Good Views From Summit

This was my second activation of Granite Mountain which is NW of McCall Idaho.  Although strenuous due to a consistently steep grade, the views from the summit are spectacular.  Granite Mountain has a twin summit.  The trail will take you to the south summit with the fire lookout tower.  This is not the SOTA summit, but is well worth a few extra steps to get the view off the south side.  After a quick visit to the fire lookout, turn back to the north and you will see the slightly higher SOTA summit a short distance away.

Like a 50 mile long sapphire snake, sparkling Lake Chelan dominates north central Washington State as a geological and recreational wonder.  The name Chelan is a Salish Indian word, "Tsi - Laan," meaning 'Deep Water'.   Ringed on both east and west sides by giant mountains leaping skyward steeply, the Lake Chelan Gorge is one of the deepest in the US.  With a water level of 1,100 feet, and Bonanza Peak topping out at 9,511 feet, there is vertical relief of 8,411 feet within 10 miles of Lake Chelan.  Our crowning objective on this SOTA outing was an un-Activated Pyramid Mountain, 8,243 feet high and a mere 3.16 miles from Lake Chelan.  This afforded the opportunity of gazing down 7,143 feet at the crystalline water reflecting the bright Eastern Washington summer sun.   Along the route are strung 3 other SOTA summits, none of which had been previously Activated.  The total trip was approximately 25 miles RT, with approximately 7,000 feet elevation gain, including ups and downs in between the various peaks.  This is report 1 of 4, Crow Hill.

Davis Mountain is a drive up summit if you have four wheel drive. Passed Oakridge on hiway 58 turn left on the Crescent Cutoff then go and turn left again to get on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. Near the Davis Lake campground turn right on to National Forest Road 62. Then proceed on Davis Mt Lookout Road to the summit. The road gets very narrow and technical at times. I made it in my Jeep Wrangler and think you should stick to a 4x4. At the summit, there is a large activation area.

The Loneman hike is long but rewarding.  The trail is 7.4 miles long with 3,900 feet of vertical elevation gain.  It is necessary to ford both the Middle Fork of the Flathead and Nyack Creek.  The hike is most feasible in August or September once streamflows have subsided and the NPS has had time to clear the trails.  Wading shoes and a trekking pole or a sturdy stick are advisable for the crossings.  The flow in the Middle Fork was about 2,300 cfs for our crossing, which was about hip deep for me (6’-2” tall).  The crossing would become quick

The Scalplock Lookout Trail is 4.7 miles and 3,100 vertical feet on a very nice trail that begins at the Walton Ranger Station near Essex, MT.  This is a less visited side of the Park.  No entrance fees are required and it is much less crowded than many other park trails.  The following link offers an excellent trail description:

http://enjoyyourparks.com/glacierparkscalplocklookout.html

Boulder Mountain is one of prominent mountains to the East of McCall Idaho.  It is just north of the very recognizable Jughandle Mountain.  Boulder Reservoir, Boulder lake and Louie Lake (at the base of Jughandle Mountain) are fairly popular summer day hikes in the McCall Area.  Boulder Mountain itself is probably rarely visited as it quite a bit farther than the popular lake destinations.

A nice hike through second growth forest will get you to the former fire lookout site on top of Stormy Mountain. You might consider activating Slide Peak, W7W/CH-202 as you'll be passing right by the trailhead for that summit.

A short, steep and rough climb will get you to the summit of Slide Peak.

W7M/CL-023 may be climbed easily climbed from the Scapegoat Plateau.  The approach is 17 to 21 miles – depending upon which route one chooses to access the plateau.  The southeast ridge of the mountain is a good approach and offers great views of the plateau.  The Plateau is prime grizzly bear habitat – so be “Bear Aware”!

Walk up the relatively gentle northwest ridge from the Scapegoat Plateau to attain the summit.   The approach is 17 to 21 miles – depending upon the route that one chooses to access the plateau.  The summit ridge has an interesting and fragile rock outcropping that is decaying to become talus.  The summit offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and the magnificent Scapegoat Plateau.  The Plateau is prime grizzly bear habitat and the grassy meadows at the base of this summit are a favorite foraging area – so be “Bear Aware”!