Announcing:
The Desert Survivors
2004 Nevada Desert Trail Relay!
+++++++++++++
“We’re At It Again!”
Join Desert Survivors on the Nevada Desert Trail Relay!
In Spring 2004, We Hike the First Half of the Desert Trail in Nevada
It’s been three years since we did this. In the Spring and Fall of 2001, Desert Survivors members hiked all 26 segments of the Desert Trail in California in two relays, completing the state’s entire route. Now after three years’ rest, we’re at it again. Forty-two hikers did at least part of the California Relay in 2001. We’re aiming for a similar number of adventuresome souls this year in the next state to the north.
Starting April 30, Desert Survivors will hike the first half of the Nevada Desert Trail in a relay of thirteen con-secutive trips over six weeks. Six leaders will conduct the trips. The distance is 312 miles. All hikes pass through remote desert and mountains, four in BLM Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs). The last is a nine-day backpack on the crest of the Stillwater Mountains. We’ll end the Relay with a great celebration at the base of the Stillwaters near the Carson Sink.
On this Relay, we’ll visit some of Nevada’s best desert in the best season, Spring, when wildflowers are finest. These trips run through some of the wildest and most fascinating country the state has to offer. Hikes are “moderate”, except Segments B, C, G, I and the Stillwaters Crest. Seven trips have no potable water, the rest do. Some leaders are doing back-to-back trips with water caches pre-set, for ease of hiking. Detailed guidebooks describing all segments have been written.
Individual trips are listed below this flyer; longer descriptions are in our Spring 2004 Trip Schedule and on our website, www.desert-survivors.org. To sign up for a trip, call the leader listed for each segment.
Guide Books explaining additional information on each segment are are available for purchase.
Click Here for Guide Books on the 2004 Desert Trail Relay
This year, we’ll do the first half of the Nevada route. We’re saving the second half for 2005. Call early to reserve a space. Call NOW to get in on the ground floor of this fantastic endeavor!
As last time, we’ll post stories and photos of the Relay on our website for all the world to see! If you have a digital camera, bring it along so we can post your photos. We’ll also be going for maximum publicity, as we did in 2001 when we got a magazine article and some newspaper stories.
With this Relay, we’re hoping to put the Desert Trail “on the map” in Nevada. Join us on this historic hike across Nevada Wildlands.
FIRST NEVADA DESERT TRAIL RELAY TRIP SCHEDULE
Early Morning Light in the Candelaria Hills
Nevada Desert Trail Guidebook I: “South Border” will cover trips 1-4.
1. April 30-May 1 (Fri-Sat) Sylvania Mountains Backpack (M)
April 30-May 1 (Fri-Sat)
SYLVANIA MOUNTAINS BACKPACK (M)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment A
The first trip in the Relay starts at the California-Nevada border just north of Death Valley National Park in Cucomungo Canyon. It enters the Sylvania Mountains Wilderness Study Area and crosses the mountains from southeast to northwest. Much of the route is in pinyon- juniper woods. The spring season should be just starting. There are good views from the crest into Eureka Valley and across to the White Mountains. Those who want to stay an extra day can join hikers in the next segment on Sunday. Two days, 12 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook I (“South Border”).
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
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Looking Down White Rock Canyon toward Last Chance Mountain
2. May 2-4 (Sun-Tue) South Silver Peak Backpack (S)
May 2-4 (Sun-Tue)
SOUTH SILVER PEAK BACKPACK (S)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment B
The second Relay trip is one of the most exciting on the Nevada Desert Trail. It’s a long one, starting in a joshua tree woodland, one of the most northern occurrences of this strange tree. The route runs along the top of the Silver Peak Range, in and out of pinyon woods, then drops to Big Spring, a large pool of cool water graced by overarching cottonwood trees and resident frogs. The route then ascends another long ridge with great views of the White Mountains, then drops to McAfee Canyon. There are great exposures of sedimentary, granitic, basalt and rhyolite rock. Deer and wild horses live on the ridges and in the canyons. Big Spring enables a light water carry. This long route with its two big ridges is for experienced off-trail backpackers only. Hikers may continue on the next three-day trip. Three days, 26 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook I (“South Border”).
Contact Leader: Bob Ellis (510) 525-8742 <bobellisds@earthlink.net>
Big Spring good water near the halfway point at Mile 16.2
3. May 5-7 (Wed-Fri) North Silver Peak Backpack (S)
May 5-7 (Wed-Fri)
NORTH SILVER PEAK BACKPACK (S)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment C
In the Silver Peak Wilderness Study Area. This route begins in McAfee Canyon and goes straight up the main ridge of the northen part of the Silver Peak Range to top out on 9450' Piper Peak, the high point on the entire Desert Trail. The route then drops the brushy north cirque into Blind Spring Canyon, which has water, a beautiful narrows and scenic lava cliffs. In the canyon you are inside the old Silver Peak Caldera. Enjoy views of the White Mountains and the surrounding desert from the top, plus wild horses and bighorn. Experienced off-trail backpackers only. Water on Day Two. Three days, 18 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook I (“South Border”).
Contact Leader: Paul Menkes (510) 525-0347 <pmenkes@pacbell.net>
Thousand Foot Wall in Blind Spring Canyon
4. May 8-9 (Sat-Sun) Volcanic Hills Backpack (M)
May 8-9 (Sat-Sun)
VOLCANIC HILLS BACKPACK (M)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment D
This trip starts in Fishlake Valley near Fishlake Hot Springs. The route crosses the low Volcanic Hills in two days. The first set of hills is a part of the valley floor pitched up by earth movements. Enjoy great views of the White Mountains, plus exotic dune vegetation growing in pumice. The second set of hills features colorful rhyolite and sedimentary rock. The color here is some of the best on the Desert Trail in Nevada — bring your camera! Hiking on this trip will be easy, but you’ll have to carry all water. May be done in sequence with the three trips following to make a nine-day, 75-mile journey. Two days, 19 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook I (“South Border”).
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
Nevada Desert Trail Guidebook II: “Playas & Ridges” will cover trips 5-8.
5. May 10-12 (Mon-Wed) Columbus-Candelaria Backpack (M)
May 10-12 (Mon-Wed)
COLUMBUS-CANDELARIA BACKPACK (M)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment E
This three-day trip goes along the west side of Columbus Salt Marsh to old Columbus ghost town, then west across the Candelaria Hills. It starts on U.S. Route 6 and ends on State Route 360. Hiking is mostly on flat valley, with only gentle slopes in the hills. There are great expansive views on the way to Columbus, and wildflowers should be good unless it gets hot early; there’s been enough rain. The hills offer interesting rock formations. Carry all water on this trip. May be done in sequence with the previous and following to make a nine-day, 75-mile journey. Three days, 22 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook II (“Playas & Ridges”).
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
Unmortared Walls of native stone in the ruins of old Columbus ghost town
6. May 13-14 (Thu-Fri) Teels Marsh Backpack (M)
May 13-14 (Thu-Fri)
TEELS MARSH BACKPACK (M)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment F
This is a two-day trip on flat ground from spring to spring in the Marietta Wild Burro Range. (No danger from the burros, but they may try to steal our coffee, as happened in 1997.) Hiking is partly on jeep trails, partly cross-country. The route visits beautiful Rock House Spring, with its classic old stone walls, then heads north over sand dunes and around the west side of the Teels Marsh Playa. Enjoy mountain views, travertine mounds, sand dunes, antelope and burros. Flowers should be good, too. Marietta is an “almost ghost” worthy of a visit. Water is reliable, but must be filtered or purified. May be done with the previous and following to make a nine-day, 75-mile journey. Two days, 20 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook II (“Playas & Ridges”).
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
Salt Crust on the playa near "Northwest Pool"
7. May 15-16 (Sat-Sun) Excelsior Mountains Backpack (S)
May 15-16 (Sat-Sun)
EXCELSIOR MOUNTAINS BACKPACK (S)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment G
This trip starts on the main road near Marietta in the valley occupied by Teels Marsh. It crosses the valley past greasewood and cactus, then follows an old jeep trail to the crest of the ridge, topping out at 7700'. The crest is occupied by a mile-long sagebrush swale surrounded by dense pinyon woods, home to deer and mountain lions. It will make an excellent camp. On the second day, we’ll get water at “Lion Spring”, then drop down a canyon on a jeep trail to Garfield Flat. This trip is listed as “strenuous”, but the gradient, mostly on jeep trails, isn’t steep. May be grouped with the three previous for a nine-day, 75-mile journey. Two days, 14 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook II (“Playas & Ridges”).
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
Hedgehog (or Calico) cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii) in "Trail Canyon"
8. May 17-19 (Mon-Wed) Garfield Hills Backpack (M)
May 17-19 (Mon-Wed)
GARFIELD HILLS BACKPACK (M)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment H
This trip crosses Garfield Flat, then commences a long gradual climb to the crest of the Garfield Hills at Mabel Mountain (8014'), where there are great views in all directions. The route stays on the crest to a mine (with head frame), then goes down a rough canyon past massive meta-conglomerate blocks through a limestone narrows. The route ends with a long gradual descent to U.S. Route 95 near Luning. Antelope and wild horses are common both in the valley and on the ridge. All water must be carried. May be done in sequence with the following. Three days, 21 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook II (“Playas & Ridges”).
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670 <deutsche@earthlink.net>
Hikers on the treeless windblown crest of the Garfield Hills at Mile 11.4
Nevada Desert Trail Guidebook III: “Earthquake Country” will cover trips 9-12.
9. May 20-23 (Thu-Sun) Gabbs Valley Range Backpack (S)
May 20-23 (Thu-Sun)
GABBS VALLEY RANGE (S)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment I
This trip goes north from U.S. Route 95 into the Gabbs Valley Range Wilderness Study Area, then crosses the range to its north side in Gabbs Valley. Twenty-four of its thirty-two miles are in Wilderness. This is some of the wildest country on the Nevada Desert Trail, a hidden gem, rarely visited. The route crosses four ridges — two of them in dense woods, two in sagebrush-juniper. Wide valleys alternate with narrow canyons. There are many classic views of the surrounding big peaks. Three springs make for a low water carry. May be done in sequence with the previous. Four days, 32 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook III (“Earthquake Country”).
Contact Leader: Craig Deutsche (310) 477-6670 <deutsche@earthlink.net
Peak 7979 from the sagebrush flats at Mile 14.6 in Redrock Canyon
10. May 24-26 (Mon-Wed) Fissure Ridge Backpack (M)
May 24-26 (Mon-Wed)
FISSURE RIDGE BACKPACK (M)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment J
This trip crosses Gabbs Valley alongside an alkali lake flanked by rugged colorful hills. The lake shore has a boiling spring, several small dunes, and fields of wildflowers if the rains persist. Fissure Ridge and its northern extension, the Monte Cristo Range, are defined by earthquake faults dating from 1954. The second part of the route crosses the Sinkavata Hills, grown to sagebrush and cheat grass. The hills also show earthquake faults. Hiking is on jeep trails, on valley flats and in washes. Two optional peak climbs are available. All water must be carried. The leader will cache water at the end for hikers wishing to continue on the next segment. Three days, 23 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook III (“Earthquake Country”).
Contact Leader: Dave Holten (775) 626-7656
Fissure Ridge under thunderstorm clouds
11. May 27-28 (Thu-Fri) “Burnt Hills” Backpack (M)
May 27-28 (Thu-Fri)
“BURNT HILLS” BACKPACK (M)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment K
This trip begins on Bell Flat. The route goes north across the flat, then enters low hills, mostly within sight of the Fairview Fault, which moved in 1954. Fault scarps 5-15 feet high define the mountain ridge all along its length. A close look at the fault may be had on a side hike to Bell Canyon. The middle part of the route, the “Burnt Hills”, burnt in a fire in 1999, but is now recovering and is grown to grass. The last part is in a colorful canyon. There is a choice of three optional peak climbs. All water must be carried. Water will be pre-cached for hikers coming off the previous segment. Two days, 19 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook III (“Earthquake Country”).
Contact Leader: Dave Holten (775) 626-7656
12. May 29-31 (Sat-Mon) Wonder Backpack (M)
May 29-31 (Sat-Mon)
WONDER BACKPACK (M)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segment L
This trip starts on U.S. Route 50 and ends in Dixie Valley at the base of the Stillwater Mountains. Hiking is easy, mostly on jeep trails; only the water carry makes it “moderate”. Stingaree Valley has good wildflowers if spring rains persist. Old mines and mine debris may be seen at Chalk Mountain and near Wonder, a ghost town recently “rehabilitated” out of existence. Starts and ends in greasewood, with pinyon and sagebrush in between. Scenic views and good geology are the main features. Fault lines define the west side of the Clan Alpine Range to the east. Spectacular views of the Stillwater Mountain front at the end. Three days, 25 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook III (“Earthquake Country”).
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
Nevada Desert Trail Guidebook IV: “Stillwater Mountains” will cover trip 13.
13. June 3-11 (Thu-Fri) Stillwater Crest Backpack (S)
June 3-11 (Thu-Fri)
STILLWATER CREST BACKPACK (S)
Nevada Desert Trail, Segments M, N, O and P
This nine-day trip involves strenuous hiking from Dixie Valley to the crest of the Stillwater Mountains, then on the crest of the range all the way to the Carson Sink. It combines the four Stillwater segments into one long journey, never leaving the mountains. Water may be obtained in the mountains every day except Day Four. Expect sagebrush-lined washes, rough and rocky canyons, dense woods on the crest, and outstanding views throughout, plus deer, bighorn, mountain lions, songbirds, and soaring raptors. In places, the footing is atrocious, the bush-whacking is unrelenting. Parts of the crest are topped by woods that haven’t burned in eighty years. The route combines two Wilderness Study Areas, the Job Peak and Stillwater Range. Job Peak tops the range at 8785'. This is true wilderness hiking; experienced loose rock, off-trail backpackers only. Nine days, 61 miles. Guidebook: Nevada Guidebook IV (“Stillwater Mountains”).
Contact Leader: Bob Lyon (415) 874-6885
Looking back down the narrow canyon that leads to the rim above White Cloud Canyon
"Cowflop Spring" at Mile 10.6, a critical water source strategically placed just below the crest
14. June 12-13 (Sat-Sun) End of Relay Celebration (E)
June 12-13 (Sat-Sun)
END OF RELAY CELEBRATION (E)
Stillwater Road on the shores of the Carson Sink
This weekend we’ll gather to celebrate the completion of the First Nevada Desert Trail Relay. Saturday we’ll greet the hikers at the end of the Stillwater Crest trip at the mouth of Copper Kettle Canyon. We’ll have cold drinks for them and share a potluck meal on Saturday night, complete with a campfire in our metal fire pan. Sunday we’ll hike in the sand dunes along the Carson Sink or in the Stillwaters. Join us on this festive occasion as we rack up yet another successful Desert Trail Relay. We’re hoping to have some press along to record our success.
Contact Leader: Steve Tabor (510) 769-1706
Nevada Desert Trail Map available by clicking here
Click Here for Guide Books on the 2004 Desert Trail Relay