Deep Creek and Sheeprock Mountains

Anyone got any experience in either of these mountains? I am looking for info on access, places to camp, water sources, known routes or areas with potential, or even just trail info on summiting.

I have an itch to explore some lesser knowns in the northern part of the West Desert this fall but I am finding the interwebs to be lacking info on these obscure places.

I do not believe that either are covered in James Garrett's book based off the cover, but I do not own the book yet.

Thanks,
Ken

For the Sheeprocks- approach from the south via Joes Canyon. You have to go through a few range gates which shouldn't be locked- but should be closed. The granite is on USFS land (if I remember correctly) but you might have to cross private. But I was told(?) it's a public access route to the Forest. Granite is a bit gritty similar to White Rocks or the Minerals.

I've hiked around the Deep Creeks some. Beautiful place, but the rock is terrible quality - and I am really choss tolerant. Every crag I hiked up to seems like you could reduce the cliffs to gravel before anything would clean up. Very beautiful and remote though - especially recommended if you drive there via the long dirt road on the south side of the Dugway Proving Grounds.

Hard to Beat canyon in the southern end of the Sheep Rocks looks like it has some largish (200-300 feet) granite domes. I think the bottom of the canyon is blocked by private property so you may have to access it from the east side near the town of Vernon.

I am doing my masters research in the Deep Creeks and have have done a little exploring. Indian Farm Creek Canyon (Granite Canyon) has some old mixed lines but the rock isn't the best. Some of the canyons to the north have potential but you need higher clearance 4wd (Subaru's won't make it) to access.

Bouldering: There are boulders in IFCC and Toms Canyon that are awesome, but gotta search them out and then its hit or miss with quality. If you're interested in developing let me know as I have a couple ideas I'd like to pursue the next time I'm out there.

Attached is a picture of the west face of Red Pine Peak which is on the northern end of the Sheeprocks as seen from Erickson Pass Road. There is a limestone cliff band that runs from bottom left to top right for a LONG way. The rock is steep and sharp but likely decent climbing or a place to dry tool without pissing anyone off. Access is best from Log Canyon road with a high clearance 2wd (if it's dry) vehicle.

Earl, Brandon and I have been up Hard to Beat Canyon and the rock on the outskirts of the canyon is good--kind of like the City--but the big formations up canyon are like stacked potato chips. It is also on private property and the owners aren't especially friendly.

Joe's is badass, but same thing, keep a low profile. I've chatted up BLM rangers out here and private property owners cannot block access to public lands on roads that run through their property--but that doesn't mean they agree and this area is pretty remote...

Lastly, if you continue south on Erickson Pass Road towards Delta and straight over Desert Mountain, there are a few bolted lines (look for neon green tat) right at the pass. To the west end of the range, there are some decent areas to boulder/easy solo terrain.

Post up or PM if you're heading out this way.

I climbed a few routes out at Desert Mtn while I was working for the BLM at Little Sahara roughly 10 years ago. Nothing amazing. The rock is coarse flaky granite. I can't remember the details very well and have no ideas on ratings (nothing very hard), but if your interested I tried to show where they are at on a google earth image. Be warned that the anchors I placed were whatever I could find at the hardware store and hand drilled so sometimes it's a single rap anchor.

Also, I never climbed anything there, but the granite on the Sheeprocks seemed better quality. The best access I found was through the private on the south side like the others have said.

As your driving the Weiss highway keep an eye out for what we called the the Big Ass Boulder. It a large quartzite boulder with some fun easy highballs on the north side.

I have been out to the Deep Creeks a couple of times scouting and found what seems to be good rock. I would love to head out there with others that are interested in the area to see what we can find. I heard that indian farm canyon has a really good 5.9 in it. A lot of the rock I have seen looks really fun. Not too much choss. I would be up for looking at other areas as well. i took my FJ into the top of Indian Farm Canyon but have yet to explore the bottom of it. There are several canyons full of granite out in the deep creeks. Like I said i would love to go out here exploring more.
Dallen

i am interested in exploring deep creek were is it so i can get a better idea i am in boise id

jt

Does anyone have any more info on Joes Canyon out here in the sheep rock mountains? wanting to do some hiking and it looks super cool on google earth but dont want to drive out here for no reason and have a gate lock me out:/