Hike Horse Benchmark and Spring Peak Loop Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, NV

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After wrapping up Wheeler Benchmark a few days ago, I was looking forward to checking out more of theis remote area of the Spring Mountains. I was initially planning to hike Horse Benchmark and Spring Peak both as out-and-backs, but decided to risk bushwhacking across the ridgeline separating the two in order to create a loop. I am so happy I did! I saw wild horses, a bald and pretty ridgeline, and the bushwhacking was minimal. In fact, the routes leading to and from the peaks were far less cool that the ridgeline itself, so I'm especially happy I completed this route instead.

I started with Horse Benchmark, if only because the drive in was closer than going all the way up to the start point of Spring Peak. I began up an ATV road that quickly becomes too bad for probably any vehicle, taking this until it eroded into a gravel wash. With only a few downed trees as obstacles and otherwise no bushwhacking, I was starting off in good spirits. Eventually the wash began to narrow into a forest detritus-filled drainage and at a junction, I decided to leave the lowland and head west up a slope instead. Although I did encounter likely more zig-zagging on this ascent than if I had stayed in the drainage, I was happy to start getting some views. I also encountered a couple of short Class 2 sections as I got closer to the ridgeline above. I can't imagine there's a "best" way to make it to the ridgeline, but my way was fine. Once at the saddle south of Horse Benchmark, the views became really nice. Class 2 brought me to the summit of Horse Benchmark, where I took in to ridgeline to come to the north, ending at Spring Peak. It sure did seem far away, but fortunately didn't seem to have too many bumps along the way. I also could see a really nice-looking clear section halfway across that I was looking forward to getting to.

The initial descent from Horse Benchmark is the least pleasant part of the day. It's loose Class 2 on the steep east slope (typical limestone slabs and small talus blocks), but the ridgeline is slow and loose Class 2/3. I don't know what's a better option, but it's fairly short-lived and soon I found myself descending quickly on pleasant and steep dirt. The ridgeline continued to be really nice, with minimal trees to dodge and bsaically no brush. Eventually I made it to the aforementioned clearing, which was an old burn area. It was really nice. Wide open views and a clearing that reminded me somewhat of the traverse from Griffith Peak to Charleston Peak, but of course without a trail. I saw some trees that had been clearly chopped by humans at some point, and a few wild horses which I admired for a few minutes until they scurried away.

This clear section lasted a half mile or so until I started to ascend again through light trees toward a rocky-looking outcrop above. A few hundred feet of steep ascent led me to the base of this outcrop. I chose to keep left and had to navigate Class 2/2+ limestone pinnacles and loose terrain for a few hundred feet. It added some thought to this otherwise straightforward route, but I'm sure if you keep to the right around the outcrop, you can ascend to its apex and descend on easier terrain. Past the rock outcrop, the going got slightly more brushy as I ascended to Spring Peak. All was pretty easily avoidable, but it wasn't the same sort of typical ridge walking I had been enjoying so far. The last quarter mile to Spring Peak introcued a lot of nice big trees and some light Class 2 scrambling. It will be tempting to get all the way to the ridgeline, but I recommend keeping just right of the crest to stay within the trees until just before the summit. Spring Peak had basically no views, so I continued along the ridge to its lower, northern neighbor. I labeled this North Spring Peak.

I highly recommend continuing to North Spring Peak. The views were among the best of the day, and it served as a great sunset viewing point. To reach its summit, I headed up its steep south slope and then kept to the right of its limestone rock outcrop. A Class 2 option presented itself at its eastern side.

I descended basically back to the saddle of Spring Peak and North Spring Peak and then headed down the drainage separating the two. The first half of the route down was a quick descent with some downed trees to hop over or wrap around, but eventually the drainage started require a bit more thought. A fair amount of brush and low-growing plants required some effort, and the drainage faded away into just being a wide open gentle slope. I just headed generally east. As you'll see on the attached map, I sort of wandered all over the place, basically just picking my way through drainages and flattish terrain in order to avoid the majority of the forest crap. I came across a dirt road and followed it back to Wheeler Pass Road. I took Wheeler Pass Road back to my car, stopping only for a minute to snap a picture of the Charcoal Kilns, a historical landmark along the way.

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

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Horse Benchmark

8490 ft

895 rise

Spring Peak

8757 ft

1769 rise

North Spring Peak

8717 ft

180 rise

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Starting up an ATV road.

The ATV road fades away pretty much completely and I kept ascending via the remaining wash.

View back along the gravel wash.

The wash narrows into a drainage. I left when it and ascended a slope instead when the drainage got about this narrow and tree-choked.

Ascending the steep slope. Horse Benchmark is up there on the right.

Minor Class 2 along my ascent.

View back, Charleston Peak visible top right, McFarland center, and Willow Peak left.

Class 2 and some light bushwhacking to Horse Benchmark.

At the south saddle of Horse Benchmark, Class 2 to its summit.

Horse Benchmark, view south. Pahrump is on the right.

Horse Benchmark summit, view north. Spring Peak on the left, Wheeler Benchmark on the right.

Class 2 (kind of annoying) descent from Horse Benchmark along the ridgeline. Spring Peak visible top enter.

View along the descent from Horse Benchmark.

The unpleasant section was short-lived. Easy, quick descent for a bit. You can see the pretty clearing I was excited for in the center of this photo.

View back toward Horse Benchmark.

Spring Peak top left.

Emerging from the forest onto a cleared section of ridgeline.

Wild horses!

View back toward Horse Benchmark.

Continuing along the ridge crest. Spring Peak visible top left.

Close-up toward Willow, McFarland.

Close-up toward Spring Peak (top left) and the rock outcrop obstacle to come (center).

Along the pretty ridgeline.

View back along the ridgeline toward Horse Benchmark.

Continuing along the ridge crest.

View north toward Pahrump.

Another shot back toward Horse Benchmark. I really liked this ridgeline.

The clear section ended and I was back in the forest. Steep slope visible ahead leading to the rock outcrop obstacle (top right). Spring Peak visible top center.

Along the Class 2 ascent to the rock outcrop, view back.

Light scree on the ascent to the rock outcrop.

View back toward my progress along the ridge.

The rock outcrop obstacle is above on my right. I chose to keep to its left and navigate this tricky terrain (Class 2+). You can likely find an easier way by ascending it, but I don't know for sure.

Past the rock outcrop, more forest walking.

View back toward the rock outcrop. Horse Benchmark visible top right. Ascending somewhat steeply to Spring Peak.

Spring Peak ahead. It gets a little brushy from here to the summit.

Pretty much the worst of the brush. It's not bad, just requires a bit of zig-zagging.

Some light talus on the east side of the ridge crest before Spring Peak.

I recommend staying to the east of the crest within the trees to avoid unnecessary Class 2.

A reprieve from the forest along the crest leading to Spring Peak, view back toward Horse Benchmark.

Spring Peak summit, basically no views.

Continuing along the ridgeline to North Spring Peak, visible center. I reached it by ascending to the rock outcrop, following it to the right, and locating a Class 2 ascent option.

North Spring Peak, view toward Spring Peak (center) and Horse Benchmark (top right). Charleston Peak visible top left.

North Spring Peak summit, view toward Wheeler Benchmark.

Close-up toward McFarland (left) and Charleston (right).

Descending from the saddle of Spring Peak and North Spring Peak.

The drainage is overall fine, with some obstacles.

Descending, view back at the slope.

A little brushy, but nothing crazy.

Still descending. It's not interesting.

The terrain becomes flat and requires some light bushwhacking and tree-dodging. It lasts longer than I would have liked.

Eventually I made it to Wheeler Pass Road.

Wheeler Pass Road, view toward Wheeler Pass (center blocked by trees).

Charcoal Kilns, a landmarked along the road.

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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!