Scenic values are found at close range within the geologically interesting quartzite outcrops bordering the lower canyon which transition to van-colored limes on the barren summit. Plants and trees are awesome in their occurrence and variety: bristlecone pines appearing at only 7000 feet elevation; wildflower types which blew away our botany-trained participant; and early dates of the inscriptions carved on trail-side aspen by turn-of-the-century Basque sheepherders. We camped near the creek at an old sheepherder camp.
Summit views of the high neighboring peaks encouraged the promise to make future return visits. Wheeler Pk loomed darkly to the south but we chose to eat lunch while facing the sunlit view to the north. We hiked down to the plateau known as The Table and found that its golden color came from a profusion of flowers which were identified as buttercups.
I hope the above will clarify why I believe Mt Moriah would be a worthy DPS list addition. I seldom suggest peak additions but this one definitely meets the criteria. You should know in passing that my opinion calls for deleting one of the unworthy DPS peaks each time a new peak is added.
Take care,
A 3-hour ascent is from the west at a 4 WD road leading to the Wilderness boundary near The Table. John Hart in Hiking the Great Basin doesn't tell about this locally-known route: from the northernmost turn of Hwy 6 about 4 miles west of Sacramento pass, drive north on a graded road following the east side of Spring Valley. A cattle crossing comes up right away; drive 7 or 8 miles to the second cattle crossing. Turn east along the fenceline and follow a poor road up the main canyon (probably known as Deerhead Can). Park before reaching the wilderness boundary and hike to the summit which is within view. Dear Ron and other DPS members:
I return from our July 4 trip to Eastern Nevada filled anew with enthusiasm to recommend Mt. Moriah for inclusion on the DPS peaks list. This is one of the few 12,000 peaks in Nevada, high point of its own Mt. Moriah Wilderness (established in the 1989 Nevada Wilderness Act). This northern portion of the Snake Range is far enough from Great Basin National Park to form a most prominent massif of its own; yet from the summit there's an excellent view southward to Wheeler and Jeff Davis peaks. Eastward there's a good view into Utah, north to the Deep Creek range, and west to the Schell Creek Range. The steep rugged slopes of Mt. Moriah, dotted with fine stands of bristlecone and limber pine, make its summit a worthwhile goal. While it is possible (with a 4wd vehicle) to park close enough to achieve the summit as a day hike, the most attractive access route, from the south up the good Hendrys Creek trail, involves a pleasant 5 to 7 mile backpack in delightful lush canyon greenery, along a year-round stream. Then, a substantial dayhike for the peak ascent, which still allows time for a digression over to the unique geological feature of the "Moriah Table", a nearly flat plateau extending northward about 1000 feet below the summit. Altogether, this is a valuable summit for DPS members traveling in eastern Nevada.