Page 9 - Spring 2018 issue v1

8 Friends oF red rock canyon Friends oF red rock canyon 9

After this photo opportunity of the Ducky tree, will lead you back to the parking lot. For the full
follow the trail as is descends in this valley. About hike, turn right and follow the sign that says
2/10 of a mile from the Ducky tree, you're going Mustang Loop. This brings you back to the dirt
to make an almost 180 degree turn to the left. This road and you cross it and continue.
is the only part not marked. After the turn, you
ascend back to the level above the Ducky tree. The This part of the hike gives you stunning views
trail switchbacks once or twice, and you eventu- of the Red Rock Escarpment. The trail goes
ally come to the three-way intersection where you around the ridge that is north of the parking lot.
went to the Rubber Ducky Trail. If all you want to You'll see the dirt road a couple of times as it goes
do is see the Ducky tree, continue straight and it around the ridge too.

The hike has
ere is a hike that can be done as one large right. Note the mountain bike signs low to the some loss of el-
Hloop or as a shorter one with an out and ground. At the turn, it will say Blue Diamond and evation in the be-
back section with a loop in the middle for those Rubber Ducky. After another short walk, the trail ginning. You make
who want to cover less distance. The total distance splits again. Keep following the signs that point up the loss when
for the entire hike is 4.6 miles. If you want to Ducky or Rubber you come up the
to do just part of the Mustang and the Rub- Ducky. The signs will west side of the
ber Ducky Trails, the distance is 2.3 miles. lead you to a small ridge as you circle
valley area and after a the ridge to return
The trail starts to the right of the inter- short time, you'll come to the parking lot.
pretive display about the Old Spanish Trail to a Joshua tree with The desert is filled
and goes northeast from the parking area. a lot of rubber ducks with Joshua trees
This single-track mountain bike trail is also hanging from it. The and yuccas. It's
for horseback riding and hiking. Be aware story is that at one an enjoyable and
that bikes may come along, and you have time, a branch from easy hike.
to move off trail to let them pass. the Joshua tree was
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
across the trail and a
After about ½ mile, the trail joins a dirt mountain biker hung
road. Walk the road to the bike trail that a rubber duck to alert
continues on the other side. You are temporarily bikers to DUCK. The branch is no longer there,
leaving the Mustang Loop Trail and will continue but the bike trail is alongside that tree and people
on this one to do the Rubber Ducky Loop. After a still put new ducks on it.
while, you will come to a three-way junction. Turn
Getting There

The hike starts at the
Late Night Trailhead
along State Route 160
about four miles west
of the junction of State
Routes 159 and 160.
The main parking area
is located near the pit
toilets. The other lot is
for horse trailers.

the Rock - Volume 8 Issue 3 Spring 2018