Hike Major Benchmark West Schell Creek Range BLM, NV

May 22, 2022 — Major Benchmark West is an obscure and mostly forested peak in central Nevada, but its high prominence made it an attractive endeavor. The route I chose to take initially follows a very old road. Where I parked roughly marks the end of the line for any vehicle, since the road quicky degrades. If you want to cut off about 5 miles and 600 vertical round-trip, you can explore the roads to the north (38.89094, -114.66962) and south (38.86394, -114.67044), which are possibly more driveable and would lead up to a spot I marked on my attached map labeled "Road End". Rather than futz around driving potentially bad roads, I decided to just walk along the sweeping, open ridge using the degraded roadbed. Despite the additional hike mileage, the road walk was actually quite nice and scenic. To get to where I parked, leave Highway 6 here (39.04837, -114.72354) and head south on an excellent road. Veer left here (38.99562, -114.75596) and follow this road to where I parked, accessible by any vehicle (with a couple of sections where you may need to drive slowly with low clearance).

I set out along the old road, which quickly became impassable to any vehicle and was actually a little difficult to follow on foot in a couple of short sections because this portion of the hike was pretty forested and the road has almost returned to nature. I followed the wide ridgeline and soon the roadbed became more road-like again. The landscape opened up and I got some nice views of the surrounding Nevada landscape, with Mount Grafton poking out nearby. The road continued for a couple of miles and eventually ended.

I continued past the road down a small dip and then ascended a very tame slope with no bushwhacking, but also no trail. The vegetation was sparse enough to give me no hassle. There was some very light Class 2 on super small cliff bands, but mostly it was just a pleasant slope that ascended gradually. An occasional animal trail helped when the forest grew slightly thicker, and then I entered a wide meadow. A few pretty rock outcroppings nearby jutted out and added some cool variety to the otherwise brushy-looking rolling hills around me. The meadow closed up again and I was back to ascending the tame slope, sticking to the ridge crest for the most part.

Eventually I reached the saddle separating Major Benchmark West and Schell Benchmark. I hit the former first since it was the high point (light Class 2), but the views were somewhat obscured. I headed along the ridgeline to Schell Benchmark where the views were much better. I returned roughly the way I came.