Arc Dome via Toiyabe Crest Trail in Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Hike Arc Dome via Toiyabe Crest Trail Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Class 1 13.4 miles 4900 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Sep 21, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Arc Dome via Toiyabe Crest Trail GPX Track

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I finally made it to Arc Dome, a super-cool name for a super-prominent peak in central Nevada. I took the standard route for this one, starting from the Columbine Campground. Accessing the campground took some work due to long dirt roads and Google doing a poor job navigating. I recommend setting the coordinates to here (38.9604372,-117.4398648) and then continuing on that road to reach the campground. The road was fine except for one massive rut toward the end that can be avoided on the right using an illegally-formed makeshift road. I would still recommend at least mid-clearance. I couldn't find any officially-designated trailhead parking within Columbine Campground, so I pulled into one of the free campsites and started up the Stewart Creek Trail, marked with a "Crest Trail" sign.

The trail began really nice and forested and shortly after starting, reached a trail junction. Apparently going right would lead up Stewart Creek and join with the Toiyabe Crest Trail above, but I wanted to stick to what I understand to be the standard route, unsure if the Stewart Creek Trail was in good condition. The trail (marked on maps as 096) headed through meadows and forest and soon began climbing more steeply along the left side of a major drainage. Toward the top of this drainage, Trail 096 ended when it bisected the Toiyabe Crest Trail. I continued along the TCT up to a pass between two unnamed points. At this pass, I could see the wide slope leading up to the Arc Dome ridgeline ahead. First, the trail dropped down a couple hundred feet before crossing some minor talus (not even Class 2) and then ascending the wide slope. At the top of the slope, the TCT continues up to the right on a small rocky section to gain the ridge above.

Once on Arc Dome ridgeline I was expecting to see Arc Dome, but it was still too far away. I followed the Toiyabe Crest Trail away from the ridge, where it got a little faint until I met up with a junction. Here, the TCT continues to the right. I headed left, away from the TCT on a well-traveled spur trail that will ultiamtely lead to Arc Dome and end. The trail headed south. I made a quick detour to North Arc Dome on the left, which had maybe a tiny Class 2 move on its summit, but not enough to call the route Class 2. The views from North Arc Dome were lovely, and I could finally see Arc Dome in full view ahead. I got back to the trail and headed south. Unfortuantely, the route requires you drop 600+ feet to a saddle between North Arc Dome and Arc Dome, which would of course need to be reascended later. Once at the saddle, I headed up tight switchbacks on the steep northern ridge to the summit of Arc Dome. Through the wildfire smoke haze, I took in the weird Nevada landscape, as well as Mount Jefferson to the east.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
North Arc Dome
11406 ft
706 rise
2
Arc Dome
11773 ft
5233 rise

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Starting from the Columbine Campground along a trail labeled on maps as 096. It will lead up to the Toiyabe Crest Trail.
Starting from the Columbine Campground along a trail labeled on maps as 096. It will lead up to the Toiyabe Crest Trail.
The trail heads through meadows.
The trail heads through meadows.
A junction with a poorly-labeled sign. Left keeps to the standard route, right goes up the Stewart Creek Trail. It looked like a good trail, but I kept left.
A junction with a poorly-labeled sign. Left keeps to the standard route, right goes up the Stewart Creek Trail. It looked like a good trail, but I kept left.
Emerging into more meadows.
Emerging into more meadows.
Looking back along the trail. Columbine Campground is down in the center somewhere.
Looking back along the trail. Columbine Campground is down in the center somewhere.
Image 5 from gallery
Image 6 from gallery
Entering a major drainage along the Trail 096.
Entering a major drainage along the Trail 096.
The trail begins climbing the left slope of the drainage.
The trail begins climbing the left slope of the drainage.
The trail continues to the saddle visible center.
The trail continues to the saddle visible center.
Looking back, the Columbine Campground is somewhere in the center far below. Once near the top of the drainage around this point, trail 096 meets ends when it meets with the Toiyabe Crest Trail. The Toiyabe Crest Trail continues south.
Looking back, the Columbine Campground is somewhere in the center far below. Once near the top of the drainage around this point, trail 096 meets ends when it meets with the Toiyabe Crest Trail. The Toiyabe Crest Trail continues south.
Along the Toiyabe Crest Trail, photo taken once I was out of the drainage and at a minor pass between two unnamed points. The Toiyabe Crest Trail leads up the slope in the center of this photo to the saddle visible in the distance.
Along the Toiyabe Crest Trail, photo taken once I was out of the drainage and at a minor pass between two unnamed points. The Toiyabe Crest Trail leads up the slope in the center of this photo to the saddle visible in the distance.
The Toiyabe Crest Trail descends a couple hundred feet before reascending up the wide slope ahead.
The Toiyabe Crest Trail descends a couple hundred feet before reascending up the wide slope ahead.
Passing through some minor talus as the trail starts ascending the wide slope.
Passing through some minor talus as the trail starts ascending the wide slope.
Looking back toward the minor pass I descended from.
Looking back toward the minor pass I descended from.
Ascending the wide slope.
Ascending the wide slope.
Looking back again, the pass I descended from in the center. Just behind me is a slightly rocky section that I'd use to gain the Arc Dome ridgeline.
Looking back again, the pass I descended from in the center. Just behind me is a slightly rocky section that I'd use to gain the Arc Dome ridgeline.
Looking back once on the ridgeline, the wide slope I just ascended visible center left.
Looking back once on the ridgeline, the wide slope I just ascended visible center left.
Along the ridge via the Toiyabe Crest Trail. North Arc Dome is poking out on the far left.
Along the ridge via the Toiyabe Crest Trail. North Arc Dome is poking out on the far left.
Image 19 from gallery
Junction, keep left. The Toiyabe Crest Trail continues to the right, but I'm going to Arc Dome. ;) Arc Dome seen poking out on the left.
Junction, keep left. The Toiyabe Crest Trail continues to the right, but I'm going to Arc Dome. ;) Arc Dome seen poking out on the left.
Looking back along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
North Arc Dome on the left. I left the Arc Dome Trail as a brief detour. Arc Dome visible on the right.
North Arc Dome on the left. I left the Arc Dome Trail as a brief detour. Arc Dome visible on the right.
Ascending to North Arc Dome.
Ascending to North Arc Dome.
View north along the ridge from North Arc Dome.
View north along the ridge from North Arc Dome.
View south from North Arc Dome, Arc Dome visible ahead.
View south from North Arc Dome, Arc Dome visible ahead.
Back on the Arc Dome Trail, descending to the saddle of North Arc Dome and Arc Dome.
Back on the Arc Dome Trail, descending to the saddle of North Arc Dome and Arc Dome.
Another shot of Arc Dome as I descend.
Another shot of Arc Dome as I descend.
Looking back.
Looking back.
Arc Dome.
Arc Dome.
Starting up to Arc Dome from the saddle.
Starting up to Arc Dome from the saddle.
Just above the saddle as I ascend to Arc Dome, looking back toward North Arc Dome (out of sight on the left).
Just above the saddle as I ascend to Arc Dome, looking back toward North Arc Dome (out of sight on the left).
Image 32 from gallery
View back along the trail, North Arc Dome on the left.
View back along the trail, North Arc Dome on the left.
Final push to the summit.
Final push to the summit.
Arc Dome summit, view southeast. Mount Jefferson visible top left.
Arc Dome summit, view southeast. Mount Jefferson visible top left.
Close-up of Mount Jefferson (distance) and Toiyabe Dome (right of center).
Close-up of Mount Jefferson (distance) and Toiyabe Dome (right of center).
Arc Dome summit, view north.
Arc Dome summit, view north.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!