Jerry L - Dec 7, 2022 6:34 pm Date Climbed: Dec 7, 2022
12th Summit of this Trip
Climbed today with my 2 dogs. Started at the corral and went way too far up the canyon.....maybe 3 miles ? Steep ascent & descent to & from the ridge. 3.5 hours up & 3 hours down. Snow flurries & snow. We are all dead tonight.
sipho - Jan 16, 2021 11:07 pm Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2021
Long day from the corral
Camped at the old corral at 36.5436, -114.1045 on Virgin Peak Road (AKA Black Rock Mountain Road). You could drive about another mile in a high-clearance 4WD if you stacked rocks around some of the larger protruding rocks on the road. There were signs that others had done this before. Beyond that the risk increases.
I started my hike from the corral. Left the main road on the spur road at 36.5744, -114.0941. You can go left or right of the rock band above you - neither option is straight forward. On the way up I went to the right and climbed up to the ridge through a gap in the rock band. On the return I stayed on the ridge past the rock band to the low point in the saddle and then contoured down and to the left below the band, aiming for the top of the spur road. The way down was steep with patches of loose rock or soil. Cairns and use-trails indicate that folks have tried both routes.
Once on the ridge the overall route is obvious and there is usually 1 or 2 use-trails to follow. Sometimes it is best to stay on the rocky crest but at other points you will be blocked and have to climb down a bit to the east or west side (not very specific guidance, I know).
There is a summit register in an ammo box at the top. The entry before mine was on January 10th I believe.
With the route finding and bush whacking this can be a slow hike. As an older guy in "winter" condition it took me 9 hours and 40 minutes including 30 to 40 minutes of breaks to cover the 11.5 miles.
runbyu1 - Jun 8, 2020 3:47 pm Date Climbed: May 2, 2020
With Don and Derrick
https://www.strava.com/activities/3394106409
Don and I failed 2 weeks ago, so we brought Derrick along as a good luck charm. According to the register, only 3 groups had been up this entire year!
utahjimk - Nov 3, 2019 3:43 pm Date Climbed: Oct 31, 2019
start from Whitney corral
with Dennis G. Car-camped at site just across road from Whitney Pockets, started at Whitney Corral (where the old rusty truck is). Not sure we were on route as described (a little vague) but we continued walking on "road" (not passable now) past rusty water tank, and ascended ridge. ~4hrs up, half hour on summit, ~3hrs down. Cool day (frozen water at camp) though warmed up enough. 2nd ascent: 29 Oct 2020 (Wasatch Mt Club - with Dennis, Barb, Greg, Richie; more or less same route). 3rd ascent: 19 Feb 2022 (Wasatch Mt Club outing).
mstender - May 26, 2019 4:53 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2019
South Ridge Route
We parked at the coral (the road gets a lot rougher past it) and we took the standard route up the south ridge. The ridge hike took longer than we thought but the area is really beautiful.
gimpilator - Dec 20, 2016 11:29 am Date Climbed: Dec 1, 2016
28 Peaks in 15 Days
Parked at the old Corral. There is a small cave in a cliff band west of the agave roasting pit with evidence of ancient habitation. The south ridge is long, but has some excellent coral fossils in a few spots (see link below for photos).
Other peaks we did during this trip include; Potosi, Cheyenne, Muddy Mountain, Muddy Peak, The Orphan, Silica Dome, Cairn, The Sentinel, East Redstone, Redstone, Mystery Cairn, Vista, Hayford, Clark, McCullough, Spirit, Stepladder, Big Maria, False Maria, Black Butte, Chuckwalla, Pinto, Orocopia, Toro, Santa Rosa, and Thomas.
jdmorehouse - Apr 2, 2016 5:34 pm Date Climbed: Mar 31, 2016
2nd Ascent
As before, I drove to the end of the road where none but ATVs can get through. I took the old DPS A route this time, as I was not only going for my 2nd ascent (now working the DPS list for the second time around), but looking for a different route up than the last time, which was the South Ridge. This way I could apply the climb to the Desert Explorer pin as well. There were two ATVs up there that I saw no evidence of how they got in, as the only tire tracks on the way out were my own. Hmm. Are they living up there? Meth cookers? I don't know, but I was glad they didn't see me on my hike out. Otherwise, a beautiful day.
cab - Nov 18, 2013 12:08 pm Date Climbed: Nov 16, 2013
South Ridge
Climbed after Moapa Peak in the morning. We made the summit just after sunset and descended under a full moon without needing headlamps. We had to change a slow leak flat tire when we got back to the car that we had gotten on the drive from Moapa.
jdmorehouse - Mar 25, 2013 10:14 pm Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2013
Beautiful Spring Day
Lorraine and I parked at the narrows, walked up about a mile or so, then attained the main north/south ridge line and followed it all the way to the summit. A beautiful day on the mountain. No brush to speak of, and easy to follow the ridge, even when it got narrow and rocky.
Great day hike. We went too far up the road. Had to come back to the old truck fork. Fantastic view and good hiking weather. Log book in the box on top.
Dennis Poulin - May 9, 2011 4:41 pm Date Climbed: May 1, 2011
Got DPS'ed
We followed an old DPS route up. Found a lot easier way back down. Nice views.
Dean - May 2, 2011 9:54 am Date Climbed: May 1, 2011
Up one way, down another
Thanks to the washout at the beginning of the canyon, this one takes longer than it used to. We hiked up the road to the 5860 level and then just went up some cliffs and steep stuff until we intersected the ridge at the 6900' level. From there it was a good hour to the summit. It was so cold that we stayed just a few minutes (my hiking partner was Dennis Poulin). We followed the ridge all the way down as far as we could, hitting the road at the 5100' level. This was the way we should have gone up, much easier.
Bob Burd - Jan 2, 2010 4:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2009
South Ridge
With Tom and Bill, a fun afternoon after doing Moapa in the morning. East Face descent and resulting bushwhacking was probably the most fun of the day. Trip Report
bechtt - Nov 28, 2009 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Nov 27, 2009
South Ridge up/East Face descent
Afternoon hike with Bob Burd and Bill Peters after Moapa. Missed the DPS route and climbed a different spur to the south ridge. With daylight almost gone, we descended the east face and found an old mining road just before dark.
Kadee - Nov 12, 2008 10:38 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2008
Snowing
Fun peak just a little too chilly and too much snow.
Joined by Patrick, Josh, Wendy, and Christine. Acsended via the south ridge route. We descended via the west ridge to Josh's car for a loop. The ridge was no problem, the canyon exit to the sw was a challenge with some cliffing out. We found our way out though. 12.5 mile day.
jimegan - Feb 8, 2008 8:49 am Date Climbed: May 17, 2005
VIRGIN PK
CLIMBED FROM WEST W/ ED AND MIKE ON EXPLORATORY ROUTE RAN INTO TWO LARGE RATTLESNAKES
redsplashman23 - May 19, 2007 10:44 pm Date Climbed: May 19, 2007
Virgin Peak
Nice 10 mile round trip hike. Great views and some cool summit entries.
MoapaPk - Jan 24, 2007 12:09 am Date Climbed: Apr 3, 2003
East side
We went to search for a lost camera. Nick N drove his jeep way up the canyon east of the peak, making for a short trip.
The road route we took is now vastly impractical. In 2005, severe washouts left a huge trench in the middle of the 4WD road.
Jerry L - Dec 7, 2022 6:34 pm Date Climbed: Dec 7, 2022
12th Summit of this TripClimbed today with my 2 dogs. Started at the corral and went way too far up the canyon.....maybe 3 miles ? Steep ascent & descent to & from the ridge. 3.5 hours up & 3 hours down. Snow flurries & snow. We are all dead tonight.
sipho - Jan 16, 2021 11:07 pm Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2021
Long day from the corralCamped at the old corral at 36.5436, -114.1045 on Virgin Peak Road (AKA Black Rock Mountain Road). You could drive about another mile in a high-clearance 4WD if you stacked rocks around some of the larger protruding rocks on the road. There were signs that others had done this before. Beyond that the risk increases.
I started my hike from the corral. Left the main road on the spur road at 36.5744, -114.0941. You can go left or right of the rock band above you - neither option is straight forward. On the way up I went to the right and climbed up to the ridge through a gap in the rock band. On the return I stayed on the ridge past the rock band to the low point in the saddle and then contoured down and to the left below the band, aiming for the top of the spur road. The way down was steep with patches of loose rock or soil. Cairns and use-trails indicate that folks have tried both routes.
Once on the ridge the overall route is obvious and there is usually 1 or 2 use-trails to follow. Sometimes it is best to stay on the rocky crest but at other points you will be blocked and have to climb down a bit to the east or west side (not very specific guidance, I know).
There is a summit register in an ammo box at the top. The entry before mine was on January 10th I believe.
With the route finding and bush whacking this can be a slow hike. As an older guy in "winter" condition it took me 9 hours and 40 minutes including 30 to 40 minutes of breaks to cover the 11.5 miles.
runbyu1 - Jun 8, 2020 3:47 pm Date Climbed: May 2, 2020
With Don and Derrickhttps://www.strava.com/activities/3394106409
Don and I failed 2 weeks ago, so we brought Derrick along as a good luck charm. According to the register, only 3 groups had been up this entire year!
utahjimk - Nov 3, 2019 3:43 pm Date Climbed: Oct 31, 2019
start from Whitney corralwith Dennis G. Car-camped at site just across road from Whitney Pockets, started at Whitney Corral (where the old rusty truck is). Not sure we were on route as described (a little vague) but we continued walking on "road" (not passable now) past rusty water tank, and ascended ridge. ~4hrs up, half hour on summit, ~3hrs down. Cool day (frozen water at camp) though warmed up enough. 2nd ascent: 29 Oct 2020 (Wasatch Mt Club - with Dennis, Barb, Greg, Richie; more or less same route). 3rd ascent: 19 Feb 2022 (Wasatch Mt Club outing).
mstender - May 26, 2019 4:53 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2019
South Ridge RouteWe parked at the coral (the road gets a lot rougher past it) and we took the standard route up the south ridge. The ridge hike took longer than we thought but the area is really beautiful.
gimpilator - Dec 20, 2016 11:29 am Date Climbed: Dec 1, 2016
28 Peaks in 15 DaysParked at the old Corral. There is a small cave in a cliff band west of the agave roasting pit with evidence of ancient habitation. The south ridge is long, but has some excellent coral fossils in a few spots (see link below for photos).
Other peaks we did during this trip include; Potosi, Cheyenne, Muddy Mountain, Muddy Peak, The Orphan, Silica Dome, Cairn, The Sentinel, East Redstone, Redstone, Mystery Cairn, Vista, Hayford, Clark, McCullough, Spirit, Stepladder, Big Maria, False Maria, Black Butte, Chuckwalla, Pinto, Orocopia, Toro, Santa Rosa, and Thomas.
Click here to see the trip report with photos.
jdmorehouse - Apr 2, 2016 5:34 pm Date Climbed: Mar 31, 2016
2nd AscentAs before, I drove to the end of the road where none but ATVs can get through. I took the old DPS A route this time, as I was not only going for my 2nd ascent (now working the DPS list for the second time around), but looking for a different route up than the last time, which was the South Ridge. This way I could apply the climb to the Desert Explorer pin as well. There were two ATVs up there that I saw no evidence of how they got in, as the only tire tracks on the way out were my own. Hmm. Are they living up there? Meth cookers? I don't know, but I was glad they didn't see me on my hike out. Otherwise, a beautiful day.
cab - Nov 18, 2013 12:08 pm Date Climbed: Nov 16, 2013
South RidgeClimbed after Moapa Peak in the morning. We made the summit just after sunset and descended under a full moon without needing headlamps. We had to change a slow leak flat tire when we got back to the car that we had gotten on the drive from Moapa.
jdmorehouse - Mar 25, 2013 10:14 pm Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2013
Beautiful Spring DayLorraine and I parked at the narrows, walked up about a mile or so, then attained the main north/south ridge line and followed it all the way to the summit. A beautiful day on the mountain. No brush to speak of, and easy to follow the ridge, even when it got narrow and rocky.
davev1954 - Apr 14, 2012 6:21 pm Date Climbed: Apr 6, 2012
Virgin PeakGreat day hike. We went too far up the road. Had to come back to the old truck fork. Fantastic view and good hiking weather. Log book in the box on top.
Dennis Poulin - May 9, 2011 4:41 pm Date Climbed: May 1, 2011
Got DPS'edWe followed an old DPS route up. Found a lot easier way back down. Nice views.
Dean - May 2, 2011 9:54 am Date Climbed: May 1, 2011
Up one way, down anotherThanks to the washout at the beginning of the canyon, this one takes longer than it used to. We hiked up the road to the 5860 level and then just went up some cliffs and steep stuff until we intersected the ridge at the 6900' level. From there it was a good hour to the summit. It was so cold that we stayed just a few minutes (my hiking partner was Dennis Poulin). We followed the ridge all the way down as far as we could, hitting the road at the 5100' level. This was the way we should have gone up, much easier.
Bob Burd - Jan 2, 2010 4:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2009
South RidgeWith Tom and Bill, a fun afternoon after doing Moapa in the morning. East Face descent and resulting bushwhacking was probably the most fun of the day. Trip Report
bechtt - Nov 28, 2009 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Nov 27, 2009
South Ridge up/East Face descentAfternoon hike with Bob Burd and Bill Peters after Moapa. Missed the DPS route and climbed a different spur to the south ridge. With daylight almost gone, we descended the east face and found an old mining road just before dark.
Kadee - Nov 12, 2008 10:38 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2008
SnowingFun peak just a little too chilly and too much snow.
sierragator - Apr 27, 2008 2:07 pm Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2008
up south, down westJoined by Patrick, Josh, Wendy, and Christine. Acsended via the south ridge route. We descended via the west ridge to Josh's car for a loop. The ridge was no problem, the canyon exit to the sw was a challenge with some cliffing out. We found our way out though. 12.5 mile day.
jimegan - Feb 8, 2008 8:49 am Date Climbed: May 17, 2005
VIRGIN PKCLIMBED FROM WEST W/ ED AND MIKE ON EXPLORATORY ROUTE RAN INTO TWO LARGE RATTLESNAKES
redsplashman23 - May 19, 2007 10:44 pm Date Climbed: May 19, 2007
Virgin PeakNice 10 mile round trip hike. Great views and some cool summit entries.
MoapaPk - Jan 24, 2007 12:09 am Date Climbed: Apr 3, 2003
East sideWe went to search for a lost camera. Nick N drove his jeep way up the canyon east of the peak, making for a short trip.
The road route we took is now vastly impractical. In 2005, severe washouts left a huge trench in the middle of the 4WD road.
cp0915 - Sep 26, 2005 11:33 am
Route Climbed: SE ridge Date Climbed: Sept 25, 2005With Susan and Ron.
A decent enough route, if brushy at times. The views of the Gold Butte area along the ridgeline are great. The summit views are astounding.
Just to give folks an idea, roundtrip numbers from the corral are about 10 miles (3500 ft of gain). No water - bring lots.