This is one of my favorite hikes in Nevada! There are a few trailheads from which you can start this hike. But one of the most popular (if you want to use that word in the Toiyabe Range) is the Stewart Creek Trailhead at the Columbine Campground. The Columbine Campground, a high altitude campground in an aspen forest, is a nice destination in and of itself. And you would be hard-pressed to find a better place to camp. The only downfall is that it only has about five spots, so it could potentially be full on weekends despite its 'middle of nowhere' location.
Of course, you don't have to drive anywhere to start your hike - you are already at the trailhead when you are ready to hike. The hike is about seven miles each way and starts out in an aspen forest with running streams. You climb up through the aspen forests and through subalpine pine forests until you reach the cool, treeless alpine plateau along the ridgeline of the Toiyabe Range. Just before the peak, you unfortunately have to drop down about 600ft before making the final climb to the summit of Arc Dome. But the scenery makes it all worthwhile.
The summit is downright spectacular! Views include the spine of the Toiyabe Range, the Toquima Range (and Mount Jefferson) to the east, and the surrounding valleys all around. Far to the west, you can see the Sierra along with the imposing White Mountains to the southwest. To the south, you can see the bright, concentrated sunlight on the central receiver of the Crescent Dunes Solar Plant in Tonopah. And, of course, you are unlikely to encounter the hordes of people that are so common on many hikes elsewhere. read more