Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
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40.52322°N / 116.02534°W |
County:
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Elko |
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Elevation:
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8525 ft / 2598 m |
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Overview
Peak 8,525 is the third highest of 18 summits in the Piñon Range, a range that runs north to south for about 37 miles in far western Elko County. The Piñon Range High Point, located about 8 miles south of Peak 8,525, has an elevation of 8,747 feet.
Access to the Piñon Range is via a vast network of dirt roads and is more easily approached from the west side. One of these roads circle around Peak 8,525 near the summit, making short work of it. More information is included below in the Getting There section.
This region is deeply rooted in the mining industry, both past and present. This particular area of the Piñon Range was the site of several mining towns that no longer exist. The town of Highland, located at the eastern base of nearby Bunker Hill, dates back to 1870. Dating back to the same time is Bullion City (marked on some maps as “Old Bullion”), about 2 miles north of the Highland town site. A third town, Bullion, is located between the Highland and Bullion City town sites and is the result of attempts to revive area mining in the early 1900s. The numerous mines on Bunker Hill produced silver, copper and lead from 1869 to 1956.
As one of the higher peaks in the Piñon Range, the views of numerous mountain ranges and valleys from the summit are well worth the little effort it takes to get there.
 Summit view to the NE. |
 Summit view to the E. |
 Summit view to the W. |
Getting There
From Interstate 80, take NV-221 (exit 280) south at Carlin. Proceed 0.25 miles south, turn left and proceed west through Carlin another 2.7 miles on NV-221/Chestnut Street. Turn left (south) onto NV-278 and proceed south for about 14.7 miles, then turn left (east) onto the dirt access road. You will see a Tomera Ranch “private property” sign. Continue past this sign and be sure to stay on the access road. Also, drive with caution as this road as well as others in the area cross through open range. The route on the dirt access roads is about 12.5 miles in length. It heads in a northeast general direction to the north side of Pine Mountain, where it changes to a southeast general direction and winds south through the Piñon Range.There are many roads in and around the Piñon Range and it can be easy to take a wrong turn. A good topographic map of the area could be invaluable. Pine Mountain, although not the highest mountain in the range, is visually the most prominent. It also has significantly more trees on its slopes, particularly on the west side, than the other peaks in the area. The road in will pass to the north of Pine Mountain and wind around down the east side of it about 3 miles distant. When northeast of Pine Mountain, you will pass by a radio tower facility, which will be on the left (north) side of the road.
On the northeast slope of Peak 8,525, the road splits. Going either way will work, depending on how you want to approach the summit. You can turn right at the split and the road will wind around the north side of the mountain. For this route though, stay left and park off the side of the road east of the summit. This route requires 4WD and high clearance.
 Pine Mountain from access road. |
 Area view from access road. |
 Open range. |
Route to Summit
From the parking area, find the faint road that branches off the access road and follow it to the west. You could drive up this road with 4WD, however, I chose not to. It appears to have not been used in quite some time. This road actually passes the summit to the north and terminates northwest of the summit. At the terminus, turn sharply left and proceed southeast up the slope to the summit. There is not a trail, but the route is direct. This route is 0.25 miles one-way with 160 feet net elevation gain. Old road near summit. |
 View towards summit. |