Black Crook Peak in Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

Hike Black Crook Peak Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

Class 3 2.6 miles 1800 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Oct 4, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Black Crook Peak, the highest point of the Sheeprock Mountains, seems to be approached from pretty much all sides. I chose the south ridge route because it required the least driving from Salt Lake City and also because the scramble was rumored to be pretty fun. I was able to make the drive the entire way in my mid-clearance, and probably 2WD can make it as well, with maybe an additional half mile or so of walking since the road gets a little more steep and rocky as it progresses.

From a parking spot off the road, I continued along the road to a major curve before the road headed south, and located an animal trail on the right, leaving the road. I could see the steep slope above that I'd have to ascend to reach the ridgeline. The animal trail leaving the road is not obvious, but I recommend looking for it to gain the slope in order to avoid bushwhacking entirely. Once on the slope, the animal trails were abundant, and I found myself leaving one only to stumble upon another. They were definitely pretty helpful for the first bit, keeping the side-hilling steep, but not unpleasant. I don't know if I can recommend a specific route up the slope, but I'd say head up toward the rocky outcrop along the ridge crest. I kept just left of the outcrop, not quite hugging the rocks, and was able to find nice social trails that avoided all brush and a fair amount of the Class 2 talus.

Eventually I made it to the top of the steep slope and was on the sloping ridge crest that would lead me to Black Crook Peak. I started north, encountering some Class 2/3 rocky outcrops, and staying just left of the ridge crest initially. Once Black Crook Peak came into view, I found my way back to the ridge crest and was able to stay on it (or very close to it) for all of the technical sections of the entire route. It will be temping to stay to the left on the safer-looking slope since the rocky outcrops look intimidating from below, but definitely just stay high. From experience, I can say the slope on the left of the crest are a lot more work and miss the scrambles. I could trace the route ahead: rocky ridge, a hump in the ridge that would add some vertical gain, and the, more rocky ridge leading to Black Crook Peak.

The route started off with some easy Class 2 and a Class 3 downclimb on solid rock, followed by an ascent on more Class 2/3 toward the hump along the ridge. The rockyness faded away and was replaced by a lightly brushy walk up toward the hump. I kept just left of the high point of this hump to avoid additional vetical gain, but it's straightforward to work around it. This hump will need to be re-ascended later on the way back. On the hump's northwest side, the terrain was easy and grassy, and led me down to the east ridge of Black Crook Peak.

Black Crook Peak looks a little intimidating from its base, but a very clear Class 2 gully avoids the scary-looking rock by staying right and ascending on pleasant talus to the final ridgeline. Once along the ridgeline, I was tempted to keep left yet again to avoid the scary-looking ridge crest, but definitely stay high. There is a Class 3 gully that was fun and less steep than it looks, and the crest goes much more easily than trying to avoid it. I know because on my ascent I stayed left and descended via the crest and preferred the latter by far. A final Class 3 gully just left of the crest led to the summit of Black Crook Peak, what I considered the crux. From the summit, I looked around at the other options others had taken to ascend Black Crook Peak, and ultimately I'm glad I did the peak using the pretty fun east ridge route.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Black Crook Peak
9274 ft
3074 rise

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After leaving my car, I reached this curve in the road. Look for an animal trail on the right to avoid bushwhacking. Note the rocky outcrop just left of center. My goal was to head just left of it.
After leaving my car, I reached this curve in the road. Look for an animal trail on the right to avoid bushwhacking. Note the rocky outcrop just left of center. My goal was to head just left of it.
Looking back as I ascend the slope. My car is somewhere in the center.
Looking back as I ascend the slope. My car is somewhere in the center.
Steep slope, aided by animal trails.
Steep slope, aided by animal trails.
Looking back again.
Looking back again.
Approaching the rocky outcrop, where I kept left, picking my way around brush and talus.
Approaching the rocky outcrop, where I kept left, picking my way around brush and talus.
Looking back, the start of the rocky outcrop visible on the left. My car is somewhere in the center.
Looking back, the start of the rocky outcrop visible on the left. My car is somewhere in the center.
More steep slope with some minor brush and Class 2 talus.
More steep slope with some minor brush and Class 2 talus.
At the top of the slope on the ridge, looking back - I came up from the left.
At the top of the slope on the ridge, looking back - I came up from the left.
The ridge starts off pleasant, but this obstacle awaits higher up. I kept left, trying to find the easiest way up.
The ridge starts off pleasant, but this obstacle awaits higher up. I kept left, trying to find the easiest way up.
Looking back as I entered the rocky section.
Looking back as I entered the rocky section.
Black Crook Peak came into view (left). Once it did, I was able to find a nice Class 2/3 route to the ridge crest.
Black Crook Peak came into view (left). Once it did, I was able to find a nice Class 2/3 route to the ridge crest.
Along the ridge crest, looking back. I came up on the right.
Along the ridge crest, looking back. I came up on the right.
A view of the route - hump obstacle visible center, Black Crook Peak on the left. Seen below is a Class 3 down climb.
A view of the route - hump obstacle visible center, Black Crook Peak on the left. Seen below is a Class 3 down climb.
Looking back at the Class 3 down climb before I started ascending the hump. Stay on the ridge crest, or very close to it.
Looking back at the Class 3 down climb before I started ascending the hump. Stay on the ridge crest, or very close to it.
The rocky ridge crest turns into a slope. Pictured ahead is the hump on the ridge.
The rocky ridge crest turns into a slope. Pictured ahead is the hump on the ridge.
Nearing the top of the hump, but I kept just to the left.
Nearing the top of the hump, but I kept just to the left.
Looking back as I traverse the hump. You can see the rocky ridge I've done so far in the center.
Looking back as I traverse the hump. You can see the rocky ridge I've done so far in the center.
Down the other side of the hump, Black Crook Peak visible ahead on the left.
Down the other side of the hump, Black Crook Peak visible ahead on the left.
Image 18 from gallery
Image 19 from gallery
The cliffs look intimidating, but a nice Class 2 gully leads on the right.
The cliffs look intimidating, but a nice Class 2 gully leads on the right.
Looking back toward the ridge hump as I start up the Class 2 gully.
Looking back toward the ridge hump as I start up the Class 2 gully.
Class 2 gully on the right side of the crest.
Class 2 gully on the right side of the crest.
Looking back at my progress, the ridge hump I traversed over visible top.
Looking back at my progress, the ridge hump I traversed over visible top.
At the top of the Class 2 gully, I came across the final ridge scramble to the summit, which is visible top center. It will be tempting to stay left on what appears to be more relaxed terrain, but just stay high on the crest.
At the top of the Class 2 gully, I came across the final ridge scramble to the summit, which is visible top center. It will be tempting to stay left on what appears to be more relaxed terrain, but just stay high on the crest.
First Class 3 obstacle along the ridge.
First Class 3 obstacle along the ridge.
Looking down the first Class 3 section.
Looking down the first Class 3 section.
More Class 2/3 fun along the ridge.
More Class 2/3 fun along the ridge.
Image 28 from gallery
Final Class 3 obstacle on the left of the ridge, Black Crook Peak out of frame just above it.
Final Class 3 obstacle on the left of the ridge, Black Crook Peak out of frame just above it.
Looking back down the Class 3 crux. The ridge I traversed visible on the left, and the ridge hump visible center.
Looking back down the Class 3 crux. The ridge I traversed visible on the left, and the ridge hump visible center.
Black Crook Peak summit, view north.
Black Crook Peak summit, view north.
Black Crook Peak summit, view east.
Black Crook Peak summit, view east.
Close-up of the route. I came up from the saddle on the right (after ascending the initial slope), traversed over the ridge hump (left of enter) and up the ridge on the left.
Close-up of the route. I came up from the saddle on the right (after ascending the initial slope), traversed over the ridge hump (left of enter) and up the ridge on the left.

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