Dark Hollow

Dark Hollow has always had that mysterious sound to it and at one time was "high" on our lists of hikes we wanted to do.  However, when the 2017 Brian Head fire occurred, and devastated the area, we lost the desire to visit this once heavily laden aspen forest.

Fast forward six years, and a call from Tom, asking if we would be interested in a loop hike that would include Dark Hollow and Hendrickson Lake (a favorite past hike of ours).  He said it would give us a reprieve from the valley heat and provide us and the dogs with some exercise.  After looking at Google Earth and seeing there were pockets of aspens that had escaped the fire, along with a nice stream, we decided to jump on board for another fun adventure!

The Columbines were in full bloom near the unmarked Dark Hollow trailhead

Heading up the Dark Hollow Trail . . .
Our first spring-fed stream crossing

We were surprised to see such beautiful mature aspen groves,
especially considering we are surrounded by the burn scar from the Brian Head fire

Fungus growing on a decaying tree stump

The second stream crossing . . .
We were pleasantly surprised to see so much water after such a dry winter!

We walked through this meadow and found the beginning of a small spring
(You can see Sidney Peaks (11,030 ft) in the background . . . another fun hike in the Brian Head area!) 

This trail is in great condition due to the fact that it is a well used mountain bike trail . . .
We started early and had it all to ourselves . . . apparently the riders were still in bed! 

These galls are caused by Corky-Bark disease . . . a fungus

This young aspen appears to be growing out of the base of a dead tree

We always appreciate signs in addition to our GPS

Hendrickson Lake is surrounded by the fire's burn scar . . . still a beautiful little gem!

A sign that things are thriving . . . a butterfly!

We had fun watching & listening to a couple of mallards . . .
 There must have been a nest nearby, as they were quite vocal . . . quack, quack!

 There were thousands of Common Blue Damselflies near the lake

Dead aspens made for a neat reflection on the surface of the lake

While all the deadfall and brush make it a tough place to fish, there are still some
nice "brookies" lurking in this pond!

Lola and Ezy "chillin" while Kent tried a few casts from the shore

We had a nice view of Yankee Meadow Reservoir as were heading back down

Sego Lily and Rocky Mountain Penstemon were in bloom

Clusters of Fireweed were abundant near the end of the trail

Before the fire these red rock formations were a lot harder to see . . .
It's good to see the forest making a slow recovery in Second Left Hand Canyon

If you're interested in making this most enjoyable loop trip, it is just a little under five and a half miles (r/t), with about 1,100 feet of elevation gain.  While it can be done in reverse order by hiking to Hendrickson Lake first, it is also a lot more steep (900 ft in the first mile).  For a topo map of the area, along with our GPS tracks, you can click here and you will be directed to Tom's Peakbagger.com post.  We hope you get out there and enjoy this wonderful little hike!

Pearl Peak

We still had Pearl Peak left to summit in order to finish the peaks of the southern Ruby's.  Just a short distance after turning around at Cass House Peak, due to a snowbank, we ran into another on the ridge to Peak 10563 . . . oh well, it would add an additional mile (r/t) to the ridgeline walk.

As Tom says in his Peakbagger.com post, "This was an enjoyable hike and much easier than Sherman Mountain the previous day.  Super great view north toward the rest of the Ruby Mountains."  Too bad Kent had to turn around due to a knee that was giving him issues . . . he had to experience the hike like the rest of you . . . through Allison's pictures!

The plan was to drive to the top of Peak 10563 and walk the ridge to Pearl Peak . . . 
Once again, we were stopped by a snowbank . . .
 Only this time there really was no drivable way around it

Walking the road toward Peak 10563

Unfortunately, Kent's knee stopped him from going any further so he retreated back to the Can-Am with Lola.
 Tom, Allison & Ezy continued on up the mountain  

On top of Peak 10563
Pearl Peak (10,858 ft) is in the distance . . . it definitely looks doable

Ezy does it . . . chillin' on the snow!

We had to work our way around a few snowbanks . . . the snow was soft

It was a gradual ascent . . . not too steep . . . but the wind was blowing hard!

The terrain wasn't bad at all

Pearl Peak Reference Mark from 1933 . . .
Once again, it appears someone has chipped away and taken the Benchmark

Tom searched for the Benchmark but it was not to be found

Ezy blends right in with the rocks
(Click on the picture to expand the photo for a panoramic view)

Woohoo . . . Allison made it!  She can't wait to tell Kent all about it!

We had good views of yesterdays hike up Sherman & todays peaks . . . Cass & 10563
(Kent and Lola are in the saddle between Cass & 10563 waiting for Tom, Allison & Ezy)

As they say, 'proof is in the picture' since we don't have any pudding! Ha!
Tom & Allison up on Pearl Peak (10,848 ft)

Heading back down to meet up with Kent & Lola

Kent had fun exploring near the Can-Am and found a pit with some cool rock walls
(Our friend, Dan, who worked in Nevada mines tells us the green mineral is copper or malachite - which is similar to turquoise as copper gives turquoise its bluish color)

So colorful . . . not sure what minerals or ores these could be
(Dan says the blue mineral is azurite or copper oxide/carbonate)

Our last glimpse of Pearl Peak as we make our way back to Harrison Pass

To shorten the drive home we camped our last night in a gravel pit
 halfway between Ely and the Great Basin NP . . . hey, don't knock it until you try it!

The sunrise was beautiful and yes Kent is learning how to cook!
(Actually, he's just stirring the scrambled eggs so Allison could take the picture . . . 
we wouldn't want to exaggerate too much!)

The time we spent in the southern Ruby's was outstanding!  If you're interested in knowing Tom & Allison's route to Pearl Peak you can click here for a topo map from Tom's Peakbagger.com post.  It ended up being about a six-mile (r/t) hike with 1,250 ft of total elevation gain (several up one peak and down another - then reverse the course) . . . all-in-all, not too bad!

Cass House Peak

After a good nights rest, it was time to go get Cass House (or as Tom liked to call it "Mama Cass Peak") and Pearl Peak.  We had run into snowbanks, the previous day, that blocked the road to Cass House, so we took an alternate road to the north of Mitchell Creek to reach our trailheads.  Little rougher road, but a good plan!

Cass House would have been a drive up to the top except for the snowbank we ran into about .2 mile from the summit.  Oh no . . . we would have to walk!  We weren't expecting the four concrete pylons that had been placed there by the Forest Service in 1972 . . . Anyone know what they were meant for?  Lookout Tower or Communication Tower??  Send us an email, if you know.

Looks like a beautiful morning for a hike . . .
Sherman Mountain is directly in front of us and Peak 9835 is off to the left

The topo map shows this as Mitchell Ranch  

The house is well built with one window and a door

Western Blue Flag Iris was growing in the grassy meadows near the house

Hey!  This was supposed to be a drive-up!  
 We know that if Tom was by himself he would have driven through it to the top!
A little screaming, on our parts, persuaded him to stop!

It's just a short hike up to the top of Cass House Peak (10,576 ft)

To our south is Sherman Mountain . . . yesterdays hike!

Hmmm . . . what do we have here?

Lean to the left . . .

Lean to the right . . .

Bet you were expecting, "stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight," weren't you?
Too bad these old guys spoiled the dogs fun!

Pearl Peak (10,858 ft). . . our next hike

Cass Peak is located between Pearl Peak and Sherman Mountain
(Click on the picture and it will open in a panoramic view)

For people who can't hike, but have an ATV, this would be a fun ride to get out and explore the area.  Click here for a link to Tom's Peakbagger.com post that has a topo map of the route we used to drive to the top of Cass House Peak.  If the snow has melted, the Mitchell Creek road would connect you to Cass House Peak and would probably be the better route to use.