Duckwater Peak is another secondary peak in the White Pine Range in Eastern Central Nevada. It makes a good second peak to climb along with Currant Mountain, the highest peak here. Very few people ever visit this peak, as evidenced by the register. There are no trails. It is a steep, class 1-2 summit, and the traverse from Currant Mountain can entail one point of class 3, knife-edge, scrambling. An endangered species of flower grows only up here, and I believe I saw a poor specimen.

Getting There

From Ely, NV, take Highway 6 southward, roughly 30 miles. Take the good dirt road to the White River campground. The road continues past the campground, and gets worse. It becomes a high clearance, 4WD type road, as it gets close to the base of the range. Head northeast (right) at a junction, to park at any likely spot below the forested peak. The track was drivable, although overgrown, at the time of my visit.

Once you determine the location of the summit, hike up the steep, loose slopes west to the main ridge. It will be about 2,500 to 3,000 feet of gain, all up. You may come to class 2 sections, but as you reach the summit ridge, the hiking gets nicer. It looks easiest to head for the lowest saddle to the south of Duckwater Peak, then to turn north on the ridge and shortly gain the summit.

From Currant Mountain, you must downclimb, from the Currant summit, on scree to the west, then sidehill for about a half-mile north, along continuously angled, loose, rubbly, slopes. Head for the lower part of the north ridge of Currant. Some high rock crags prevent a direct traverse. Regain the ridge, and follow it north toward Duckwater. There are some slight ups-and-downs, with even a class 3 knife-edge to climb along (this can be avoided with a slight loss of elevation). Continue along rocky terrain with scenic snags and the forested slopes, to the top. You can pick and choose what descent route you'll take down east back to the dirt track along the base of this range. Going down at a low saddle, south of Duckwater, looks the least steep and easiest. It is not good, fast, scree to run, so allow some time.

The best detailed description is contained in the classic guide, Hiking the Great Basin, by John Hart.

Red Tape

No permits, fees, or passes required. This is National Forest Wilderness, all highly primitive, undeveloped land.

When To Climb

Summer seems to be the best time. Some avy tracks can be seen, so with the potential extreme cold and snow, the difficulties add up in winter.

Camping

The White River campground is located along the eastern approach road. This is not a good climb for backpacking. Once you start the climb, there is no water, aside from any residual snow. The only flat spots would be way up on top of the main range crest.

There is food, lodging, and services in Ely, NV.

Mountain Conditions

Please contact the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest for conditions.