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Ward North Ridge
Ward Mountain Recreation Area, Nevada
April 20, 2022
Distance: 7.0 km (4.3 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 284 m (932 ft)
Wishing to take a break from the eight-hour drive from Twin Falls ID to Beatty NV, Dinah and I stopped halfway to hike in Humboldt Forest. We chose Ward G Loop, a 5.5 km hike that climbs the lower slopes of the north ridge of Ward Mountain. But as we drove to the trailhead, we spied an open bump on the ridge and set our sights on reaching it.
As we set off up the trail, we delighted in hiking through a forest of pinyon pines and junipers, a departure from our usual trips among pines. In addition, the trails appeared maintained and well-marked, suitable for biking and hiking as well as skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
We ambled up the trail to the end of the loop. There, we caught GL trail where switchbacks eased the ascent up the slope. The trail then crosses over the ridge and continues low on the backside. We could've exited the trail on the crest and tackled the ridge directly, but we stuck to the trail in hopes of catching a side path to our goal. However, no path appeared. Before the trail dropped down, we left it and ascended a thinly treed ridge.
We soon reached the bald high point we had spied earlier, and the views did not disappoint. Had time permitted, we could've climbed higher to reach the very top of the ridge, but we had a long drive ahead of us. We followed the crest back to the trail.
We still wanted to complete the G Loop, so at the end of the loop, we kept left and followed the trail as it skirts a rim that lines a valley. Trees prevent views except at a glade where the trail turns towards the trailhead. Before finishing our hike on Ward Ridge, we had a satisfying look at the point we had climbed.
We reached the little bare bump on the left
The trailhead
Hiking along the trail
Different trails are suitable for different sports
Ward Mountain North appears ahead
At the end G Loop, we turned onto GL Trail
GL runs up the ridge
At a clearing, Dinah gazes at hills to the northeast
Our objective appears ahead
We followed the trail until we reached the ridge running down on the left
We left the trail and started up the ridge
We came across fossils
Coming up to the bump
Looking back as we approached the top
We saw this lake in the distance but it appeared man-made
Ward Mountain North was snow-covered
Standing on the little summit
For our descent, we stuck to the ridge until we intersected the trail
Looking back, you can see there was little bushwhacking
On the way down, we passed a large juniper with stringy bark (mouse over)
Continuing on G Loop we came to a clearing with a nice view of the ridge
Ely (4.3 mi, 8261 ft, 873 ft)