Ray Benchmark in Cherry Creek Range BLM, NV

Hike Ray Benchmark Cherry Creek Range BLM, NV

Class 2 4.1 miles 2200 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jun 18, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Ray Benchmark GPX Track

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I recommend getting to the trailhead by driving into the old town of Cherry Creek and make a left here (39.9007, -114.88626), then keeping right here (39.82018, -114.94553). Google should have no problem navigating from there. The last few miles get difficult for low clearance due to a short, eroded section. The more common approach for this peak seems to be from the west, but I was content to stop driving and attempt a route from the south, and it wored great. I can't imagine any direction is more interesting than the way I came since the peak is mostly forested and the only significant views are from the summit.

I headed up the major drainage on Ray Benchmark's south side, where I quickly picked up an animal trail that led me easily up the first half mile. At a junction in the drainage, I kept left where I was able to continue on the good animal trail. Along the way I passed the occasional old dam-like structure, rusty metal bucket, etc., so I assume at least the lower sections were used by ranchers for some purpose. Just past the junction the drainage started to get bushwhacky, so I recommend instead getting up to the right onto a thin ridgeline. I removed my drainage bushwhacking from my attached map, only keeping what I would recommend you do for the route. Once on this thin ridge, I just headed up, keeping to the crest for the most part. An occasional Class 2 minor limestone cliff band required either scrambling over it or keeping left/right to get around it. The terrain become a bit more steep as I made my way to the summit, and the views opened up briefly before some very light bushwhacking led to the summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Ray Benchmark
9249 ft
2130 rise

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Heading up the drainage on Ray Benchmark's south side. There were a few of these old dam remains along the way.
Heading up the drainage on Ray Benchmark's south side. There were a few of these old dam remains along the way.
Ray Benchmark up there somewhere. Social trails led nicely north.
Ray Benchmark up there somewhere. Social trails led nicely north.
The social trail avoids all the trees.
The social trail avoids all the trees.
Along the social trail as I ascend the drainage. I kept left at a junction.
Along the social trail as I ascend the drainage. I kept left at a junction.
View back down the drainage shortly before ascending the minor ridge on the east side.
View back down the drainage shortly before ascending the minor ridge on the east side.
View back down into the drainage I ascended from as I head up a minor ridge.
View back down into the drainage I ascended from as I head up a minor ridge.
Continuing up the ridge. I kept in the drainage on the left on the way up and it was bushwhacky, so I recommend getting to the ridge.
Continuing up the ridge. I kept in the drainage on the left on the way up and it was bushwhacky, so I recommend getting to the ridge.
Ascending the ridge.
Ascending the ridge.
View back.
View back.
Class 2 stuff along the way.
Class 2 stuff along the way.
Ray Benchmark visisble ahead.
Ray Benchmark visisble ahead.
More Class 2, usually avoidable.
More Class 2, usually avoidable.
View back, the drainage I ascended from visible center.
View back, the drainage I ascended from visible center.
There was some brushy stuff toward the top, but it was short-lived.
There was some brushy stuff toward the top, but it was short-lived.
View back down a Class 2 move.
View back down a Class 2 move.
Easy walking with some minor trees to the summit.
Easy walking with some minor trees to the summit.
Ray Benchmark summit, view north.
Ray Benchmark summit, view north.
Ray Benchmark summit, view toward Telegraph Hill.
Ray Benchmark summit, view toward Telegraph Hill.
Ray Benchmark summit, view east. Cherry Creek Benchmark visible top left.
Ray Benchmark summit, view east. Cherry Creek Benchmark visible top left.

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!