Sunset, City Lights, Stars – La Milagrosa and Agua Caliente Canyon Trail Loop.
Sunset, City Lights, Stars – 3/13/2015
agua caliente canyon
Gnat Tank – 2/7/2015
From the Avenida de Suzenu Trailhead we walk along Horsehead Road and across Molino Canyon (flowing!), pass below the abandoned house, hop rocks crossing Agua Caliente Wash and continue on the Agua Caliente Canyon Trail up up up to Gnat Tank.
We find a nice spot below the tank and watch the sun move lower in the sky – too soon it is time to head back down into the city…
5.9 miles, 1200′ of elevation gain and loss.
La Milagrosa Trail to the Gate – 12/21/2014
There is still snow on the mountain – but rather than join the crowds at the top we took advantage of the weather at the bottom. In summer the La Milagrosa Trail has a merciless lack of shade, best avoided – but right now the weather is perfect for this trail.
Avenida de Suzenu Trailhead to the gate in the fence line on the La Milagrosa Trail – 8.6 miles, 1800′ of elevation gain/loss.
Milagrosa Loop – 12/12/2014
In the bottom of Agua Caliente Canyon I leave the trail and spend a few minutes chasing the water down stream across the sand and boulders, surrounded by insects I can not name – in this section of the canyon there are not any towering walls or thundering falls, just intimate moments – a little too soon I find the trail again. Milagrosa/Agua Caliente Loop, 6.9 miles, 1450′ of elevation gain/loss.
Molino Basin to Agua Caliente Hill – 12/7/2014
Climbing up the Bellota Trail out of Molino Basin a Gopher Snake and then a Tarantula stop my progress – not what I was expecting on a December afternoon – but always beautiful to see, I watch them move slowly away from the trail. There is water and mud at West Spring Tank – and in Milagrosa Canyon as I turn south.
I don’t see anyone on the Milagrosa Trail and the ridge between the canyons feels wonderfully far from the city. Trail 46A down into Agua Caliente Canyon – along the bottom – and then the climb to join the Agua Caliente Hill Trail.
A pause at the summit and we start down – the sun, grass and views are stunning! The day fades – we watch the lights come on in the city and finish our in the Agua Caliente Hill South Trailhead just before the moon rises. 13.7 miles, +3200’/-4500′ elevation gain/loss.
