Mount Patterson and Wheeler Peak in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, CA

Hike Mount Patterson and Wheeler Peak Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, CA

Class 1 12.2 miles 3700 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Aug 29, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Patterson and Wheeler Peak GPX Track

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The Sweetwater Mountains, historically significant for 19th-century silver mining, are now known for their striking high-elevation desert landscape. The range's highest peak, Mount Patterson, is a prominent summit near the California-Nevada border, visible from great distances across both the Sierra and the Great Basin Desert. It's a bit of a bummer that a trail system hasn't been developed in this beautiful area, though the focus is likely better placed on the alpine wonderland of the adjacent Sierra Mountains, leaving the Sweetwater Mountains to desert peakbagging enthusiasts. Accessible mostly via ATV roads, the summit can be reached from the east via the old mining site of Belfort, or from the west via Lobdell Lake, which is the way I chose.

Leave CA-395 here (38.35326, -119.42471) and take the wonderfully graded Burcham Flat Road. Turn right here (38.40594, -119.41955) onto Lobdell Lake Road, which is also in great shape until a left here (38.43832, -119.36242). Crossover SUVs are required past Lobdell Lake, but parking there will only add about a mile each way. I parked at a trailhead marking the start of an ATV road, next to a sign with some information about Mount Patterson's alpine vegetation, labeling it "Mars with flowers". With a serious vehicle you could drive to the summit.

I started walking along the ATV trail, which wiggled up the slopes for a bit before leveling out in a grove of trees. The trail dips down into a creek before ascending along the north slope of a major gully. It switchbacks as the views of white lumps on the adjacent ridge appear, stunning displays of the Sweetwater Mountains' aesthetic. At the top of the gully the trail heads toward the final steep summit push though a sweeping tundra featuring the alpine flowers the sign earlier had mentioned.

There are a bunch of old mining / ATV trails leading in various directions, but there is a clear primary one, which abruptly gains steepness as it leads directly up the western slope of Mount Patterson. On my way back later I watched from below as a few ATVs sped up this loose slope, a display of speed that belitted the efforts my measly legs, though I was happy to get the exercise and didn't mind road walking in this unique landscape.

I loved the colorful surrounding hills viewed from Mount Patterson's summit, and I couldn't help myself but to continue along the ATV trail over to Wheeler Peak. This is a minor summit that also has some excellent views and was a good way to extend my hike a bit. The last quarter mile is off trail, but there's no scrambling required. There was even a social trail up the scree toward the top.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Patterson
11673 ft
4153 rise
2
Wheeler Peak
11663 ft
343 rise

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Mount Patterson Trailhead.
Mount Patterson Trailhead.
ATV trail up the slopes.
ATV trail up the slopes.
Colorful hills visible.
Colorful hills visible.
View back down toward the trailhead.
View back down toward the trailhead.
A dip along the ATV trail.
A dip along the ATV trail.
Descending to a creek.
Descending to a creek.
View back to the west.
View back to the west.
Crossed a creek, then continued ascending along the ATV trail.
Crossed a creek, then continued ascending along the ATV trail.
View back down.
View back down.
A couple of switchbacks up the slope.
A couple of switchbacks up the slope.
Gorgeous bright hills of the Sweetwater Range.
Gorgeous bright hills of the Sweetwater Range.
Continuing up.
Continuing up.
View back down as I approach a flatter tundra section.
View back down as I approach a flatter tundra section.
Mount Patterson top left.
Mount Patterson top left.
Flattish hiking before the last steep ascent.
Flattish hiking before the last steep ascent.
View back.
View back.
Ascending the steep bit to the summit of Mount Patterson.
Ascending the steep bit to the summit of Mount Patterson.
Higher up, looking back.
Higher up, looking back.
A wider shot back.
A wider shot back.
Mount Patterson summit ahead.
Mount Patterson summit ahead.
Mount Patterson summit, view north.
Mount Patterson summit, view north.
Mount Patterson summit, view south. Wheeler Peak center.
Mount Patterson summit, view south. Wheeler Peak center.
Onward to Wheeler Peak, the Sierra Mountains visible on the horizon.
Onward to Wheeler Peak, the Sierra Mountains visible on the horizon.
Wider shot on my way down from Mount Patterson toward the Sierra Mountains and Wheeler Peak.
Wider shot on my way down from Mount Patterson toward the Sierra Mountains and Wheeler Peak.
Wheeler Peak seen left.
Wheeler Peak seen left.
View back toward Mount Patterson (top right).
View back toward Mount Patterson (top right).
Onward from the saddle toward Wheeler Peak.
Onward from the saddle toward Wheeler Peak.
Another shot back at my progress to Wheeler Peak.
Another shot back at my progress to Wheeler Peak.
Wheeler Peak ahead.
Wheeler Peak ahead.
I left the ATV trail around here and continued on easy terrain to Wheeler Peak, seen center.
I left the ATV trail around here and continued on easy terrain to Wheeler Peak, seen center.
Wheeler Peak summit, view toward Mount Patterson.
Wheeler Peak summit, view toward Mount Patterson.
Close-up to the cool slopes of Mount Patterson.
Close-up to the cool slopes of Mount Patterson.
On my way back, a few ATVs sped up the last slope to the summit so I snagged a shot.
On my way back, a few ATVs sped up the last slope to the summit so I snagged a shot.

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!