The region surrounding the peak is rich with mining history with remnants of one type or another nearly everywhere.  Nearby Silver City offers a taste of a  late 1800's mining town without the commercialism of other living ghost towns.  Situated just north of Hayden Peak is War Eagle Mountain, the site of many battles amongst miners and management, Indian raids, and more recently a radio antenna.  Although these mountains have been the victims of unregulated extraction throughout their recent history, one can easily find complete solitude in one of the most remote sections of the lower 48 states.  

 

Trails / Routes 

From the Lineham Road turnoff to the summit: 8 miles and 3200 feet gain (one way)

From the Sinker Creek turnout to the summit: 16.1 miles and 7050 feet gain (one way)

Snow often lingers on this approach well into May and even June in some years.  The Stage Road is subject to washouts and variable conditions and 4WD may be required.  Utilizing a mountain bike is a viable option for this specific route.

 

Leave the Silver City Stage Road at the Scotch Creek turnoff (marked with an "Access Yes" sign) and follow a steep jeep road south through the Sinker Tunnel past Oro Fino Gulch.  Pass numerous mining remnants and follow the steep road east and then north. Near the Burnham Flat area you can ascend the steeper north side.

From the Scotch Creek turnoff to the summit: 6.2 miles and 4640 feet gain (one way)

From the Sinker Creek turnout to the summit: 10.4 miles and 5340 feet gain (one way)

Snow often lingers on this approach even longer, often into June in many years.   Utilizing a mountain bike is a viable option for the first portion of the route. This route offers more hiking and scrambling. Private property issues may exist on this approach, but can be easily avoided.  Hiking through on foot or bike seems rather innocuous compared to the mining, off-roading, and destructive grazing that has occurred here.

 

From the Toy Pass area to the summit: 12.7 miles and 5100 feet gain (one way)

While this approach is generally longer, it offers a more snow free access, thus a longer season.  Utilizing a mountain bike is not a great option here due to some brief ridge hiking away from the jeep roads.. Some private property issues exist just west of the ridge and there are more active residents in the area.

Another possibility is from the Jordan Creek Area on the west side of the peak.

Maps:  USGS Cinnabar Mountain, USGS Toy Pass, USGS Silver City, 1:100,000 Sinker Canyon

Getting There

 

 

North Approaches:  From ID-78, just south of Murphy, follow the signed Silver City Road southwest through a narrow canyon on a highly variable dirt road.  Some years it can driven easily by a sedan. Other years, like 2006, a 4WD and/or high clearance will be required.  The Scotch Creek turnoff is 15 miles from ID-78. The Lineham Flat turnoff is 18.7 miles from ID-78

South Approach:  From ID-78, drive south of Murphy for 13 miles and turn off to Oreana. Follow the Bachman Grade (Triangle Road) up and just over Toy Pass after 14 miles.

Conditions and Season

 

 

Conditions in the Owyhee Mountains varies greatly. Although this is considered a desert mountain region, the peaks may accumulate 3 to10 feet over the winter.  Temperatures can be mild  in the winter and with the open slopes and prevalent wind, avalanches are not uncommon here.  The Silver City Newspaper of the 1800's was called the Owyhee Avalanche. Summers can be downright hot, like much of the canyons below.

From late December to March many of the roads are snowed in.  From March to June snow drifts may linger, but this time frame offers the greatest chance of solitude as the off road vehicles are not out generally. Summer time and especially summer weekends are very crowded (by Idaho standards) and Fall brings out the "hunters".  Early winter may offer a good time to explore also.  If you don't mind hiking or biking over a big snow drift, you'll most likely be alone past that point as the Off Roaders don't wander very far from their "machines".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver City, Idaho (Elevation 6150) Climate Data:	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Annual
Average Max. Temperature (F)	35.9	38.1	45.0	51.9	60.8	69.9	80.7	80.2	70.6	58.1	41.8	35.7	55.7
Average Min. Temperature (F)	20.4	20.9	27.0	31.6	40.3	46.6	55.5	55.0	46.2	36.8	25.1	20.5	35.5
Average Total Precipitation (in.)	2.91	2.16	2.29	2.40	2.49	1.34	0.60	0.54	0.82	1.41	2.10	2.09	21.15
Average Total SnowFall (in.)	20.3	13.0	10.6	5.7	2.0	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.2	2.0	11.0	15.5	80.5
Average Snow Depth (in.)	22	27	19	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	12	7

National Weather Service-Boise

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