Hike Ward Mountain and Hamels Peak Loop Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

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Ward Mountain was a surprisingly pretty mountain that I did more as an afterthought, recommended by my friend Adam Walker. I knew the road leading to the summit was very rough in spots, so I parked at the junction with the Paymaster Mine road, the end of 2WD. While my car could have made it farther (though not by much), I anticipated trying to make the route into a loop. Despite not having any information on my intended descent route, my idea ended up being a succesful endeavor, and this junction I parked at would mark a good end point later on.

I hiked the crap road to the summit of Ward Mountain. Nothing of note on the ascent, except that the views were pretty nice and the grassy terrain felt unique. From the summit of Ward Mountain, I scoped the ridgeline to Hamels Peak, which began about a half mile back along the road to Ward Mountain. The ridgeline included some light Class 2, and overall I enjoyed the route to Hamels Peak. You could drop down the east ridge and reunite with the ascent road, but my plan was to bag a couple more unnamed 10,000 foot peaks along the ridge and attempt a way down another ridge. There was a steep, grassy slope down from Hamels Peak and then a dirt road brought me halfway up to Peak 10218. There was some very minor bushwhacking to this peak's summit, and then a mellow slope to the next peak, Peak 10182. The two unnamed peaks felt like the same mountain, both pretty but neither with much personality.

From Peak 10182, I dropped down its eastern slope, fully expecting some bushwhacking to complete my intended loop. However, the ridge was pleasant and without obstacles for the most part. I intercepted an animal trail which led me most of the way down, and then a very old mining road helped me avoid some cliffs around 8800 feet. I could see the Paymaster Mine below (a series of abandoned buildings), and I used it as a landmark for reference as I descended. The ridge continued pleasantly until the last hundred feet to the mine where I decided to do some minor bushwhacking to get off the ridge and get to the buildings. After some poking around the old abandoned stuff, I continued along an ATV road (which was quite busy, in fact) back to my car.

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

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Ward Mountain

10936 ft

3656 rise

Hamels Peak

10440 ft

474 rise

Peak 10218

10218 ft

318 rise

Peak 10182

10182 ft

322 rise

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Hiking up from the Paymaster Mine junction along a boring road.

Some mining detritus along the road. The views started getting nicer, but it was still just a road walk the whole way up.

Ward Mountain visible.

The road descends a couple hundred feet on the way up to Ward Mountain (visible center).

Looking back.

Ward Mountain (left).

Hamels Peak left, some unnamed pretty peak on the right.

Just below Ward Mountain's summit, looking back the way I came. Hamels Peak visible on the left.

Ward Mountain summit, view north.

After coming down from Ward Mountain, starting along the ridgeline south toward Hamels Peak.

Looking back toward Ward Mountain.

Hamels Peak ahead.

Looking back toward Ward from Hamels.

View south toward Peak 10218.

Steep slope down on the way to Peak 10218. As you can see a road leads halfway up the peak.

Almost at the summit of Peak 10218, looking back toward Hamels Peak.

Summit of Peak 10218, view toward Peak 10182. I agree, 10218 and 10182 look pretty much the same. A road leads halfway up 10182 as well.

Along the road to Peak 10182.

Summit of Peak 10182 looking back toward Peak 10218.

Heading down the east ridge of Peak 10182.

Looking back up along a animal trail I stumbled onto.

I then stumbled on an old mining road, which helped to avoid some cliffs.

Continuing down on the mostly open ridgeline on a nice animal trail. You can see Paymaster Mine below. A minor bushwhack led off the ridge and to the buildings.

At the Paymaster Mine, the ATV trail ahead leads back to my car.

Paymaster Mine, view toward the ridgeline I traversed.

Inside the biggest building.

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!