Pahrump Point, Stewart Point

13-Apr-85

By: Art Blauvelt

none

12 Mile Spring, Topo

Leaders: Art Blauvelt and Sherry Harsh

The group (14) met at the Shoshone Cafe at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 13. (Sherry and I got there at 6 o'clock and had a lovely breakfast). We convoyed to the road-head, starting at approximately 7:05 and then started up a dirt road that goes to the canyon mouth (See the 71/2 minute map of this area). We left two vehicles at a wash. and drove all participants up to the canyon entrance.

The climb to the peak was uneventful except for a large number of rattlesnakes sounding off in the canyon. (I counted at least a dozen). We made the top by 11:30 and started down by 12:30.

The only problem on the trip was the heat. Several people felt nauseous and found any excuse to sit in the shade, We cancelled the Sunday climb of Stewart as being dangerous due to the heat.

Thanks to Dick Akawie, Bill T. Russell, Ron Jones and Bill Faulkner for the following information which we used to get the peaks.

The roadhead is reached from the intersection of California Highways 127 and 178 at Shoshone. Highway 178 leads east through the Chicago Valley which is said to have received its name in the 1920s because some mining activity in the area was being backed financially by individuals from Chicago. Drive north from Shoshone on #178 about 11 miles to just before the 53.50 highway marker. The summit can be seen as the right (southernmost) of the two highpoints on the ridge.

"Turn east on the L4.wd dirt road at that location and drive as far as practical. In good times this is about two miles, almost to the end of the road at the mouth of the canyon; however, there is a wash at just under one mile where you may wish to leave low clearance vehicles, continuing on with 4wd vehicles and high clearance 2wd ones. Hike up the road into the canyon and follow up the canyon, which makes a sharp left turn at about 3800' (1160 meters on the topo). At elevation 4200 (1280 meters) leave the main canyon and follow up the right hand canyon which trends east and then south to end at a little saddle at 5160' (1570 meters) on a ridge that comes down to the southwest from the summit. From here, go up the center of the ridge for about 100 feet to an obvious notch which leads to a second class chute, (The route is marked with occasional rock ducks), The chute has not been obvious or visible until you are near this point.

"The chute eventually branches, with a formidable broken fifth class wall on the left; stay right and up a loose rocky chute to another ridge. Follow on up this, 2nd class ridge, staying somewhat to the right side of the ridge, to the summit."

No rope is necessary, the route never exceeding class 2, but carrying one is advisable since you will encounter 4th and 5th class rock if you get off route, It is approximately 3-1/2 hours to the summit and about 6 miles round trip.


Detailed information for visiting one or more peaks mentioned in this article can be found in the
Desert Peak Section Road and Peak Guides

DPS Archives Index | Desert Peaks Section