Elevation: 6,244 ft
Prominence: 214
This peak is not in the book. Published December 2019
North Crater is Peak #6 of the Craters 10-Pack
North Crater is more of a rocky outcrop/hill than a crater. Given the off-trail prohibitions on its north side, the best access is via its south side in combination with a multi-peak scramble of Big Craters and Silent Cone. USGS Inferno Cone
The large summit cairn atop the high point of North Crater. Snow-clad Blizzard Mountain is in the distance. Livingston Douglas Photo
South Face/Southwest Ridge, Class 2
Access
Drive up the Craters of the Moon National Monument Loop Road to the parking pullout for the Inferno Cone “trail.” Park here (6,040 feet). This climb is part of a multi-peak endeavor that includes Big Craters, Silent Cone, North Crater, and Paisley Cone. This route is the next leg of a traverse from Silent Cone to North Crater.
The Climb
From the 6,070-foot saddle, briefly follow the North Crater Trail northward. Leave the trail to skirt around the northwest shoulder of Big Craters to reach the base of the southwest face of North Crater. Scramble up very loose lava gravel to reach the more stable terrain of the southwest ridge. Cruise up the easy southwest ridge on lava gravel to reach the rocky summit of North Crater. The expansive summit area has two cairns, one of which is on the high point. The high point is located on the west side of the south end of the summit plateau. It overlooks the steep west face of North Crater.
East Face, Class 2+
Access
Same as for the south face/southwest ridge. This route is the next leg of a traverse from North Crater to Paisley Cone.
The Descent
From the summit, descend east on gravel then grass/scrub then blocks of lava to reach the gentle gravel saddle at the base of the northwest ridge of Paisley Cone. This is the base of the east face of North Crater and concludes this leg of the journey.
Additional Resources