September

I found a great base camp alongside the Salmon River, just south of Stanley Idaho. I was able to find several adventurous hikes in the vicinity of Sawtooth Valley, Idaho

As I slowly wrap up Year #4, I am revising my “plans” when it comes to visiting a place I have seen before. The list of “Places I Would Visit Again” is growing!

Horton Peak Ridge “Variation” (Idaho): Round-trip ~ 9.71 miles, elevation gain ~ 3,320 ft.

Horton Peak stands at 9,896 ft at the southeast end of Sawtooth Valley. Named for Forest Service ranger William H. Horton, it features a historic fire lookout built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938. The hike passes through forest and alpine meadows, leading to a ridge with views of the Sawtooth Range and White Clouds. The lookout is a reminder of early efforts to monitor wildfires in Idaho’s rugged backcountry.

Source: Wikipedia – Horton Peak

Blackman Peak- Attempt on Patterson Peak (Idaho): Dogleg ~ 6.16 miles, elevation gain ~ 2,116 ft.

Blackman Peak reaches over 10,300 ft in the White Cloud Mountains of central Idaho. Named after George Blackmon, a freed slave and early miner, the peak sits in a remote area of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The hike passes rugged ridges and glacial basins, offering wide views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It’s a quieter alternative to the more popular Sawtooth trails.

Sources: Wikipedia – Blackmon Peak | SummitPost – Blackman Peak

I attempted Patterson Peak, but decided the push through large scree and boulders was a bit sketchy, especially solo. Good for me, i need to work on “Summit Fever”…

Galena Peak (Idaho): Out & back ~ 4.6 miles, elevation gain ~ 3,530 ft.

At 11,167 ft, Galena Peak is a prominent summit in the Boulder Mountains. Its name comes from the mineral galena, historically mined in the area. The trail climbs through meadows and rocky ridges, with views of the Sawtooths, White Clouds, and Smoky Mountains. The hike is steep but rewarding and less crowded than nearby Sun Valley routes.

Sources: Wikipedia – Galena Peak | Explorumentary Blog