Wheeler Benchmark via Mine Peak in Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Wheeler Benchmark via Mine Peak Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, NV

Class 3 11.8 miles 3100 gain 5-7 hrs Loop May 8, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Wheeler Benchmark via Mine Peak GPX Track

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Wheeler Benchmark has always been a bit of a thorn of a peak on my to-do list. It's one of the more remote peaks in the Spring Mountains, and quick access from Wheeler Pass requires a burly vehicle if driving in from the north. However, a road system from the south (out of Pahrump) seemed like a possible option. I knew these roads were known for heavy ATV travel, but I figured I'd try getting to Wheeler Pass. Ultimately I ended up parking at a spot that is passable to almost any vehicle, though some reasonable clearance and somewhat decent tires are required. I likely would have been able to get a passaenger car out there, but it's not a great idea. I also tried approaching Wheeler Pass, but I wasn't enjoying myself after bashing my vehicle up a bit. Instead, I marked "4WD" on my attached map and just parked at the start of where Wheeler Pass Road gets rougher. This allowed for a nice loop that included Mine Peak, and although it added quite a bit of extra work, it was a nice hike. I should note this is NOT a trip report for Wheeler Peak, the high point of Great Basin National Park.

I started up a road heading north and turned into a drainage with some light tire tracks. Shortly after this road was blocked by a Wilderness Study Area sign and blockade, which of course ATVers seem to ignore (cool, thanks). I followed this good dirt road for a couple of miles until it eroded into a drainage as I approached the east saddle of Mine Peak. Here I passed the remnants of an old mine, for which I assume the peak is named after. From the saddle, a brushy and very steep slope led to the base of Mine Peak. I was happily surprised to find that Mine Peak would add some fun Class 3 scrambling to the day. Its blocky white summit boulders provided at leat a couple of interesting scramble options to reach the summit ridge. There might be a more direct route from the north, but I enjoyed the scrambling on the east side and then across the hundred feet of ridgeline to the high point.

I could see Wheeler Benchmark to the north, which seemed pretty far away. I dropped back to the eastern Saddle of Mine Peak and started up the progressively steepening sloping ridge that would ultimately lead to the very long southern ridge of Wheeler. Along the way, I found myself clawing at dirt a couple of times because the pine needles were slippery on the steep slope. Animal trails helped navigate through the trees and light brush, but I still found myself occasionally zig-zagging to dodge the foliage. As I approached Wheeler Benchmark's south ridge, the terrain became a lot more open and I got some views of the surrounding area. It was overall a pretty nice ascent. However, as soon as I started north toward Wheeler, I knew the terrain was going to become less fun.

For some reason I expected the route north to Wheeler to be a nice pleasant ridgeline, but there were lots of small trees whose limbs required ducking under and sometimes inconvenient brush that made walking directly impossible. While it wasn't the worst, don't expect a no-brainer ridgeline walk. There were also some nice views south toward Willow Peak and Charleston Peak, especially along the final steep slope to the summit, but the amont of zig-zagging required was a bit tedious. Speaking of the final ascent, expect loose scree and dirt and a fair amount of rough brush. The views made the work worth it, though. What a fun persepctive of the Spring Mountains from over here!

I headed south along the ridge, my intention to get down to Wheeler Pass. I thought the route-finding down the ridge to reach Wheeler Pass was going to be just another steep slope, but I was introduced to some Class 2/3 limestone. There isn't anything crazy or surprising, but I recommend making sure you stay as close to the ridge crest as possible, since there are cliffs on the left side, and the right side seemed particularly brushy. 

I made it to Wheeler Pass. Some guy in a Jeep took my photo without asking, and I was too thrown off by it to ask him "wtf", but I guess I look pretty ridiculous in my typical hiker garb, so I guess I can't blame him. Snake gaiters, running vest, high socks, goofy sunglasses, and dripping with sweat and blood. Anyway, I walked/jogged down the dirt road back to my car. The views initially were actually really nice, the open meadows unexpected. Then of course the road led through forest where I giggled along the way at the many pieces of car that were left behind from those driving to Wheeler Pass. On my way back I passed someone who had been driving on an ATV all day looking for a missing person whose Prius was found nearby, destroyed. So that was a mystery I'd be looking into later.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mine Peak
7739 ft
407 rise
2
Wheeler Benchmark
9167 ft
1485 rise

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I hiked past the Wilderness Study Area sign on an old dirt road. This spot is found just off to the right of the more prominent dirt road.
I hiked past the Wilderness Study Area sign on an old dirt road. This spot is found just off to the right of the more prominent dirt road.
Along the nice, easy dirt road.
Along the nice, easy dirt road.
View toward Willow Peak (right) along the road. Wheeler Pass is just left of Willow Peak.
View toward Willow Peak (right) along the road. Wheeler Pass is just left of Willow Peak.
The road slowly degrades.
The road slowly degrades.
And eventually I was following more of a wash than a road.
And eventually I was following more of a wash than a road.
The road remnants end at this old mine site. I continued past it to the eastern saddle of Mine Peak.
The road remnants end at this old mine site. I continued past it to the eastern saddle of Mine Peak.
East saddle of Mine Peak, view toward Mine Peak. It's a steep, brushy slope initially.
East saddle of Mine Peak, view toward Mine Peak. It's a steep, brushy slope initially.
Base of Mine Peak. There are a few Class 3 options for ascending the east face.
Base of Mine Peak. There are a few Class 3 options for ascending the east face.
Class 3 option I took.
Class 3 option I took.
Along the summit ridge of Mine Peak.
Along the summit ridge of Mine Peak.
High point of Mine Peak at the north end.
High point of Mine Peak at the north end.
Summit of Mine Peak, view south.
Summit of Mine Peak, view south.
Close-up of Wheeler Benchmark.
Close-up of Wheeler Benchmark.
On my way down from Mine Peak. Wheeler Benchmark visible top left. My approach route would take the slope visible on the right.
On my way down from Mine Peak. Wheeler Benchmark visible top left. My approach route would take the slope visible on the right.
Ascending the steep slope, view back. Mine Peak's minor rocky summit is visible top center.
Ascending the steep slope, view back. Mine Peak's minor rocky summit is visible top center.
Continuing along the slope/ridge to the south ridge of Wheeler Benchmark.
Continuing along the slope/ridge to the south ridge of Wheeler Benchmark.
Pretty easy walking with some tree dodging.
Pretty easy walking with some tree dodging.
View back. Mine Peak visible center right. Spring Peak visible in the distance.
View back. Mine Peak visible center right. Spring Peak visible in the distance.
The terrain becomes pretty clear and easy as I near the south ridge of Wheeler Benchmark.
The terrain becomes pretty clear and easy as I near the south ridge of Wheeler Benchmark.
Along the south ridge, heading to Wheeler Benchmark (on the right).
Along the south ridge, heading to Wheeler Benchmark (on the right).
This is sort of what the ridgeline looks like. Occasional views, lots of trees, and some brush to dodge.
This is sort of what the ridgeline looks like. Occasional views, lots of trees, and some brush to dodge.
Wheeler Benchmark ahead.
Wheeler Benchmark ahead.
Close-up of the steep ascent ridge.
Close-up of the steep ascent ridge.
View south along the ridge toward Willow Peak. Charleston Peak visible in the distant center.
View south along the ridge toward Willow Peak. Charleston Peak visible in the distant center.
Starting up the south ridge of Wheeler Benchmark.
Starting up the south ridge of Wheeler Benchmark.
View back along the south ridge as I start ascending to Wheeler Benchmark.
View back along the south ridge as I start ascending to Wheeler Benchmark.
More progress up the steep, usually loose, slope. Also there's brush. Not super fun.
More progress up the steep, usually loose, slope. Also there's brush. Not super fun.
View back down as I make progress up Wheeler Benchmark.
View back down as I make progress up Wheeler Benchmark.
Close-up of the terrain to content with along the ridge.
Close-up of the terrain to content with along the ridge.
Some scree also. Meh.
Some scree also. Meh.
False summit of Wheeler Benchmark, view back the way I came. On the left you can see Willow, Mummy, and Charleston.
False summit of Wheeler Benchmark, view back the way I came. On the left you can see Willow, Mummy, and Charleston.
View toward the true summit of Wheeler Benchmark.
View toward the true summit of Wheeler Benchmark.
Summit of Wheeler Benchmark, view north.
Summit of Wheeler Benchmark, view north.
Summit of Wheeler Benchmark, view northwest.
Summit of Wheeler Benchmark, view northwest.
Summit of Wheeler Benchmark, close-up toward the major peaks of the Spring Mountains.
Summit of Wheeler Benchmark, close-up toward the major peaks of the Spring Mountains.
Heading back along the south ridge from Wheeler Benchmark, heading to Wheeler Pass. More trees to dodge.
Heading back along the south ridge from Wheeler Benchmark, heading to Wheeler Pass. More trees to dodge.
View back toward Wheeler Benchmark.
View back toward Wheeler Benchmark.
Image 37 from gallery
At the southern end of the ridge, view down toward Wheeler Pass. The ridge goes at Class 2, with some brush.
At the southern end of the ridge, view down toward Wheeler Pass. The ridge goes at Class 2, with some brush.
Close-up at the descent I took down the ridge.
Close-up at the descent I took down the ridge.
Almost at Wheeler Benchmark, view back toward the descent I took.
Almost at Wheeler Benchmark, view back toward the descent I took.
Wheeler Pass is on my left, a view into the pretty meadows. My car is in the trees somewhere on the right.
Wheeler Pass is on my left, a view into the pretty meadows. My car is in the trees somewhere on the right.
Wheeler Pass.
Wheeler Pass.
Wheeler Pass, view north toward the brutal road approach.
Wheeler Pass, view north toward the brutal road approach.
Headed south along Wheeler Pass Road.
Headed south along Wheeler Pass Road.
View back toward Wheeler Benchmark. It's just a forested road walk past this.
View back toward Wheeler Benchmark. It's just a forested road walk past this.

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