Quillan Creek and Riddle Creek

[Jackalope]

Taking advantage of the break in the rain yesterday, Kathy and I walked the Riddle Creek/Quillan Creek/Arnold Motorway loop.

If you have never had the chance to make this loop after a long period of rain, you should really try to fit it in sometime. The waterfalls are just spectacular. Walking along the drip line of the bluffs is like walking in a rain shower and water seems to be flowing from every crack in every rock.

Here is a link to photos but know ahead of time,  they do not do it justice as they were taken with my phone.

Quillan Creek/Riddle Creek pics

Also, a link to photos from Wolfpen/Little Ugly/Eagle Creek two weeks ago, also after a period of heavy rain, again though, with my phone

Wolfpen/Little Ugly/Eagle Creek pics

[montysano]

I was sitting with a friend one time, up around the big cascades on Quillan, and commented "If a dinosaur suddenly walked through, I wouldn't be that surprised".  It's a wild, beautiful, remote place.

[JC785]

great pictures thanks for sharing.

[Tacky Hiker]

Very nice pics. I bet it was fun!

[McDowra]

Great pictures of my favorite area.  There is a old road west of Arnold Motorway you should try sometime. It is easy to find down in the hollow  at the second large downed tree blockage, if i remember correctly. It was the road to the mill which you can still find signs of when you get to the creek.

[elbowman]

What exactly is the Riddle Creek/Quillan Creek/Arnold Motorway loop? Where would you park your vehicle and start at?

The pictures look great, I would love to spend some time in there this fall.

Eric

[jaybird]

I was sitting with a friend one time, up around the big cascades on Quillan, and commented "If a dinosaur suddenly walked through, I wouldn't be that surprised".  It's a wild, beautiful, remote place.

I've said that very same thing many times, standing right at this spot along Quillan that I call Amphitheater Canyon.

Quillan Creek and Riddle Creek

[Pathfinder]

Eric, You need to do this one.  It is a fantastic loop hike and can be done all in one day if you like.  You come into the Wilderness Area from the west side on FS208 just like you were headed for the Thompson Creek Trailhead.  You will come to a place on 208 where the road makes a very sharp left turn.  Right where the road goes left, you can pull off the road on the right hand side.  Park there.  You will see a bit of a trail starting out from where you park going south on the ridge.  The trail pretty much peters out pretty soon, within hollering distance of your vehicle.  You will want to go down into the drainage on the left (eastern) side of the ridge.  Once in the bottom this drainage (Riddle Creek) will lead in a southerly direction all the way to Quillen Creek.  Along the way you will pass 3 great waterfalls and neat cascades.  When Riddle joins Quillen Creek turn right (upstream on Quillen) and follow the canyon and creek through a gorgeous wonderland.  When you get to the Arnold Motorway it will lead you up on the right and back up to FS208.  Once on 208 turn right and it is a fairly short distance to your vehicle.  I'd love to go with you on this one.  

[jaybird]

Here's a map I whipped up:

Quillan Creek and Riddle Creek

[montysano]

Jaybird,

Also on my list is to go down the Arnold, down Quillan, then over the ridge to the side creek of Hubbard that I indicated (hope you don't mind that I diddled with your map).  There's a 80'-100' change in elevation right before it flows into Hubbard.  Looks interesting.  A friend and I tried to get in there from the Kinlock bridge, but got a bit..... turned around.   

[Pully]

Jackalope, I'm glad you got to see the Quillan area after a rain. I went back in April after about a 2 inch rain. It was extremely impressive.

[jaybird]

Also on my list is to go down the Arnold, down Quillan, then over the ridge to the side creek of Hubbard that I indicated (hope you don't mind that I diddled with your map).  There's a 80'-100' change in elevation right before it flows into Hubbard.  Looks interesting.  A friend and I tried to get in there from the Kinlock bridge, but got a bit..... turned around.   

Montysano,

I'd love to go explore that area with you.  The ridge would have to be crossed (I'm guessing) back before the canyon walls start getting so steep.  When the leaves are off the trees and the hemlocks are the only green around -- that's my favorite time to go off-trail in Sipsey.