One of the most interesting hikes/scrambles of our area is to go up the front hill on Mount Mara, above the cliffs.   The route is easy at the bottom, a scramble in the middle, and an easy ascent at the end.   Along the way, there are hoodoos, sculpted rocks, colored layers, jagged spires and ridges, and much better views than anywhere in the canyons below.

When you look up, Mara Canyon proceeds up a canyon between two hills.    The impressive hill on the left is our target.

All routes from due south are impassable.   Routes up from the canyon are difficult.   The ridge down from the north is very good, but it is a long way to go up, then down, then back up gain, then down again.   Routes from the west are feasible, but are much longer.   Fortunately, there is a good route from the southwest, described here.

Aim for the gully between the two hills, but follow one of the long ridges toward the corner of the hill.   The second ridge from the left is the easiest.   The route becomes a bit of a scramble in this area, but pick the best of several route options.   As you climb, aim for the dead tree above.  Pass this tree and follow boot worn/game trail paths through the next section, which continues to be the most difficult part.   Two short sections traverse side hills and loose material.   Always look past these sections to see where the trail picks up on the other side.   Good boots and a hiking pole are a big asset in this section,   Pass above a log and pick up the trail.   You will be staying above, but following the gully on your left.   The trail soon improves.   A well-used game trail skirts the whole ridge quickly and this is the recommended route.   At one point though, you can look up the slope and see yellow flagging tape leading up the SW Ridge.   This is an alternate route that is safe, but steep and loose. 

I recommend following the trail as it stays low, skirts the foot of a large hoodoo, follows the gully with easy hiking, skirts another hoodoo at the foot, then starts uphill in the back valley.   A trio of hoodoos will be on your left.  The back valley (Juniper Valley) is an easy climb into the pass.   Stay to the left of the junipers until you are in the pass, then climb the grassy slope to the top of the hill.

The views are stunning everywhere.   If you only have two hours, go to the south hill.   If you have longer, also follow the ridge to the north, which will be topic of the next post.  

The middle part of this hike is a bit of a scramble so only experienced hikers with scrambling experience should try it.   It involves no climbing, but the sloping surface can be slippery or hard and poorly defined in spots.   I climbed up there for the second time in a week just yesterday and got to the top in 40 minutes, and back down in 30.  The route can also be combined with either the canyon trail or the trail on the east ridge.  

This view looks down into the bottom of the canyon trail.