juniper we took the shady route of the Jardine Juniper trail. This section was particularly cool and refreshing after the hot climb and there were plenty of thimble berries to sample.
At the turnoff to the Cottonwood Trail there was an official sign saying “Caution. Severe trail damage ahead! Trail is impassable for horses in 0.7 miles.” We proceeded anyway and found that a short section of trail that traverses a steep rocky slope had mostly washed out, leaving about 10 inches for hikers to pass, but which could have collapsed under a horse. We ate lunch at the pass between the North and South Forks of Cottonwood Canyon.
We continued north on the Trail about 0.2 mile and turned off down a user trail into lower Cottonwood Canyon. The vegetation was thick but the trail was easy to follow. The plants were still wet from the previous night’s rain, which soaked our pants. But the weather was hot and muggy, so this felt good. The streambed had intermittent water. We were surprised to see an aspen that had been gnawed by a beaver in a dry section. However, there was evidence of high water earlier, including fresh cobbles 4 feet above the streambed. Farther down there was a cut-off pool with fish and we wondered if they would survive until the water rises enough to let them escape. We returned to the cars about 2:30.
Trip Summary:
- Participants:
Brent J.,
Ralph, Laurel, Teresa, Mira, Young, Joan, and Dave P.
(leader)
- Drove 15 miles
to Cottonwood Canyon
- Started
hiking about 8:30, lunch about 12:00 - 12:30, back to
the beginning about 2:20
- Cloudy skies,
warm and humid conditions
- Hiked about 7.6 miles with about 2100 feet of ascent/descent
NOTE:
Most of this hike was over unofficial trails that have
been build or restored by enthusiastic volunteers.
Thanks
to Dave P. for the narrative and photos, Teresa for
photos and Ralph for photos and GPS data.
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| The trail to the old juniper splits
from Cottonwood Canyon trail about 1/3 mile from
the beginning |
The trail to the old juniper is well
used and well maintained |
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| The trail is so steep that hikers use
their hands |
Looking toward Logan Canyon on the way
to the juniper |
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| The old
"Jardine Juniper" |
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| We got to the "Old Juniper" sign after
visiting the tree |
We took the "shady loop" . . . |
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| . . . and soon arrived at the
Wilderness boundary |
Trail damage ahead! |
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| Hiking toward Cottonwood Canyon | Lunch with a view |
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| Cliffs above
Cottonwood Canyon |
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| A helpful sign |
Following the Cottonwood Canyon
drainage |
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| A lot of water recently passed through
here |
Evidence of beaver in Cottonwood
Canyon |
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| Thimbleberry |
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| Tall larkspur | Mushroom |
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Our GPS track shows about 7.6 miles
and 2100 feet of ascent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth
or download our GPS
file.
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