Elevation: 5,270 ft
Prominence: 80
This high point is not in the book. Published October 2025
China Cup Butte WSA HP is a minor hump that is located northeast of Antelope Butte in a remote area of the Snake River Plain. It is easily reached on decent BLM roads. For a hump with only 80 feet of prominence, it is an impressive sight to see. The hidden crater is a real surprise. USGS Sunset Lake
The steep south face of China Cup Butte WSA HP as viewed from the road junction (start of climb). Livingston Douglas Photo
Access
Same as for Antelope Butte. From the final road junction, reset your odometer and drive north then northeast up a 2-track road that has a few ups and downs and some rocky spots. You should have a 4WD vehicle with good tires for this road. At 2.1 miles, go right at an unsigned junction. At 3.2 miles, park at a road junction on a bluff. A steep, unmapped 2-track road heads north up onto the crater rim of China Cup Butte WSA HP. I do not advise attempting to drive it. The parking spot on the bluff is at 5,205 feet; 43°16’14”N, 113°04’54”W].
South Face/Crater Rim, Class 2
The Climb
From the bluff, drop slightly (15 feet) to cross a dry gully on a 2-track and then follow the 2-track as it climbs STEEPLY north up the south face to reach the crater rim. Head right/east to the southeast summit (the official LOJ high point), which has a summit cairn. Continue all the way around the crater rim (on mostly easy short grass and scrub) counter-clockwise. Contrary to LOJ, the rocks on the northeast side of the crater rim seem to be the actual high point.
The crater of China Cup Butte WSA HP as viewed from the south rim. The high point of this peak is the rocky outcrop in the middle. Livingston Douglas Photo
The rocky high point of China Cup Butte WSA HP on the northeast crater rim. Livingston Douglas Photo
Additional Resources