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via Big Falls and the Southeast Ridge on July 9, 2007

A 13-mile class 3 loop with 4600 feet of elevation gain (descent via the South Loop Trail)

Spring Mountains, Nevada

Summary of the route : We started our adventure on the Mary Jane Trail and then headed cross country towards Big Falls. Once at the waterfall, we climbed to the top of it through the system of ledges on its left side. After the break we mounted the Southeast Ridge. We stayed on the crest of the ridge as much as possible, but in a few spots which looked technical, we hiked around. The Southeast Ridge eventually intercepted the South Ridge. We headed towards the peak and eventually ended up on the South Loop trail. From there it was a class 1 walk to the summit. On our way down we saw several does, which made the descent a bit more exciting. Enjoy the slideshow below.

01Starting on Mary Jane trail	02On Mary Jane trail	03Tiger Swallowtail	04Off trail	05Nice looking peak
06On route to drainage of Big Falls	07Close to Big Falls drainage	08Big Falls drainage	09On route to Big Falls	10On route to Big Falls
11On route to Big Falls	12Thistles in bloom	13Big Falls dry this year	14Ledges to top of Big Falls	15On route up Big Falls
16On route up Big Falls	17On route up Big Falls	18Ridge comes to view	19We are greeted by squirrel	20Ground Squirrel
21Breakfast at Big Falls	22Yummy Thistle	23Hummingbird Paradise	24Feeding on nectar	25One of many hummingbirds
26Guarding her flowers	27Lady Rufous	28Rufous Hummingbird	29Big Falls Creek	30Meet the Admiral
31Western Admiral	32What a Beauty	33Crimson Columbine	34Cold refreshing water	35Looking up the cliffs
36Time to head up to ridge	37Enroute to Southest Ridge	38The ridge begins	39On route up the ridge	40Fletcher Peak in distance
41On the ridge	42Typical scenery on low section	43Thru the forest	44Thru the forest	45Looking ahead on ridge
47Clarks Nutcracker	48The Look	49Our goal is in view now	50Carole Fritillary	51Coyote Mint
52Coyote Mint	53On the ridge	54Distant Charleston Peak	55Back to top of ridge	56Traversing to mount ridge
57Traversing to mount ridge	58Looking back from ridge	59On route up the ridge	60Kyle Canyon is in distance	61Halfway up the ridge
62Southeast Ridge continues	63Bristlecones along the way	64On route up the ridge	65Kyle Canyon vistas	66Griffith Peak in distance
67On route up the ridge	68Looking ahead on route	69Looking down to Big Falls	70On the narrow section	71Mummy in distance on right