Duck Creek Range High Point and Camel Peak in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Hike Duck Creek Range High Point and Camel Peak Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Class 1 5.2 miles 1900 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jun 17, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Duck Creek Range High Point and Camel Peak GPX Track

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These pair of peaks sit east of Ely, Nevada. They were appealing mostly because their bald summits would mean nice views, and they definitely delivered. Reaching this junction (39.25519, -114.70294) is doable by any vehicle, but once you turn left at those coordinates the road becomes a bit more difficult and decent clearance is required. I parked just south of the saddle of the two peaks at a wide parking area. After a bad mushroom trip yesterday, I was happy to keep this an easy and slow day where I could reflect and recover. Be safe with drugs, kids.

First up was Camel Peak to the south. I followed an old road to the left that avoided a rock outcrop along the ridgeline. The road ended shortly after, but an animal trail kept the bushwhacking to basically nonexistent. If you keep to the right along the ridge, there's some fun scrambling and nice views, but staying to the left on relatively flat ground means it's easier-going on the social trail. The social trail eventually made it to the ridge rounded and grassy ridge crest with its nice views toward the landscape to the east, and I soon found myself in a short section of forest. I had to hop over a downed tree or two, but then I picked up an animal trail that brought me to the much more obvious and tree-free northern ridge. I made it to the first of two summits of Camel Peak after some very minor rockiness, not enough to even call the route Class 2. The high point is unclear, so I continued to the farther summit where there was a summit register.

I headed back down to the saddle and continued north on a very steep dirt road that only the burliest of vehicles could safely drive. I was content to hike it. The road pretty much stuck to the ridge crest and leads to the summit. However, to reach the summit via the road, expect to wind around on the east side of the high point before ascending steeply. I recommend instead leaving the road on the southeast side of the peak and just ascend to the ridge crest. There's no bushwacking and the views are better this way.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Duck Creek Range High Point
10289 ft
1415 rise
2
Camel Peak
10079 ft
680 rise

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From the trailhead, I headed south first to Camel Peak. An old road on the left avoided the rock outcrop in the center of this photo.
From the trailhead, I headed south first to Camel Peak. An old road on the left avoided the rock outcrop in the center of this photo.
Along the very old road.
Along the very old road.
The road basically just turned into a social trail. You can stay along the social trail or ascend to the ridge crest on the right and do some Class 2 scrambling with views.
The road basically just turned into a social trail. You can stay along the social trail or ascend to the ridge crest on the right and do some Class 2 scrambling with views.
View toward Duck Creek Range High Point along the crest.
View toward Duck Creek Range High Point along the crest.
Class 2 scrambling option along the crest if you choose.
Class 2 scrambling option along the crest if you choose.
Or just stick to the social trail through the forest.
Or just stick to the social trail through the forest.
View south along the ridgeline.
View south along the ridgeline.
The social trail eventually leads into a forested section with some tree hopping.
The social trail eventually leads into a forested section with some tree hopping.
An animal trail helped get through the forest easily.
An animal trail helped get through the forest easily.
View back past the forested section toward Duck Creek Range High Point.
View back past the forested section toward Duck Creek Range High Point.
Camel Peak ahead.
Camel Peak ahead.
Nice views from Camel Peak.
Nice views from Camel Peak.
First of the two summits of Camel Peak, view south.
First of the two summits of Camel Peak, view south.
On the southern summit of Camel Peak, view north the way I came.
On the southern summit of Camel Peak, view north the way I came.
View east from Camel Peak.
View east from Camel Peak.
Back at the trailhead, I headed toward Duck Creek Range High Point. The road on the far right is where I drove up from.
Back at the trailhead, I headed toward Duck Creek Range High Point. The road on the far right is where I drove up from.
View back along the road as I ascend to Duck Creek Range High Point.
View back along the road as I ascend to Duck Creek Range High Point.
Higher up, Camel Peak visible top right.
Higher up, Camel Peak visible top right.
Still ascending along the road toward Duck Creek Range High Point.
Still ascending along the road toward Duck Creek Range High Point.
View back again along the road. Camel Peak top right.
View back again along the road. Camel Peak top right.
Duck Creek Range High Point comes into view.
Duck Creek Range High Point comes into view.
I left the road here and ascended to the ridgeline above. The road does go to the summit, but the views are nicer along the ridgeline.
I left the road here and ascended to the ridgeline above. The road does go to the summit, but the views are nicer along the ridgeline.
Ascending to the ridge.
Ascending to the ridge.
View back. I ascended from the left. Camel Peak visible center.
View back. I ascended from the left. Camel Peak visible center.
Summit of Duck Creek Range High Point.
Summit of Duck Creek Range High Point.
The road option if you chose to ascend to Duck Creek Range High Point via the road instead of the short off-road section I took.
The road option if you chose to ascend to Duck Creek Range High Point via the road instead of the short off-road section I took.

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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!