9-05-21 (Stewart-Columbine Loop)

In the Arc Dome Wilderness at the south end of the Toiyabe Range in central Nevada. The Toiyabes extend north-south for some 100 miles (160 km) right in the middle of the state, with much of the crest around 10K feet (3050 m) or more. Arc Dome itself is the highest peak (11773 ft/3588 m) in the range. The Stewart Creek trail starts from the Columbine Campground, a small primitive USFS campground just outside the wilderness area, and climbs steadily on an old Jeep road, joining the Toiyabe Crest Trail (TCT) about a mile before topping out on a ridge around 11K ft. You can then see Arc Dome to the southeast on a branching ridge, still some 3 miles (5 km) away. In 1973 I climbed Arc Dome with some college friends; I don't think I'd be up to it now! Instead we continued on the TCT north a mile or so past the Arc Dome trail turnoff. We then took the trail down Columbine Creek, which comes back into the Stewart Ck trail about a 1/4 mile past the trailhead. The map claims the whole loop is about 7.6 miles, but the iPhone app said it was more than 10! And that doesn't include the altitude gain... Anyway, we made it!

In the Arc Dome Wilderness at the south end of the Toiyabe Range in central Nevada. The Toiyabes extend north-south for some 100 miles (160 km) right in the middle of the state, with much of the crest around 10K feet (3050 m) or more. Arc Dome itself is the highest peak (11773 ft/3588 m) in the range. The Stewart Creek trail starts from the Columbine Campground, a small primitive USFS campgroun…  (read more)

Translate into English