Pleasant Canyon

Pleasant canyon to Briggs camp loop was open and clear even after recent storms. Great day on the trail.

The trail is passable to World Beater Cabin but 12" of snow & ice up trail has made it unpassable. Note DO NOT take the lower trail marked as Pleasant Canyon ROAD it is totally washed out !

Found the trail largely undamaged by recent rains. Went from Ballarat up to Roger's Pass, then south to the Striped Butte overlook, then back to Rita's cabin and finally back to Ballarat. The only evidence of the rains that washed out Highway 178 were some small trenches cut parallel to the trail just south of Roger's Pass, and some rockfall on the off-shoot to World Beater Mine past the cabin. The portion of the trail near the lower springs is more overgrown that when I was here in May, so if you're really averse to pin-striping, go slowly through that section.

Recently grated. The first 1/3 is a windy single track road with steep drops on one side. The second third you drop into a beautiful canyon with running water, passing old mining equipment and a gold mining cabin you can stay in. Bring something to contribute for your stay. Further up is a beautiful valley full of trees and tons of little off shoot roads. If you go up high enough you’ll get a view of Death Valley Proper.

Original trail through the lower canyon along the stream appears to have been washed out and is now overgrown. There is an alternative trail cut that follows a ridge and then drops you back onto the trail. Well maintained! Trail open to World beater mine cabin. Cabin in great condition. Went beyond into National Forest and into the snow. Some tracks but they stopped quickly. Plowed on and made it to the next cabin (can’t remember the name) but it’s never in good condition. Stopped for lunch and to play in the snow. Probably about 12”-18” at that point. Continue on and made it maybe a mile plowing in 2’-3’ deep snow before calling it quits and turned around. This next storm coming in will probably cover most of our tracks.