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The Alta
Toquima (page 1)
Nye County, Nevada
About 60
miles north-northwest of Tonopah, Nevada is the Toquima Mountain Range,
home to Jefferson Peak (11,949 ft.), Nevada's fourth highest peak. The
center of the range is designated as a wilderness area.
We drove south from
Wendover, Nevada to Ely, and then west to the Toquima. Reaching a summit
on a jeep trail across the Monitor Range (directly east of the Toquima)
we had our first view of the Toquima. Jefferson Peak is pictured above.
After setting up our
camp in Pine Creek we had some daylight left to explore the Monitor Valley.
We drove across the valley to Mosquito Creek, which we had read contained
fish. Unfortunately, it being such a dry year, the part of the creek we
saw had very little water. But the aspens were just beginning to turn
and the canyon was beautiful.
On Saturday morning,
we arose early and prepared to hike up Pine Canyon to the top of Jefferson
Peak. Pine Creek Canyon is heavily forested with Aspens and a variety
of pine trees. The trail follows Pine Creek most of the way. Hikers are
required to cross the creek 12 times along the way--possibly more during
wetter seasons.
View of Pine Canyon
looking west.
At about 11,000 feet
the forest quickly thinned out. Sparse vegetation, large rocks and a bone-chilling
wind took over. These, combined with our slow adjustment to the altitude,
made the rest of the hike much more challenging.
Dave resting above
the treeline.
Teri was smart....she
packed extra layers of clothes and a hat.
Resting began to take
up most of the time... hike, rest, rest some more, hike, rest....
When we reached the
saddle just below our final ascent to the peak, we sought shelter from
the 50 mph freezing wind behind a small rock ledge. We then raided Teri's
pack for any available clothing items with which to retain body heat for
the rest of the climb. I got a red shirt and the hat... We sat against
the sun-warmed rocks for thirty minutes or so before gaining the resolve
to finish the hike.
View southeast (the
Monitor Valley) from the saddle.
Ryan found in Teri's
pack a bright blue pair of fleece pants. He put them over his head and
tied the legs together under his chin to keep his ears from freezing and
falling off.
Teri pulled out her
fleece hat and gave her sun hat to me. She then basted herself in sunscreen.
High altitude sunburns are no fun...
The rest of the hike is on the next page. Join us at the top of Jefferson Peak.
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