Nelson Benchmark

"1.7.26~Bridge Springs Arch/Nelson Benchmark +Buffet w/Laszlo, CW touring loop. 3.5 miles, 800’ gain. I don’t have the brain power or IQ to properly describe the rugged beauty these Mountains offer up. Adventuring here brings me joy, awe & wonderment. Sharing the experience and all the yummy snack options with my Pal Les Harris was the icing on the cake….IMMEDIATELY forward all my mail to the Eldorado Wilderness in Nelson NV for the next 3 months! The end!" — paula.raimondi • Jan 7, 2026

"Pretty day in Nelson NV with my honey and puppy. We also, made a side trip to see the arch. If following my track, you probably want to ascend and descend the descent route we took. As we encountered a sketchy scree filled traverse on the ascent we took. Of course, the dog had no issue with the traverse, but I was not a fan. " — maggielynn • Mar 27, 2024

"11.30.19....the ACTUAL Nelson’s Benchmark. Free solo double with a side of Nelson’s Highpoint. 1.7 miles, 700’ gain. I had to make a quick trip back because it was brought to my attention that I didn’t actually land on the Benchmark yesterday but merely a Highpoint. Of course the actual destination is a giant, heinous, crumbly boulder with a class 3 climb. I brought a harness and some webbing but never had to deploy them. I hate downclimbing facing the rock. So creepy. Now I have a legitimate climb that I can log on the web. https://youtu.be/fATqPR7bzHQ " — paula.raimondi • Nov 30, 2019

"The plan today was to hike the Lonesome Wash / Oak Creek Canyon loop near Nelson, NV. There is a big natural bridge and views of the Virlis Fisher Arch from the route. To add a little extra, I tacked on Nelson Benchmark to the beginning of our day, since it was nearby. We hiked first to the highpoint where I thought we would find the benchmark, but there was nothing there. Harlan found the benchmark on top of a lower outcrop, which took an exposed class 4 climb to get to...so we all made our way up there! There wasn't a lot of space at the top, but it was a fun little climb and the views were great. We retraced our steps back to the main wash and had lunch at the bridge before continuing the loop. There was some great scenery from the loop, but the horrible brush and numerous catcalls & scrub oak sucked the joy out of a lot of it. I love the area, but don't think I'd do the loop again." — Kevin • Feb 10, 2019

"PLEASE NOTE the benchmark is not where indicated on the map, but is on a little pinnacle with ~30' prominence. I went to the point described as "benchmark" in peakbagger, saw no benchmark, but noticed a peak to NE with wires on top. I went there and found the benchmark! Laszlo and the LVMC crew were with me. https://hwstock.org/ElDoradoLVMC/" — hwstock • Feb 10, 2019