Nopah Range

4-Apr-81

By: Jerry Keating

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Nopah (6,394') was climbed by Norm Rohn, Walt Whisman and Jerry Keating in 2 1/4 hours via a route that iS mentioned occasionally in the Summit register but that is not described in The Desert Sage for at least the past 13 years. Most DPS climbs Start at about 2200', 4 1/2 miles west of the peak from a north-South dirt road in the Chicago Valley. This approach requires miles of relatively flat walking and takes nearly four hours. The Shorter route is from about 3400' on a jeep road that ends in a major canyon immediately Southwest of the peak. It is Class 1 and goes northward to join the longer route at about 5100' on Nopah's broad Southwest ridge.

To reach the jeep road, continue South from the regular Starting point until you mee the jeep road taking off at a 90 degree angle. Another approach is as follows (See Lake Mead and Vicinity insert on the ACSC San Bernardino County map): Leave California 178 at the Signed Chicago Valley turnoff. Proceed SSW on the main graded road 2.3 mi1es, passing a settlement. Turn left at the junction, then immediately thereafter make a sharp left turn onto a lower-quality road. Proceed l.l mi.across the Chicago Valley to the N-S road mentioned in the other approach. Turn left (N) and go .3 mile, then turn right (E) onto the jeep road, which goes up a massive fan and into a canyon. The jeep road is quite rocky, and a high-clearance vehicle is needed to travel its 4.3-mile length.


Detailed information for visiting one or more peaks mentioned in this article can be found in the
Desert Peak Section Road and Peak Guides

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