Topo and GPS tracks for the ~15mi 4000ft gain route.

The EW portion of the route was traversing the canyon bottom wash of Deadmans Canyon. The NS leg was the ridgetop ascent of Hayford.

About 20 miles north of the outskirts of Vegas to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge then a half hour east on dirt roads to the trailhead. Mostly sparse Joshua Tree forest on the ride in.

Trailhead with a view of the Spring Mountains off to the west. Noone else around and I wouldn't see anyone all day.

Rocks and gate blocking the entrance to Deadman's canyon. The approach road had stayed up on the ridge, but the trail immediately descended into the canyonbottom wash.

This sign states the spring is 4mi away- its actually closer to 5 1/2 miles in.

Informational placard about the Hidden Forest Cabin at the back end of the canyon.

Into the mostly flat sandy gravelly bottom of the canyon. The snow visible up on the slopes ahead concerned me a bit- that hadn't been visible from the road and I wasn't prepared for a snow ascent.

Continuing into the canyon. Pretty dreary this morning though the sun would be out shortly.

The walls of the canyon gradually closed in and the desert fauna of the lower wash was replaced by some more water loving species.

Started seeing patchy snow about half way to the cabin.