This week we are going to discuss the Boundary Peak Adventure. It is not a single trail but a number of trails we linked together that generally maintain Boundary Peak, NV as a navigation reference point. All of the trails are very scenic. Many have a rich history associated with them. Most of the time you are not far from a major highway, where you can bail out. Yet it can feel very remote on these trails. Hopefully some of you have experience with this area and can add and fill in detail.
Suggested route
(These are documented in Roger Mitchell’s Guide Book – see below)
• Bishop to near top of Montgomery Peak - Yellow
• Carson and Colorado Tunnel running thru Montgomery Peak - Green
• White mountain traverse (almost to 10,000 feet in the saddle) & down to Fish Lake Valley - Blue
• The Sump (end of the blue) – camp here or the Hot well – (Yellow to Hot well)
• Detour south about 12 miles to Dryer, NV for gas - Red
• Columbus Marsh - Blue
• Candelera - Green
• Teal marsh (Wild Burro Reserve) - Blue
• Huntoon Valley – camp in the Excelsior Mountains – (where the blue meets the green)
• Rattlesnake flats to Mi-4 Petroglyphs - Green
• Gas up in Mina
• Head for Bishop and home - Purple
Getting There – to trail head
US395 to Bishop CA – about 265 from LA area
Take US 6 out of the north end of Bishop towards NV
Guide books & maps
o Great Basin SUV Trails Vol II Southwestern NV by Roger Mitchell
Most of the trails out of Bishop
Some out of Mina, & Hawthorne
Source:
• http://www.trackandtrailpublications.com
• http://www.dirtyparts.com/store/?keywor ... ion=search
o AAA Nevada for an overview & connecting highways;
o Surface Management Status Maps from the BLM: $4.00 each. These maps cover a big part of the area.
o California: Benton Range (order online at
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/iac/maps_pubroom.html )
o Nevada: Excelsior Mountains (Order by phone 775-861-6500)
o Inyo National Forest Map
o Motor Vehicle Use Maps
Bishop & White Mountains
Big Pine & Inyo Mountains
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Mostly class I , II and III - possibility of a bit of class IV. (Mitchell's definition)
Dirt roads, dusty, wash board, desert, mountains, steep grades, canyons, areas of soft sand, shelve roads, dry lake beds
How long is it, how much time?
This can be done in 3 days on a long weekend. IF you have more time there are several other trails worth exploring that are nearby but perhaps not in view of boundary peak – eg Bodie , Arora and Masonic.
I recommend you plan on camping most nights in order to reduce the travel time. If you plan to go back to Bishop, Tonopah, or Hawthorne each night you will spend an hour or more each way.
Seasons
Spring, and fall. This is desert at the lower elevations so it can be hot in the summer. In the winter, the higher elevations may be snowed in.
Elevation
4500 to 9700 feet
Cell phone signal
Intermittent – but always places where it is available.
Ham radio repeaters
The Bishop Repeater club operates a repeater on Mazourka peak [146.760 (-) 100 ] that is linked to the Bishop repeater [ 146.940 (-) 103.5 ] on Silver peak to the north.
They hold a nightly net at 8:00pm. They really like guests.
Access to Stores, Gas Stations, Medical facilities (distance)
Gas and supplies are available Bishop, Benton, Mina, Dyer, Hawthorne, & Tonopah
Mina & Dyer will have only one grade of gasoline.
The closest medical facilities are
Northern Inyo Hospital in Bishop 760-873-5811 150 Pioneer Lane Bishop
Nye Regional Medical Center 775-482-6233 825 Main St. Tonopah
Trail travel density
Very low.
Any special precautions, extra gas
Normal for remote travel in mountains and deserts
2 or more vehicles
Extra supplies, water, and gas
Camping options
Disbursed camping is allow
No formal camp grounds
Terrain
Very remote
High views
What kind of vehicle do you need?
Recommend 4WD with low range. SUV ok
Driving Skills required
Normal 4WD
Emergency Numbers
• Inyo County Sheriff 760-878-0323 Central dispatch
• Mono County CA Sheriff 760-932-7549 (Dispatch)
• Nye County Sheriff 775-771-7000 (non-emergency south area)
• Esmeralda County Sheriff 775-485-6373 Goldfield, NV
• Inyo National Forest HQ - Bishop 760-873-24000
Weather
Some spot forecasts in areas you might be near. They are only good for 7 day into the future, so check them just before you depart.
Teel’s Marsh
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... zi4zJ_n_mQ
Excelsior Mountains
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... zi5C5_n_mQ
White Mountain Transverse
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... 18DxT9OXIX
Fish Valley
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... zi5eZ_n_mQ