We just returned from adventure unlike any trip we've ever taken. We traveled more than 250 miles on dirt roads; way out in the boonies, no cell phone signals, no people and no gas stations. We carried gas and we used it all. The
Deep Creek Mountains of Utah are full of history and some of the most amazing scenery anywhere. Crystal clear streams flow from high in the mountains which are used by the small communities in the valley below for farming. We crossed over into Nevada and discovered the Blue Mass Scenic Area, what a treat and we had it all to ourselves. Granite formations of every shape and size. Two and a half days into our trip we got a cell phone signal at the Kalamazoo Summit, so we made contact with family members to let them know we were safe. No trip is complete without a good hike, however the weather forced us to end our hike just 300 ft. short of the Summit of
South Schell Peak. We have no regrets and the best souvenir to prove it.
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| This storm was behind us all the way to Delta |
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| Topaz Mountain is a popular spot for those in search of Topaz, the Utah State Gem |
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| We passed by quite a few mines, both old and new |
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| A migratory route for thousands of birds |
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| An oasis in the desert, notice the storm is still following us |
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| We are headed towards Callao |
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| Extra gas is a must for this long journey |
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| Pony Express National Historic Trail runs along this section of the Old Lincoln Highway |
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| Boyd Station remnants |
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| This sign shows Callao has about 14 families |
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| Old cabins were abundant |
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| From 1915-1928 the Old Callao Hotel was a welcome sight for travelers along the Lincoln Highway; 25 cents for a meal & 25 cents for a room |
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| Pony Express Marker |
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| This route is loaded with historical sites |
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| Callao is a farming and ranching community |
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| Beautiful healthy horses |
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| A fixer-upper ? |
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| Very few people have ever heard of the Deep Creek Moutains |
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| One of several Pronghorn we saw on our journey |
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| This aqueduct built by the CCC in 1948 moves water from the mountains to the ranches in Callao |
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| We drove about 8 miles up into the basin |
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| We found the perfect place to camp |
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| Kent caught this Bonneville Cutthroat trout right beside our tent |
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| This aspen laying in the creek looks like bronze |
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| After a night of rain.......it's rise and shine in the morning |
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| It's so nice to see the sun shining, it rained for a couple of hours last night |
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| It was fun finding several old cabins from the mining days along Toms Creek |
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| The valley below is seen through this uniquely shaped granite rock |
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| The Deep Creek Mountains Scenic Backway |
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| In the late 1930's this was home to over thirty buildings and 100 men |
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| Today the breeze was perfect for drying out our tent at the CCC Camp |
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| The CCC stored their explosives in this Powder Magazine |
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| The lizard was enjoying the sun |
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| We had to cross the creek twice |
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| The road got bad so we got out and walked |
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| What is Kent looking at...... |
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| Pictographs made with red pigment |
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| We read about these....otherwise we never would have seen them. |
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| The Trout Creek road was rough and bumpy |
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| A rock building......I'd rather have a log cabin |
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| Tungsten and zinc were mined in this area |
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| We are in Nevada now |
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| Heading into Blue Mass Canyon nestled in the Kern Mountains |
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| Doesn't this look like a mother and child ? |
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| How about a bear wearing a baseball cap |
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| Looking back towards the Deep Creek Mountains in Utah |
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| An old abandoned hometead |
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| Blue Mass is a neat place to explore |
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| Imagine the stories behind these walls |
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| This section along our route was very scenic |
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| There were granite formations in every direction |
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| Continuing along the Grass Valley Road |
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| Cabin at Grass Valley Spring |
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| An old mine at Mike Springs |
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| Tungstonia |
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| Kalamazoo Creek |
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| Peek-a-boo.......we see you |
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| At the Kalamazoo Summit we made contact with family members.......our first cell phone signal since Delta, Utah |
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| Good views from the 8953 ft. Summit |
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| One of several bucks we spotted |
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| Starting off in the aspens on an old jeep road |
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| Basque sheepherders once walked this way, too |
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| We followed the creek for about 1 1/2 miles |
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| So pretty and soothing |
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| Pretty fungi of some sort |
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| After the jeep road we had to make our own trail |
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| Here's a big buck |
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| Don't let this picture fool you.......we have a long way to go |
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| Bristlecone |
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| Pretty little flowers growing in the rocks |
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| It was steep and the loose scree and rock made it difficult |
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| Lupine growing high among the rocks |
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| Kent.......you're going the wrong way |
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| So close.......yet so far away |
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| I found this Insulator on a fallen Telegraph Line......my best souvenir ever ! |
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| We made it to the Saddle between South Schell and Taft Peaks |
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| Looking south at Black Mountain |
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| Looking back to where we started from.......whew ! |
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| Rocky and steep |
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| Pretty buckwheat |
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| At 57 Kent can still climb mountains like a mountain goat |
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| We needed to get one quick picture to prove that we were here at 11,400 ft. |
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The clouds were building and it was starting to rain
so we cut the hike short by about 300 ft.......ugh !
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Here's an aerial view showing the route we took (in green).
We completed the hike, taking a different route (in red) in 2016. |
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| Heading back down......we didn't reach the summit, but to us it is still a huge accomplishment |
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| Yes it really was this steep |
