Thanks for posting! Both articles were very interesting, and it was nice seeing photos of the face and the approach. Bravo on a successful and safe climb! I'll put in links on the page, but feel free to submit photos here if you wish.
The driving route shown (in my map, linked to this peak) is accessible to a modest-clearance vehicle. The 2006 Wilderness closures keep one from driving all the way in, but it is still possible to camp at 6850'. Only the last 3 miles require modest clearance (my 2003 outback, with 7.3", did just fine).
This map shows the southern route, which has a trail (herdpath) most of the way; my route diverged from the trail, which (I think) is closer to the magenta dotted line. The north route is totally trailless and has a very nasty dryfall, and an almost-as nasty cliff band on the way (at least they seemed nasty on the downclimb). I think this N route is similar to Nick N's route.
-The turnoff is right at the mile 46 marker
-The dirt roads get progressively worse. The first one is quite nice, the 2nd one is worse and is 5.1 miles from the turnoff (The sign is eroding but still visible), the 3rd dirt road has a sign pointing to "notch peak trailhead". From here it was 3.2 miles on a pretty crappy dirt road. We made it in my low clearance car but hit a few nasty rocks and were definitely concerned about worse damage and flat tires. Once you get there, the road dead ends and there is a sign signifying "Notch Peak Trailhead".
-The trail (South route signed by several cairns about .7 miles from the start) is in good condition, a bit overgrown but easy to follow. Once you get out of the wash, there is about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile of cairn following that is tough. Once you get to the cliff overlook, it is easy to find the way up left to the top.
SabineInUtah - Oct 22, 2014 12:55 pm - Hasn't voted
Distance
I haven't found information on the hiking distance from the TH via Sawtooth Canyon to the summit, but estimate it to be about 6 miles. Climbed the peak on Oct. 17, 2014 and the route was easy to find via the canyon and beyond to the saddle and summit. The road in is very rough. We decided to camp about a 1/2 mile from the TH and hiked from there.
Please note that you should have--at the very least--good clearance and all-terrain tires to get up the road to the Notch Peak trailhead. Highway tires (4-ply) do not cut it. You might make it, but you are taking a great risk. Best to just park at the main entrance and walk the ~3 miles to the trailhead, adding the requisite amount of water to make up for the extra two hours of hiking.
(Interesting that the road to the hiking trailhead is crap, while the road leading to the ORV trails is an improved gravel surface. Utah priorities, I suppose.)
Scott - Dec 14, 2005 3:06 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentThat is an very interesting TR you have. Tough climb.
You may want to go to the trip reports section of this mountain page and attach the URL.
PellucidWombat - Dec 16, 2005 10:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks for posting! Both articles were very interesting, and it was nice seeing photos of the face and the approach. Bravo on a successful and safe climb! I'll put in links on the page, but feel free to submit photos here if you wish.
swervn - Aug 28, 2005 5:01 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentHere is the url to my West Desert Basin and Range web page with info on the House Range and more.
http://members.aol.com/fivepoint7
Brent_Higgins - Dec 14, 2005 12:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentFor a bunch of pics and an account of climbing Book of Saturdays see
http://www.desertratsanonymous.com/Climbing/Notch_Peak/Notch_peak_index.html
Enjoy,
Brent
Dean - Nov 1, 2007 11:32 am - Voted 10/10
Broken linksSadly, most of the links shown at the bottom are now useless. Just a head's up.
MoapaPk - Jun 25, 2010 12:19 am - Voted 10/10
VariousThe driving route shown (in my map, linked to this peak) is accessible to a modest-clearance vehicle. The 2006 Wilderness closures keep one from driving all the way in, but it is still possible to camp at 6850'. Only the last 3 miles require modest clearance (my 2003 outback, with 7.3", did just fine).
This map shows the southern route, which has a trail (herdpath) most of the way; my route diverged from the trail, which (I think) is closer to the magenta dotted line. The north route is totally trailless and has a very nasty dryfall, and an almost-as nasty cliff band on the way (at least they seemed nasty on the downclimb). I think this N route is similar to Nick N's route.
runbyu1 - Jun 9, 2013 9:51 pm - Voted 9/10
June 2013 UpdateHere's my update from my trip yesterday:
-The turnoff is right at the mile 46 marker
-The dirt roads get progressively worse. The first one is quite nice, the 2nd one is worse and is 5.1 miles from the turnoff (The sign is eroding but still visible), the 3rd dirt road has a sign pointing to "notch peak trailhead". From here it was 3.2 miles on a pretty crappy dirt road. We made it in my low clearance car but hit a few nasty rocks and were definitely concerned about worse damage and flat tires. Once you get there, the road dead ends and there is a sign signifying "Notch Peak Trailhead".
-The trail (South route signed by several cairns about .7 miles from the start) is in good condition, a bit overgrown but easy to follow. Once you get out of the wash, there is about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile of cairn following that is tough. Once you get to the cliff overlook, it is easy to find the way up left to the top.
SabineInUtah - Oct 22, 2014 12:55 pm - Hasn't voted
DistanceI haven't found information on the hiking distance from the TH via Sawtooth Canyon to the summit, but estimate it to be about 6 miles. Climbed the peak on Oct. 17, 2014 and the route was easy to find via the canyon and beyond to the saddle and summit. The road in is very rough. We decided to camp about a 1/2 mile from the TH and hiked from there.
greatbasinmarmots - Jun 20, 2018 6:52 am - Hasn't voted
warning about road leading up to trailheadPlease note that you should have--at the very least--good clearance and all-terrain tires to get up the road to the Notch Peak trailhead. Highway tires (4-ply) do not cut it. You might make it, but you are taking a great risk. Best to just park at the main entrance and walk the ~3 miles to the trailhead, adding the requisite amount of water to make up for the extra two hours of hiking.
(Interesting that the road to the hiking trailhead is crap, while the road leading to the ORV trails is an improved gravel surface. Utah priorities, I suppose.)
T. White - Aug 12, 2019 5:44 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: warning about road leading up to trailheadGood to know, and sad to hear. That ORV factoid is just too rich.