Quinn Peak

Quinn Peak ranks No. 62 among the Lower 48 Top 100 prominence peaks in the Prominence Registry, rising 9,098 feet in the Jackson Mountains of northwestern Nevada with 4,850 feet of clean prominence. It is the highest point in the Jackson Mountains and the most topographically prominent summit in Humboldt County, ranking tenth among Nevada's most prominent peaks. Most parties climb via the Redbird Mine Road route for about 2.2 to 2.6 miles round-trip with roughly 1,200 to 1,400 feet of gain on Class 1–2 terrain. No permit or fee is required.

The peak rises in a remote, little-visited range roughly 56 miles west of Winnemucca. The summit sits between the North and South Jackson Mountains Wilderness areas but falls outside both boundaries, likely a result of historic mining claims on the upper mountain.

A summit register dated October 8, 1988 records the unofficial name "Dan Dobbins Peak," honoring a young Sierra Club Mother Lode Chapter climber killed in a vehicle accident in 1978. The Jackson Mountains are a rugged mix of sedimentary, metamorphic, igneous, and volcanic rock, rising sharply between the Black Rock Desert to the west and Desert Valley to the east, with the Quinn River and Nevada Highway 140 marking the range's northern edge.

Redbird Mine Road Route

The standard route follows old mining roads on the west side of the peak, built for the historic Redbird Mine, to a high shoulder below the summit, then finishes with an open cross-country climb. Depending on where the road allows parking near the mine, between about 7,300 and 8,000 feet, a road climbs south with little initial elevation gain before curving around a spur and switchbacking upward. Above the mine workings, the road narrows to a rough track before giving way to open slopes of grass, talus, and boulders leading to the summit ridge. The upper slopes are mostly Class 1, with occasional Class 2 movement through talus and boulders, and minimal exposure. Most trip reports put the round trip from parking near the mine at 2.2 to 2.6 miles, with roughly 1,200 to 1,400 feet of gain depending on exact parking elevation. A longer, less common alternative starts at the 6,038-foot saddle where the mine road begins, running closer to 12 miles round trip with about 3,200 feet of gain.

The historic Redbird Mine dominates the upper mountain, with an old adit, rail remnants, and several collapsed or boarded structures along the road. Stay out of all mine shafts and structures regardless of posted signage. Loose scree near old excavation areas can roll like ball bearings over hard ground; stick to the old road and the grassier slopes near the summit to avoid the worst of it. Cattle graze the approach and are common on the upper mine road. Drive slowly and give them time to move; on narrow, cliff-edge stretches, waiting is safer than trying to squeeze past.

From Winnemucca, take U.S. 95 north to Nevada Highway 140, then turn south onto Bottle Creek Road at approximately mile marker 26. The first several miles are paved; pavement ends at a cattle guard, after which the road is well-graded gravel suitable for any street-legal vehicle. Continue on Bottle Creek Road for about 20 miles through a mix of ranch land and public ground. The route passes Bottle Creek, Alexander, and Trout Creek ranches. One section is signed "Private property, thru road only"; remain on the road through this area. At roughly mile 25, turn right onto Trout Creek Road and follow it to a saddle at approximately 6,038 feet, where a rougher road climbs south toward the historic Redbird Mine. High clearance is recommended beyond the saddle. The mine road itself is generally well built, but conditions can change with erosion, snow, and maintenance. Parking and camping are available near the mine, roughly 30 miles from NV-140. Snow typically blocks the upper road from late fall through spring, with late May the earliest practical start. An alternate, longer approach reaches the same saddle from the north via Leonard Creek Road and Jackson Creek Ranch Road off NV-140, avoiding the Bottle Creek Road private-property section but adding driving distance.

Key Landmarks

• Bottle Creek Road / Trout Creek Road junction — turn toward the Redbird Mine approach
• 6,038 ft saddle — start of the rougher mine road; alternate long-approach trailhead
• Redbird Mine area (~7,300–8,000 ft) — standard parking; historic mine workings; stay out of shafts and structures
• Summit ridge / summit (9,098 ft) — open Class 1–2 grass, talus, and boulder slopes

Quinn Peak is Class 1–2 with minimal exposure on the upper slopes. The summit and upper mountain are fully exposed; check the forecast before leaving the trailhead and avoid the ridge when thunderstorms or unstable weather are expected—storms can build quickly over the surrounding ranges. Stay out of all mine shafts and structures. Loose scree near old excavation areas can be hazardous underfoot. Cattle commonly graze the approach and upper mine road. Late May through October is the practical season; snow typically blocks the upper road from late fall through spring. High clearance is recommended beyond the 6,038-foot saddle. Carry substantial water; services are distant.