UNDER CONSTRUCTION

PETERSEN MOUNTAIN RECON, RED ROCK, PEAVINE PEAK (8,266') 4X March 26, 2015

It was to be a record setting high for Friday, so I figured to start the fun already. This Thursday, I sought to bag a couple local peaks, and there was Petersen Mountain (7,831') and Fred’s Mountain (7,192'). These are rarely climbed, and the local hiking club had run trips to them, and one group had a SAR activation made necessary by a lost hiker. I did some research on the Net, and found some information. One post said that a high clearance vehicle was required to drive the entire way to the hike start, where the hike to the top was well within my means.

I left home, then motored to Red Rock Road, where the mileage figures kicked in. Keeping track on my odometer, I looked for the dirt road described, found a likely one, took a few photos, but drove further along to be sure. Coming to a cattle guard, I turned around, and wondered why not to just head cross country up the hill here, but for private property.

Going back to the dirt road, it didn’t look so good, but I gave it a game try. Motoring slowly but carefully, I made it about a mile, and came to a rise. Parking, I determined to hike to at least the roadhead, but took a fork to the right, and came upon some scavengers looking for bullet casings. They were friendly enough, and I took a few photos, then headed back to the main dirt road. It descends, with a view of the mountain. Pretty bleak, with nothing but the tracks going on. A shooter in the distance worried me, so after a quarter mile of walking downhill, I gave up and turned back. I had my heavy pack with my emergency gear, but this wasn’t too appealing of a peak to climb. It is on some list which I haven’t given much credence, as the territory it is said to cover doesn’t seem consistent with the peaks chosen. Some people claim to have completed this list, but as typical with many peak baggers, there is no proof. With video, I make my ascents, as there are some who do say that videos can be determined to be genuine.

Motoring out slowly, I got back to pavement, and headed on north. My dash cam was running, and better safe than sorry. I knew the scenic feature, “Red Rock” on the maps, was ahead on this road. Looking for another way to access Petersen Mountain, I saw only homes and private land. The road goes into a small canyon, and I remembered where to park for the short hike to the Red Rock.

Taking just my camera, I hiked up a quarter mile or so to the prime viewing for this prominent landmark. With clear, bright blue skies, I did my photography. This was better than being bitten by ticks, on a brushy and forboding summit, as it was getting warm. A use trail of sorts led up to a couple points amidst the rocks, and I enjoyed snapping photos of the white as well as red rocks. It only encompasses a few hundred yards, but I liked how beautiful it was! A bit unsteady, I did a few video twirls, and snapped a few panoramas.

Walking out, I did more self video, enjoying this more than bagging a peak with an overgrown jeep track. There were said to be views, but I’d get better, later. Back to U.S. 395, I headed south. I stopped at a junction with some dirt roads heading east into the Petersen Mountain range, and snapped photos. The northern end of this range looked fit for wilderness designation. Cliffs on huge, majestic sage slopes, and gigantic boulders should all be made more accessible, with better roads, directions, signs, and trails.

Fatigued, I made a stop at the casino and RV park by the stateline. I wished to do some dining and always wondered what was here. I got a table and some diet soda, then saw a corned beef and cabbage special for this weekday. I had already hugely celebrated the St. Pat’s Day tradition of such feasting, but decided to sample the fare. They advised me of the hiking about here, but couldn’t say about any roads to the sought after trailhead, as suggested by the Net poster. I looked at my maps, and saw that this casino was way out of the way for getting to the roads. I took my time devouring the corned beef, potatoes, and cabbage, pleased that the serving wasn’t huge. Under ten dollars, I like discerning the good deals for Nevada. You might pay double or triple back in California at a high end eatery for similar, but it might then be slow cooked, as I did so many times for myself this month!

I figured to head on home, but there was enough daylight for a drive up Peavine Peak. I had my telephoto lens, so might get a shot of Mt. Shasta. Taking the exit to the dirt road to the top, I feared that it would be too hazy to get my shot. Driving up slowly, I had plenty of time, and bided saving my car. My dash cam was better adjusted for the road ahead, so I’d post the slow driving, but speeded up. I drove slowly so patiently, and then made it to the point where the side dirt road goes right to the highest summit.

Putting a rock in front of my front tire to forestall a parking brake failure, I used my pee bottle to be sure that I wouldn't need to go later on the short hike. Hiking the short way up to the highest point, I didn’t see Mt. Shasta, then achieved the highest point. There are warnings of the antenna radiation, and no trespassing signs, but I just took my telephotos in the approximate direction of Mt. Shasta, as I guessed where it should have been. Disappointed, I went to the view down to Reno, and took panoramas, and more telephotos. The views appear to be crystal clear only in deep winter, and summer visitors would be disappointed.

Hiking back to my car, I used my bottle once again, then hiked up the road to the secondary summit. My former, recent photos of what I thought was Shasta were taken from here. Indeed, a sight in the distance could be it, so I took telephotos, but will have to check it later. It could be just clouds, but I have to examine the photos, and see if it checks out with my app data.

The view down to Reno was to be in two parts, forced by a long fence line down from the top that split the panoramas. I savored my safety, and enjoyed the view. A couple dirt bikers had come up and chatted, and I let them know of my website. It might be smart to get such vehicles for coming up here, as it is hard on my car. Even an ATV might be in my future, as it helps in my enjoyment going up the dirt road, and aside from noise, doesn’t do anything worse than a car.

Not tarrying, I hiked back to my car, intent on doing a time lapse further down the road. I found a spot, with the view of the casinos, so aimed my car and set my cameras. Enjoying my radio and having a 4G signal, I sat and watched as the shadows crept over the town, all being recorded. A novel first try for me was the time lapse setting on my phone video. It ran for over an hour, and didn’t deplete the battery much. The 29 minute limit on my recording for one camera ran out, but the battery was good for another clip. It depleted the battery a bit further along, and it was now the middle of magic hour. I zoomed into the high rises, as night fell.

It became dark, and I had worries about getting back down off the mountain at night. Alone, I stopped the videos, and started driving slowly down. It took a lot of time, but it spares my shocks and frame, as a long rough road drive in Wyoming had apparently caused some repair expense. Coming finally back to pavement, I shortly finished the day. It was too late for much else, so I didn’t dine more, or do any shopping.

My app said that I had walked 3.78 miles with 32 flights of stairs climbed. I spent about 16 for food and drink, then used perhaps a quarter tank of fuel. Capturing 653 images and movie clips, it’ll be a long time till clear winter views allow for a sighting of Mt. Shasta. I don’t see it in my photos, but am enjoying being at my computer, relaxed and safe, not somehow in peril from a ill-advised attempt on a mediocre peak. I have another day of warm spring weather, and perhaps may seek another fine goal to do some camera work and hiking.

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