Little Shelly Baldy

August 1, 2018

I write this column to inspire adventure and physical activity, especially with the kids of today who need exposure to the outdoors and healthy challenges.  I challenge you to summit a peak this summer and if you’ve already tackled the two most popular summits in the Tushars, Delano and Mt. Holly, up the ante and go climb Belknap or Baldy.  Find descriptions of these summits and many other routes at mcmullins.wix.com/intothetushars. I’m having to get creative to find fresh hikes, but that’s good because thinking outside the box leads to new discoveries, it sharpens your skills, and stimulates the brain!  This week I honed my route finding skills by summiting a peak you should try that’s rarely visited and is super worth the effort, Little Shelly Baldy, near the end of the road in Indian Creek.

You’ll begin this hike at the 054 trailhead just north of Manderfield Res. at the end of  Forest Rd. 119, which is 17 miles Northeast of Beaver. A shorter drive than to Big John’s or Big Flat and it’s less than half the elevation gain, so easy on vehicles.  Plus the Logger who just wrapped up operations in there cleared the roadway of hazard trees for improved visibility and safety. Such a nice dirt road! As you drive up Indian Creek Cyn and hike up the 054 you will see many piles of “slash”, non-lumber quality byproduct of logging to be burned as part of the clean up.  There’s tons of firewood up this canyon that the Forest Service wants you to go get, with permit of course, and they have left the first mile of hiking trail 054 open to trucks for just that reason. Refrain from cutting firewood from slash piles because they won’t burn right if they’re not tall and tight piles. Thanks!  Much of the standing dead trees that make great firewood were killed 8 years back during the Twitchell fire, but as you hike the valley floor, notice the vigorous new aspen shoots up to 15’ tall and baby Ponderosa’s and Limber Pine and other conifers that are prevalent. Trail 054 heads north for the first two miles and is a pleasant grade, but if you want to get way up to the best views and victory of a summit, you must now CLIMB!  The trail gets to a saddle where 048 goes north into “Trail” and “Line” canyons, but follow the 054 west on the ridge toward the interesting formations of white, orange, pink, black, gray, and purple cliffs and hoodoos. A steep climb for sure, but when 054 finally levels off and diverts to the east where the formations would go out of view, you will BURN your thighs UP cause you’re leaving the 054 trail here, heading straight up to rim around the brink of the “Castle Wall”.  From here you will follow the pink flagging I hung (west, then south) over to Little Shelly’s Summit, which was just a straightforward approach to this peak from the North. If a scramble like this is too steep, just traverse back and forth to lower the grade, but increase the distance. As I wandered atop the brink of these colorful cliffs, a peregrine falcon sailed over my head warning me to stay back. The other thing I loved about this hike was the beautiful rich black and brown leatherish colors of the flagstone atop this peak.  Oh ya, did I mention the 360 degree views up here are outrageous! As I began my descent back to my mtn.bike down on the 054 at the head of the valley floor, I dreamt of a much softer and quieter way down, in February, four feet of base, and 18 inches of freshly fallen powder. Dang, can’t wait for winter! Pray for oodles of snow to break this drought, ease farmer’s worries, cool off the fish, and delight us skiers. For now, escape the heat, go bag a peak, and creatively get “Into the Tushars”.