Find Nearby Peaks

This peak is not in the book. This peak can be climbed as part of a three-peak traverse described at the following link: The Giveout Triple Play. Published November 2019

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Peak 7638 sits above Whiskey Flat and is on a ridge that parallels Crow Creek Road. FSR-801 (a narrow, badly rutted jeep road only suitable for ATVs) runs the entire length of this ridge. The easiest ascent route is via FSR-801 from either the north or the south. You can ride an ATV (or MC or bike) all the way to the top. The two routes described below are more challenging, non-standard routes that begin from Crow Creek Road to the west. USGS Meade Peak

West Ridge, Class 2

Access

This ascent is part of a multi-peak day that includes Shale Point (7,740 feet), Peak 7765 and Peak 7638. From the base of the north ridge of Peak 7765, follow a cattle trail east through a marshy area to reach a good jeep road (FSR-114). Hike along FSR-114 as it winds its way east to reach a junction with FSR-111/Crow Creek Road at an area called Whiskey Flat. The elevation at this junction is 6,920 feet. This is where the climb begins.

The Climb

Peak 7638 is not visible from this road junction because of an intervening hump (Point 7600+) that sits about ¼ mile west of Peak 7638. Leave Crow Creek Road at the road junction with FSR-114 in Whiskey Flat and bushwhack southeast up through thick sagebrush to quickly reach the west ridge. The sagebrush here is tall and requires a lot of weaving to make progress. Follow the brushy ridge northeast as it splits two obvious gullies. The ridge doglegs left/north then right/east to circumvent the gully to the right and allow access to the summit ridge.

The ridge now heads steeply east and is a tedious climb through thick brush and sage. You will find a deer trail near the ridge crest to help you make any headway here. Higher up, the terrain finally opens up as the slope eases considerably. You reach a false summit (Point 7600+) and will probably think that this is the top but it’s not. You still have ¼ mile to go and it’s not an easy route from here. From here, bushwhack east down through a punishing section of thick aspens to cross a gully and reach a cattle fence and road (FSR-801) to the right/southeast. In retrospect, I should have simply gone southeast from Point 7600+ to intercept the cattle fence/road and NOT bushwhacked through the awful aspens.

Once on FSR-801, cruise to the semi-open summit of Peak 7638. It offers a mix of open gravel/scree and thick sagebrush. There is no summit cairn on top so walk around the relatively small summit cap to satisfy yourself that you have stood on the high point. The views from this summit are impressive.

South Shoulder, Class 2

Access

Same as for the west ridge. This ridge descent is part of a multi-peak journey that begins and ends on Crow Creek Road at a junction in Snowslide Canyon.

The Descent

From the summit, follow FSR-801 southwest to re-join the fence row. Leave the road where the road heads left/south and the fence row continues southwest along the ridge crest. Continue to follow the left/southeast side of the cattle fence until it takes a sharp right/west turn and leaves the ridge to follow a shoulder descending west to the valley floor and Crow Creek Road.

From this departure point, follow the narrow ridge of nettlesome sagebrush to reach a final descent point which drops you down to a flat meadow alongside Crow Creek Road just north of the Giveout Historical Site/Monument. This final drop off the ridge is particularly thick with sagebrush. Head in a southwest direction for this final bushwhack. You will be greatly relieved to be back on Crow Creek Road. This is the base of the south shoulder. Walk south down Crow Creek Road for about 1-1/2 miles to return to the parking pullout near the junction of Crow Creek Road and FSR-801.