This is
a 1/3 mile one way, moderately strenuous trail. However, to reach
this trail you must hike 2.7 miles on the North Loop Trail FIRST!
Or you can hike 2 miles up Trail Canyon. Hiking time is 15 minutes
one way for Mummy Springs Trail PLUS 2.5 hours on either of the
main trails. This lightly used trail is marked and open Spring
through Fall.
TRAIL
ACCESS:
Mummy Springs
Trail must be accessed via the North Loop Trail. The North Loop
trailhead can be reached by traveling north on State Route 158.
Drive past the road to Hilltop Campground, then park in the second
turnout to the left. The trailhead is marked.
The Mummy
Springs Trailhead is reached after hiking 2.7 miles on the North
Loop Trail from State route 158. It can also be accessed by hiking
2 miles up Trail Canyon-turn right at the junction with North
Loop Trail and continue an additional 1.4 miles to reach Mummy
Springs trailhead.
TRAIL
DESCRIPTION
At the trailhead
is what may be the largest Bristlecone
Pine in
this mountain range. IT IS WELL WORTH the effort to get here!
The Bristlecone is the oldest living thing on earth, some have
been alive for 3000 years.
Mummy Springs
Trail descends through a Bristlecone forest to a year-round spring.
The air temperature tends to be cooler on this part of the mountain,
therefore the snow melts off slightly later than the North Loop
section.
The spring
is frequented by a diversity of wildlife which thrive in the Spring
Mountain Range. If approached quietly, one may encounter an Eagle,
Mule Deer or maybe even a Mountain Lion. Quaking Aspen, Gooseberries
and Ferns are among the many kinds of plant life found here.
After hiking
.2 miles from the trailhead, a campsite can be found off to the
right on a small, flat ridge. This is the only campsite located
along Mummy Springs Trail. One of the most beautiful times to
view the spring is in the autumn before the snow falls. The frozen
water flows over the rock, resembling draperies found in cave
formations.
TRAIL
RULES
*Be Considerate.
* Do not
litter. Leave trail in the same condition you found it or better.
Pack out all your own trash (and someone else's too!)
*Stay on
designated trail. Short cutting switchbacks causes erosion, makes
ugly scars, and destroys the existing trail.
* Do not
deface trees or trail signs.
* Bury human
waste at least 200' away from the trail and at least 6 inches
deep.
CAMPING
*Camp at
least 200ft away from trails or water sources.
*Be prepared
for EXTREME weather changes.
FIRE
RULES
* Fire and
smoking restrictions are put into effect during times of high
fire danger, in the summer. Watch for signs. Generally during
the summer months
fires
are prohibited
except in camp
ground and picnic areas and only in fire rings.
* Please
use existing fire rings whenever possible and be sure to completely
extinguish all fires before leaving.
WATER
* Take drinking
water with you.
* Before
drinking all spring water, it should be boiled to destroy harmful
micro-organisms.
MECHANIZED
VEHICLES
* Bicycles are allowed on
this trail. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
