Oldest rock art in North America?

These figures in northern Nevada will be around another 15,000 years considering how deep they're gouged.

Granite Range, Nv

The Granite Range rises a mile above the Black Rock Desert. The photo above shows Wagon Tire Mountain on the right, Granite BM and Granite Peak to the left of it, peak 7624 on the far left then peak 7772 to the right of it. Gerlach has gas but only Empire has a grocery store. Posted 2014.

• GRANITE PEAK el 8970 and Granite BM are right out of Gerlach. Take paved County Rd 34 for 21.7 miles to the 4wd Cottonwood Creek road on the left. This is a mile after the pavement ends reading N40 53300, W119 20620. Follow a fence for 2.5 miles on the 4wd road to a fork at a hill. Both go, but right is smoother. It goes over the hill and joins the left fork. Stay on the main road to a creekside camp area with aspens at 51472, 27263 el 6300. Numerous forks here go to campsites, but stay right on the main road and it makes a U turn and starts up over a ridge then drops into a valley. Stay on the main road to a fork at 51598, 28329 el 6600. There is a good dry aspen camp here. Go left at the fork and the road goes onto the crest and effectively ends where the road is blocked by a tractor and locked gate at 49485,25526 el 7600. But right before that is a fork at 50291, 25693 el 7650. Go right at that fork to the end at el 8200 right at the base of the peak with the Granite BM. It's a simple hike to the BM at 48854, 25838. The map shows the BM is lower than Granite Peak to the south. There is an old man made trail skirting around the right side of the BM peak. It starts right at the same place you park for the BM hike. It goes along at the 8200 level to a low rock wall. I lost it here, but picked it up again as it was passing thru a saddle reading 48773, 26345 el 8050. The trail is on the right side of the drainage as it approaches the saddle then goes thru into another drainage and up that to another saddle at 48444, 25993 el 8450. Then it goes level a short way east to another saddle where you can see the peak. Here you have to drop down 400 feet into the meadow at the foot of Granite Peak then pick your own route up to the tower at 47374, 25836. 5 hours, 2000 gain. Take long pants and tick spray. There are some cairns on the trail but more are needed. The road on the crest is mostly smooth, but some steep spots may require a locker. The Cottonwood Creek road has several rubbly spots. I went north to Crutcher Canyon then down that to the power line road, but coming down canyon had a lot of rubbly sections. You have to go south on the power line road to get around a ranch. It might be feasible to go on north on the crest to Fox Mountain. It has a good road down to Nv 447. The Granite Range is more useful for 4wd/OHV touring than hiking. Posted 2014.
• WAGON TIRE MOUNTAIN el 7600 is easy. Drive the same as for Granite Peak as far as the dry aspen camp on the crest road at N40 51598, W119 28329 el 6600. Go north from there for about .8 air mile to an obvious road with a gate going up toward the peak. Go thru the gate and in less than half a mile the road is pure rocks. It's not worth driving beyond there because you start hiking in a few feet. Just get on the main south ridge. There's no brush or major dips. The top is at 53335, 29170. The dry lake on Melody Mountain can be seen to the north. 2 hours, 700 gain. Posted 2014.
• MELODY MOUNTAIN el 7200 has a 4wd road to the top. Drive to the end of pavement on County Rd 34 and keep going 2 and a quarter miles to a graded road angling off to the left reading N40 54387, W119 20859. This is a few feet north of a sign for Lawson Farm. Take the graded road for less than a mile to a gravel pit. Keep going a short way to the next fork. It's a chalky road but you can go a few feet more to a better road. Take that to a fork reading 56133, 23144. Go left on 4wd and go straight up into the canyon south of Melody Canyon. The road goes over into Melody Canyon then into private land at el 6200 then makes a left and climbs the slope. At 57278 ,28137 el 6900 go left. Shortly you'll come to the only tricky spot on the road. There is a turnaround and it's only a short walk to the top at 56900, 28089. Jeeps can make it. The dry lake is half a mile away.The road on top was so rocky I had no urge to keep going past the lake. The private land wasn't posted and likely won't be if nothing is disturbed. Not a bad cycle ride. Posted 2014.
• GRANITE BASIN PEAK is what I call peak 6347 and is in the SE part of the range. Take County Rd 34 to an easy 4wd road at mp 12.8. Go a tenth mile on that then make a left. Go west and don't take any left forks. In about 4 miles is a fork right before a spring. Go left there for a mile to the end of the road at a canyon reading N40 44646, W119 19343 el 4700. Aiming straight for the peak won't work because there's a big hill in the way. I went right up the center of the canyon to the saddle. From there I went too high, so to avoid that go to 44499, 19838 where you can see the rest of the route. From there, drop down a little and walk game trails to the last major saddle then up to the top at 45046, 20519. 3 hours, 1700 gain. An enjoyable hike and easy to get at. The road in is packed sand, no rocks. Posted 2014.
• RED MOUNTAIN CREEK is gated right at the mouth, so forget it.
• PEAK 7772 is a prominent summit on the crest south of Granite Peak. I went to mp WA 80.4 on Nv 447 and got over to the power road then used a wash at N40 41820, W119 24845 to get within 3/4 mile of the ascent ridge. Mtn bikes might work in these washes. I went up at 42349, 23596 el 4400 and just kept going up the open ridge sprinkled with juniper. There were no hidden saddles to cross all the way up to peak 7624. A trail is on the west side of peak 7624 reading 44007, 23608 el 7500. I used that to go on to peak 7772 reading 44491, 23762. 7 hours, nearly 4000 gain. Good views including into Granite Basin. Bowen Canyon drains Granite Basin but is private. Posted 2014.
• SHEEP SPRING is a pristine spring near the southern tip of the range. I used the same parking spot as Peak 7772. It's a short stroll from there to a main wash at N40 42084, W119 23667. Just go up the wash and keep left at main forks. Right after a minor fall that's easy to get up you'll come to a tiny stream. The main spring is up on the left at 42234, 22999 el 4700. Easy. Posted 2014.
• FOX MOUNTAIN el 8200 is in the north end of the Granite Range. An easy 4wd goes 12 miles to the top starting at mp WA 106.5 on Nv 447. Posted 2013.

 Duel at Skull Meadow. John Deere vs F-150. Guess who won?

South Sister area, Or

                 

The Cascades Lakes Highway runs north from Bend for 70 miles then you can easily connect to Highway 158. It makes for a good summer vacation to climb peaks along the way. Only South Sister has a parking fee. Posted 2014.

MOUNT BACHELOR el 9060 has a constructed trail to the top, but not marked along the highway. Take the Cascades Lakes Highway along the north side to a sign for Sunrise Lodge at mp 21.4. Everybody parks on the shoulder when the gate is closed. Walk past the gate and keep left on the road and in a few feet you see where hikers go up to the left and across the parking lot to the lift terminal which is about a fifth mile from the highway. It's obvious where the trail angles off to the right side of the terminal. The reading here is N43 59566, W121 39765 el 6400+. Now there is just one trail to the top, no tricky forks. A blind man could follow it. In fact, Stevie Wonder passed me and beat me to the top. 3 and a half hours, 2700 gain. Some rubble on the trail here and there. Posted 2014.

TUMALO MOUNTAIN el 7700+ has a smooth trail to the top. Take the Cascades Lakes Highway to a sign for Dutchman Flat Sno Park at mp 21.8. The trail is signed. 2 hours, 1400 gain, great views. Posted 2014.

The Todd Lake road runs nearly level for several miles. It makes for a good bike ride thru scenic meadows. Spur roads go to trailheads. Posted 2014.

SOUTH SISTER el 10300 has a trail to the top on the south side. The trail leaves the Cascades Highway at N44 02234, W121 45859 el 5400. Hikers park on the shoulder. If you don't have GPS, drive the highway to the sign for Devils Lake Campground. Pull in there and you'll see a sign for the trail next to the restroom. There is a pay station for the parking fee. It's 6.25 miles to the summit, and it's all easy except for the last 6 miles. All forks along the way are signed, and you can just follow the hundreds hikers ahead of you who are going to the same place. The trail gets soft for the last 1000 feet but backsliding is not a serious problem. The trail levels off at 10,200 on the large summit plateau. The BM, reading 06206, 46158, is on a pointy peak on the north side, but there is a snow field in the way. I had no trouble walking on the snow, but you can skirt it on the right side. 7 hours, 5000 gain. This is essentially a tourist hike. People wear tennis shoes up this. Moraine Lake el 6400 is along the trail and has 22 campsites, but that would be cheating. Avoid this on weekends. I saw 50 people on a rainy weekday. Posted August 2014.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN has a good road to the top but no view. Take paved road 40 to FR 4240 at N43 49793, W121 41146. Go south on gravel for 2 and a half miles to FR 4245 reading 48313, 39490. Follow that good dirt road for 5 miles to the top. A gate might be locked about a third mile before the summit. Cars can make it to the gate. A nice cycle ride. Posted 2014.

IRISH MOUNTAIN el 6900 sits right next to the PCT. Take the Cascades Highway to a sign for Cultus Lakes at mp 45.6 and follow the signs to Little Cultus Lake. Stay on FR 4636 right thru the campground and go another 6 miles on easy 4wd to the PCT reading N43 48529, W121 57807 el 5500. The trail runs smooth and nearly level for 5 miles to Stormy Lake. Get off the trail there and go a tenth mile west of the lake to a clearing at 51220, 58165 el 6100. Now you can see the towering east face. Head toward it and you'll reach a talus field at the base. It's easy to walk along the left side of the talus and then up a steep slope to the left of the east face. You'll top out in a saddle a couple hundred feet south of the summit. It's class 2 to the BM at 51081, 58490. 5 hours, the only significant gain is the 800 ft up from the trail. The BM is dated 1916, so do this in 2016 for the 100th. Countless lakes and ponds are along the trail but mosquitoes were light in August. FR 4636 goes on west another mile to a main fork. The right fork ends in 3 miles at shady Taylor Burn Forest Camp. The left fork goes 4 miles to the paved road at Waldo Lake. Posted 2014.

CULTUS MOUNTAIN el 6750 has a jeep road to the top. Take the Cascades Lakes Highway to a sign for Cultus Lakes at mp 45.6 and follow the signs to Little Cultus Lake where FR 640 branches off to the right and goes along the north shore. Follow it for a bit over a mile to the first right turn which is FR 644. Stay on that narrow 4wd road all the way to the top. I could see 4wds still use the road, but not often. It's a paint scratcher. Posted 2014.

DAVIS MOUNTAIN el 6600 has an OHV track thru a burn area to the top. Take the Cascades Lakes Highway to mp 62.3 and turn east on FR 62. Go 2.6 miles to FR 6240. Go left a third mile to FR 6245. Go right on that road for nearly 4 miles to the bald summit. Cars easily make it except for the last mile and a quarter where bushes close in and stop all but OHVS. Mtn bikes would have some soft patches to deal with on that last mile. Posted 2014.

MAIDEN PEAK el 7800 has a trail up the east side. Take the Cascades Lakes Highway to mp 66.7 and turn west on FR 4660. Follow the signs on gravel roads to the Maiden Lake Trail reading N43 36179, W121 54798 el 5000. The trail climbs for 2 and a half miles to a signed fork at 36700, 57139 el 6400. Left goes to Maiden Lake and the PCT. Right goes up to the peak at 37606, 57884. It's an easy trail until el 7200 where it goes parabolic. 5 hours, 2800 gain. Lovely hike. The trail crosses a little cold stream a couple minutes up from the TH. Stash the beer there. Another trail goes up from Gold Lake on the west side but it's a lot longer. Posted 2014.

ODELL BUTTE el 7000 has a good dirt road to the top, but is gated within the last mile. Use the paved Crescent Cut-off running along the north side. At mp 5, turn at the sign for Odell Butte Rd. It's 7 miles to the gate, then a 20 minute walk from there. Mtn bikes are allowed past the gate. Visitors are allowed on the lookout tower. The Odell Butte Rd goes on down to Highway 158 and it is signed there. Posted 2014.

THE TWINS el 7300 have a trail to the top from near Waldo Lake. Take Highway 58 to mp 59 and turn north on the Waldo Lake Rd. Go 6.3 miles to the TH on the right el 5800. It's a bit over 3 miles to the top. All forks on the trail are signed. If signs are missing, just keep going up. The summit is at N43 42368, W121 58412. 3 hours, 1600 gain. The trail is open to mtn bikes, but too steep to be worth it for me. But there is a loop that riders do by following the trail on north past the peak and back down to Waldo Lake. Posted 2014.

LAKEVIEW MOUNTAIN el 7066 is just east of Diamond Peak. Take Highway 58 to Crescent Lake town then go east on Crescent Lake Highway. Cross the RR tracks and park. The official TH is further along but adds a mile and has a parking fee. Walk a few feet to an old road reading N43 30723, W121 58435 el 4800. There are some stubby wooden posts blocking the road. The road soon shrinks to a trail and joins the Fawn Lake trail at a T about half a mile from the start. The reading here is N43 30931, W121 59021 el 4900. Go right to the lake then go around the right side then on past the lake to a signed fork for Stag Lake. Head toward the lake. I got off the trail before the lake at N43 31800, W122 01377 el 5800. It wasn't hard to weave thru the forest to get to the main saddle reading N43 31774, W122 02494 el 6600 south of the summit. But I drifted too far right and high and had to contour back left. It's easy to walk a quarter mile up the ridge center from the saddle to the summit. 6 hours, 2300 gain. A top notch hike.There is a gushing pipe spring on the right side of the trail less than 10 minutes from the TH. Posted 2014.

COWHORN MOUNTAIN el 7664 sits right next to the PCT. Take Highway 58 to FR 6020 near mp 77. Go south 5 miles to RR tracks. Go another half mile to FR 60. Take that for nearly 10 miles to the PCT at Windigo Pass el 5800. Cars make it here but it's bumpy. A smoother road comes in from the south. Hike north on the gradually climbing trail to where it brushes up against the west side of the peak about 2.5 air miles from the start. The peak is in view a third mile away and the hiker trail climbing 500 feet up the west ridge is obvious. The summit reads N43 23983, W122 03237. 4 Hours, 2000 gain.

DIAMOND PEAK el 8700 is a major peak near Summit Lake. A climber trail goes up the south ridge from the PCT. From Crescent Lake town on Highway 58, go south on Crescent Lake Highway for 2 miles to RR tracks then keep going another third mile to paved FR 60. Take that for 5 miles to the poorly signed FR 6010. Go west on that 4wd road for nearly 7 miles to the Summit Lake Campground where the Emigrant Pass Rd comes in on the right. Take that road for a few feet to the PCT reading N43 27826, W122 08085 el 5600. Hike north on the PCT for an hour and a half to a rocky, open area where Thielsen comes into view. The trail makes a hard right here. A few feet more is where 2 cairns are on the left. This is the climber trail reading 30285, 08551, el 6600. It goes parabolic but is easy to follow. The trail splits at 30712, 08800 el 7750 but only for a short distance. It's better to keep right into a smooth streambed and soon you'll merge back with the other trail. The trail levels off on the summit ridge and then it's an easy walk to the peak reading 31245, 08978. 6 and a half hours, 3300 gain. Good roads come in from the west and lead to trails that connect to the PCT. The trail along Diamond Rockpile is one such trail. Posted2014.

                                  Lakeview Mountain

                            Diamond Peak. Cowhorn Mtn below.

Gearhart Mountain area, Or

                         Gearhart Mtn, north face.

                                  Slide Mtn.

Gearhart Mountain dominates a big chunk of national forest between Silver Lake and Lakeview. FR 28 runs for 80 miles from Silver Lake to near Lakeview and is paved, though it shrinks to one lane in places. It would make a good cycle/bike tour. Paved spur roads drop down to Paisley and Bly. Both towns have gas and groceries as well as Silver Lake. Lakeview is the biggest with a Safeway. A good road map for these paved roads is the free Oregon map at a chamber of commerce. Posted 2014.

GEARHART MOUNTAIN el 8360 has trails all around it but only the east one is still in use. Drive to the east end of Bly and follow signs to Dairy Creek. You'll be on paved FR 34. It starts out bumpy but smooths out. At mp 13 turn left at the sign for Gearhart Trail. It's a mile and a half on a decent dirt road to the TH. Most cars can make it. There is a free campground along the dirt road and some shadier spots near the TH. The trail goes about 4 miles to a major saddle. Now you can see the rest of the route. Some hikers go up the ridge, but that didn't look easy and there was a crag in the way. I wanted to get on the summit ridge just past the crag. I stayed on the trail as it lost 200 feet then went easily up thru the trees to get on the summit ridge at N42 29192, W120 52325 el 8000. It was easy to walk left of center up the broad ridge for 3/4 mile to the BM at 29760, 52641. 6 hours, 2600 gain, zero brush. An easy but long hike. In late July there was a cold stream along the trail about 2 miles out reading 28610, 50497 el 7100. Stash some beer there for the return. And take a quality brand in case I happen by. Camp spots start about a tenth mile beyond the stream. Another stream is just on the other side of the major saddle. Hikers driving from Lakeview can turn off highway 140 at Quartz Mtn Summit which is at mp 66.6. Paved, one lane FR 3660 goes about 14 miles from there to FR 34 where you go right a short way to the sign for Gearhart Trail. SHORTCUT ROUTE: a good gravel road goes for nearly 3 miles up the east rim of Brownsworth Creek to el 6600. Drive to mp 12.7 on FR 34 and turn onto FR 220. Stay on the gravel and go .4 mile to a main fork. Keep right there then stay left at the next 2 main forks then keep going a mile to the end of the gravel road reading 27397, 50318. There is a camp spot here with a view of Shasta. Just hike up the gentle ridge nearly a mile and a half to the main trail at 28434, 50894 el 7300. The wilderness boundary is about half way. It's a pleasant walk thru the forest. Not too steep and no brush, some rocky soil. This shaves a mile and a half off each way and saves 400 of gain. I'll never hike the standard route again. Posted 2014.

BLUE LAKE TRAIL is another hike of interest in the wilderness. Drive the same as for Gearhart Mtn but keep going on FR 34 to Dairy Creek at mp 18.8. Turn left there on graded FR 3372 and go just over 8 miles to a sign for Blue Lake at mp 13.2. Turn left and go just over a mile on a narrow gravel road to the TH el 6400. It takes just over an hour to stroll thru the dense forest to the lake reading N42 31904, W120 51522 el 7000. There is a cold stream about 15 minutes in where you can stash the beer. The trail isn't cleared beyond the lake. A restroom is at the TH. Posted 2014.

MITCHELL MONUMENT is at mp 9.3 on FR 34. This is where the Japanese balloon bomb killed some kids in the 1940s. There is a shady picnic area. No fee.

DEAD HORSE RIM el 8100+ has a trail to the top called the Lakes Loop Trail. Take FR 28 to mp 50.9 and turn at the sign for Dead Horse Lake. Drive 2 miles on graded road to Campbell Lake then keep going nearly 2 more miles to the end of the road at a wooden fence on the south side of Dead Horse Lake el 7400. Walk thru the fence on an old road for a quarter mile to a trail on the left with a sign that reads "Campbell Lake 5 miles". Go up the trail to the next fork at a high saddle reading N4232949, W120 47148 el 8000. A sign here says the left fork goes to Campbell Lake in 4 miles. But you want to take the right fork for 10 minutes to the summit area. My GPS couldn't tell where the high point was, but a good view is at 32805, 47322. 2 hours, 700 gain. A GPS isn't really needed here. For a loop, I suppose you could take the trail that goes on to Campbell Lake and hop on a mtn bike you stashed there on the drive in. These trails aren't on the map. There is a campground at each lake for $6 a night, but shade is skimpy. Posted 2014.

BALD BUTTE has an easy 4wd road to the top. Take FR 28 to mp 45.6 where there is a sign. It's 3 miles to the old lookout that is now a rental for $40 a night. Mtn bikes would work here. Posted 2014.

SLIDE MOUNTAIN el 7700+ is the highest peak on Winter Ridge and allegedly the site of a massive landslide. Views are outstanding from the cliff edge shown in the photo. FR 332 starts at mp 42.3 on FR 28 and goes over the peak then down to FR 3315 near mp 12. Trouble is, the middle section isn't cleared. I was able to ride a dualsport cycle from FR 28 for 4 miles to the rim el 7400 then it was only a quarter mile hike to the top. I had to weave around several trees to get to the rim then a million trees were in the road and I couldn't even hike it, so I went straight up the slope. The USGS BM is at N42 40904, W120 43480 with lookout ruins all around it. A mtn bike might be the best vehicle for this. Jeeps could get in over a mile. There is a long way around for jeeps that would get them to within a mile. Drive to mp 48.2 on FR 28 and turn on graded FR 3315. Go a bit over 8 miles to FR 143 at mp 13.2. The reading here is 38822, 41802. Follow that easy 4wd road for over 4 miles to a T which is FR 332. Now it's only a mile to the rim where I parked but trees will prevent driving the whole way. These were the conditions as of Aug 2014.

SYCAN BUTTE has an easy 4wd road to the top. Take FR 28 to FR 2916 at mp 21.5. Go 1.4 miles on graded FR 2916 to FR 059. Now it's a mile and a half to the top. A switchback at the top has a bad spot but there's a turnaround. The BM is on a high rock. Posted 2014.

HAGER MOUNTAIN el 7100+ has a shady trail to the top. The lower TH el 5200 is at mp 8.9 on FR 28. For the upper TH, drive to mp 9.1 on FR 28 and turn on FR O12. It's 2 miles to the TH el 5600. 2wd trucks can make it and even some cars. 3 and a half hours, 2000 gain from the lower TH. 2 hours, 1500 gain from the upper TH. There is a road to the lookout on top but a locked gate is at el 6200. I'd rather use the trail. Posted 2014.

There is a small free campground on FR 28 at mp 41.8 and another at mp 39.4.

FREMONT POINT, on Winter Ridge, has good roads to it. Take FR 28 to FR 3219 at mp 27. Go 5 and a half miles on 3219 to a T which is FR 2901. Go left a bit over 2 miles to FR 034. Take that for 2 and a half miles to the point. A table and restroom are there. A new cabin might be a rental. Some cars might have a clearance problem with the last 2 miles. This would be good mtn bike ride. Fremont was here in December 1843. They must have had antifreeze in their veins. Posted 2014.

COLEMAN RIM el 7400+ is SE of Gearhart Mtn. Take highway 140 to Quartz Mtn Summit at mp 66.6 and turn at a sign for Corral Creek Cg. FR 3660 is a bumpy one lane paved road. At mp 4.6 turn right on a white gravel road which is FR 300. Go nearLy 2 and a half miles to an easy 4wd road on the left reading N42 20658, W120 42683. Take that road for a fifth mile then keep right. Go another 2 miles to a fork at 20973, 41300. Go right to the end in 2/3 mile el 7200. Hike NE a sixth mile to the rim. Loggers stopped just short of it. Follow the rim for 3/4 mile gaining only a couple hundred feet to the approximate high point at 21137, 40666. Point 7445 shown on maps is another 500 feet further on. Partial views can be had by moving around. I saw no stumps or roads or trails on the rim top. This is a short "nature hike" in a forest the way it used to be. Posted 2014.

COUGAR PEAK el 7919 has a foot trail to the top with 3 trailheads. Take highway 140 to mp 73.8 to a sign for Cottonwood Rec area on FR 3870 which is paved to Cottonwood Cg at mp 6. The lower TH el 6300 is at the entrance. Before that at mp 4.9 where the road levels off, FR 3724 forks up to the left. Follow that for 3 and a half miles to a crude road forking to the right at the base of the peak. 2wd trucks can get this far. Go right at the fork then shortly take the next left to a sign for the middle TH reading N42 18358, W120 38542 el 6900. OHVs can get higher by staying on the overgrown road. I got to a big tree blocking the road at el 7600+. The road was getting too rubbly anyway. Right past that the foot trail crosses the road and I had a short hike to the BM at 18437, 37852. The campground was $6. A good free spot is at mp 4.9 where FR 3724 goes left. Posted 2014.

GRIZZLY PEAK el 7700 has a road to the top. Drive to the Cottonwood Cg described in the Cougar Peak trip. Follow graded FR 3870 around the right side of the campground to FR 383 at mp 7.6. Go 2 and a half miles on 383 to a T. Go right for 2 miles to the towers. The BM is at N42 15163, W120 38349. This would be a 6 mile mtn bike ride from the campground. FR 383 and beyond has some erosion ruts but 2wd trucks should make it. Posted 2014.

Sheldon NWR, Nv

                        Thousand Creek Gorge

 

       Local hikers in the gorge. They were in a hurry.                          

Virgin Valley Camp el 4800 is the main campground. Take Nv 140 to mp HU 91 then go 2 and a half miles on graded road to camp. There is a warm pool and shower house, but little shade. RVs camp here. No fee. OHVs are allowed on the refuge. The refuge brochure shows campsites but only some of the roads. Posted 2014.

• SOUTH RIM ROAD accesses the gorge and McGee Mtn. It is easy 4wd. From Virgin Valley Camp, take the road going east for half a mile to the second fork. This is right after passing under power lines. The left fork goes to the start of the gorge hike in half a mile. The right fork goes for about 2 miles to 3 forks reading N41 52160, W118 58145 el 5200. The left fork goes to a rim overlook in less than a mile. The right fork goes to McGee Mtn. The middle fork goes for 2 miles to the mouth of the gorge then on another mile and a half to Nv 140 at mp HU 84.7. Mtn bikers could ride the 7 miles from camp to Nv 140 then go back 8 miles on the highway. Posted 2014.
• THOUSAND CREEK GORGE, nearly 4 miles long, is the main attraction for hikers. A spotty trail with light brush/grass runs along the bottom. In July, a small stream only a couple feet wide was running thru it. I never saw any of the other 999 creeks. Use the south rim road paragraph to get to the start and set up a shuttle with cars or mtn bikes. The trail starts out on the left side. It took me an hour and 20 minutes to get to the gooseneck where the canyon makes a hard left. Right here is a big boulder jam. You can step under a boulder and go right down along the stream to get thru. In the bend of the gooseneck is the last boulder jam. I went right down the center OK, but going high on the right might be faster. Now it's easier walking. The only issue is a continuous swamp/ thicket backed up 3/4 mile from the mouth. Be sure to get on the right bank at N41 53196, W118 57732 just before the canyon makes a hard left. It's a fairly obvious crossing if you don't have GPS. The right bank works all the way to the mouth. It took me 3 hours to go thru. I didn't have a shuttle so I walked the 4 mile south rim road for an hour and a half back to the start. A mtn bike locked to the cattleguard at the 3 forks would have allowed me to coast the last 2 miles. I did this in shorts but that is not recommended. I was rubbing against a lot of spiny plants. My shoes stayed dry. A herd of sheep were grazing a mile up from the mouth. Posted 2014.
• MCGEE MOUNTAIN el 6667 is just outside the refuge and too easy to pass up. Drive from the campground to the 3 forks described in the south rim road paragraph. Take the right one for about 5 miles to another fork. Go left for 3 miles and park on the east ridge el 6100. It's a 20 minute walk up to the BM at N41 47360, W118 55858. The surveyor pole, wires and all, was still standing after 50 years. Mtn bikes would work on these roads. Posted 2014.
• CATNIP MOUNTAIN el 7294 is the high point of Sheldon NWR. That's saying a lot because the refuge is nearly a thousand square miles. Use Nv 34A to get to West Rock Spring camp at N41 53931, W119 21942. Drive thru camp on easy 4wd and keep right at a meadow in about half a mile. Go on up to the summit ridge and the road goes west of the summit and starts to drop over the south side. But then there's a fork that takes you back along the summit ridge north of the summit to a horse trail at 51048, 23079. It's a quarter mile stroll to the Cat BM at 50938, 23355. The road soon fizzles east of the horse trail. A mtn bike would help on this road. The Catnip BM is on the east end of the mountain and is about 20 feet lower. Leave Nv 34A at 53531, 18283 on a 4wd road and keep left at the next fork. The rest is obvious to the BM at 51628, 20912. No reg at either BM. Nv 34A goes on to the west entrance. Right where the road starts to drop off the plateau is a smooth 4wd road on the south side that goes for nearly 2 miles up to the lookout on Bald Mountain el nearly 7200. Posted 2013.
• BIG SPRING BUTTE el 6547 is a prominent peak in the north part of the refuge. Turn north off Nv 140 onto a crude road at mp HU 99.6. Keep left at a fork in about half a mile. Stay on the road going north then at about 4.8 miles from the highway turn right. GPS reading here is N41 58052, W119 11028. Go another 2 miles and you'll be a mile from the peak with 900 feet to gain. It's been a smooth road to here that mtn bikes could do. Or stay on the road as it goes another 2 miles around the north side to half a mile from the peak with 500 feet to gain, but the road isn't as good and certainly 4wd. The BM is at 56828, 08950 with a lot of surveyor junk from 1950. Posted 2014.
• ROCK SPRING BASIN has an easy 4wd road going into it. Take the graded road going south from Virgin Valley Camp then turn left at N41 49081, W119 00270. There are some short rocky sections. A thunder storm turned me around before I got to the campsite which seemed to be in a stand of aspen. Posted 2014.                  

Jackson Mountains, Nv

                                      Buff Peak.

                                   Parrot Peak.

Nv 140 cuts across the north end of the range. Bottle Creek Rd is the east side road and paved for 4 miles at the north end, the rest is graded. Leonard Creek Rd on the west side is paved for 8 miles going south from Nv 140. Then it meets the graded Jackson Creek Rd which takes over as the west side road. Trout Creek Rd cuts across the middle of the range and connects the west side road to the east side road. The junctions where all these roads meet one another are signed. 2wds might have trouble at fords along Jackson Creek. Jackson camp is the only shady camp that is easy to get to. Take the Leonard Creek Rd south from Nv 140 for 8 miles then go left on Jackson Creek Rd for 13 miles to the Trout Creek Rd at a ranch. Go left for a mile where the camps start before the first ford. I took a tent trailer in there. Posted 2014.

The nameless high point el 9080 is easy. Take the Trout Creek Rd to the crest then turn north on a good road that goes to a mine area with a million forks. Go to 2 metal buildings at N41 18465, W118 25608 el 7300. Now look south at the nearest fork only a few feet away. Go up that fork on easy 4wd. The last turnaround before a very steep section is at 18814, 25437 el 7850. The road beyond there looked like 4wds still go up it, but they must have good traction. The road ends at el 8500. The peak is half a mile away, but there is crag in the way. There is a convenient trail at 18849, 24683 el 8600 that goes left around the crag then it's a stroll to the summit at 18475, 24530. No reg. And no wonder. I noticed later on a USGS map that the real high point is peak 9095 a half mile to the SW. The cheapo DeLorme map software I had at the time didn't show that. A 2 or 3 hour hike. A little stream is just north of the 2 metal buildings and would make a good camp.The second fork south of the 2 metal buildings goes to a shaft el 7900 with rails. That road soon ends at el 8100. Posted 2014.

KING LEAR PEAK el 8924 is a prominent peak in the Jackson Mountains. Use the Trout Creek Rd on the east side. If you are coming from Nv 140, take the graded Bottle Creek Rd running the length of the range on the east side. Just west of mp HU 25 on Nv 140 is a sign for the road. It's paved the first 4 or 5 miles. When the pavement ends keep going south about 22 miles to the sign for Trout Creek Rd reading N41 08746, W118 25170. Now go west on that good road for 3.8 miles to a 4wd road on the left reading 11602, 27322. Go half a mile on that to a fork. Both roads end near the ridge of ascent at Big Cedar Creek. The right fork is more used but has serious ruts. The left fork gets closer and more than 100 feet higher. I went left. If you go left, ignore any right forks along the way. Near the end of the road is a minor gully with a broken down bridge. The road seems to end but actually goes up the hill and down the other side then gets too brushy even for cycles. It's about el 5700 where you park. Hike up the ridge at 11747, 31748. It's easy going until some crags are in the way at el 7300. Go around below the crags on the right side then come back up when it's safe. The ridge levels off around el 7600 and you can look up to your left and see two high crags and the rest of the route. The left one is Lear. The steep wide gully between the crags is the way up. Keep going on the ridge as it circles left toward the gully. At the last minor saddle on the ridge is where you cut over to the gully. It's a quarter mile on brushy cow/game trails. This is the only place where long pants are needed. Aim for a spring on bedrock in the gully at 12359, 32995 el 7900. The spring looked risky but I filled up anyway. I put some Kool-aid in and shook real hard to kill the bugs. From the spring, it's a brush free creekbed and sheep trails up to the high saddle el 8600 next to the peak. Now look at the summit block and you see there is only one way to go. Up to the right on a ledge then it makes a U turn back up to the left and tops out 100 feet from the reg. The reg is at 12147, 33282. A couple of spots on the summit block are easy class 3. 6 hours, 3300 gain. Posted June 2014.

　

PARROT PEAK el 8448 has 4400 foot west ridges. But there's a wuss route out of Deer Creek. An old road up the canyon is just a cow trail now. Drive to N41 24082, W118 30106 on the west side road near a ranch and go up a 4wd road for about a mile and a third to a washout at the mouth el 4600. OHVs can go another half mile to el 4900. Hike the cow trail along the creek to a main fork about 6/10 air mile from the end of the road. Go up the right fork, it has the creek. Cow trails go up along the creek, crossing back and forth. At a long stand of trees the trail is on the right side on the road bed then it will cross to the left and soon hit heavy brush. Bypass up on the left at a juniper reading 22671, 27453 el 5800. A trail goes from the juniper staying left of the heavy brush and soon you're on the road again. The road goes back to the creekbed and seems to hit another wall of brush. But cattle have a route on the right side. You have to duck under a few branches to get to the road again on the right side at 22455, 27456 el 6000. Trying to walk the left or right slope to bypass this part is harder. Now you're at the steep right fork that goes up to the saddle east of the peak. But stay on the road a little more as it crosses the creekbed of the steep fork then goes past a rock outcrop. Now you'll see cow trails going up the fork. Use those until you see a good route to move right across a rock field to get to the main creekbed. Go up the creekbed and soon you can walk the left rim of the creekbed and sometimes walk on the rock field. At el 7200 the rock field fades away and it's easier to walk up the open creekbed. At 21921, 28070 el 7800 you have to make a decision. Either keep going straight up or angle up left to the obvious main east saddle el 8000. I went to the saddle then it was easy to walk along the right side of a block to get on the final ridge. The BM is at 21980, 28285. The reg was placed 12 years earlier by 72 year old Ted Brasket of Prescott. He wrote he had 4400 gain so he came up a west ridge? There were no other entries. It took me 7 hours with 3500 gain. It's about 2 miles up canyon from the mouth to the steep fork. I filled up at a tiny spring reading 22368, 27425 el 6100 which was coming out of the creek bank. It's right along the road where you start up the steep fork. Hikers with compact backpacks could set up camp there. There are trees and the creek was running too. ALTERNATE ROUTE: I scouted a route up the north fork of Jackson Creek. It looked easier, but you won't have any paint left. Drive the good road up along Jackson Creek to a brushy jeep road at N41 18528, W118 29296 el 5200. Take that into the canyon and park at 19190, 27225 el 6400. It's a small spot with some shade. The road soon shrinks to an ATV track and legally ends at the wilderness boundary reading 19805, 26929 el 6900. I hiked a trail forking up to the right of the road. It topped out on the crest at 20458, 27118 el 7700. I stopped there but it looked like a cake walk to Parrot. Brush was scarce in this area. The trail went down into the upper basin of Mary Sloan Creek. The map shows it as private. If I were going to backpack this, I would camp on the crest when there is lingering snow. Too many cattle are along the creek and were still there in July. I didn't see any handy springs. Cattle were already taken out of Deer Creek. If you like your paint, use Deer Creek. Posted July 2104.

BUFF PEAK el 7425 is prominent at the north end of the range. Take the Bottle Creek Rd south from Nv 140 to the end of pavement. Go nearly 3 more miles to a major dirt road at N41 21650, W118 15649. Go west and stay on the road heading for the peak. It goes thru the Baldwin Mine area where several buildings are barely standing. After about 7 miles the road goes thru the saddle south of the peak. Turn right along the fence a short way and park. It's about 800 of gain to the BM at 22005, 21975. The road goes thru a gate and on to the rim of Bottle Creek. It gets very steep right after a second gate. I stopped there but maps show it goes on down to the creek. This is the only place in the range where I saw big Aspen stands. Some maps show a road on down the creek but that's not true. Right near here are the obvious switchbacks down into Happy Creek. That road goes 9 or 10 miles down to a ranch then goes right along the edge to a gravel road that goes back to Bottle Creek Rd. This loop is easy for cycles. 4wds will have it easy too except for a few short rutted sections along Happy Creek and 2 annoying gates only 100 feet apart. Skilled cyclists can jump those gates. Posted 2014.

McGILL CANYON is written up in an old book by John Hart. Take the west side road south from the Trout Creek Rd jct for about 9 miles to crude road at N41 12840, W118 36988. That road goes 2/3 mile up to the mouth. On a hot July day I was looking for a pool. About one third mile up the canyon I found several one-man pools right before some cottonwoods. It was easy to get that far, but slow going beyond. This canyon hasn't been heavily impacted by cattle and the stream is not diverted to a ranch. Hart went all the way thru to King Lear. It would be a nice mtn bike ride from Jackson camp. Posted 2014.

NAVAJO PEAK el 7724 has a hikeable road up the east side along Bull Creek to el 7200. Drive to the jct of Bottle Creek Rd and the Trout Creek Rd. Take a bumpy 4wd road that goes south from there along the edge of a farm. Right before a hangar, the road veers west toward the peak. Keep going to a fork at N41 08371, W118 31079 el 5000. The right fork is closed, the left one gets rough and ends in a quarter mile. It should have been cherry stemmed a lot further than this. Hike up the right fork or you can drive the left fork and cut back to the right fork. About 2 miles up the road are 4 cabins. Right after those you come to a tiny stream and another fork reading 08535, 32963 el 6000.The right fork is one you can come back on. Keep left on the lower fork and follow that to a cabin at el 6400. The road goes south from the cabin then it fades and switches back north and is easy to follow again. The road fizzles out next to the peak then it's 500 feet more gain to the summit at 09014, 34070. The summit block has a class 2 route up the east side. I returned on the road but it's shorter to go back cross country and hit the road that is the right fork near the tiny stream or just aim for the cabins. It's 4 or 5 miles to the summit and 2800 gain, some light brush. Posted 2014.

DEER CREEK PEAK el 7106 has a 4wd to el 5700 on the north ridge. Drive to N41 25039, W118 29274 on the west side road. Turn east on a rocky road but the rocks soon fade. The road enters a canyon and gets better but brush encroaches. Soon is a public cabin still in use. Right after that the road tops out at a pass el 5700. Park there and hike the brush free north ridge. One saddle at el 6000 is the only issue. Hike around the east side of a bump to get into the saddle then you're home free to the east summit block at 23670, 26832. The west summit block is about the same elevation. Both are class 1. I hiked up from a higher TH. I kept going thru the pass to a road at 23987, 25202 then went up that a mile to the end at el 5900+. I hiked toward the peak for 800 feet and hit a main horse trail then went right on that to a ridge that connects to the north ridge. I had a 2 hour hike and 1200 gain. I don't think it's worth taking a 4wd to the higher TH. Posted 2014.

Santa Rosa Range, Nv

                              Santa Rosa Peak                                                                        

The town of Paradise Valley is the main population center east of the crest. It has an RV park and bar, but no store. The ranger station has a forest map posted outside. A truckstop is on US 95 where Nv 290 joins it.

VIEW BM el 8660 is the high peak at the south end of the high crest. And it's too easy to pass up because a 4wd road goes up the south slope. The 4wd road in starts on US 95 about 3 miles north of Nv 290. Go nearly a mile and a half and keep left at a fork. The road goes up a canyon then there is a fork about 4.2 miles in from the highway. GPS reading here is N41 22186, W117 40376 el 6500. The right fork goes to a 7000+ peak. But take the left fork to the end at a mine el 7200. There is a small turnaround here and camping room. Hike back on the road a 100 yards then go straight up into the saddle el 7500. Now just walk the easy ridge to the summit at 23498, 41947. No reg. Several minor bumps along the way are easily passed on the right. 3 hours, 1500 gain. A herd of sheep or antelope were ahead of me on the ridge. They know a good hike when they see one. I rode the right fork to the 7000+ peak and a herd of antelope were on that one too. This is the most pleasant of all the peak hikes. Posted 2014.

PROVO CANYON 4wd road is at mp HU 9 on Nv 290. It goes into the canyon then a brushy left fork goes over the divide and connects with the same road for View BM. It's 12 miles from Nv 290 over to US 95, but there's not much to see. Posted 2014.

WASH O'NEAL RD is at mp HU 10.4 on Nv 290. It has too many gates so forget it. I turned around at the 4th one. Posted 2014.

ABEL CREEK RD is at mp HU 13.9 on Nv 290. Use the left fork and it goes 6 miles on easy 4wd to small shady camps along the creek. Nasty roads go on from there. Posted 2014.

PARADISE PEAK and SINGAS BM are both 9400 foot peaks at the south end of the wilderness. Go south from Paradise Valley town on Nv 290 for a mile and turn at the sign for Singas Creek. Go west for 6 miles to the TH at the end of the road el 6500. 4wds have no trouble on this road. There is a sunny campspot here. Hike the trail south for a mile to the main east ridge at N41 28671, W117 39051 el 7300. Climb the ridge to the crest between the 2 peaks. At el 9200 veer left into an obvious saddle and go south along the west side of the crest to the Singas BM at 28486, 40293. Now go back to the saddle then go up over the left side of a minor bump then drop down to the main saddle el 8800 between the peaks. Now there are big rocks in the way but the east side has cow/game trails most of the time. When I got to Paradise I spiraled up around to the north ridge then went on up. Surveyor junk is on top at 29859, 40018. From there I dropped to the main saddle el 8800 north of the peak then tried to go down that canyon. Big mistake, too much brush. I had to move left onto the ridgetop and follow that back to the start. From that main saddle I should have gone uphill some to get above brush then get on the descent ridge. 7 and a half hours for the loop, about 4000 gain. A lot of light brush is on this hike but nothing heavy as long as you follow the correct ridge down. The descent ridge is obvious on the climb up but I thought I saw a route in the canyon. This loop is worth it one time but I'll only do Singas again. No reg on either peak. Posted 2014.

COAL PIT PEAK el 8130 is in the eastern part of the range. Go east from Paradise Valley town on the paved Chimney Dam Rd. In about a mile and a half is a sign for Lye Lane. Go left to the end of gravel then keep going north on easy 4wd road #50471. You'll come to road #50472 forking to the right. This road goes to the next canyon east which has some mine stuff called Spring City. Stay on road #50471 to get to Buttermilk Meadow el 7300 then keep right at all forks to get on the worsening road to Coal Pit Peak. The road goes within a quarter mile of the peak. The reg is at N41 37276, W117 26788. The were no entries since placement 15 years earlier. The road goes on past the peak then down to connect with the Hinkey Summit Rd, but is has some rocky and brushy sections. Posted 2014.

DEER PEAK el 9150 is what I call the peak south of Santa Rosa Peak. A jeep road goes up the east ridge to el 6600. Go north from town on the Hinkey road to the end of pavement. Turn left then keep right at a main fork in less than half a mile. Go another 3 miles to a cattleguard along Cottonwood Creek reading N41 32940, W117 35876. Go left here on 4wd and stay left at every fork. One section of road is gouged. The road swings south then comes back north onto the east ridge. Park at 32137, 37912 el 6600 where an ATV track forks left up a steep slope. Hike the ATV track to the end at el 7100 then go right on brushy cow trails for a fifth mile to get on top of the ridge. Now there is a main trail to follow to start up the ridge. Be sure to use a cow trail at 32370, 38480 el 7500 to get left of center and stay left up to 32315, 38880 el 8000. Now you have to get off the ridge completely. It's easy to walk the slopes on your left for half a mile to get to the obvious saddle on the crest at 32155, 39332 el 8600. Now turn north and stay right of center to get to a viewpoint at 32371, 39340 el 9000+. The twin summits are visible from here and a short walk away. My GPS couldn't tell which was higher, but 3 deer were on the east one so that must be the one. They ought to know, they live there. Not even a cairn was on either summit. 4 hours, 2600 gain. I was wary of this peak and climbed it on the condition I would make a U turn if it got nasty, but it never did. It turned out to be the easiest of the 9000+ peaks except for Granite. But the road in is the toughest because of erosion along a short stretch. But I made it OK with one wheel drive, so it should be 4 times as easy with 4wd. Posted 2014.

SANTA ROSA PEAK el 9700 has a 4wd road to el 7000, OHVs get closer. From Paradise Valley town, go north on the Hinkey Summit Rd to the end of pavement then go another 2 and a half miles to a Mullinix sign reading N41 34191, W117 32734. Turn west on 4wd along the creek. At el 5900 the road enters a saddle, keep left here. At 34745, 37652 el 7000 the road goes parabolic and will stop 4wds. There are shady camps in this area. I pushed my 125 up this 300 foot hill and rode on to the end of the road el 7600 as shown on maps. It's nothing but a cow trail towards the end. Now you want to hike level over to the crest but a stand of saplings at the end of the road is in the way. But hike uphill a little to 35447, 38681 to get above the saplings then walk that level to a viewpoint in a minor saddle at 35404, 38935 el 7700. From here you can see the rest of the route. The crest is a third mile away. Cow trails go in that direction. The main one is at 35425, 39044. It gets better as it goes and climbs onto the crest. It's easy to follow all the way to the north ridge of the peak. The ridge has no issues until el 9000 where big rocks are in the way, but it's easy to walk on the left side to the BM at 34084, 40300. No reg. The hike took me 5 hours and the only significant gain was the 2100 feet up the north ridge. Brush was light and not a factor with long pants. Hiking the road from the 7000 level would likely be a 7 hour day. The road has a couple of minor dips, nothing serious. In 2014, a big tree was blocking the road at el 6900, but it looked liked there was periodic clearing by the locals. Take a hand saw in case of smaller trees. Posted 2014.

SOLID SILVER CREEK 4wd road is a third mile north of the Mullinix turnoff mentioned above. Go west on that for 5 and a half miles to a tricky fork. The right one goes up onto the crest. It's the only road to the crest south of Granite Peak. An 8000+ peak on the crest would be an easy hike. Posted 2014.

GRANITE PEAK el 9730 is the highest in the range and the easiest. Drive 15 miles north from Paradise Valley town to Hinkey Summit el 7850. Turn west on easy 4wd for 2 and a half miles to the main saddle el 8800 east of the peak. Hike a cow trail along the left side of the fence. When the fence ends just keep going up. At el 9300 is a saddle you walk thru then stay left of center the rest of the way to the reg at N41 40082, W117 35322. Under 2 hours, 1000 gain. Posted 2014.

LYE CREEK CAMPGROUND is 3 miles north of Hinkey Summit. It was $8 in 2014.

BUCKSKIN MOUNTAIN el 8700 is the last major peak in the range going north. It has an easy 4wd road up the south ridge to the top. Follow the good Hinkey Summit Rd to where it tops out on the crest el 7400 on the south ridge of the peak. Then just turn north on the 4wd road. Shortly you come to a fork. Keep right there then keep left at remaining forks to get to the tower on top. The reg is nearby. This is too easy to pass up. You can keep going west on the Hinkey road to get down to US 95. Posted 2014.

FALLS CANYON is the only hike I did on the west side. Drive about 4 miles south from Orovada on US 95 to a sign for Horse Canyon. This is mp HU 39.8. Go east on the main road, staying right at main forks. It's nearly 4 miles of easy 4wd with 3 fords to the mouth where a shady camp awaits. It's a 15 minute stroll up the trail to the falls. I stayed dry at the 3 crossings but wading shoes would save some rock balancing. The last 100 feet needs pruning. A mtn bike would work on the road in. There was no sign saying you can't ride on to the falls. Posted 2014.