Ward Charcoal Ovens Nevada

I've always liked the quote by John Muir, "Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."  It's amazing what you can discover if you do just that.  We have driven past the sign for Ward Charcoal Ovens many times; today we took the dirt path . . . so glad we did!

The moon setting over the Egan Range south of Ely

At Ward Charcoal Ovens you can explore, fish, camp and learn about the history 

There are six ovens

Very impressive

I had no idea . . . wow!

Chimney

Sturdy construction made from rock quarried in the hills nearby

Here's a view from the back of the ovens

A picturesque setting

Fall foliage along Willow Creek

Uinta Peak in the Schell Creek Range

One peak leads to another especially in the Schell Range of Nevada.  A year ago today we hiked up South Schell Peak and Taft Peak caught Kent's eye.  I knew sooner or later he'd have the "perfect" route mapped out.  Not only that, he invited a friend along and he said, "yes!" 

It might be hunting season, but these does have nothing to fear

After a cold start we stopped to switch jackets

We were not expecting to see snow!

This is the last tree, we must be above the timberline.
Do you see Kent leading the way? 

Wow, we made it to the top of the basin!
Great views, including North Schell Peak (11,884) which we hiked in 2014

Here we are on the saddle that divides Berry Creek Basin and Timber Creek Basin 

Kent and John enjoying the view of South Schell Peak (11,778) . . .
interestingly enough we hiked to the top one year ago today!

And to think that after hiking up the snowy ridge we still have to go UP!

Kent and John lead the way 

Once we reached the ridge the wind became brutal
Uinta Peak's elevation is 11,545

We stopped at Uinta Peak for lunch, the wind was relentless.
Although Taft Peak (11,706) was our destination we are calling it a day!

It was hard to stand, let alone walk

I sunk in up to my knees in the snow drifts.
We had to lean into the wind, it was strong enough to push us over! 

Heading back down Timber Creek drainage and out of the wind

The snow was slick

Straight up 500 ft. in 2/10 of a mile . . . whew!

Ah . . . feels so good to be out of the snow!

John crossing Timber Creek one last time . . . the end of a great hike

Aerial view of our route

Baker Creek and Timber Creek at Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park is a little out of the way, but that's what makes it so special.  In today's fast paced world sometimes it's nice to escape; you can do just that at the Great Basin.   Even if you're not into hiking, there are campgrounds, streams, beautiful scenery and Lehman Cave tours.

Starting out on the Baker Creek Trail

The aspens were changing, leaves were falling as we hiked

The trail was covered with aspen leaves

Fall is the best time of the year to take a hike

The creek must be cold . . . that's ice!

 Pyramid Peak (11,926) is in the distance
Johnson Lake which we hiked to in 2013 is on the other side

At 9000 ft. we turned onto the Timber Creek Trail

Five years ago we hiked to the top of Wheeler Peak (13,063), looks scary . . . huh?!

 Mt. Moriah (12,073) is the highest peak in the North Snake Range.
We hiked to the top in 2014

This section of trail was cooler and shady 

What a difference a little shade can make . . . pretty!

It's getting to be late afternoon

We've come full circle . . . an easy 6 miles

Mt. Tukuhnikivatz, better known as Mt. Tuk

Don't let Tukuhnikivatz (tuk-oon-ik-ah-vatz) scare you; it means "where the sun sets last."   Mt. Tuk is the 3rd highest peak in the La Sal Mountains at 12,482; it has a unique triangular shape.  I won't lie from the get-go I was scared of this mountain, it looks so steep and it is!  However, the trail is really nice and there were quite a few switchbacks, all the way to the ridgeline.  The last 500 ft. was a scramble up the talus, at times we were spider walking using our hands and feet, then all of sudden we were on top of the world! 

We're on our way to the Mt. Tuk trailhead 

All in all, it's about 6 miles roundtrip to the top

The Quaking Aspen are so tall

We followed a nice trail to the ridgeline   

Looking back at Mt. Peale (12,726) which we climbed in 2014

The trail ended once we reached the ridge line . . .
As we approached the pass the cold wind became unforgiving

This mountain is definitely intimidating!

It may be straight up, but it's easier than it looks 

From here on up it was all hands and feet . . . no kidding!

We met "Slim" Jim from Missouri on the trail and shared the mountaintop with him

There was no wind at the top!

Looking down on the meadow where our hike began
That's South Mountain (11,817) on the right

Mt. Mellenthin (12,645) towers over a couple of smaller peaks

We could see a long ways, even above the clouds and layer of haze

Time to head back down

A glimpse of Mt. Tuk (12,482) and Little Tuk (12,048) 

It's hard to explain what it feels like to stand among the mountains tops . . .
 there are no words . . . if you want to know you'll have to go climb a mountain!

Just yesterday, we were on top of Gold Knob (11,050)!

A beautiful day for a hike

It sure feels like Fall when you walk among the aspens

We are just about back to the trailhead . . . what a hike this has been!

Medicine Lake sits below picturesque Mt. Tuk and Mt. Peale

Then why climb Tukuhnikivats?  Because I prefer to.  Because no one else will if I don't - and somebody has to do it.  Because it is the most dramatic in form of the La Sals, the most conspicuous and beautiful as seen from my terrace in the Arches.  Because, finally, I like the name.  Tukuhnikivats - in the language of the Utes "where the sun lingers." . . . Edward Abbey (Desert Solitaire)

Aerial view of Mt. Tuk Trail (2017) and Mt. Peale Trail (2014)