The Reno Gazette Journal reports that the Army is actually going to open 'the gate' to Mt. Grant for hikers:
http://www.rgj.com/story/life/outdoors/recreation/2015/04/21/mt-grant-hawthorne-army-depot-hiking-biking/26151065/
I was stationed at Marine Barricks Hawthorn, Nev. Navel Ammo plant. At that time it was a Navy base and Marines garuded the place. We trained other Marines on Mt. Grant. I seen some of the bigst mule deer I have ever seen.A little side note here. The Mineral Co. sheriffe was very mean to me. All of this was because the got me on radar doing 135 MPH in a 35 mile speed limit.
The town of Walker Lake has no public parking, and there is no parking lot at the gate. The hillbillies are hostile to tourists and chase them with their dogs. The gate at 4600 ft, 1500 feet after the end of the paved Cottonwood Drive, is part of a fence made of steel bars, that stretches down to the left into a steep canyon and is anchored to the right into the sheer vertical rocks. A barbed wire runs on top. The gate is locked. A bullet-riddled notice interdicts vehicle traffic. Nevertheless, they obviously expect people to conquer this obstacle somehow, because 1000 feet BEHIND the gate there is a kiosk that gives information about the wildlife and displays a detailed map of the trail system. A notice says that by entering this military area you implicitly consent to being searched upon demand by military personnel. No prior permit is required. The distance to the top at 11239 ft is 17 miles one way. The trail is an easy road that can be hiked year round.
That's some awesome commentary there. I suppose that parking at the public beach and hiking another mile or so won't add much to the total. Plus, my pal Mackenzie informs me that the real way to hike Mt. Grant is to start with your toes in Walker Lake. My reply has always been that starting at the El Cap coffee counter would be the final word in epic, where Grant is concerned.
Wanted to share this info cuz I couldn't find it anywhere as I planned to attend this year's Mt Grant Challenge...
Motels and empty parking lots aren't the only places to camp nearby! Just north of Cotton Wood Drive along Hwy 95, there are 3 BLM campgrounds: Twenty Mile Beach Campground, Tamarack Campground, Sportsmans Beach. Each is $6 per night, and each is a 10min drive to Cotton Wood Drive. They each have ample signage along Hwy 95. You can't miss them.
See Walker Lake in the Carson City District: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/recreation/camping.html
-A few comments on Mt Grant access. The only legitimate access to Mt Grant uses the road that goes through Hawthorne Army Ammunition Depot. To gain access the first step is to stop at the base visitor access office. Park just to the left (south) of the main entrance and go to the office. Then there are forms to fill out. After providing proof of identity the forms are fax'ed to Tobyhanna Army Depot and run through some sort of ID check. The process can take as little as an hour; I had to wait a day. Then one contacts the visitor office ahead of time to get the key to the gate. The office is only open Monday through Thursday but the key will be left with the gate guards for weekend access. Here is what I was sent on October 4, 2017:
-"Mt. Grant is now closed for the winter. Next year around middle of May call me at 775-945-7101 and I will let you know if Mt. Grant and Rose Creek are open.
Rose Creek has the cabin and you can stay there after you fill out a Rose Creek and Cabin application. There are no matches, lighters or flame producing items allowed. No alcohol or pets. When you decide you want to go up call me and we can over the application. There is no cost. If you want to fish you have to have a Nevada fishing license.
If you have any more questions please call me and we will get them cleared up and answered."
Dean - Jul 2, 2008 2:23 pm - Voted 10/10
Lapon Canyon roadNo longer driveable to Monarch Mine. Park at 7000 foot level and walk from there.
ScottyS - Jul 2, 2008 7:55 pm - Hasn't voted
OKCopy that, bearbnz should add it to his Route page.
yosemite4 - Apr 23, 2015 9:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Mt. Grant to open to hikersThe Reno Gazette Journal reports that the Army is actually going to open 'the gate' to Mt. Grant for hikers:
http://www.rgj.com/story/life/outdoors/recreation/2015/04/21/mt-grant-hawthorne-army-depot-hiking-biking/26151065/
Thanks Bob Sumner for the update.
hgrapid - Apr 24, 2015 1:48 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Mt. Grant to open to hikersI think this needs to be addressed on the Mount Grant page
sanpete - May 10, 2015 4:35 pm - Hasn't voted
Mt. Grant and MarinesI was stationed at Marine Barricks Hawthorn, Nev. Navel Ammo plant. At that time it was a Navy base and Marines garuded the place. We trained other Marines on Mt. Grant. I seen some of the bigst mule deer I have ever seen.A little side note here. The Mineral Co. sheriffe was very mean to me. All of this was because the got me on radar doing 135 MPH in a 35 mile speed limit.
Lynkeus - Dec 8, 2015 1:30 pm - Hasn't voted
Cottonwood TrailThe town of Walker Lake has no public parking, and there is no parking lot at the gate. The hillbillies are hostile to tourists and chase them with their dogs. The gate at 4600 ft, 1500 feet after the end of the paved Cottonwood Drive, is part of a fence made of steel bars, that stretches down to the left into a steep canyon and is anchored to the right into the sheer vertical rocks. A barbed wire runs on top. The gate is locked. A bullet-riddled notice interdicts vehicle traffic. Nevertheless, they obviously expect people to conquer this obstacle somehow, because 1000 feet BEHIND the gate there is a kiosk that gives information about the wildlife and displays a detailed map of the trail system. A notice says that by entering this military area you implicitly consent to being searched upon demand by military personnel. No prior permit is required. The distance to the top at 11239 ft is 17 miles one way. The trail is an easy road that can be hiked year round.
ScottyS - Dec 8, 2015 2:25 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Cottonwood TrailThat's some awesome commentary there. I suppose that parking at the public beach and hiking another mile or so won't add much to the total. Plus, my pal Mackenzie informs me that the real way to hike Mt. Grant is to start with your toes in Walker Lake. My reply has always been that starting at the El Cap coffee counter would be the final word in epic, where Grant is concerned.
pBerg - Sep 12, 2016 9:26 pm - Hasn't voted
nearby campingWanted to share this info cuz I couldn't find it anywhere as I planned to attend this year's Mt Grant Challenge...
Motels and empty parking lots aren't the only places to camp nearby! Just north of Cotton Wood Drive along Hwy 95, there are 3 BLM campgrounds: Twenty Mile Beach Campground, Tamarack Campground, Sportsmans Beach. Each is $6 per night, and each is a 10min drive to Cotton Wood Drive. They each have ample signage along Hwy 95. You can't miss them.
See Walker Lake in the Carson City District: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/recreation/camping.html
nvsmith - Oct 20, 2017 5:14 pm - Hasn't voted
Mt Grant Access-A few comments on Mt Grant access. The only legitimate access to Mt Grant uses the road that goes through Hawthorne Army Ammunition Depot. To gain access the first step is to stop at the base visitor access office. Park just to the left (south) of the main entrance and go to the office. Then there are forms to fill out. After providing proof of identity the forms are fax'ed to Tobyhanna Army Depot and run through some sort of ID check. The process can take as little as an hour; I had to wait a day. Then one contacts the visitor office ahead of time to get the key to the gate. The office is only open Monday through Thursday but the key will be left with the gate guards for weekend access. Here is what I was sent on October 4, 2017:
-"Mt. Grant is now closed for the winter. Next year around middle of May call me at 775-945-7101 and I will let you know if Mt. Grant and Rose Creek are open.
Rose Creek has the cabin and you can stay there after you fill out a Rose Creek and Cabin application. There are no matches, lighters or flame producing items allowed. No alcohol or pets. When you decide you want to go up call me and we can over the application. There is no cost. If you want to fish you have to have a Nevada fishing license.
If you have any more questions please call me and we will get them cleared up and answered."