Upper Shellbourne Spring
Upper Shellbourne Spring emerges at 74°F on Bureau of Land Management property in White Pine County at 6,800 feet elevation. Positioned 406 meters from the nearest road, the spring requires a substantial walk across BLM lands managed by the Bristlecone Field Office near McGill.
The spring occupies mountain terrain at 6,800 feet in the Schell Creek Range vicinity, where pinyon-juniper woodland transitions to higher-elevation mixed conifer forest. Annual precipitation reaches 11 inches with 42 inches of snowfall, supporting denser vegetation than lower elevations. The surrounding BLM lands feature typical Great Basin mountain topography with steep drainages, rocky outcrops, and seasonal water courses that flow during spring runoff.
Access from spring through fall, as snow closes mountain roads from November into May. The 406-meter approach crosses uneven terrain that gains elevation. East Creek Campground, located 34 kilometers away at 7,400 feet in mixed forest, provides a developed camping option. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer months.
The Shellbourne name references early ranching families or mining operations that worked claims in the Schell Creek district during White Pine County's mineral boom periods. The 'Upper' designation distinguishes this spring from other Shellbourne-named features in the drainage system. BLM management has maintained public access while balancing livestock grazing and mineral rights.
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Overview Located high on the slopes of the Schell Creek Range in the Duck Creek Basin, sitting in the middle of an alder, pinyon and juniper forest, East Creek Campground offers a wide range of recreation opportunities to the forest visitor. Hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle riding are just some of the popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. Elevation is 7,400 feet, located approximately 20 miles from Ely, Nevada. Recreation The Ranger Trail can be accessed from thi...
Upper Shellbourne Spring sits at 6,800 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 27% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Upper Shellbourne Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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