Meeker Peak

Overview

Meeker Peak is an impressive limestone fortress rising nearly 4,000 feet above the valley floor. It belongs to the Worthington Range, far out in the empty stretches of south-central Nevada. Its numerous cliffs and canyons offer a route-finding challenge when approached from any direction and while it doesn’t appear on prominence or highpoint lists, it’s quite a rewarding climb. Reaching the summit requires at minimum extensive class II-III scrambling and good routefinding skills. There are no trails out here, but thankfully, vegetation is sparse. Many possible routes up the mountain lead to class IV scrambling or harder.

An additional feature of Meeker Peak is Leviathan Cave, found on the northwest flank of the mountain. This cave has received recognition as a national geologic landmark and has its own register inside the entrance. Descending the ~20 foot ledge into and out of the cave requires a class V scramble or the assistance of a rope. There may be a rope already in place however at the entrance. Once inside, the cave splits into several directions with short, dark passages. Bring good lights. There are speleothems in some of the passages. Although small, please don’t disturb these formations!

Getting There

Described here are directions to reach the west side of Meeker Peak. To access the east side, see the External Links below.

Roads to Meeker Peak are, for the most part, 2wd low clearance accessible. However, a 4wd/awd will get you across sandy 2-tracks and can cut off 1 or 2 miles of cross country trekking.

Access to the Worthington Mountains is best made from Highway 375, the “Extraterrestrial Highway”. Approximately 1.5 miles east of Rachel, turn left onto an unsigned gravel road. This gravel road has a stopsign and is used primarily to access to an adjacent sand-pit. If you pass this turn off, you will see the sand pit on the north side of the highway.
The gravel road immediately forks, stay left and drive 3 miles to another Y. Stay left and head north past some old cabins.
Drive another 9 miles north (12 miles from Hwy 375), keeping on the main track until you come to a Y near an old corral and a rusty water tank. Take the right fork.
Drive 1.25 miles on this deteriorating track and park at the next intersection.

If you have good traction in sand, continue on by taking the right fork and following the old roads closer to the mountain. Park wherever, nobody’s going to bother you. Despite the open terrain, please stay on existing tracks.

Mountain Conditions

Weather is cooler than the Mojave Desert to the south, but hotter than the Great Basin further north.

The link below gives a weather forecast for the Meeker Peak area, although it says Las Vegas…

Meeker Peak area weather

The land is administered by the Ely District BLM, Caliente Field Office

US Highway 93, Building 1
PO Box 237
Caliente NV 89008
775-726-8100 7:30 am - 4:15 pm M-F

Topo: Worthington Peak SW, Meeker Peak

Red Tape

No permits, passes etc. just wild, open Nevada!

However, the Worthington Mountains are a federal Wilderness Area where Leave No Trace ethics apply. Please do your best to minimize your impact and keep the area trash free. Collecting fossils, crystals or other artifacts is discouraged in the wilderness and it’s illegal to do so inside Leviathan Cave.

Camping

There are no designated campgrounds or services within reasonable distance. The valleys surrounding Meeker Peak are all public BLM land however. Bring your water.

External Links

Wilderness Brochure

Another Wilderness description

Describes getting to Leviathan cave from the east slope

A trip description to Leviathan Cave

Images

View Meeker Peak Image Gallery - 17 Images