Friday, September 23, 2011

Off-trail hike in the Leppy Hills of Nevada 9/18/2011

Directions and information: The Leppy Hills are located to the north of West Wendover, Nevada. It is a sparse desert range with many ATV and off-road vehicle opportunities. I drove out Florence Road going underneath Interstate 80. The road turns to gravel as it travels north. After the turnoff for the developed Leppy Trails the road becomes rougher. Three miles later I stopped the car at an ATV trail. With a high clearance vehicle it is possible to drive into the Pilot Valley.
The hike: Today's hike is primarily off-trail through the desert so I do not know many of the peak names. I started off scrambling to the top of a ridge and then summited a mountain with views east and west and to the south. The draw of the Leppy Hills is that it offers many off-trail hiking and scrambling opportunities. Remember to watch for rattlesnakes and carry water during the summer. DO NOT climb or hike anything that is too difficult for you. I have included my favorite pictures from the hike. For other hiking opportunities in the Leppy Hills of Nevada consult my July post on Needlepoint and my May 2010 post on the Leppy Hills Geo cache.
Artistic picture of dead wood in a shrub
Another artistic pic of dead wood
Desert shrub with Wendover in background
Looking south from mountain summit
View west towards Silverzone Pass