Humboldt County High Point Trip Report

Granite Peak (9,732 ft)

Date: June 21, 2003
Author: James Wedekind

I turned off I-80 at Winnemucca and headed up US 95 towards the Oregon border. Turn right onto Nevada 290 and head towards Paradise Valley (~23 miles of pavement from US 95). Once I reached Paradise Valley I followed the signs (one right turn, then a left turn) for FR 84, Hinkley Summit, and Lye Creak Campground. A short ways outside of town FR 84 turns to well-graded gravel, but remains easily passable for passenger cars. Follow FR 84 until reaching Hinkley Summit (signed and the first obvious pass you encounter). There is a structure on the left just past the crest of the road.

Before reaching the structure there is a jeep track the heads right (west) towards Granite Peak. I doubt that a passenger vehicle could navigate the jeep trail, at least not if it was piloted by me! Follow the jeep track for 1.2 miles to a cattle guard at elevation 8479 feet. Park Here. Previous trip reports mention following the jeep trail further, but it is swampy and pretty rough past this point, and it does not afford much, if any, advantage.

From the cattle guard follow the fence line up the slope towards Granite Peak. Once I passed two 20+ foot high rock outcrops that are within 20 feet of the fence, I had to veer away from the fence and head up the slope. From there navigate to a small saddle and finally up the last rocky segment (~200 vertical feet of easy class 3) to the summit. The BM Spring Butte is near the top and there is a giant section of pipe that houses supplies for the antenna structure. Great views throughout the hike, and a fun rock scramble near the top!

When I departed the area I followed FR 84 north toward the Oregon border and US 95. All of FR 84 is well graded and easily passable in a passenger car.