Ready for fun scrambles, challenging hikes, and breathtaking views from North America’s second-tallest sheer cliff face? Notch Peak is a towering desert limestone monolith offering an exhilarating all-day experience you won’t forget. Whether you choose to admire it from below or conquer the peak and take in the view from above, this destination will not disappoint.
So grab your water, lace up your hiking boots, and prepare for a thrill!
A Little About Notch Peak
Notch Peak is a distinctive summit nearly 3,000 feet tall, located on Sawtooth Mountain in the House Range west of Delta, Utah — part of the Notch Peak Wilderness Study Area. This awe-inspiring cliff towers approximately 9,725 feet above sea level, surrounded by 3,000-year-old bristlecone pines on its ridges. These gnarly trees twist out of the rock toward the sun, spreading across the slope, and are thought to be some of the oldest living things on Earth!
Due to its proud grandeur and impressive height, visitors affectionately refer to Notch Peak as the desert equivalent of Yosemite’s El Capitan. It offers solitude and some of the most spectacular views of Utah’s Great Basin and parts of Nevada. Even if you’re not ready to hike to the top, there’s still a lot to love from the trail below, ensuring everyone can enjoy the experience.
How to Get There
GPS COORDINATES:
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39.1277° N, 113.3629° W |
Notch Peak is located approximately 44 miles southwest of Delta. To get there from Delta:
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Head west on Delta Main Street/US-50/6. Proceed for approximately 36 miles. |
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Turn right and follow the gravel road for ~4.5 miles until you reach a four-way intersection. |
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Turn left and drive for 1.26 miles and turn right. |
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Continue for around 5.13 miles until you reach the OHV trailhead with a restroom and pavilion. |
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Turn left and continue on for 3.2 miles to the Hell’n Moriah trailhead or another 0.3 miles to the Notch Peak trailhead. |
If you simply want to drive around Notch Peak:
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Take the loop of maintained gravel road 52 miles west of Delta by turning right off of US Highway 6 & 50. The 50-mile loop circles around peaks in the rugged House Range to Painter Springs and offers the most amazing view of Notch Peak from the valley, allowing you to see the true majesty of this magnificent peak. |
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Follow Tule Valley road northward to Dome Canyon Pass, also known as Death Canyon. Go through the pass. |
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Head south around the eastern side of the range and back to the Highway. |
The loop will take at least 2 hours of traveling, plus any time you want to spend sightseeing.
What to expect & how to prepare
Notch Peak is about a 7-mile round trip from the trailhead off of Sawtooth Canyon. The hike is moderately challenging overall, but the final quarter mile to the top is relatively steep and difficult. Plan on an all-day hike.
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What to bring: Bring sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water, as there are no water sources along the trail. Some hikers say sections of the trail are often overgrown and require long pants as well as sturdy hiking shoes due to gravel and loose rocks. When visiting Hell’n Moriah, you’ll also need an extra spare tire or a tire repair kit, as the roads can be rocky. We recommend taking a high-clearance or 4WD vehicle. |
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What to do: If hiking isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty to do. With a pair of binoculars and a camping chair, you can enjoy a day of bird-watching along the trail. Some people also enjoy the easy scrambles along the path or will bring gear for rock climbing. There’s even a slot canyon trail on the south side of the road before you reach the Notch Peak trailhead. Hell’n Moriah is a two-mile hike into the slot canyon and is best for experienced climbers with good shoes, gloves, and rope. |
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Dog-friendly: Dogs are welcome. There are some areas where they may even be permitted off-leash. |
Best Time to Visit
Notch Peak and Hell’n Moriah are best hiked in March through October, mainly in the spring and fall when temperatures are moderate and foot traffic is lighter. Hiking Notch Peak in the heat of summer brings greater risk, so proceed with caution and prepare well.
