Continuing our road trip in the fabulous Schell Range (which
is the longest mountain range in Nevada), we met Tom at Berry Creek Campground
on Friday morning. For the past several
years Kent has dreamed and planned a route that would encompass the South Berry
Creek basin. We weren’t sure physically
that we would be able to do it, but with Tom and Lola’s encouragement we set
out to make the dream a reality.
This ended up being an epic day! We followed the
Worthington Trail to help us
gain a high ridgeline and then set off on a counter-clockwise circuit of the
basin from high above. Views along the
way were incredible as we worked our way up two prominent peaks. After topping
out on Peak 3460 we took a lunch break and began our descent back to the
trailhead. Round trip was about six
miles and 3,000 total feet of ascent.
Couldn’t have asked for a better day or better companionship – thanks
Tom & Lola!
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It was a nice cool morning on the Worthington Trail . . .
Looking north towards South Schell Peak (11,785) which we summited in 2016 |
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| Two huge bristlecone pines |
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We started gaining elevation from the get-go . . .
so we took quite a few breaks along the way . . .
the scenery was breathtaking!
(Click on the picture to open in a panoramic view) |
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We enjoyed a few snacks on top of Peak 3293 (10,805 ft)
(The peaks were unnamed . . . so we made up names or used their metric notation)
Allison is always on the lookout for cool rocks . . . this one fit the bill! |
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From a distance we could see where we were headed
(Lola Peak-11,211 ft and Peak 3460-11,352 ft) |
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| Kent is working his way along the ridge |
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| Kent heading down to the saddle before preparing to summit Lola Peak |
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| Colorful Asters |
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| Lola really seems to be enjoying the views |
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Kent decided to get out his trekking poles . . . good idea!
Wheeler Peak (13,063) and Great Basin NP can be seen in the distance |
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| Time to start up this unnamed peak . . . we'll call it, "Lola Peak" |
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| Cushion Buckwheat |
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Yes, it was steep!
(Can you see Tom and Lola above Kent?) |
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| This Sandwort was growing on the side of Lola Peak |
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| Ahhh . . . what an amazing feeling to reach the summit! |
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| Looking down into the South Berry Creek drainage |
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Now we're heading for Schell Creek Peak 3460 . . .
We always find a great sense of satisfaction in walking a ridgeline |
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It was rocky . . . but we could see a trail of sorts
(Kent is easy to see, but can you find Tom?) |
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Peak 3293 was our first ascent this morning . . .
We used the Worthington Trail to reach the Peak and begin our trek of the ridgeline |
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| Tom and Lola taking in the views |
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| Wow! Can't believe it . . . we summited another peak together . . . actually three today! |
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| We continued along the ridgeline looking for a good place to start our descent |
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| It's time to head down |
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| Here's a different view of Lola Peak . . . that was a steep climb! |
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| At times, it was slow going on the downhill due to the steep talus slopes |
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| It's so nice to be back in the aspens |
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We are getting closer to joining back up with the Worthington Trail . . .
this will complete our six a half mile loop we started five hours earlier |
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It's summer in the mountains . . . sheep will be grazing somewhere . . .
we stayed clear of them to protect Lola . . .
The Great Pyrennes sheepdogs that the herders use to protect their flocks
are immensly powerful and can be quite intimidating!
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| Berry Creek was cold . . . but very refreshing! |
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Driving home on Hwy 50 . . . we have come full circle
Here's a view of our hike from the other side of the mountains |
A special "Thanks!" to Tom and Lola for making one of Kent's dream hikes come true! You can find complete trip information by clicking
here from Tom's Peakbagger post of our hike.
