White Tank Wanderings

[Desertboots]

Saturday, Mar 22, I went a' rambling around in the White Tanks. My favorite trail has gotten even better as they have re-routed and made the tail end (or begining) of the Ford Canyon trial kinder and gentler. I don't know what to call half the trails any more since they all connect and you can start in on one and end up on a completely different trail.
I started out on what is called Goat Camp (the "end") at the parking lot at Ramada Way. This is just past the Waterfall trail parking area. I climbed up to Mesquite Springs then decided to go to Ford Canyon Train via the 1.5 mile route, according to the sign at the junction.
Whew! It was a brisk climb to the top of the world. They haven't made this part of the trail kinder and gentler. When I got to the top I stopped and spoke to some military folks who were just out climbing around to stay in shape. They told me I had come up the hard way. No kidding!
I descended to Willow Springs and looked over the top of that cataract where the spring is and a sometimes waterfall. It was awesome. There were some teenage boys down thre stripping and dipping in the pool. They didn't know I was there! Thankfully they only got down to their undershorts.
I followed the trail back to Mesquite Springs and came back out the way I went in.
There are so many route choices in the White Tanks now, it's no longer a simple there and back again adventure!