Schell Taverse (East-Central NV)

Schell Traverse (East-Central NV)

Photos from H.W. Stockman & Steve N
Aug. 20, 2005

A road trip log is at the bottom of the page.

Click on any small image below to see a larger version.

GPS trace (red) on 100k topo. We started at the Timber Creek Campsite on the W side of the range, wound N and then E to North Schell, then walked the ridge down to South Schell. The we descended to Berry Creek, where shuttle cars were parked.	The total elevation gain was ~5300' with all the ups and downs, keeping us above 11000' for the ridge walk.	We're starting out ~8:30 from Timber Creek.

View S on the faint use trail to North Schell. The snow in the distance is on the divide between Timber and Berry Creek drainages.	View S to the top of North Schell.	View SE, with Moriah on the left, and Wheeler on the right.

Looking NW past Nick.	View S from N Schell. The lush drainage lies between quartzite mountains (left, E) and limestone peaks (right, W).	View NW as more intrepids approach the summit.

View SE from a nubbin just below the summit; Luba and Steve phone home.	Everybody on top!	Wheeler Peak & Jeff Davis from Schell.

A pano centered roughly on E view.	View NNW, Ali and Luba confer.	Now we start trekking south over the ridgeline. About half the ridgeline was fairly easy walking, but 1/2 was composed of watermelon-size rough quartzite boulders.

Wait for me! View S.	View back N.

View S, a break along the way.	View SW at the divide between Berry and Timber Cr drainages.	Cushion buckwheat (alpine var. depressum), past its prime.

View E from the top of Taft.	Now we head to South Schell -- a class 2 climb with a nice serrated quartzite edge.	Looking down and N at my compatriots.

Another view N.	Yet another.	On top of S Schell, I capture Ali's enthusiasm and Luba's apple.

View S. Look at me! Look at me!	The far hill was covered with domestic sheep. Between us and the far hill was a crappy limestone talus area, full of loose rock.	Monk's hood in Berry Creek.

Content warning: This photo contains graphic scenes of animal behavior, and may not be suitable for younger or more sensitive viewers.

Road Log

From i15 and i95 intersection in Las Vegas:
- take i15 for 22 miles NNE
--then turn west on us93
-take US 93 for 85.3 miles N
Near Crystal Springs is junction with 375/318
--take left toward Hiko
(375 and 318 are together for ~0.7 miles)
From that junction, travel N on 318
-take rte 318 for 111.5 miles N of the junction to intersection with rte 6
--turn right (NE) on rte 6

-take Rte 6 for 24.1 miles to junction with US 93 (just south of Ely)

--turn left (N) onto US 93

-take US 93 for 17.8 miles N to junction with Rte 486

--turn right (E) on 486 (sign for Duck Creek)

-take 486 E, then SE and SSE for 8.45 miles, to junction with Timber Cr Rd (FR425)

(watch for the Timber Creek sign -- it's small, easy to miss, on SE corner).

--turn left (E) on Timber Cr Rd

-take Timber Cr Rd SE for 3.7 to 4.0 miles to campground.

____________

sum 273 miles

-- or --

From i15 and us 95 intersection in Las Vegas:

- take i15 for 22 miles NNE

--then turn west on us 93

-take us 93 for 276.5 miles to Rte 486 (sign for Duck Creek).

--turn right (E) on 486

-take 486 E, then SE and SSE for 8.45 miles, to junction with Timber Cr Rd (FR425)

(watch for the Timber Creek sign -- it's small, easy to miss, on SE corner).

--turn left (E) on Timber Cr Rd

-take Timber Cr Rd SE for 3.7 to 4.0 miles to campground.

----------------------------

sum 311 miles