Sheep Peak and Sheep North in Desert National Wildlife Refuge, NV

Hike Sheep Peak and Sheep North Desert National Wildlife Refuge, NV

Class 2 12.1 miles 4900 gain 7-10 hrs Out + Back May 8, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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After checking out Hayford Peak a couple of weeks ago and finding the Sheep Mountains pretty nice, I was looking forward to a trip with peakbagger extraordinaire Adam Walker to summit Sheep Peak and the peak to its north, Sheep North. His lovely girlfriend Frances joined us and if not for the great company, I am sad to say this would have just been a bit of a slog peak.

Starting at the end of a pretty decent dirt road, we headed north to find the intended drainage, marked as Wagon Canyon. The wash was uneventful, save for a few small interesting crumbling rock pinnacles and a small section of narrows. The wash became more steep and included some Class 2 obstacles, with two avoidable Class 3 moves. We made it to the brush-choked Wagon Spring, but the bushwhacking here was avoidable by keeping along a social trail on the north bank of the canyon. Eventually, the canyon gets less rocky and we followed Wagon Canyon to its head, the saddle between Sheep Peak and Sheep North. First, we went south to get Sheep Peak, and then north, where we followed Sheep North's west ridge down to an alternate descent.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Sheep Peak
9750 ft
1270 rise
2
Sheep North
9678 ft
538 rise

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The road was not maintained and blocked off past our parking spot.
The road was not maintained and blocked off past our parking spot.
We left the dirt road to continue north in search of Wagon Canyon's mouth. Some interesting rock pinnacles ahead.
We left the dirt road to continue north in search of Wagon Canyon's mouth. Some interesting rock pinnacles ahead.
Looking back the way we came, toward Mummy Mountain.
Looking back the way we came, toward Mummy Mountain.
Starting up Wagon Canyon.
Starting up Wagon Canyon.
S
S
After a bit of a slog through the wide section of the canyon, we got to some narrows.
After a bit of a slog through the wide section of the canyon, we got to some narrows.
Image 6 from gallery
Image 7 from gallery
Image 8 from gallery
Some Class 2 stuff as the canyon got steeper.
Some Class 2 stuff as the canyon got steeper.
Image 10 from gallery
Wagon Spring. Avoid the brush by staying to the left within the canyon.
Wagon Spring. Avoid the brush by staying to the left within the canyon.
Looking down the way we came in Wagon Canyon after avoiding the brushy spring.
Looking down the way we came in Wagon Canyon after avoiding the brushy spring.
Class 3 section, avoidable on the right.
Class 3 section, avoidable on the right.
The bushwhacking wasn't bad by any means, but there were some rock obstacles.
The bushwhacking wasn't bad by any means, but there were some rock obstacles.
Image 15 from gallery
Image 16 from gallery
The terrain toward the head of Wagon Canyon mellows out, and we followed the drainage to the saddle.
The terrain toward the head of Wagon Canyon mellows out, and we followed the drainage to the saddle.
At the saddle between Sheep Peak and Sheep North, looking south toward Sheep Peak.
At the saddle between Sheep Peak and Sheep North, looking south toward Sheep Peak.
On our way to Sheep Peak, view looking north.
On our way to Sheep Peak, view looking north.
Sheep Peak ahead.
Sheep Peak ahead.
The false summit of Sheep North visible in the background.
The false summit of Sheep North visible in the background.
Image 22 from gallery
Sheep Peak summit ahead.
Sheep Peak summit ahead.
Image 24 from gallery
View south from Sheep Peak summit.
View south from Sheep Peak summit.
After getting back to the saddle, we started working north to Sheep North.
After getting back to the saddle, we started working north to Sheep North.
Looking back toward Sheep Peak.
Looking back toward Sheep Peak.
Sheep North visible center.
Sheep North visible center.
Almost to Sheep North summit, view south toward Sheep Peak.
Almost to Sheep North summit, view south toward Sheep Peak.
Sheep North summit, view southwest.
Sheep North summit, view southwest.
Adam starting down the west ridge from Sheep North.
Adam starting down the west ridge from Sheep North.
Entering back into Wagon Canyon from the northeast.
Entering back into Wagon Canyon from the northeast.
Some nice lighting on the narrow section in Wagon Canyon on our way back.
Some nice lighting on the narrow section in Wagon Canyon on our way back.

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!