Troy Peak and Grant Range Traverse in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Hike Troy Peak and Grant Range Traverse Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV

Class 3 16.6 miles 7900 gain 11-15 hrs Shuttle May 30, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Troy Peak and Grant Range Traverse GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

I teamed up with Chris Kerth to tackle the Grant Range. Initially I only had interest in getting to Troy Peak, the high point, and attempting a traverse to the unnamed 11er to its south, or just doing these two peaks as out-and-backs. However, after some coordinating Chris and I were able to plan a pretty cool traverse of the Grant Range's higher peaks. The 10ers at the end of the traverse we finished with were his sadistic suggestion. To start the traverse, we intended to more or less take the standard eastern route up to Troy (more on that later), and descended via Rimrock Canyon farther to the south after seeing a route posted by Teresa Gergen that seemed to work well to descend from the southern peaks at the end of the day (thank you!). We didn't have much of an idea of what to expect along the ridgeline, but were able to piece together enough information to feel like it would be a viable route. Needless to say, this route requires a fairly long shuttle. If you've only got one car, you could do a sort of out-and-back traverse combo by hiking up and bisecting the Grant ridgeline. This would require driving up Scofield Canyon Road (38.29401, -115.48718), getting to the ridge somehow, and hiking north and then south as far as you want. I don't know the quality of this road, nor the route to gain the ridge. Just thought I should mention I know it's an option.

The dirt roads from NV-318 are great, whether you come in from the north (38.41492, -115.0274) or south (37.74008, -115.11918). To reach the end trailhead (where we left our finishing car), we headed up this road into Rimrock Canyon (38.21863, -115.42316). The road is overall pretty good, though low clearance could struggle. Don't drive past my coordinates since the wilderness area begins here. We then drove to the the Troy Peak standard route trailhead, which was a bit more burly. Any car could make it to this turn-off (38.29295, -115.39068), but then there are a few dips in the road that even a crossover might struggle on, depending on the length of the front of your vehicle. Take this road as it leads northwest and turn right (north) here (38.32564, -115.44332). Make an abrupt left here (38.33488, -115.44324) where the road becomes a bit more rocky and decent tires are necessary. Not being able to drive this road would add a pretty significant distance to this already long hike.

From where we parked the start car, we headed west through a burn area as we picked our way through the eerie landscape and avoiding some minor deadfall and brush. The slope we chose to ascend on became steeper and soon we found ourselves ascending steep Class 2 scree, eventually making it to a spur ridge. I can't imagine any way would be better or worse than ours; it all looks steep and not particularly fun. We made it up to Peak 10535, Troy Peak looking mighty fine to the south. First we headed north to Timber Mountain, certainly an inconvenint peak to say the least. We dropped a few hundred feet to the saddle before ascending the lightly brushy 600+ vertical to its summit, only to have to come back to the summit of Peak 10535. Side-hilling was temping, but it looked steep and brushy and we decided it was best to just reascend. Onward to Troy!

The open landscape along the ridge crest to the base of Troy Peak's rocky northern ridge was really pretty, and my favorite part of the hike. Soon we were at the base of the rocky crest, where we decided to keep left and follow the standard route. This would mean descending a bit to avoid the scary-looking ridge. After playing with some potential options along the crest, we agreed it was too sketchy. However, shortly after following the standard route, I noticed Chris spying the slabby-looking face and knew he was going to suggest attempting a route to the summit. I agreed. We thought the rest of the standard route would be side-hilly and loose, and we were happy to attempt a scramble. In hindsight, we probably didn't save any time, but it was a nice alternative. I left the standard route in my attached map, but I don't think you're missing much by not following it. It more or less avoids all the sketchy stuff and just ascends the steep southern ridge to Troy Peak. Our route started off as nice Class 2 on the limestone slabs, where we soon pulled a Class 3 move up a crack to gain a rock rib. We then took a Class 3+ series of interesting moves on somewhat loose rock. I imagine there are more options to gain the summit, many likely significantly harder. Class 2 led up the last couple hundred feet to the summit of Troy Peak. We enjoyed our route enough that I'd say it's worth trying.

We continued southwest from Troy Peak along the loose and undulating limestone ridgeline. The views of the Great Basin Desert and surrounding peaks were fantastic, and the sheer drop on the right was very cool. We reached a Class 3 set of moves to get up and over a rock outcrop just before White Pine Azimuth Mark, and some more Class 2/3 to gain this minor summit. We had reached the spot we weren't sure would go, and honestly we were very lucky it did. Some light exposure on the Class 2 wannabe knife-edge brought us from White Pine Azimuth Mark to relative safety below. There is a thin arch that's on the verge of breaking, and serves as a marker for a Class 2 alternative to staying high.

The ridgeline past White Pine Azimuth Mark leading to the saddle with Peak 11028 took far longer than anticipated. There are lots of ups and downs along the ridge crest, and the limestone is often covered in big pebbles that warrant moving a bit slowly. Plus, there are a handful of short Class 3 down-climbs along the crest where the limestone ledges are layered on top of each other. We avoided one big sketchy rock outcrop hump by keeping left, but otherwise stuck as close to the crest as possible. Toward the end of this slower-moving section of the traverse was a cool Class 3 section that Chris did by keeping along the ridgeline. I skipped it accidentally by descending to the slopes below, where I had to pull some Class 3 moves anyway on crap terrain. I left my poor choice off the attached map, just to show how much I mean sticking to the ridge crest almost the whole time is your best bet.

Eventually we made it down to the saddle with Peak 11028, which was far less exciting-looking than the rest of the day had been so far. It was a very straightforward hike to its summit, with a quick stop to fill my depleted water with snow from the remaining snow that existed. It was a hotter day than expected. We continued past Peak 11028 and up to Peak 10460. This was also a straightforward, somewhat forested ridgeline section. We had to avoid a couple of rock outcrops along the ridge crest by keeping to the right, but nothing exceeded a few short sections of Class 2.

Peak 10460 was the spot where we could have started the descent into Rimrock Canyon, but there was no way we would be orphaning Peak 10292 to the south. It would certainly be an inconvenience we were happy to take on. It was an easy descent from Peak 10460, but we mistakenly kept to the ridge crest, where a small benchmark cliffed us out, resulting in backtracking. I removed this from my attached map, and recommend you just keep to the left of the crest on an animal trail beneath the cliff base. Some more light Class 2 and rocky outcrops along the ridgeline brought us to the summit of Peak 10292.

We backtracked halfway along the ridgeline and then decided to side-hill beneath Peak 10460 rather than re-ascend it to get to the ridgeline. Normally side-hilling isn't worth it, but it wasn't bad at all here and I'd recommend it to save a few hundred extra vertical feet. We made it to the eastern-trending descent ridge we'd use to get into Rimrock Canyon. It started off perfectly pleasant, a fairly steep grassy or lightly forested ridgeline. About halfway down into Rimrock Canyon, the ridge became a little more of a maze. We were able to weave around eroded pinnacles and descend on steep Class 2, keeping this section more reasonable than it appeared from above. Some more easy ridge walking brought us into Rimrock Canyon, which we followed almost ot its mouth. We left the drainage and ascended slightly on the left to pick up the old road that's now on wilderness-designated land and made our way back to the car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 10535
10535 ft
295 rise
2
Timber Mountain
10603 ft
603 rise
3
Troy Peak
11298 ft
4790 rise
4
White Pine Azimuth Mark
11245 ft
125 rise
5
Peak 11028
11028 ft
388 rise
6
Peak 10460
10460 ft
600 rise
7
Peak 10292
10292 ft
312 rise

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!

We headed west through a burn area. Our goal is to get to the ridge on the right in this photo.
We headed west through a burn area. Our goal is to get to the ridge on the right in this photo.
Navigating the light brush.
Navigating the light brush.
Steep and loose.
Steep and loose.
Looking back as we ascend to the ridge.
Looking back as we ascend to the ridge.
Along the ridge, Peak 10535 is up there somewhere.
Along the ridge, Peak 10535 is up there somewhere.
Troy in the distance as we ascend the ridge.
Troy in the distance as we ascend the ridge.
Summit of Peak 10535, view toward Troy Peak. We'll be back here after getting Timber Mountain.
Summit of Peak 10535, view toward Troy Peak. We'll be back here after getting Timber Mountain.
Timber Mountain first. We'd be re-ascending back to Peak 10535.
Timber Mountain first. We'd be re-ascending back to Peak 10535.
Heading down from Peak 10535. Timber Mountain ahead.
Heading down from Peak 10535. Timber Mountain ahead.
View back toward Peak 10535 (left) and Troy Peak (right).
View back toward Peak 10535 (left) and Troy Peak (right).
Some light brush on the way up to Timber Mountain.
Some light brush on the way up to Timber Mountain.
Almost on the summit of Timber Mountain, view back.
Almost on the summit of Timber Mountain, view back.
Timber Mountain summit, view south toward part of our Grant Range Traverse.
Timber Mountain summit, view south toward part of our Grant Range Traverse.
On the way back to Peak 10535, an artsy shot of Troy Peak.
On the way back to Peak 10535, an artsy shot of Troy Peak.
Back on Peak 10535, onward to Troy Peak!
Back on Peak 10535, onward to Troy Peak!
Starting down the ridgeline.
Starting down the ridgeline.
View back toward Timber Mountain (left of center) and Peak 10535 (right of center).
View back toward Timber Mountain (left of center) and Peak 10535 (right of center).
Gorgeous spot before reaching the base of Troy Peak's northern rocky crest.
Gorgeous spot before reaching the base of Troy Peak's northern rocky crest.
At the rocky crest, we kept left and side-hilled below the cliffs.
At the rocky crest, we kept left and side-hilled below the cliffs.
Side-hilling along the standard route.
Side-hilling along the standard route.
The standard route continues descending, but Chris and I decided to head to the right and ascend the slopes (ultimately Class 3+ stuff).
The standard route continues descending, but Chris and I decided to head to the right and ascend the slopes (ultimately Class 3+ stuff).
Looking back the way we came after avoiding the start of Troy's Peak's rocky crest.
Looking back the way we came after avoiding the start of Troy's Peak's rocky crest.
Our alternative scramble route, starting with Class 2.
Our alternative scramble route, starting with Class 2.
Progressed to Class 3 slabs.
Progressed to Class 3 slabs.
Chris on the first Class 3 crux (easier than it looks).
Chris on the first Class 3 crux (easier than it looks).
Just past our Class 3, a Class 3+ crux.
Just past our Class 3, a Class 3+ crux.
Some easier Class 3, followed by some Class 2.
Some easier Class 3, followed by some Class 2.
Class 2 to Troy Peak. Not sure our alternative was more efficient than the standard route would have been, but it had its fun moments and we enjoyed ourselves.
Class 2 to Troy Peak. Not sure our alternative was more efficient than the standard route would have been, but it had its fun moments and we enjoyed ourselves.
Troy Peak, view north toward Timber Mountain.
Troy Peak, view north toward Timber Mountain.
Troy Peak, view south toward our traverse to come.
Troy Peak, view south toward our traverse to come.
View back toward Troy Peak and the impressive west cliff face.
View back toward Troy Peak and the impressive west cliff face.
Continuing along the ridge. White Pine Azimuth visible left of center.
Continuing along the ridge. White Pine Azimuth visible left of center.
View back toward Troy Peak.
View back toward Troy Peak.
Short Class 3 section to gain a hump before White Pine Azimuth.
Short Class 3 section to gain a hump before White Pine Azimuth.
More Class 3 to get over the hump before White Pine Azimuth.
More Class 3 to get over the hump before White Pine Azimuth.
View back toward Troy Peak as we make our way up to White Pine Azimuth.
View back toward Troy Peak as we make our way up to White Pine Azimuth.
Class 2/3 up to White Pine Azimuth, pictured ahead.
Class 2/3 up to White Pine Azimuth, pictured ahead.
View back down the Class 2/3 up to White Pine Azimuth.
View back down the Class 2/3 up to White Pine Azimuth.
The wannabe knife-edge (Class 2 with some light exposure) past White Pine Azimuth.
The wannabe knife-edge (Class 2 with some light exposure) past White Pine Azimuth.
A thin arch on the right. Keep to the notch just to the right of Chris to keep this section Class 2.
A thin arch on the right. Keep to the notch just to the right of Chris to keep this section Class 2.
We continued along the ridge for a while. There were a few obstacles like this, where the limestone cliff bands overlap, forming a short down-climb move here and there.
We continued along the ridge for a while. There were a few obstacles like this, where the limestone cliff bands overlap, forming a short down-climb move here and there.
Otherwise the traverse looks a lot like this. It's really pretty, lots of limestone slabs on a slant and occasional rocky sections.
Otherwise the traverse looks a lot like this. It's really pretty, lots of limestone slabs on a slant and occasional rocky sections.
View back along the crest.
View back along the crest.
We avoided the upcoming hump by keeping left.
We avoided the upcoming hump by keeping left.
We kept left, the one time I recommend leaving the ridge crest. Chris attempted to go up and over, bailing because it was scary.
We kept left, the one time I recommend leaving the ridge crest. Chris attempted to go up and over, bailing because it was scary.
Continuing along the ridge crest. Not pictured is what Chris called a fun Class 3 section by staying along the crest.
Continuing along the ridge crest. Not pictured is what Chris called a fun Class 3 section by staying along the crest.
A shot of the Class 3 section along the rim that I missed. Photo credit: Chris Kerth
A shot of the Class 3 section along the rim that I missed. Photo credit: Chris Kerth
Looking back at the Class 3 section I skipped that Chris did. I went down on the right in this photo and side-hilled on awful terrain. Just take the ridge, Chris liked it. Photo credit: Chris Kerth
Looking back at the Class 3 section I skipped that Chris did. I went down on the right in this photo and side-hilled on awful terrain. Just take the ridge, Chris liked it. Photo credit: Chris Kerth
View back along the crest. This is where I rejoined the ridge. It's a few feet past the previous photo that Chris took.
View back along the crest. This is where I rejoined the ridge. It's a few feet past the previous photo that Chris took.
Peak 11028 ahead.
Peak 11028 ahead.
View back as we ascend to Peak 11028, Troy Peak (or more accurately, White Pine Azimuth) visible distant center.
View back as we ascend to Peak 11028, Troy Peak (or more accurately, White Pine Azimuth) visible distant center.
Peak 11028 summit, view toward the 10ers we'd be doing next on the left.
Peak 11028 summit, view toward the 10ers we'd be doing next on the left.
Descending to the saddle of Peak 11028 and Peak 10460.
Descending to the saddle of Peak 11028 and Peak 10460.
Ascending to Peak 10460.
Ascending to Peak 10460.
View back toward Peak 11028.
View back toward Peak 11028.
Avoiding some rock outcrops (max Class 2) on the way up to Peak 10460.
Avoiding some rock outcrops (max Class 2) on the way up to Peak 10460.
Peak 10460 ahead on the left.
Peak 10460 ahead on the left.
Avoiding some rock outcrops on the right.
Avoiding some rock outcrops on the right.
View back toward Peak 11028 and Troy Peak.
View back toward Peak 11028 and Troy Peak.
Peak 10460 ahead.
Peak 10460 ahead.
Peak 10460 summit, view back along the ridge crest, Troy Peak poking out in the center.
Peak 10460 summit, view back along the ridge crest, Troy Peak poking out in the center.
Peak 10460 summit, view south to Peak 10292. On the right in this photo you can see a rocky band - do not go up it since it cliffs out. Keep to its left and follow the base of the cliff.
Peak 10460 summit, view south to Peak 10292. On the right in this photo you can see a rocky band - do not go up it since it cliffs out. Keep to its left and follow the base of the cliff.
Along the base of the band mentioned in the previous photo.
Along the base of the band mentioned in the previous photo.
Descending to Peak 10292.
Descending to Peak 10292.
View back toward Peak 10460 (center), and the rocky band we avoided on the far left.
View back toward Peak 10460 (center), and the rocky band we avoided on the far left.
Ascending to Peak 10292.
Ascending to Peak 10292.
View back from the summit of Peak 10292, Chris on the left. Peak 11028 is the distant hump left of center.
View back from the summit of Peak 10292, Chris on the left. Peak 11028 is the distant hump left of center.
Peak 10292 summit, view southeast.
Peak 10292 summit, view southeast.
Back along the ridge, avoiding the rocky band mentioned before. Peak 10460 visible center. We avoided it by side-hilling/bushwhacking beneath its cliffs.
Back along the ridge, avoiding the rocky band mentioned before. Peak 10460 visible center. We avoided it by side-hilling/bushwhacking beneath its cliffs.
It wasn't such a bad side-hill, and felt worth it over re-ascending the peak.
It wasn't such a bad side-hill, and felt worth it over re-ascending the peak.
Heading down the descent ridge from Peak 10460. The lighting was bad, so the photos aren't likely too helpful.
Heading down the descent ridge from Peak 10460. The lighting was bad, so the photos aren't likely too helpful.
The first of a few rock outcrops, requiring a steep Class 2 descent on its left, sticking to its base. Try to stay as close to the ridge crest as possible.
The first of a few rock outcrops, requiring a steep Class 2 descent on its left, sticking to its base. Try to stay as close to the ridge crest as possible.
More eroded stuff, but easy to weave around the outcrops and find a route. It was quite fun overall.
More eroded stuff, but easy to weave around the outcrops and find a route. It was quite fun overall.
View back toward Peak 10460 (center) and Peak 10292 (left).
View back toward Peak 10460 (center) and Peak 10292 (left).
Descending into Rimrock Canyon (right of center).
Descending into Rimrock Canyon (right of center).
View back up Rimrock Canyon.
View back up Rimrock Canyon.
We followed Rimrock Canyon to almost its mouth, leaving on the left to ascend slightly up to the car, which was north of the drainage.
We followed Rimrock Canyon to almost its mouth, leaving on the left to ascend slightly up to the car, which was north of the drainage.

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!