Hike Dry Benchmark Arrow Canyon Wilderness Area BLM, NV

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Earlier this year, I did a small traverse in the Arrow Canyon Range, including its highpoint. Dry Benchmark is a smaller peak to the south, and while less fun, it made for a nice little outing as the weather starts to get cooler. I parked on the side of the road and crossed over a fence. I believe this fence is moreso for wildlife than to keep humans out, since I've parked along this road many times now without problems. I headed through the desert to the base of the westernmost finger on Dry Benchmark and ascended via a Class 2 slope. I couldn't tell you if my route is the "best" option, but it worked really well and overall was very pleasant. A few Class 2 and Class 3 moves over minor limestone cliff bands made the ascent more fun, and a small natural arch about halfway up was a pleasant surprise. There might be some minor route-finding around some cliff bands, but you can pretty much always see the ridge ahead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Dry Benchmark

3994 ft

1274 rise

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View from the road toward Dry Benchmark, which is hidden behind the cliffs seen here. My first goal is to reach the right side of the pyramid-shaped feature in the center of this photo.

I started ascending on Class 2 terrain.

Class 2 to avoid some cliff bands. You can see the road on the top right.

I made it to the ridge on the minor westernmost finger and continued up. You can see a few Class 2/3 cliff band obstacles. Most are avoidable.

Along the ridge, a false summit visible ahead.

Class 3 move on a cliff band.

Some more fun scrambling along the ridge.

Avoiding some cliff bands on Class 2 terrain as I make my way up to the false summit.

View back down the ridge so far from just below the false summit. The road is visible horizontally across the center of this photo.

False summit of Dry Benchmark, the true summit ahead on the right.

Dry Benchmark summit, view along the ridge back toward the false summit I came from.

Dry Benchmark summit, view south.

Dry Benchmark summit, view north.

A natural arch I spotted on the way back. I marked it on my attached map.

Hire me or show me some love!

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!