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 TapeJurisdiction:
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
Images
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