The Hike -- Segment 5 -- McFarland Peak Trail Junction to Crest of the Range (3.0 miles)

From the junction (Table 1, Wpt. 05) with the use-trail to the summit of McFarland Peak, the Bonanza Trail runs southeast to contour up and across the steep Southwest Face of the peak, somewhat steeply at times and with lots of little ups and downs. Compared with the condition of the trail between the junctions to Bonanza and McFarland peaks, this part of the trail is well used and mostly clear of talus and pine tree debris.

After climbing across the Southwest Face of McFarland Peak, the trail arrives back on the Crest of the Range at the toe of the South Ridge of McFarland Peak (Wpt. 04). The trail crosses the ridgeline, then drops onto the east-facing side and follows below the ridgeline where Common Juniper grows in the flatter spots.

Hikers arriving back on the crest might naively assume that the trail would run gently down the ridge. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Following the crest, the trail runs along the ridge, mostly staying on the west side and mostly contouring around rocky highpoints, but there are several fairly steep and long uphill and downhill sections where the trail runs over hills, around knobs, and across saddles. My notes record "disappointingly, the trail is still climbing at a pretty good rate."

After about 0.77 miles on the crest, the trail reaches a switchback where the trail climbs somewhat steeply to pass the west side of Peak 3069, one of the highest points on the ridgeline.

At most of another mile out, the trail descends into a saddle with gentle slopes on the east side. Just past the saddle, a short use-trail leads to a campsite suitable for three small tents. There are few other places to camp in this area.

After about 1.77 miles on the crest, shortly beyond the campsite, the trail reaches the steep, east face of Peak 3041, the second highest point on the ridgeline. Passing the narrow trail on the steep east face, the trail bends right around limestone crags to descend five short, steep, rocky switchbacks. Near the top of this cliff, several specimens of the uncommon shrub Little-leaf Mountain Mahogany can be seen growing on the cliffs.

The crest provides great views in all directions, but the ancient bristlecone forest is so thick that it tends to obscure the expansive views familiar to desert hikers. Vegetation on the ridge is sparse, but the trees are ancient Bristlecone Pine, and the shrubs include Big Sagebrush, Mt. Charleston Purple Sage, and Narrow-leaf Goldenbush. Other common species include Rock Goldenrod and Arizona Skyrocket.

The trail continues along the ridgeline passing highpoints, mostly staying on the west side of the ridge. After climbing higher and more steeply than seems necessary, and a couple of short switchbacks, the trail regains the ridgeline and descends somewhat steeply where a trail crew put in considerable effort making stone water bars that act somewhat like stone stairs.

At the bottom of the stone stairs, the trail reaches a saddle marked with Mt. Charleston Wilderness Area boundary signs (Wpt. 03). Here, the Bonanza Trail finally drops off the Crest of the Spring Mountain Range to the east and heads down towards the Lee Canyon trailheads. The saddle also marks the junction with a use-trail (Old Bristlecone Trail) that continues south along the ridgeline. Trail crews have tried to obscure the use-trail, making the main trail easy to follow. Hikers should spend a minute on the saddle and savor the last of the grand vista to the west before departing the area.

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