Hike Sonoma Peak via Water Canyon Sonoma Range BLM, NV

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I decided to hike to Sonoma Peak via Water Canyon instead of the more popular route from the south because access was quick from nearby Winnemucca, and I was looking forward to enjoying some nice water sounds within the canyon. Along the way, I’d also be able to snag an extra unnamed bonus peak. I was pretty confident my car wouldn’t make it far up the dirt road from the south anyway, so I figured the total vertical gain would be about the same.

I started up Water Canyon following Whites Creek on an ATV trail, crossing a few creeks here and there amid fresh greenery. After leaving the trees behind, I stepped into the classic Great Basin scrub. Most of the hike was on ATV trails, but these were often faded or faint, giving the experience more of a hiking feel than just a walk on a road.

After hiking most of the Water Canyon Trail, I took a sharp left onto an overgrown, steep ATV trail to gain the ridgeline above. Ahead, Peak 9035 came into view, my first baby summit of the day. The ATV trail dipped away from the ridge crest and returned several times, so I followed it when present and traveled cross-country when it wasn’t, avoiding unnecessary ups and downs. The trail wrapped beneath a rocky ridgeline outcrop before a short spur finally led me to the summit of this unranked peak. From the top of Peak 9035, I enjoyed a great view north down into Water Canyon, and to the south toward Sonoma Peak.

I continued along the ATV trail, descending a gorgeous green slope to the base of Peak 9233. This summit offers a switchback route on its southeastern slope, which I planned to use for my descent later. To reach the summit, I chose the brushy and rocky (Class 2) northern ridge. I got a bit scratched up and sort of wish I’d just ascended via the switchbacks, but there’s some fun scrambling if you’re up for it.

The ATV trail didn’t continue south beyond the switchbacks, so I traveled cross-country through open terrain toward the range’s high point. There was a notable dip to the saddle along the way to Sonoma Peak, followed by a fairly steep walk up a grassy slope dotted with embedded rocks. The views were great, and I could see the southern approach route, and I was ultimately glad I came from the direction I did.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Peak 9035

9035 ft

263 rise

Peak 9233

9233 ft

595 rise

Sonoma Peak

9398 ft

3898 rise

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Starting up Water Canyon along Whites Creek.

A few creek crossings, and some initial greenery.

View back as I leave the trees and enter the typical Great Basin scrub.

Ascending along the Water Canyon Trail.

I took a hard left and headed up this overgrown, steep ATV trail to gain the ridgeline above.

View back down the steep ascent.

Peak 9035 (my first baby summit) seen ahead along the ridgeline. The ATV trail dips away from the crest a few times, always to return, so I just headed cross-country rather than drop unnecessarily.

View back, Water Canyon below on the left.

Peak 9035 ahead, Sonoma Peak seen distant left.

ATV trail leading up the slope and around the false summit of Peak 9035.

Peak 9035 ahead, the ATV trail wrapping beneath a ridgeline outcrop.

A quick short spur trail leads to the summit of Peak 9035 (right).

Peak 9035 summit, view down into Water Canyon.

Onward to my next to summit, Peak 9233 and Sonoma Peak.

I took the road leading to the right to reach the northern ridge of Peak 9233 on my approach, then returned later from Sonoma Peak on the road seen on the left (currently covered in snow).

Sort of unnecessary brush and rocky hiking since there's a road to the summit of Peak 9233, but I took the crest and it added some Class 2.

View back along the crest to Peak 9233.

Peak 9233, view toward Sonoma Peak (left).

Looking back toward the switchbacks coming down from Peak 9233.

The hike to Sonoma Peak is then mostly terrain like this.

View back as I near the summit of Sonoma Peak.

Sonoma Peak, view south.

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!