Class 2 11.6 miles 4100 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Apr 27, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Virgin Peak GPX Track

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Virgin Peak is visible from Interstate 15, and I've passed it countless times while traveling around the desert. It stands out only because its height, but it never felt super appealing because it just looked like a big green lump on the horizon. Finally, I made the effort out into Gold Butte National Monument and to the southern base of Virgin Peak. I turned left off Whitney Pass Road and this less-maintained dirt road (Black Mountain Road / Virgin Peak Road) became too tricky for my taste. I ended up parking very close to Whitney Pass Road, adding about 2 miles to my round-trip, but my stats and map in this trip report assume you can make it to the abandoned truck and an old corral. Some could go farther then even here, but it seemed unwise.

From the corral, I curved east into the major drainage, following the wash for a couple of miles until a a spur of the main south ridge of Virgin Peak protruded east. I took this to the main ridge, where there were some outstanding views of the area. Additionally, springtime made the whole area bright with colorful grasses and occasional wildflowers. The ridge slowly gained elevation and trees began to appear. The social trail was difficult to follow, but the route didn't involve any serious bushwhacking, and was overall pleasant if not a little straightforward for my taste. As you can see from the map, it's basically a straight walk up to the summit along the ridge. I encountered some simple Class 2 stuff toward the summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Virgin Peak
8071 ft
3183 rise

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Along the dirt road passing a corral.
Along the dirt road passing a corral.
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Image 2 from gallery
Entering the canyon south of Virgin Peak.
Entering the canyon south of Virgin Peak.
I guess some cars could make it farther through here, but mine was a few miles back.
I guess some cars could make it farther through here, but mine was a few miles back.
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The wash narrows for a short time and opens up again, nothing super remarkable.
The wash narrows for a short time and opens up again, nothing super remarkable.
Image 8 from gallery
I left the wash and headed up the ridge.
I left the wash and headed up the ridge.
Looking back down into the wash.
Looking back down into the wash.
Approaching the main ridgeline.
Approaching the main ridgeline.
Following the main ridgeline to Virgin Peak, center.
Following the main ridgeline to Virgin Peak, center.
Looking southwest toward Gold Butte National Monument.
Looking southwest toward Gold Butte National Monument.
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The ridge gets progressively more forested.
The ridge gets progressively more forested.
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Some minor bushwhacking, but nothing unpleasant.
Some minor bushwhacking, but nothing unpleasant.
Image 22 from gallery
Some minor Class 2 toward the summit.
Some minor Class 2 toward the summit.
Image 24 from gallery
Image 25 from gallery
Virgin Peak summit.
Virgin Peak summit.
Summit view looking southwest.
Summit view looking southwest.
Summit view looking northwest.
Summit view looking northwest.
Looking back at Virgin Peak as I drove out after getting done.
Looking back at Virgin Peak as I drove out after getting done.

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!