Majuba Benchmark Mountain (NV)

Overview

 

The Majumba mountain range is located not far from I-80 west of Winnemucca Nevada and east of Lovelock. The interesting name of Majumba was given its name in sympathy for the Boer victory over the British at Majuba Hill in South Africa on Feb 27th, 1881. Thus, how this strange name was decided upon had little to do with anything found in Nevada itself.

The highest spot in this small range is where the benchmark was placed and yet, the aptly named Majuba Mountain is just a bit to the northeast and is not the where you'd go to find the highest spot so one needs to be aware of this. It is also home to a mine operation. Now that one is aware that Majuba Mountain is not the highest mountain in the Majuba range,  one needs to climb/hike the mountain that has the highest spot in the whole range and confirmation is assured when you find located on its top  a surveyors benchmark (hence  the name). With nearly 2500' of prominence, this one ranks #103 on the top Nevada prominence list so it gets a few visitors other than rock hounds and hunters visiting its slopes and summit. Cattle were grazing on its lower slopes when we were there.

We found nothing technical as this one is pretty much a  walkup but the views from the summit are outstanding in all directions with some good views over toward the Black Rock Desert area.

I would like to thank Brett Hathaway for his kind sharing of his pictures. I was only able to take a couple before my digital card was full and I didn't dare delete anything to make room for more. This is really an easy mountain once you resolve the roads that get you to its base. I would hope that future visitors will be kind enough to share their pictures with this page.

Getting There

 From either east or west on I-80 take exit 145 near the town of Imlay (no services). After leaving I-80, turn left on the frontage road (west side) of I-80 and drive south about a mile to a nice dirt road with a big sign indicating it was the beginning of the Applegate/Lassen cutoff for the pioneers crossing the country by covered wagon. Stay on this road and 10.8 miles pass a couple signs advertising the National Conservation Area of the Black Rock Desert. About 16 miles from the #145 exit, look for a road that heads southwest (waypoint 40.7118 118.3973 nad 27) and turn onto it as it heads by the south side of Majuba mountain and into Majuba canyon. After passing the old Last Chance mine on the left side of the road, a lesser road drops down (waypoint 40.6594 118.4650 elev 5400') to the left and follow it. If you miss this turnoff, you will start heading up toward the mine on Majuba Mountain.

Up to this point, a 2 wheel drive passenger vehicle could probably be OK (be sure to have a good spare tire) but now you may want to have high clearance although you might be able to drive a bit further on this lesser road. Your call. It is not quite 2 miles to where a rough jeep track takes off (near a big cattle watering spot and at waypoint 40.6596 118.4970 elev 5825') and for many, this would be a good place to park and walk from. You only add a half mile to your hike if you stop here butwith high clearance and 4WD, you can continue up this jeep track to where it became the trailhead for us (waypoint 40.6557 118.5042 elev 6040') we couldn't continue up the jeep track up to the saddle was washed out and only ATV friendly. No matter, if you get to the turn off by the cattle watering area, it is still a pretty easy hike.

I need to credit Brett Hathaway with coming up with this drive in route as I had it mapped completely differently. Brett used google earth and noticed the road system that worked so well for us. Thanks Brett.

Route

 
From where we parked, we followed a jeep track (rough and washed out in spots)to the saddle and then from the saddle is was about a mile to the summit with another 900 feet of elevation gain. As is often the case, the crux of this one was the drive in.

Stats for our route: 1.3 miles each way and 1400' of elevation gain.

Other routes:

Dennis Poulin offers another route that was successful for him and you can find it HERE.

Brad Boester found his way to the summit from the southwest via Poker Pass and his information is HERE.

Red Tape

 

None that I am aware of

When to Climb

Anytime of the year when snow isn't a factor or the roads aren't muddy.

Camping

No established campgrounds in the area but car camping is permitted on BLM land. Try and find spots where others have already camped and follow the leave no trace ethics requested by the BLM and common sense.

Motels are available in nearby Lovelock or Winnemucca.

Rarely visited summit

 
The register, found in a glass bottle near the summit was left by Gordon MacLeod and Barbara Lilley in 1995. The next peakbagger to sign:
2004 - John Vitz, Donna O.
2009 - Brad Boester
2010 - Ken Jones
2011 - Dennis Poulin
2013 - John Ide,  Ron Moe
2014 - Brett, Al and myself. A month later Andy Martin and Mark Nichols
2015 - Bob Sumner

A couple of hunters had also signed in as well as a couple from Winnemucca.
That was it. Listings of those who summit can be found on peakbagger.com and Lists of John

Disclaimer

As road conditions can change and hiking or traveling in this type of country can be inherently dangerous, the above information is provided only as a courtesy. You accept all risk and responsibility for your activities in this area and I recommend that you let others know of your plans and where you will be hiking/climbing prior to heading to this area. Be self sufficient and carry plenty of food, water and shelter in the event of a breakdown. Good quality tires are a necessity on the rough and rocky roads you will encounter as is a vehicle in good condition. Having said all that, have a good trip and please let the author of this page know of changes that you encounter.

Images

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