Sheep Mountain in Sheep Mountain BLM, NV

Hike Sheep Mountain Sheep Mountain BLM, NV

Class 3 3.8 miles 1400 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Mar 21, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Sheep Mountain GPX Track

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Not to be confused with the taller and forested Sheep Mountain north of Las Vegas, this Sheep Mountain is dry, accessible, short, and sweet. Just off I-15, a paved road leads past the tiny town of Jean and past a prison to the west slopes of the peak, where a short desert stroll leads to one of the west ridges. We followed it, passing a few of Class 2 and 3 moves to get over some cliff bands, and we reached a false summit, a small peak just south of Sheep Mountain. A short descent and a pretty ridgeline led us to the last few hundred feet of vertical, where we kept to the left around the peak, entered a small crevasse, and scrambled up to the summit.

We returned via the drainage just north of our ascent ridge. The ridge was much more fun and interesting than our descent descent drainage.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Sheep Mountain
4184 ft
986 rise

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Sheep Mountain on the left, taken just after leaving the road.
Sheep Mountain on the left, taken just after leaving the road.
Heading up the ridge, looking back toward the desert.
Heading up the ridge, looking back toward the desert.
The three peaks of Sheep Mountain. Far right is a false summit, middle is a nubbin we didn't ascend, left side is the true peak.
The three peaks of Sheep Mountain. Far right is a false summit, middle is a nubbin we didn't ascend, left side is the true peak.
Class 3 obstacle along the ridgeline.
Class 3 obstacle along the ridgeline.
Looking back along the ridge as we ascend.
Looking back along the ridge as we ascend.
Image 5 from gallery
Image 6 from gallery
Class 2+ section as we near the false summit.
Class 2+ section as we near the false summit.
On the false summit, looking toward Sheep Mountain.
On the false summit, looking toward Sheep Mountain.
At the base of Sheep Mountain, a small notch with a Class 2+ move.
At the base of Sheep Mountain, a small notch with a Class 2+ move.
Ascending Sheep Mountain, looking back along the ridge toward the false summit. MCCullough Mountain visible back left.
Ascending Sheep Mountain, looking back along the ridge toward the false summit. MCCullough Mountain visible back left.
Sheep Mountain summit ahead. We kept just left of the ridge crest to avoid sketchier-looking stuff, eventually heading into the small crevasse on the left.
Sheep Mountain summit ahead. We kept just left of the ridge crest to avoid sketchier-looking stuff, eventually heading into the small crevasse on the left.
Within the small crevasse to scramble up to the summit.
Within the small crevasse to scramble up to the summit.
Sheep Mountain summit, view north.
Sheep Mountain summit, view north.
Sheep Mountain summit, view south. McCullough Mountain back left.
Sheep Mountain summit, view south. McCullough Mountain back left.

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!