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8096 Hits
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79.78% Score
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11 Votes
Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon:
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43.87466°N / 115.07845°W |
County:
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Elmore |
Activities:
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Hiking, Scrambling |
Season:
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Summer, Fall |
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Elevation:
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9608 ft / 2929 m |
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Overview
Location: Extreme Southwestern Sawtooths, near the tiny town of Atlanta
Nearby Peaks: Greylock Mountain, Nahneke Mountain, Flat Top Mountain, Scenic Peak
Linkups: Greylock Mountain
Difficulty: Class 3 (bushwhacking, endurance, steep rocky summit block)
Usage: scrambling
Terrain: Rugged ridgeline above steep cliffs and brush
Traffic: Virtually Non Existent (1 previous recorded ascent)
Summit Register: Yes- PVC tube placed 10-2010 and the only existing signature was placed inside. The original signature was in a baby food jar and it was from Aug 5, 1989 Sierra Peaks Section- Angeles Chapter (Gordon MacLeod and Barbara Lilly- Simi Valley)
History / Etymology: Arval Anderson named this peak during the 1927 USFS mapping project. Which "was so named because they had a terrific snowstorm while they were there". (information courtesy of Super Dave and his research of Arval Anderson)
Getting There
Nearest Paved Roads: ID-21 (from Boise via Edna Creek this drive is about 2.5 hrs)
Nearest Dirt Roads / Conditions: China Basin/ Queens River Road (decent- usually passable without 4WD), Middle Fork of Boise River (Good), Swanholm Peak Road (Good), North Fork Boise River Road (Good), Edna Creek Road (Good)
Approach Trails / Conditions: The Queens River trail is a good single track trail. The China Basin trail toward Atlanta is rough in the river valley section and gets better the higher up it climbs.
Routes
Main Route: Follow the Queens River Trail for 5.7 miles. Leave the trail and climb steeply up through the cliff bands. There are many options and routes, but also many vertical cliffs. Once above the cliffs, the slope eases, yet is very brushy. Above 8000 feet is a talus field that will take you to the point between Blizzard and Point 9595 to the north. From the saddle, the ridge is straight forward. Retrace your steps or continue on the ridge to Greylock Mountain.
Main Route Stats: 16.7 miles / 5033 feet (round trip)
Average RT Time: 7-9 hours
Other Route: Greylock-Blizzard Traverse- Follow the Queens River Trail for 2.7 miles to the right turn (south) onto the China Basin / Joe Daly trail. This junction is marked with a small "Atlanta" sign. Cross the Queens River and climb the switchbacks to an initial high point, then drop into China Basin and climb to the high point of this trail at 1.8 miles from the previous junction. The trail from here drops down south to Atlanta, but leave the trail and follow the side ridge to a point between Point 8404 and Point 8826. This section is the most rugged and loose of this climb. From the saddle climb over Points 8826 and 9298. The true summit is Point 9363. Follow the ridge onto Blizzard Mountain for a great ridge traverse.
Other Route Stats: 17.8 miles / 7025 (round trip)
Average RT Time: 9-12 hours
Red Tape
Jurisdiction: Sawtooth National Forest
Permit: Yes- self registration at trailhead
Other Users / Issues: Hunters
Maps: USGS Quad- Atlanta West, Atlanta East, Mt. Everly
Guide Book: Tom Lopez, Idaho: A Climbing Guide
When To Climb
Climbing Season: May - Oct
Ideal Climbing Time: Sept
Nearest Weather Station: Atlanta, Smiley Creek, Vienna Mine
Weather Relative to Region: The trailhead is lower in elevation than much of the region and it similar to the Grandjean trailhead. Expect slightly warmer and drier conditions.
Camping
Car Camping Sites: Queens River CG, Riverside CG, Camp Gulch CG
Backpacking Sites: Along the Queens River, Misfire Lakes, lots of unnamed lakes below the ridge
Flora & Fauna
Potential Wildlife: Badger, Beaver, Black Bear, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Cougar, Coyote, Elk, Marmot, Marten, Moose, Mountain Goat, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Grouse
Confirmed Wildlife: Mountain Goat, Elk, Marmot, Pika, Grouse
Vegetation: Ponderosa, Lodgepole, Engelman Spruce