Sams Rock in Toano Range BLM, NV

Hike Sams Rock Toano Range BLM, NV

Class 3 1.4 miles 800 gain <1 hr Out + Back Oct 5, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Sams Rock is a lovely little adventuresome add-on if you're in the Toano Range area. It looks pretty impressive even from the highway, and even moreso close-up. The drive in is accessible likely by any vehicle, though 2WD might have trouble on a steep section a mile or so before the trailhead.

Take note of a major brushy-looking weakness splitting Sams Rock's high point and an unnamed point. This will be the route, though it's not nearly as brushy as it seems from below. I parked at a small campground and followed the dirt road a short time before turning right up a drainage. This drainage continued east, and when it became hard to follow, I simply ascended on a sandy slope. The slope got more and more steep as I progressed, some minor Class 2 moves and tree-ducking slowing me down a little. The trees grew a little thicker, and I knew I was in the brushy-looking weakness I saw from below. It might be temping to continue all the way up this weakness since the granite that starts to appear on the left looks steep and intimidating. However, a vital crack on the left located well below the top of this weakness will serve as the route to the summit. I recommend keeping to the left of the brushy-looking weakness, but if you do any scrambling more than easy Class 2 before the vital crack, there’s an easier way. In fact, on my descent I was able to descend the brushy-looking weakness without encountering any Class 2 at all. So, choose carefully to keep the route tame.

The vital crack is difficult to describe, but if you hug the granite rock outcroppings on the left of the brushy-looking weakness, you'll stumble on it like I did. I included a close-up of the terrain map for a more detailed view. Once locating this crack, which is somewhat choked with trees and brush, I headed in and picked my way around the foliage. The first obstacle was within the crack, where a stuff Class 3 stemming move helped me gain higher ground. I continued to stay within the crack for the first few obstacles, but was forced out to just left of the crack for a particularly steep chockstone section. Making this move would be a short bout of Class 4/5, but staying on a Class 3 slab on the left felt more intuitive. Once above this crux move, I continued up the crack, which became a sandy and Class 2 affair. At the top of the sandy section, I noted a potentially easier route up Sams Rock if you approach from the north (see photo), but the crack was interesting enough for me to recommend doing it rather than trying to ascend Sams Rock from the north.

At this point, I looked to the left at a scary-looking headwall. A short and loose Class 3 pile of boulders led to a wrap around on the right, avoiding the scary stuff and keeping the rest of the route Class 2. The summit views were nice, and I recommend continuing along the ridge for a little bit past the high point to experience a short and narrow ridge that I found fun.

Thanks to Lane and Ken Johnson for your beta about the crack.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Sams Rock
7735 ft
695 rise

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Not part of the route - just a photo of Sams Rock on the drive in.
Not part of the route - just a photo of Sams Rock on the drive in.
From my chosen parking area, I started briefly along the road before leaving it on the right into a drainage. My goal is to get into the brushy-looking weakness in the center.
From my chosen parking area, I started briefly along the road before leaving it on the right into a drainage. My goal is to get into the brushy-looking weakness in the center.
After heading up the drainage, it became difficult to stay within it, so I continued up the slope, still heading for the brushy-looking weakness in the center of this photo.
After heading up the drainage, it became difficult to stay within it, so I continued up the slope, still heading for the brushy-looking weakness in the center of this photo.
The slope gets steeper, but it's not bad.
The slope gets steeper, but it's not bad.
This is the most bushwhacking the slope gets. And you can avoid all boulders and keep this section of the route barely even Class 2.
This is the most bushwhacking the slope gets. And you can avoid all boulders and keep this section of the route barely even Class 2.
Looking back at my progress up the brushy-looking weakness.
Looking back at my progress up the brushy-looking weakness.
The brushy-looking weakness continues higher up, but I was looking for a vital crack in the rocky cliff on the left, pictured center.
The brushy-looking weakness continues higher up, but I was looking for a vital crack in the rocky cliff on the left, pictured center.
Entering the vital crack, choked a bit with foliage.
Entering the vital crack, choked a bit with foliage.
Continuing up the crack, the first Class 3 section.
Continuing up the crack, the first Class 3 section.
Looking down the first Class 3 section, where I was able to stay within the crack.
Looking down the first Class 3 section, where I was able to stay within the crack.
Another Class 3 section where keeping just left of the crack was a lot easier.
Another Class 3 section where keeping just left of the crack was a lot easier.
Looking down from just out of the crack to keep the route Class 3. Toano Range High Point visible in the distance.
Looking down from just out of the crack to keep the route Class 3. Toano Range High Point visible in the distance.
Continuing up sandy/steep Class 2/2+ to the end of the crack.
Continuing up sandy/steep Class 2/2+ to the end of the crack.
Looking back.
Looking back.
Close-up of the top part of the ascent through the crack.
Close-up of the top part of the ascent through the crack.
At the top of the crack, I scouted a potential Class 2 route from the north. It looks reasonable, though less fun, if you're not into ascending the crack route.
At the top of the crack, I scouted a potential Class 2 route from the north. It looks reasonable, though less fun, if you're not into ascending the crack route.
At the top of the crack route, looking toward the summit of Sams Rock. This pile of Class 3 boulders served as the final obstacle. I climbed it up to the brush in the center of this photo, then turned right and found a Class 2/2+ route that avoided the scarier stuff visible higher up in this photo.
At the top of the crack route, looking toward the summit of Sams Rock. This pile of Class 3 boulders served as the final obstacle. I climbed it up to the brush in the center of this photo, then turned right and found a Class 2/2+ route that avoided the scarier stuff visible higher up in this photo.
Looking back down the Class 2/2+ section that avoids scarier scrambling.
Looking back down the Class 2/2+ section that avoids scarier scrambling.
Sams Rock summit, view east toward brushy-looking weakness and the other, lower summit of Sams Rock (left). Toano Range High Point visible top right.
Sams Rock summit, view east toward brushy-looking weakness and the other, lower summit of Sams Rock (left). Toano Range High Point visible top right.
View west along the interesting ridge. Although I'm at the high point, it's worth going along the ridge for some added fun.
View west along the interesting ridge. Although I'm at the high point, it's worth going along the ridge for some added fun.
Sams Rock summit, view south toward Toano Range High Point.
Sams Rock summit, view south toward Toano Range High Point.
Sams Rock, view north.
Sams Rock, view north.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!