Hike Highland Peak Loop Highland Range BLM, NV

May 16, 2020 — Most peakbaggers will likely just want to drive to the top of Highland Peak, but that's not really my jam. For those who would prefer to drive to the summit, the road was in good shape. I know this because I ran down on the road rather thanr return on my ascent route, making this route a loop. The road to my attached trailhead was fine for any mid-clearance vehicle. I parked at a junction of the main summit approach road and a side road that leads to Connor Spring. The latter road was awful, so I was content to park at the junction and hike to Connor Spring instead. At the end of the road were the remains of an old camp, as well as what seemed to be an overgrown trail guarded by a barbed wire fence with a zig-zag opening. The trail didn't last long and I soon found myself bushwhacking a little. After about five minutes of regretting my life choices, the area opened up and the bushwhacking became minimal for the remainder of my ascent. Locating the path of least resistance was for the most part already solved by ample animal trails. In fact, it was actually pretty pleasant if you're cool with a steep slope. The views to the north as I progressed up the slope were of nice Nevada hills and enjoyable, and soon I was on Highland Peak's east ridge. The ridge was forested but didn't require any bushwhacking.

I encountered a couple of Class 2 rock outcroppings along the ridge, but they're barely worth mentioning. Highland Peak came into view, as did a baby lamb. It followed me for a quarter mile. I could have cried. I didn't know what to do, so I kept walking. My only snacks were high fructose corn syrup bars and I had no bowl to offer it water. So that was a bit of a sad moment of my morning. It was the cutest itty. Anyway, I continued along the ridge, dropping a couple hundred feet along the ridge before reascending and meeting up with the summit approach road. I took the road to the summit of Highland Peak. I continued back down the road all the way to my car via the summit road. Overall a nice little peak.