Page 14 - 16 page summer_Neat

14 Friends oF red rock canyon

Photos and article by Norm Kresge

he Sandstone Canyon Loop is a set turn and goes down a small grade and across
of hikes at Spring Mountain Ranch a creek. There are stones for stepping so you
T State Park that can be done as one, shouldn't get your boots
two or three trails depending on your stamina wet. This trail meets the
and the amount of time you want to spend. other one when you get
back to Lake Harriet.
Start from the parking area. Take the dirt Retrace your steps along
road to the right and go up the hill past the the lake and head to the
ranger station. A slight curve to the right and Overlook Loop. If you
more up- only want to do one trail, head back down the
hill hiking hill and return to your car.
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
brings you
to the crest
where Not too far along the Overlook Loop, you
you see come to the Wilson Family Cemetery. You
Lake Har- can see the burial spots of James Wilson and
riet. The his family and there is an interpretive marker
Trail Closure Lake Harriet Loop lake was there honoring the people who are buried in
drained several years ago to get rid of invasive
fish. The last time I hiked this trail, the lake
was being refilled and it was about 1/3 full.
The east side of the lake has been permanently
closed for restoration. Head around the lake on
the right and follow this road as it goes toward
Sandstone Canyon. After a while, the road Wilson Family Cemetery
ends and a single track trail goes off to the
right. From there, the trail meanders among the cemetery. From here, the Overlook Trail
lots of cholla. There are good views of the Red goes up a slight grade. You can detour to the
Rock Escarpment to your left and Blue Dia- high spot for a great view overlooking the
mond Hill to the east. ranch and then return to the main trail. For a
longer hike, when you come to a fork, take the
There is a point you come to where the trail left fork and you'll wind your way around the
splits. One part makes an almost 180 degree side of the ranch and the fence that marks the

the Rock - Volume 10 Issue 4