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 You'll be hiking this true loop in a CLOCKWISE direction. This True Loop hike begins & ends at the JONES CREEK Trail Head; There are restrooms near the Trail Head (N39° 21.580' W119° 51.577'). The hike is 10.2 miles; with accumulated elevation gain of 2,265'. Trailhead elevation is 6,250' & you reach 8,135' at the highest point. After the first half mile, you'll start up, up, & up. Once you reach the trail junction of Churches Pond/Jones-Whites Creek Loop which is about 4 miles, it'll be mostly downhill back to your car/parking area/Jones Creek Trail Head. I've included a geocoded photoset. Bring your camera, there are numerous picturesque views that you'll want to record for posterity sake. You're going to have fun at FOUR creek crossings, where the rocks & logs are wet, slippery, & unstable. Portions of this hike parallel Jones Creek & part of this hike parallel's White's Creek, both of which add sounds of babbling brooks. This true loop hike has it all, portions of the trail are covered with a nice tree canopy; portions of the trail are open, some places you'll be walking on soft dirt, other places you'll be walking on rocks. There are multiple big trees lying across the trail that you'll have to climb up & over. There are 6 switchbacks on the way to the highest point (8,135') at the trail junction of Church's Pond/Jones-Whites Creek loop where you'll enjoy views of Slide Mtn, Mt Rose, & Washoe Lake. This is a favorite turn around point for many hikers after a nutrition break. I preferred to continue on the trail past the high point 100-200 yards, where there is plenty of tree cover & shade for my nutrition break. I started out with 2 liters of water in a bladder inside my backpack, however, I made the loop hike in temperatures of 50º's - 65º & very gently breezes all day. I drank 1 of the 2 liters. IF you make this hike in hotter weather I'd like to suggest you start out with 3 liters of water. The first 4 miles of this hike are steep & you'll be sucking wind. The last 6+ miles are mostly downhill. BE PREPARED for weather changes & let others know what trail you'll be hiking. Your GPS will keep you on the trail if you download the track into your GPS. There is a waypoint I've identified as DON'T MISS, a turn to the right onto another trail going back to the Galena Creek Visitor Center. If you've downloaded the track into your GPS you'll be OK. After you complete the loop if you drive down to the Galena Creek Visitor Center you'll find indoor restrooms with hot & cold water + coffee is available for a $1.00 donation. Please observe trail etiquette by passing on the right; the hiker moving UPHILL, has the right-of-way. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Review
Jones / Whites Creek Loop - Clockwise
Jones Whites Creek Loop Church's Pond
This hike includes a side trip to Church's Pond.
Jones Creek Parking & Trailhead (6,285'elevation): N39° 21.570' W119° 51.564'.
You'll have 5 creek crossings, 2 Jones Creek crossing & one of those 2 you'll cross twice; 2 Whites Creek crossings.
First & Last Jones Creek Crossing; You'll come to this creek crossing after hiking .75 miles from the trailhead up a well maintained/traveled trail & gain 200' in elevation. This will also be the Last creek crossing after the entire loop as you head back down to the trailhead.
After crossing Jones Creek the first time, you'll encounter a steep climb wherein you'll gain approximately 1800' in accumulated elevation gain to reach the scenic overlook trail junction. There are 6 switchbacks as you hike up over a distance of approximately 2 miles.
Once you reach the 8,115' scenic overlook, which is a popular turnaround, you have a trail junction. Follow the sign directions straight ahead to Church's Pond which is an additional .7 mile hike + 150' elevation gain.
Church's Pond is a natural, pristine Pond, with a little shade on the SW corner. This can be a real pond when there is plenty of rain/snowpack, it can also be nothing more than a glorified mud puddle on a dry year. (See photos)
You'll retrace your track back to the scenic overlook, follow the sign direction to complete the loop hike, or to retrace your track directly back to the trailhead.
From the trail junction @ the scenic overlook, you begin your descent along a tree-canopied trail to the 2nd Jones Creek Crossing @7,520' elevation. This is my favorite spot for a rest & nutrition break.
From the 2nd Jones Creek crossing, you'll continue hiking until you come to the 1st Whites Creek crossing.
From the 1st Whites Creek crossing, you continue to descend to 6,920' until you come to the 2nd Whites Creek crossing.
After the 2nd Whites Creek crossing you continue a slow descent & pass a sign & a bridge pointing up to Dry Pond; pass this & continue to follow the trail in a general NE direction until you come to a sign pointing SOUTHEAST to the Jones/Whites Loop.
From the sign, you have a .3 mile hike up an additional 150' until you break out of the tree canopy. The trail is mostly downhill from here until you come to a sign, take the trail on the RIGHT pointing to Jones Creek Trailhead.
A short hike past the trail sign & you'll arrive at the 1st Jones Creek crossing that you 1st crossed. Another .75 mile hike from the creek crossing & you'll arrive back at the Trailhead/Parking area.
The side trip to Church's Pond is definitely worth the effort when there actually is a POND.
Jones Creek Parking & Trailhead (6,285'elevation): N39° 21.570' W119° 51.564'.
You'll have 5 creek crossings, 2 Jones Creek crossing & one of those 2 you'll cross twice; 2 Whites Creek crossings.
First & Last Jones Creek Crossing; You'll come to this creek crossing after hiking .75 miles from the trailhead up a well maintained/traveled trail & gain 200' in elevation. This will also be the Last creek crossing after the entire loop as you head back down to the trailhead.
After crossing Jones Creek the first time, you'll encounter a steep climb wherein you'll gain approximately 1800' in accumulated elevation gain to reach the scenic overlook trail junction. There are 6 switchbacks as you hike up over a distance of approximately 2 miles.
Once you reach the 8,115' scenic overlook, which is a popular turnaround, you have a trail junction. Follow the sign directions straight ahead to Church's Pond which is an additional .7 mile hike + 150' elevation gain.
Church's Pond is a natural, pristine Pond, with a little shade on the SW corner. This can be a real pond when there is plenty of rain/snowpack, it can also be nothing more than a glorified mud puddle on a dry year. (See photos)
You'll retrace your track back to the scenic overlook, follow the sign direction to complete the loop hike, or to retrace your track directly back to the trailhead.
From the trail junction @ the scenic overlook, you begin your descent along a tree-canopied trail to the 2nd Jones Creek Crossing @7,520' elevation. This is my favorite spot for a rest & nutrition break.
From the 2nd Jones Creek crossing, you'll continue hiking until you come to the 1st Whites Creek crossing.
From the 1st Whites Creek crossing, you continue to descend to 6,920' until you come to the 2nd Whites Creek crossing.
After the 2nd Whites Creek crossing you continue a slow descent & pass a sign & a bridge pointing up to Dry Pond; pass this & continue to follow the trail in a general NE direction until you come to a sign pointing SOUTHEAST to the Jones/Whites Loop.
From the sign, you have a .3 mile hike up an additional 150' until you break out of the tree canopy. The trail is mostly downhill from here until you come to a sign, take the trail on the RIGHT pointing to Jones Creek Trailhead.
A short hike past the trail sign & you'll arrive at the 1st Jones Creek crossing that you 1st crossed. Another .75 mile hike from the creek crossing & you'll arrive back at the Trailhead/Parking area.
The side trip to Church's Pond is definitely worth the effort when there actually is a POND.
2019-09-10 AZClaimjumper
