Haystack Peak

Haystack Peak is the second-highest summit in the Deep Creek Mountains which are a subset of the Great Basin Ranges, and it is set on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The Dugway Proving Ground is northeast of the peak and line parent Ibapah Peak is 1.5 mile to the southwest. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 6,800 feet (2,100 meters) in six miles, and the west aspect rises over 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in two miles. Bristlecone pine can be found on the peak's slopes, as well as spruce, fir, and aspen.^[7] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's west slope drains into Sams Creek, the northwest slope drains into Indian Farm Creek, and the south slope is drained by Red Cedar Creek. This landform's toponym was officially adopted in 1974 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.^[2]

Haystack Peak is set in the Great Basin Desert which has hot summers and cold winters.^[8] The desert is an example of a cold desert climate as the desert's elevation makes temperatures cooler than lower elevation deserts. Due to the high elevation and aridity, temperatures drop sharply after sunset. Summer nights are comfortably cool. Winter highs are generally above freezing, and winter nights are bitterly cold, with temperatures often dropping well below freezing. Alpine climate characterizes the summit and highest slopes.^[7]