This is the best access for winter because it's lower elevation and south slopes.
North of Delta on highway 6, go west on highway 174 (Brush Highway). Just past the last power plant is a signed turn for Desert Mountain. Take this wide graded gravel road north until you are no longer in the flat lands. Just before hitting Desert Mountain Pass is a spur road on the left traversing below the south slopes of Desert Mountain. Park anywhere on the south side.

Desert Mountain is the name of a range of peaks north of Delta and south of the Sheeprock Mountains. There are 9 peaks with over 300 feet of prominence, the highest with 1270 feet of prominence and the most sought after summit in the group. There are many routes up from class 2 through 5. This range is a great place to go in the winter when you are tired of snowshoeing and want to see the desert in a more dramatic landscape scene. Peakbaggers will be tempted to climb the eastern peak. If you like a rock scramble, be sure to check out my trip report for peak 6,022 (The Minaret), just south of here.

Desert Peak and East Desert Peak

Distance: Under one mile each
Elevation Gain: 1,080 & 700 feet
Summit Elevation: 6,480 & 6,157 feet
Access: Most Vehicles

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Access:

Route:

Several draws on the south side lead to the summit area. My route took the most eastern and forced me over into a larger one to the west at 5900 feet. At the top of this draw, an easy traverse below some rock cliffs on the ridge led me to the final ridge climb that is rock free, easy walking. On the summit, I could hear coyotes on both sides of the mountain. The clouds parted just before the summit for the amazing view.

East Desert Peak
Access: For East Desert Peak look for the spur road shown on the map
Route: It's an easy climb up any of the south slopes. Easiest is to head to the pass west of the summit, then up the ridge.