South Schell Revisited

They say the second time around is easier, I say it depends on what you're talking about.  Kent and I just completed an ascent of South Schell Peak and it was not easy.  Last summer we made it to within 300 ft. of the top before a thunderstorm forced us to turn back.  This time around, the weather was perfect, as far as hiking goes, there was no wind.  We climbed 2,600 ft. in 2 miles, it took us about 3 hours.  My dad always asks us why we push ourselves so much on these crazy hikes; it's because the views from the top are amazing, as you will see in this post.  We enjoy all kinds of hikes, but it feels good to know that we can still climb mountains. 

The sun was just coming over the mountains as we drove to the Trailhead

After looking at the map, we have decided this was the best place to start

Wouldn't you know, it was steep from the get-go 

We weren't expecting a trail, but it looks like we're on a horse trail

It was quite cold in this shady ravine, after all Ely was 20° this morning

Beautiful morning for a hike

The sun warmed us right up

These could be Basque sheepherder carvings

These unique trees made great trail markers

We came upon this coyote, it looks like he got caught in a trap

We are climbing higher

This is where it really got steep

Although the top looks close, it really isn't

Follow the snow line . . . it will lead you to the summit.
Extra points will be given if you can find Kent!

South Schell Peak 11,778

We made it!  This is our second attempt

We added our names to the register
N. Schell Peak (11,883) and Taft Peak (11,736) can be seen in the background

                                              Click once to open, click again to play 

Looking to the west towards Ely

Looking east towards Mt. Moriah (12,073)

We enjoyed a few snacks before heading back down

Starting our descent

It looks like Kent is on top of the world

I'm always looking for interesting rocks and the lichen on this one caught my eye

This was a welcome sight, back to where we started from ... woohoo!

The aspens were shimmering in the afternoon sun

This is an aerial view of the route we hiked

Looking back to where we hiked ...wow!

We drove up to Bird Creek on our way back to Ely

 Bird Creek is a really nice campground

The next morning we decided to check out Big Warm Spring

What a neat place, in the middle of nowhere

Can't wait to get in .....

This is the largest thermal spring in Nevada .... a perfect 94°

Big Warm Spring Waterfall

September Lake

If you look for September Lake on a map, you won't find it ... the name isn't real.  Each year we venture out on a hike to celebrate our September Anniversary, thus the name.  Although both of these Alpine Lakes exist, they don't have names; or very many visitors.  This is a perfect day hike for summer or fall.    

We started out at the Hancock Trailhead on HWY 143

We crossed two streams, both tributaries of Mammoth Creek

Then we began hiking in September snow . . . it was 38 degrees

Aspen leaves in the snow were too hard for me to pass up

A perfect Christmas tree . . . we may have to go back for it (ha)!

Despite the cold temperature, it was a beautiful day for a hike

So many leaves, so many different colors

We are the first ones to pass this way today

Remnants of the storm

We first visited this small lake in July 2015  

Such vibrant colors

We are hiking on the Markagunt Plateau at 10,000 ft. elevation

This rock cairn on the right was one of many along the trail.
One of these marks the "secret" path to September Lake.  

We have arrived at September Lake

What a pretty reflection

We like to celebrate our Anniversary with a hike and a picture!
(29th by the way)

Even though many of the aspens have already lost their leaves, it's still pretty

These lakes are a product of the Red Desert Lava Flow

Fall foliage in the form of raspberry bushes 

ahhh .... 17 miles and we get to have a late lunch at Firehouse Subs!