Find Nearby Peaks

This peak is not in the book. Published November 2022

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Peak 8540 is a rarely-visited summit that is located due west of Mormon Hill. It sits atop a long ridgeline that connects it with Garfield Mountain and Bell Rock. It is most easily climbed via its east face from the Mormon Hill trailhead. USGS Star Hope Mine

Access

Same as for Bell Rock. This is the final leg of a 3-peak adventure that begins at the Mormon Hill trailhead.

South Ridge, Class 2

The Climb

From the 8,260-foot saddle on the south ridge (where the horse trail crosses the ridge crest), scramble northwest then north along the rocky, undulating ridge. Cross a few ridge points then drop to a ridge saddle at 8,260 feet. From this final saddle, scramble north-northwest then north to the high point of Peak 8540.

East Face, Class 2

The Descent

From the summit, descend east on a ridge toward a flat area (lots of sagebrush to battle here). Skirt its right/south side and descend a sagebrush slope into a forested gully. Follow that gully left/east, mostly on a shoulder on its right/south side, until the gully disappears. Bushwhack east down an easy forested shoulder and intercept the horse trail just before it reaches the SNOTEL site and the trailhead parking area.