Anniversary Narrows New Route

With part of Lovell Wash now private property the old route to Anniversary Narrows is not accessible. On Friday we were met by a security guard, who was friendly and informative. Below is the alternative route into Anniversary Narrows.

Here are easy directions to hike Anniversary Narrows:
From Northshore Road turn left on Callville Wash North Road (94) at MM 16 and drive 0.9 miles to the new trailhead shown in Photo 1. A cairn marks this trailhead. There's room for about six cars. Although you could drive a car to this trailhead, a high clearance vehicle is recommended.

The Hike:
Follow the wash in Photo 1 making sure to always stay in the main wash. At about 1.5 miles the wash narrows and does a 180 circle. Climb out of the wash before it starts making the 180 circle to the view in Photo 2.

Veer right passing the concrete blocks (they might not be there) to the road in Photo 3. The road is about 75 yards from the concrete blocks. Go left on the road (I set a cairn here). The road soon fades into a drainage. When the drainage divides, go right and follow a path on the left side of the drainage to a saddle. Large cairn here. 

Drop down the far side of the saddle into a drainage. Although the drainage is easy (Class 2) it's about 0.25 miles until it drops into Lovell Wash. Turn right and walk 80 yards to the start of Anniversary Narrows. Photo 4.

​Insights:

Don't listen to people saying how difficult the final drainage is to descend. For experience hikers it's a piece of cake.  This new route adds at least 30 minutes to the hike. For hikers only wanting to do Anniversary Narrows this might be too much, especially if they have young children. If doing Anniversary Narrows Peak, then this is not that big of an issue.
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Descending From Anniversary Narrows Peak:

Dinorah showed me a much better descent than I have done, which is perfect for where you park at the new trailhead. From the peak you can see your car(s).  Head toward your car. From the peak veering to the right will get you on some nice slabs. Continue descending into a drainage. There appears to be a couple of drop-offs, but upon closer inspection they are very easy to downclimb. 

You will come to a major drop-off. Head right to bypass. No matter how you descend around this drop-off, it's pretty loose. Once down stay out of the wash paralleling it, until it becomes obvious that dropping into the wash is the best route.

​Continue in the wash about one mile back to your car. This part of the descent is very easy and fast.

My Final Verdict:

This new route is not as easy or fast as the original route, but it is still worth doing Anniversary Narrows Peak. The new descent route is quicker than the other two descent routes, which is a plus.

Note:
Once past the Narrows I turned right at the first cairned drainage. I normally walk another 0.5 miles and follow the standard route. This new route is shorter distance wise, but I don't think it's shorter time-wise. The last 30 yards before the saddle that overlooks the Bowl of Fire is extremely loose. This is a big downside.