Hike Silver Benchmark Creek Range BLM, NV

May 17, 2020 — Set far back from pretty much anything else of note, Silver Benchmark ended up being a pleasant and remote Nevada hike. The approach roads are in great shape, but may require some satellite research to ensure your approach road is okay. I came in from the east, and used this road (38.28033, -114.81546) to reach the trailhead marked on my trip report. I left via the west on Silver King Road (38.29783, -115.02976), and this road was equally as good. The spot I parked my car is accessible by almost any vehicle, though 2WD may have to walk an extra mile or so. I couldn't go any farther though, because the road became too narrow, only passable by ATVs.

I followed the very narrow and deteriorating road/trail through forested terrain and up to a saddle called Big Mud Pass. Here, I took a spur road on the right into a wide open meadow. The meadow gave me a great view toward Silver Benchmark as well as back toward the trailhead. This spur road led steeply up a hill through the meadow and then abruptly ended. I continued east, some light tree-dodging leading me to the southern ridge of Silver Benchmark. I continued up this ridge, keeping left at a couple of rock outcroppings, instead choosing to side-hill a little rather than risk scrambling to nowhere. The route was steep at points and did require some light Class 2.

The summit ridge added some interesting features to the hike. I could see the summit was guarded by a small cliff band, but before the cliff band was a rocky ridge crest that seemed to get sketchy. I kept just to the right of the crest and hugged the rock ridge from below, keeping the traverse Class 2. About halfway across the ridge when the right side seemed to dip away significantly, I climbed back up to the crest and then dropped down to the base of the guarded summit. Following the cliff band, I continued to the left and found a Class 2 weakness and scrambled up to mellow terrain for the final push to the summit.