South Schell Mountains Loop in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Hike South Schell Mountains Loop Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Class 2 13.1 miles 5600 gain 7-10 hrs Loop Sep 12, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

South Schell Mountains Loop GPX Track

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After visiting the high point of the Schell range, North Schell Peak, a couple of months ago, I wanted to return to see the southern section of the range's lesser-visited peaks that felt unique for Nevada. Additionally, I could hike a few Nevada 11ers using this route, a list of peaks that has me pretty excited lately.

I parked just past a point where the forest road forks at a good turn-off accessible by pretty much any vehicle, right before a stream crossing at an information kiosk. I did this route clockwise on my attached map, my thought process being that the most unknown stuff would be better on the ascent. However, I would actually recommend you do my route counter-clockwise so most of the unpleasant ascending would be done as a descent instead. Alternatively, if you are more excited about efficiently bagging the peaks in this section of the Schell range, you can forego my lovely loop and make this an out-and-back. Doing it this alternative way requires you have 4WD (or are more confident than I am with a mid-clearance vehicle), so you can park here: 39.3187, -114.62153 at some rancher buildings. Parking here enables you to ascend the slopes up to the ridgeline and to Peak 11368, traverse to South Schell Peak and Peak 11768, and then return. My route combines forest roads, a trail, and the ridgeline to make a nice loop. I quite liked my route, but it's probably not the most efficient way to hike these peaks.

Assuming you do want to take my loop, I'll describe it as I did it. The northern fork of the dirt road ended shortly after the junction, where I started on a pretty nice road-converted-trail along the North Fork of Berry Creek. After a few miles along the trail and toward the head of the drainage, the trail continues left and up the slopes. Here, I left the trail and continued up the drainage until it opened into a wide basin to the west of South Schell Peak. There was some tree-dodging and steeper forested terrain, but no bushwhacking. The trees slowly cleared and I could see South Schell Peak ahead at the other end of a big basin, but the slopes looked very steep and talus-filled. I figured my best bet for success would be to ascend the ridge that reached northwest from the peak's summit (on my right) since it appeared to be the least steep option. I'm not sure that my route to gain this ridge was the best, but it certainly wasn't the worst. For the most part, it was a steep chute with minimal scree and only became Class 2 just below the ridge crest. Once on this ridge, it was a straight shot to South Schell Peak, but it was quite unpleasant for the last few hundred feet. The talus became small and deep, and made ascending a slow and tedious process. It's this section of the route that makes me kind of recommend you do my route counter-clockwise so that this would be your descent instead of ascent.

Once on South Schell Peak, I laughed from a deflated sense of accomplishment toward Peak 11768 to the east, a coveted Nevada 11er that I knew would make me upset if I didn't go bag it. Set aside from the primary Schell ridgeline, this peak requires dropping down about 1000 feet from South Schell Peak before reascending to Peak 11768, which required gaining almost 1000 vertical. Of course, I had to then return to get back to the main ridge. It's inconveneint, but the views toward Mount Moriah and Wheeler Peak were nice. It's also mostly just a grassy slope, with some boulder-hoppy talus. Also, I was able to skip reascending the last few hundred feet to South Schell Peak by side-hilling its southern slopes to get back to the ridge crest, a small victory.

I continued south along the ridge all the way to Peak 11368 where I took in some views before scoping out what I thought would be my best descent option to the dirt road below. I couldn't see the rancher buildings that marked the end of the dirt road, but I knew they were down there. I decided on a steep, grassy slope to the northwest. It passed through a small forested section, but required no bushwhacking the whole way down. Animal trails aided in getting down to the South Fork of Berry Creek drainage, where I located the dirt road. It was a steep descent, but probably not even Class 2. From the road, I passed the rancher buildings that may or may not be in use and continued for a few miles along the road until I got back to my car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
South Schell Peak
11736 ft
548 rise
2
Peak 11768
11768 ft
908 rise
3
Peak 11368
11368 ft
427 rise

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A shot from where I parked looking toward the 4WD road leading up South Fork of Berry Creek. I would be coming from this way later in the day. I parked here because the road leading to the North Fork of Berry Creek was less good.
A shot from where I parked looking toward the 4WD road leading up South Fork of Berry Creek. I would be coming from this way later in the day. I parked here because the road leading to the North Fork of Berry Creek was less good.
Starting along the North Fork of Berry Creek.
Starting along the North Fork of Berry Creek.
The trail is the remains of an old roadbed.
The trail is the remains of an old roadbed.
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
Nearing the head of the drainage before the trail bends left out of the drainage.
Nearing the head of the drainage before the trail bends left out of the drainage.
I left the trail to continue up the drainage. Forested, but not a bushwhack.
I left the trail to continue up the drainage. Forested, but not a bushwhack.
Continuing up the drainage as the trees cleared and I entered a basin. South Schell Peak is ahead up there, but the slopes are very steep.
Continuing up the drainage as the trees cleared and I entered a basin. South Schell Peak is ahead up there, but the slopes are very steep.
I located this gully on the right within the ridge that I decided to ascend to gain the ridge.
I located this gully on the right within the ridge that I decided to ascend to gain the ridge.
Class 2, steep.
Class 2, steep.
Looking back down the gully into the basin I ascended out of.
Looking back down the gully into the basin I ascended out of.
On the ridge, headed to South Schell Peak.
On the ridge, headed to South Schell Peak.
Looking back down the ridge, the based I ascended out of on the right.
Looking back down the ridge, the based I ascended out of on the right.
Continuing along the ridge.
Continuing along the ridge.
And then the last few hundred feet up to South Schell Peak was this nonsense.
And then the last few hundred feet up to South Schell Peak was this nonsense.
Looking back again as I near the summit.
Looking back again as I near the summit.
South Schell Peak summit, view north toward Taft Peak, North Schell Peak, etc.
South Schell Peak summit, view north toward Taft Peak, North Schell Peak, etc.
South Schell Peak view southeast, Peak 11368 (right) and Peak 11768 (left). I started to the left.
South Schell Peak view southeast, Peak 11368 (right) and Peak 11768 (left). I started to the left.
Peak 11768 on the left, a significant drop required to get to the saddle between it and South Schell Peak.
Peak 11768 on the left, a significant drop required to get to the saddle between it and South Schell Peak.
Almost at the saddle, Peak 11768 ahead.
Almost at the saddle, Peak 11768 ahead.
Easy slope for most of the way up to Peak 11768.
Easy slope for most of the way up to Peak 11768.
Looking back toward South Schell Peak (right).
Looking back toward South Schell Peak (right).
Minor Class 2 as I near the summit of Peak 11768.
Minor Class 2 as I near the summit of Peak 11768.
Peak 11768, view toward Mount Moriah (far left) and Wheeler Peak (distant center).
Peak 11768, view toward Mount Moriah (far left) and Wheeler Peak (distant center).
Peak 11768 summit, view west toward the ridge I will be soon traversing. Peak 11368 visible left of center.
Peak 11768 summit, view west toward the ridge I will be soon traversing. Peak 11368 visible left of center.
Peak 11768 view toward South Schell Peak (left of center) and the northern Schells (right).
Peak 11768 view toward South Schell Peak (left of center) and the northern Schells (right).
Back on the main ridgeline headed toward Peak 11368.
Back on the main ridgeline headed toward Peak 11368.
Looking back toward South Schell Peak. You can see the steep ascent ridge I took earlier to gain South Schell in the center leading to the summit on the right. It was loose and steep, ugh.
Looking back toward South Schell Peak. You can see the steep ascent ridge I took earlier to gain South Schell in the center leading to the summit on the right. It was loose and steep, ugh.
Continuing to Peak 11368, a bump along the ridge.
Continuing to Peak 11368, a bump along the ridge.
I side-hilled the bump. Peak 11368 visible center.
I side-hilled the bump. Peak 11368 visible center.
At a false summit of Peak 11368, looking toward the true summit.
At a false summit of Peak 11368, looking toward the true summit.
Peak 11368, view south.
Peak 11368, view south.
Peak 11368, view north. You can see the gap between South Schell Peak and Peak 11768 on the right for reference on how inconvenient that peak is.
Peak 11368, view north. You can see the gap between South Schell Peak and Peak 11768 on the right for reference on how inconvenient that peak is.
The slope I decided to head down. You can see the dirt road leading up South Fork of Berry Creek in the center.
The slope I decided to head down. You can see the dirt road leading up South Fork of Berry Creek in the center.
Almost down to the road and off the steep slope.
Almost down to the road and off the steep slope.
Looking back up at the slope I descended.
Looking back up at the slope I descended.
Old rancher stuff.
Old rancher stuff.
Following the road back to my car.
Following the road back to my car.
Looking back as I descend the road.
Looking back as I descend the road.

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