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Hike Ladder and Painted Canyons Loop in Mecca Hills BLM, California - Stav is Lost

Hike Ladder and Painted Canyons Loop Mecca Hills BLM, CA

Class 2 5.2 miles 1100 gain 3-5 hrs Loop
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Ladder and Painted Canyons Loop GPX Track

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Mar 01, 2017 — This pretty loop in Mecca Hills BLM follows Ladder Canyon and Painted Canyon, with the option for a few additional extracurricular side canyons. Starting up the wide Painted Canyon, we followed the sandy wash until we met the junction with Ladder Canyon on the left. As you'd expect from a canyon with this name, a few ladders aided us through the conglomerate slot. After a ton of little twists, the canyon opened up into the badlands above. There are various ascent options out of Ladder Canyon to gain the badlands, all leading to a wide trail that leads north with nice views down into Painted Canyon. It then continues steeply into the head of Painted Canyon.

The upper section of Painted Canyon was mostly just a sandy wash for a while, but slowly began to narrow and expose gorgeous walls of colorful "painted" rock. Near the junction with Ladder Canyon, there is a short section of narrows within Painted Canyon that reintroduces the ladders.

Along the way down Painted Canyon, we headed up two side canyons, one of which had a ladder to access it. The side canyons were less crowded and had some colorful highlights, worth the visits. My stats reflect exploring these extra side canyons.

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photo protector Starting up Painted Canyon before the junction with Ladder Canyon.
Starting up Painted Canyon before the junction with Ladder Canyon.
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photo protector Entrance to Ladder Canyon on the left.
Entrance to Ladder Canyon on the left.
photo protector Various ladders within Ladder Canyon.
Various ladders within Ladder Canyon.
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photo protector Ladder Canyon is pretty narrow, an excellent conglomerate slot canyon.
Ladder Canyon is pretty narrow, an excellent conglomerate slot canyon.
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photo protector We hiked up Ladder Canyon's twisting narrows.
We hiked up Ladder Canyon's twisting narrows.
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photo protector Another ladder within Ladder Canyon.
Another ladder within Ladder Canyon.
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photo protector Ladder Canyon opens up after a bunch of twisting.
Ladder Canyon opens up after a bunch of twisting.
photo protector Another ladder within one of Ladder Canyon's branches.
Another ladder within one of Ladder Canyon's branches.
photo protector The narrows open up and ascend to the tops of the badlands. There are a few different trail options to get our of Ladder Canyon and onto the badlands above.
The narrows open up and ascend to the tops of the badlands. There are a few different trail options to get our of Ladder Canyon and onto the badlands above.
photo protector View back along the trail above Painted Canyon.
View back along the trail above Painted Canyon.
photo protector Ascending the badlands of Mecca Hills.
Ascending the badlands of Mecca Hills.
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photo protector Descending back into Painted Canyon.
Descending back into Painted Canyon.
photo protector Following Painted Canyon back down to complete the loop.
Following Painted Canyon back down to complete the loop.
photo protector Solid rock formations, quite different from the muddy-looking badlands elsewhere.
Solid rock formations, quite different from the muddy-looking badlands elsewhere.
photo protector The painted walls of Painted Canyon.
The painted walls of Painted Canyon.
photo protector Painted Canyon is usually a sandy wash, but there are short rocky spurts.
Painted Canyon is usually a sandy wash, but there are short rocky spurts.
photo protector There are a few side canyons you can access from within Painted Canyon. This shot is from the first side canyon, looking toward the main route (we came from the right, headed to the left).
There are a few side canyons you can access from within Painted Canyon. This shot is from the first side canyon, looking toward the main route (we came from the right, headed to the left).
photo protector Continuing down Painted Canyon.
Continuing down Painted Canyon.
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photo protector A narrower side canyon excursion with a big ladder.
A narrower side canyon excursion with a big ladder.
photo protector Up the side canyon.
Up the side canyon.
photo protector More ladders within the side canyon.
More ladders within the side canyon.
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photo protector We turned around within the side canyon about here.
We turned around within the side canyon about here.
photo protector Back in Painted Canyon, headed down toward the trailhead.
Back in Painted Canyon, headed down toward the trailhead.
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photo protector Approaching the last ladder section within Painted Canyon, shortly before reaching the junction with Ladder Canyon.
Approaching the last ladder section within Painted Canyon, shortly before reaching the junction with Ladder Canyon.
photo protector View back up at the ladders within Painted Canyon.
View back up at the ladders within Painted Canyon.
photo protector Painted Canyon soon met back up with Ladder Canyon, completing the loop.
Painted Canyon soon met back up with Ladder Canyon, completing the loop.

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