Hiking Crystal Peak - Delta

Overview

Tue

68° | 47°

Wed

53° | 40°

Thu

56° | 36°

Fri

58° | 37°

Sat

58° | 37°

( Rated 5.0 / 1 Ratings )

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RATING: Roadside Attraction / Moderate Scramble

LENGTH: 1-2 hours (2 miles)

MAPS: Crystal Peak, UT

SEASON: Any

WATER: None

NOTES: There is good primitive camping on a small side road just north of Crystal Peak on the east side.

Tue

68° | 47°

Wed

53° | 40°

Thu

56° | 36°

Fri

58° | 37°

Sat

58° | 37°

Crystal Peak under stunning skies

Crystal Peak sticks out in striking contrast to the more muted browns and greys that make up the west desert landscape. When approaching, its bright white veneer is visible from miles and miles across the expansive west desert. The peak itself makes a great roadside attraction with good primitive camping nearby. For the adventurous, an easy 5th class scramble attains the lofty summit and makes for a casual 2-3 hour outing.

The peak is composed of volcanic tuft that has eroded over the years creating pockets, arches, and very interesting lines along all of its sides. As of this writing (2015), the peak is 33 million years old! Though interesting at any time of day, sunrise is particularly photogenic.

Side Trip: Directly north of Crystal Peak is a side road and camping area. Hiking north from the camping area north 1/4 mile or so enters a zone of fossils. Though hard to find, fossilized sea shells, snails, and other small invertebrates can be found. GPS location purposefully not given, a big part of the fun is wandering around seeing what you can find!

West face of Crystal Peak

Getting There

Go south out of Delta UT on UT-257S. After about 50 miles, the community of Black Rock is reached. Community is an overstatement, it is just a few houses.

Trailhead 12S 274849E 4297394N / 38°47'48"N 113°35'33"W

Turn onto Black Rock Road 12S 328830E 4287193N / 38°43'01"N 112°58'08"W

9.5 miles, stay left 12S 323586E 4286752N / 38°42'43"N 113°01'44"W

11.4 miles, stay left. Right goes to a mining company. Crystal Peak starts being visible in the west not far after this junction. Stay on the main road from here as it heads due west to Crystal Peak at 36 miles. 12S 308842E 4285691N / 38°41'57"N 113°11'53"W

Confusion Range north of Crystal Peak at dawn

Route Description

The Scramble:
To reach the summit requires easy, but exposed lower 5th class climbing. From the northern side, traverse along its base south, then southwest until a saddle is reached.

The easiest route follows a sparsely cairned line that trends up and to the left, then back right up a gully. Once up the gully, an easy scramble leads to the top. This route was our descent route.

For the experienced climber, a tantalizing line of solution pockets lead up just downhill from the saddle. This line of solution pockets was our ascent route and joined the normal route for the final scrambling section. Be very careful, though the climbing is easy 5th class, the rock is crumbly and requires care to climb safely.

From the summit, the Wah Wah Mountains are visible just to the south. Mount Moriah is visible to the northwest, and to the east in the far distance, is Frisco Peak and the San Francisco Mountains.