SHERMAN PEAK (8,657') AND MOHO MOUNTAIN (8,839') May 21-24, 1998

Arranging to meet a DPS climber for these obscure Nevada peaks, I took yet snowbound I-80 to spend a night in Reno, NV.

Driving east, the next day, along U.S. 50 from near Fernley, NV, I had plenty of time to take pictures. I made stops for pictures at Grimes Point Petroglyph site, Sand Mountain, and the views of the snowy Nevada ranges.

Heading south on NV 361 to Gabbs, NV, I waited for my hiking companion in a small cafe, then we motored east into the small town of Ione, NV. Camping in the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, we took a quick tour of the fossil site, and had a pleasant sleep.

Needing exercise, we hiked up a very drivable dirt road, and then headed cross-country to the summit of Sherman Peak. This is the highpoint of the Paradise Range, and also a highpoint of this segment of National Forest. The summit views encompassed mostly pinyon and juniper hills, with a faraway view of Arc Dome. Finding the register, I saved a few pages for posterity. Our total round trip time from the paved highway was about five hours.

The next peak invited a car camp further south along NV 361. I found a spot near some ruins shown on my map. We had a slightly elevated view of the Soda Springs Valley, through which runs U.S. 95. The clouds lingered about us. I walked the dirt road a mile to the ruins. This was great open space, and a great feeling to be away from it all. Our second peak goal lay to the southwest.

Our last day, we had a breakfast in Mina, NV, and then carpooled for the dirt road toward the townsite of Marietta, NV. Taking a side road, we shortly parked, then navigated our way on more dirt roads and then, use trail to the top of Moho Mountain.

Moho Mountain is the highpoint of the Excelsior Mountains, and offered an unique view. The photo below shows the summit vista toward the southwest of the peak. The still snow-bound Sierra is on the far skyline. The dry lake is Teels Marsh.

We came back to the wagon after a total round trip of about seven hours. Again, most of this hike was on an old dirt road, built to serve a mine at 8,000 feet elevation.

Carpooling some more, we took another dirt road to see the big gold mine and site of Candelaria, NV. Mining is a major industry in this state, with lots of history. We then had enough hiking, so parted ways. I took U.S. 95 north to U.S. 50, and then homeward, once again.

The stats on the peaks were about 1,500' gain with 7 miles on Sherman, with maybe 10 miles and 3,000' gain on Moho. For those willing to drive, the hikes would have been much easier.

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