Arc Dome

31-Sept-63

By: John Robinson

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The section's Labor Day Weekend outing to lofty Arc Dome in central Nevada was an enjoyable success. A surprisingly large turn-out of 21 showed up at the Twin River roadhead for the three day weekend trip.

18 backpackers made up the main group that hiked some five miles up the rugged, beautiful canyon of the Twin River South Fork Saturday afternoon. Cloudy skies brought occasional sprinkles that had the group wondering whether the "Smatko Jinx" might thwart them again. But skies cleared by late afternoon, and the party settled down to a comfortable night under full moonlit skies.

Sunday morning 17 of the group started out for elusive Arc Dome. Proceeding a short distance up the main canyon, the party turned off into a steep ravine leading to the southeast ridge of the peak. The weather was perfect as the group reached the ridge, traversed around a high point to the prominent saddle southeast of the massive, impressive bulk of Arc Dome, and scrambled up over loose talus to the summit. The view was superb. Far to the southwest one could make out the high ridge of the Whites; To the east range after range of desert mountains faded into the distance, to the north, one could look up the backbone of the Toiyabe Range as far as impressive Bunker Hill. If it weren't for the distance, Central Nevada would provide an abundance of interesting exploraory trips for the section to schedule.

A more direct route back to camp was taken on the descent, and almost everyone was back by mid-afternoon. On the way down, the party met Arky Erb going up after climbing Wheeler the previous day. Planning to do Jefferson the following day, Arky reached the summit and joined the group for the backpack out to the cars.

The trip saw the reappearance of several old-time Desert Peakers that are seldom seen now-days: Aldon Hilton from Sacramento, Bob Bear and his family from Beaumont, and Frank Sanborn, back with us after three years in Oroville. Several newcomers enjoyed their first DPS trip and expressed an interest in enjoying more in the future. The trip was especially satisfying to Andy Smatko, who finally made Arc Dome on his fifth attempt.

Leaders were Andy Smatko and John Robinson.


Detailed information for visiting one or more peaks mentioned in this article can be found in the
Desert Peak Section Road and Peak Guides

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