Keystone, Kirby, Whale Peaks in Potosi Mountain BLM, NV

Hike Keystone, Kirby, Whale Peaks Potosi Mountain BLM, NV

Class 3 5.7 miles 2800 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Oct 31, 2021
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These peaks just outside of Goodsprings, Nevada are located in an area with a rich mining history. The peaks themselves aren't all that exciting, but it was a nice loop to some lesser-visited bumps in the desert. Although technically Kirby Peak and Keystone Peak are unnamed peaks, since Whale Peak was named after a nearby mine, I decided to name the other two on this hike after adjacent mines to those peaks.

The route-finding ended up adding some fun to the mix. I parked just off Sandy Valley Road and started hiking north along a dirt road, but with high-clearance you can drive farther to get out of sight of the traffic on Sandy Valley Road. The walk north follows a road for a bit as it weaves through a wash, and then I left the road/wash system and ascended a sensible-looking ridgeline up to the east ridge of Keystone Peak. Light Class 2 to its summit. Initially I intended to head farther west along the ridge to get to Peak 5387, but a significant sheer cliff face would have prevented this. Instead I started south, onward to Kirby Peak. This peak looked really intimidating from Keystone Peak, and I started thinking of potential bail points, but I'd soon learn I wouldn't need them.

It was low Class 2 down from Keystone Peak to its saddle with Kirby Peak, mostly due to side-hilling to the left of a cliff along the ridge, and then the ascent to Kirby Peak began as low Class 2. If you stick to the ridge crest, it might go as high as Class 5, but I didn't experiment. Just left of the scary-looking ridge was a pleasant slope with some not-too-bad side-hilling on the ascent, just along the base of the cliffs. More Class 2 led to the summit, and Kirby Peak ended up being not nearly as scary as anticipated. Whale Peak to the south was next on the list, about a mile away. Class 2 brought me down from Kirby Peak. Halfway between Kirby and its southern saddle is a small bump that I wrapped around, Class 2 side-hilling. Along this section fo the route I found a historic mining claim danging back to 1953! If you do find this, please leave it as you found it so others can enjoy.

Now at the base of Whale Peak, I decided the ridge was too scary and keeping to the right would likely result in significant cliffs. I kept to the left and ascended on a Class 2 slope with a couple of short, easy cliff bands. Wrapping around a minor sub-peak on the northeat side of Whale Peak, I was able to keep the route Class 2. I continued along the ridge crest, encountering some more Class 2/2+ stuff, and then I got to the crux of the day, a short, solid, fun Class 3 move with some exposure. You can likely avoid this move by side-hilling on unpleasant terrain. Class 2 Whale Peak's summit. From Whale Peak's summit I decided to descend via its southeast ridge, making my way on Class 2 with one steeper section down to Sandy Valley Road, which I followed back to my car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Keystone Peak
5482 ft
561 rise
2
Kirby Peak
5187 ft
430 rise
3
Whale Peak
4449 ft
414 rise

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Starting up the dirt road. Keystone Peak visible ahead.
Starting up the dirt road. Keystone Peak visible ahead.
After navigating some washes, I located a ridge I wanted to ascend. This is a view back the way I came.
After navigating some washes, I located a ridge I wanted to ascend. This is a view back the way I came.
Ascending to the east ridge of Keystone Peak.
Ascending to the east ridge of Keystone Peak.
View back the way I came. Kirby Peak visible top right.
View back the way I came. Kirby Peak visible top right.
Along the ridge to Keystone Peak.
Along the ridge to Keystone Peak.
Some Class 2 up to Keystone Peak.
Some Class 2 up to Keystone Peak.
Keystone Peak, view west toward Peak 5387.
Keystone Peak, view west toward Peak 5387.
Keystone Peak, view toward Potosi and Charleston.
Keystone Peak, view toward Potosi and Charleston.
Keystone Peak, view toward Kirby Peak (center) and Whale Peak (just right of it).
Keystone Peak, view toward Kirby Peak (center) and Whale Peak (just right of it).
On my way to Kirby Peak. To get there I kept left around the feature on the right in this photo. Class 2 side-hilling.
On my way to Kirby Peak. To get there I kept left around the feature on the right in this photo. Class 2 side-hilling.
View back toward Keystone Peak as I side-hill around the obstacle in the previous photo.
View back toward Keystone Peak as I side-hill around the obstacle in the previous photo.
Nearing the saddle of Keystone and Kirby Peaks. I kept left of the ridge crest to keep the ascent Class 2.
Nearing the saddle of Keystone and Kirby Peaks. I kept left of the ridge crest to keep the ascent Class 2.
Class 2 on the left side of the ridgeline's cliffs
Class 2 on the left side of the ridgeline's cliffs
Kirby Peak summit comes into view, more Class 2 ahead.
Kirby Peak summit comes into view, more Class 2 ahead.
Kirby Peak, view toward Keystone Peak (right).
Kirby Peak, view toward Keystone Peak (right).
Kirby Peak, view toward Whale Peak, center.
Kirby Peak, view toward Whale Peak, center.
Class 2 to get down from Kirby Peak.
Class 2 to get down from Kirby Peak.
View back toward Kirby Peak.
View back toward Kirby Peak.
There's a small bump on the way down (center in this photo). I kept to its left.
There's a small bump on the way down (center in this photo). I kept to its left.
Wrapping around the bump, some Class 2 side-hilling.
Wrapping around the bump, some Class 2 side-hilling.
Nearing the saddle with Whale Peak. I kept to the left of the ridge.
Nearing the saddle with Whale Peak. I kept to the left of the ridge.
An intact mining claim from 1953!
An intact mining claim from 1953!
Class 2/2+ as I head up Whale Peak's north ridge.
Class 2/2+ as I head up Whale Peak's north ridge.
Whale Peak comes into view.
Whale Peak comes into view.
Some Class 2/2+ below the summit.
Some Class 2/2+ below the summit.
Class 3 move crux, just below the summit. You can likely avoid it and head up nastier terrain on the left.
Class 3 move crux, just below the summit. You can likely avoid it and head up nastier terrain on the left.
View back down at the Class 3 move.
View back down at the Class 3 move.
Whale Peak, view back toward Keystone and Kirby (center and right).
Whale Peak, view back toward Keystone and Kirby (center and right).
Whale Peak, view toward Devil Peak.
Whale Peak, view toward Devil Peak.
Headed down the southeast ridge from Whale Peak. This is a shot of a Class 2/2+ steeper section.
Headed down the southeast ridge from Whale Peak. This is a shot of a Class 2/2+ steeper section.
View back up at the southeast ridge I just came down, Whale Peak up there left of center.
View back up at the southeast ridge I just came down, Whale Peak up there left of center.

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