Having hiked 2.5 miles to a saddle you might as well activate both close summits to the north and south, W7I/IC-139 & 167. These summits require a bit of somewhat steep scramble through open subalpine vegetation and open ground after the trail hike. Views from each summit are similar and overlook undeveloped wild forest area and the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness.
Shady Trail
Peak 7342, MT | June, 2020
1.6 mi, +1,300 feet, -40 feet
This is an easy off-trail hike. There are likely nice views from the summit, but it was socked in when I was there, so I can’t say for sure.
Idaho - Savage Ridge 24August2018
A gentle pitch trail terminates at Savage Ridge. Of interest to hams might be the Natural Resources and Conservation Service Snotel Site near the trail head. This is snow water content and weather measuring station is complete with snow pillows and a 40-50Mhz meteor burst telemetry station/antenna.
Idaho - Eagle Cliff 12July2018
The hike to Eagle Cliff on Stateline National Recreation Trail #738 has many scenic views along the route including alpine cirque basins and alpine lakes, Cliff and Diamond, and some small unnamed lakes. Wildlife encountered along the trail were mule deer, several dusky grouse and a family of Clark’s nutcrackers.
Idaho - Illinois Peak 10July2018
A steep trail climb breaks onto an open grassland with scattered Rocky Mountain subalpine fir makes this summit a great operating position. Located on the Idaho/Montana border it has panoramic views of the regrown forest after the great burn of 1910. Early season wildflowers can be abundant including glacier lilies, buttercups and western pasqueflowers.
Montana - Blackrock Peak 5July2018
Blackrock Peak is named for the dark gray to black lichens growing on the summit boulder field. The rock itself is mostly light tan-colored and from a distance the dark lichen patterns appear like large stationary cloud shadows draped over the summit and adjoining ridges.
Peak 6730, MT| June, 2020
2.8 mi, +1,200 feet, -200 feet
The hike to this summit is off-trail through a thick lodgepole and fir forest. Although the undergrowth is only calf high, there is a moderate amount of deadfall through most of the hike, which makes for slower going.
Peak 7497, MT| May, 2020
4.8 mi, +1,870 feet, -600 feet
This is a nice hike on a good trail with great views – particularly of the Red Mountain & Caribou Mountain regions of the Scapegoat Wilderness. This hike is close enough to the Scapegoat Wilderness that it is prudent to be Bear-Aware.
Peak 2382, OR May 2020
Should you want to do this peak, here us the short version. Note that the long version is a cautionary tale.
Get yourself to Henry Hagg lake. Proceed around the lake until you find Scoggins Valley Road. Turn west here and proceed up the road. Note that you bear left almost immediately to stay on Scoggins Valley Road. After about two miles you will come to a gate. There is parking within sight of the gate.
Mount Teneriffe, Washington | May 2020
The hike up Mount Teneriffe is not an easy one - in my opinion, it's the most strenuous summit one can find for 4 points. There are 2 main routes to the summit; the new trail / road walk, which is about 13+ miles round trip, or, the more direct route; Kamikaze Falls then up Serendepity Ridge. I've done both routes multiple times - I prefer the much shorter Kamikaze Falls / Serendepity Ridge as it's only about 7.5 miles round trip. As this route is about half the length of the new trail / road walk, it's obviously steeper - really steep!